Last night we had the privilege to host our 3rd Annual Fashion Show & Gala. Each year we host this event to benefit Girls on the Run of Central Ohio. I was truly moved by the turnout. I saw many of you there, and it means a lot to me that you got behind the event, as it is something that the Fleet Feet + FrontRunner family is extraordinarily passionate about. 

This year's theme was Dare To Be. One of the corner stones of Girls on the Run is empowerment, so the theme played right into that. I designed a fee graphic tees for the event that said Dare to Be Fierce, Dare to Strong, Dave to be Brave, etc.... Last night we were all of those things. I saw a lot of brave women show up last night to tell their stories of overcoming what life has thrown at them. I saw one strong ass dude wear angel wings on a runway with nothing but pure confidence shining through. I saw a sold out crowd ready to walk into today and prove just how fierce they can be. 

One small building full of runners and walkers created something special last night. The energy was intoxicating...okay, maybe that was the special Dare to Be cocktails Grandview Theater cooked up for us. But the point is that the place was buzzing. There was a lot of excitement in the air. Everyone there felt empowered to do something amazing. To make change happen.

And all of that, whether you were there or not, is a direct reflection of what happens every Saturday at MIT. I'm truly addicted to the energy I get every Saturday morning seeing you all getting ramped up to get out and knock out a few miles. And most of you are just as equally drawn to it.

Sure there are mornings along that way, that frankly have and will suck, but the energy from all those around you keeps you coming back. You're getting stronger every week. You're growing more confident. You're on the precipice of showing the world who YOU are. And it's going to be amazing! 

Today, I'm daring you to be strong. I'm daring you to be fierce. I'm daring you to find the strength within you to push just a little bit harder, because in just a few short weeks you'll be toeing the starting line of your goal race. For some it will be your first time, for others you've been there all too many times. But whoever you are the energy flowing through you will inspire our city to do better. Your courage will motivate a friend or neighbor to follow your lead. You're strength will prove to your children that absolutely anything is possible. I can't wait to be there to see it all happen!

See you in the morning. 

Jeff

March 5 - Women's Self-Defense Class - 5:30-7:30pm at Fleet Feet with Darla Bolon - Given the potential for violence on the trails it is important that women runners and walkers have effective responses for handling threatening situations.   Having options and planning ahead of time are highly correlated with ending an assault successfully or avoiding it altogether. This class is designed specifically for MIT women and will cover effective verbal and physical strategies for dealing with threatening situations, particularly while walking or running.  Open to women only, ages 13 and older.  No one under 13 years old will be admitted to this class.   Long-time MIT member Darla Bolon has been teaching self-defense and personal safety classes for over 25 years.  She is certified by the National Women's Martial Arts Federation and The American Women's Self-Defense Association.  She teaches self-defense and personal safety classes at The Ohio State University, for employees of child protective services around the state of Ohio, and at regional and national conferences.To register for this free class please contact Darla via email (dbolon3@columbus.rr.com) or call: 614-327-7209.

What should I plan to wear to the next workout?

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