eat a (big) peach
one of the greatest things about writing for this blog (besides the inevitable fun comments that always come) is that i get a chance to tout local business that just stand out above and beyond the rest.
my love affair with criminal records is a matter of record*. and recently i have been falling in love with the big peach running company in brookhaven. for a runner, nothing beats a great running store and atlanta is lucky to have one in the big peach. its owned by mike cosentino, ultra-marathoner and author of the atlanta running guide.
i am training for the las vegas marathon and over the last few weeks as the miles ratcheted up it became clear that my shoes were absolutely not right with my foot. i had been in the big peach before a few times but never really to buy shoes.
the lady who helped me out was amazing. so much knowledge, so much love for the sport. she must have spent 30 minutes trying on all sorts of shoes for me. i ran on the treadmill, then watched myself on digital video to see how my feet fell and pushed off. then another pair, then another run.
she also showed me some specific stretches for some pain i was having, helped me with training strategies and wished me luck and told me to come back with a report. and the kicker, nothing i bought was really more expensive than it was at dick’s. now i have bought shoes at dick’s before and NEVER gotten that kind of service. that’s what really sets business like criminal and the big peach apart. the best staff. with love for the merchandise that no amount of ‘economies of scale,” will ever replicate,
so hooray for the big peach. check ’em out (they also have a location in marietta).
Good post. I have never heard of this store. Will check it out. Good luck in Vegas!
p.s. Are you training with a group? Where do you do your long runs?
The Big Peach is the best. I’ve been buying my shoes there for a couple of years and am always impressed. I inquired about knee braces my last time there because I’ve been having trouble. The guy helping me said to hold off for a few weeks and see if the new shoes help. Imagine someone not trying to sell you something!
I couldn’t agree more.
Here’s the Atlanta Metblogs entry I wrote last year about Big Peach Running Company.
I am glad to see things haven’t changed much.
training on my own. as for where i run; i stick to grant park, peoplestown, inman park, candler park, east atlanta, cabbagetown pretty much.
yesterday’s route here – http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=502490
I wrote this comment, then looked at Paulie’s post from last year. So I see we’ve already discussed Phidippides, but it’s worth another shout-out.
Another good local option, they’ve got the same friendly personal service. They’ll watch you run and analyze your stride (although I didn’t see any crazy mood-ring imprint technology, everyone seems extremely knowledgeable), suggest shoes and corrections as well.
And even though I am decidedly not a die-hard runner, they were all quite friendly and I didn’t feel out of place or newbie-esque. http://www.phidippides.com/ in ansley mall
went to phidippides once and everything seemed cool, but didn’t really shop it, so i can’t really compare. everything i have heard is good though.
phidippies is owned by former olympian jeff galloway, who also made famous the run/walk method of running marathons.