They have very knowledgeable and friendly staff people and its surprisingly non-pretentious atmosphere is very welcoming. I have never had my feet or gait or anything looked at to determine the best style sneaker for me, so it was great to have the FREE consultation and recommendation. I am not a technical runner by any standards but was able to easily communicate with the saleswoman, describing my typical workouts, along with any problems I have had such as a specific knee pain last summer and shin splints for life.

From all the details I can remember, here is my very non technical version of what I was told and what types of sneakers I should buy.

Keep in mind fleet feet carries readily available “standard” brands with no markup, and this is all for the sake of getting the most out of running. So now I am informed, I can choose to buy other sneakers anywhere, which is obviously a nice convenience. Although I can’t imagine not wanting to support such a great business and i will definitely go back there when I need sneakers again.

Well I found out I walk abducted with my feet pointing slightly out (probably from dancing growing up) which can affect the hip and outer knee. I have a somewhat high arch but no pronation (roll in) or supination (roll out), so I am fairly neutral, which gives me some more options. Also, while my feet are very small (left is women’s 5.5 sitting 6 standing, right is 4.5 sitting 5 standing) they are rigid and strong, with thin skin.

The saleswoman chose 3 shoes she thought would work best. One was a New balance, one was Brooks, and another saucony. I walked and jogged and tested all three individually. I narrowed it down by eliminating the saucony (too wide by the toes for my preference) and wore a new balance on my left and a Brooks on my right and jogged one more time to compare them because they were so close. I chose the Brooks Glycerin 8 for the way it felt better in the arch. I was given a nice reusable shopping bag, and my name and shoe purchase were entered into the system. One, to keep track of shoe I bought so I don’t have to remember and two, because once you spend $250, you get a $25 in store credit. No gimmicks.

Just to be sure and double check my purchase, I compared the sneaker to online prices when i got home and it was the same. I also read that the shoes I chose happened to receive an editor’s choice from runner’s world for Spring 2010 sneakers.

Then I took my dog for a nice walk and I am looking forward to testing them out on a run tomorrow.

I highly recommend Fleet Feet and thank them for their help.

For all you prepsters out there:
J.Crew outlet is set to open in the French Mountain Commons in Lake George on February 9, 2010!

Saratoga Race Season is a rite of summer, and a great place to meet friends, enjoy an afternoon.

Opening day is just around the corner (Wednesday July 29th), but for those of us who cant wait:

you can obviously check out the Racino OR you can go to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.  Its not just for tourists its fun

http://www.racingmuseum.org/

Best part in my opinion: For everyone over the age of 10, you can even get a 1 and 1/2 hour tour of the Oklahoma Training Track! And they let you take pics!

Tours are June through October on Saturdays by reservation only.

And from July 29 through Sept. 6 (official track season) you can go Wednesday through Sunday, reservations recommended.  (No tours on Travers weekend).

Some other good links:

http://www.nyra.com/index_saratoga.html

http://www.saratogagamingandraceway.com/Home.aspx

http://www.saratogaracetrack.com/

http://www.washingtoncountyfair.com/events.asp

• And make sure to stop into Eli’s Broad St Breakfast in Schuylerville next to Byron’s Market, on the other side of the parking lot.

70 Broad Street (Route 4), Schuylerville, NY

open 6:30-noon on Saturday and 7am-noon on Sunday.

I went there 2 weeks ago, didn’t have my camera on me so I couldn’t take any pics, but the food is amazing, not outrageously priced, all fresh ingredients and there’s a super friendly staff.  Theres outdoor and indoor seating.

I had a bacon egg and cheddar cheese sandwich that was outstanding, and my date had blueberry pancakes and they were the best pancakes I’ve ever tasted!  The home fries with the onions were the best (you can choose from plain home fries, with onions, or cajun).

• If you’re not an early bird, then go straight to The Ice Cream Man on Route 29 just past the fairgrounds and on the left (if you are heading east.)  It was featured on Bobby Flay’s Throwdown, and for a good reason!   http://www.the-ice-cream-man.com/ They also have sandwiches.  They are open 11:00am – 9:30pm.  http://www.foodnetwork.com/throwdown-with-bobby-flay/ice-cream-sundaes/index.html The range of flavors is endless and they change daily.

• The state boat launch is just over the bridge ,and you can also fish from there and enjoy the lake views.

•  Bayshore’s Tropic Hut is ALWAYS a good time, they have live music, great drinks, and a menu to fill u up.  I like their wings best personally.  You can sit outside on the grass or the patio and watch the boats go by, and you can get out of the sun under the awning and inside at the bar.

Bayshore’s Tropic Hut http://www.bayshorestropichut.com/

• One of my facorite things to do with friends is rent Kayaks at the Kayak Shak at Fish Creek Marina. Sooo much fun, and in the $20 range for a nice afternoon.  You can also get a bite to eat  or a drink at the restaurant at Fish Creek Marina: Harvest & Hearth that has a great bar, a deck, and they make artisan pizzas.  

Harvest & Hearth (was Chameleon on the Lake) http://www.harvestandhearth.com/

 Kayak Shak at Fish Creek Marina http://www.fishcreekmarina.com/kayak.htm

• But my most favorite thing to do, and its NOT seasonal, is go to Panza’s.  Whether its for the entertainment and fun crowd on Saturday nights,  a quiet romantic meal, or a drink at the bar and view of the lake and sunset through the bar window, I always enjoy it there.  Old School all the way.  The BEST thing Panza’s has to offer: their PIZZA!  You won’t see it on their menu on their website, but only Wed-Fri they serve the best Brick Oven pizza in the area.  Great ingredients and a family recipe keep their pizza consistent and delicious.  I love the pepperoni pizza with a side of their blue cheese dressing for occasional dipping

http://www.panzasrestaurant.com/home.asp

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/feb/22/0222_Panza/

510 Route 9P Saratoga Springs, NY 120866 518-584-6882 Can get to-go or in house.

Pnaza’s originally started as Panza Pizza bakery in Mechanicville 1897 by Ma Panza.

The Saratoga Lake location has existed since 1938!!!

4^th generation Panzas Anthony and Michael now run Panza’s Restaurant.

3^rd generation Andew Panza still contributes part time on Wed, Thu, Fri making pizzas.  Pizza was off the menu for awhile but luckily returned in 2006.

Besides their pizza I’m raving about, I am a fan of the Chicken Parm, the Chicken Boursin, and the caesar salad, but everythings amazing there.

Other fun places on Saratoga Lake:

•  Manginos www.manginos.com
• Verros Anchor Inn bar
• South Shore Snack Shack and Marina http://www.southshoremarinaofsaratoga.com
•  Saratoga Boatworks http://www.saratogaboatworks.com/

Benjamins Fine Flooring has moved!

From 511 State Route 29 to 109 Fiddlers Elbow Road Greenwich NY 12834 518.692.7569

below article from: http://www.metroland.net/smallbiz_feature.html

Benjamin’s Fine Flooring, LLC

Jessica Ryan-Manager, Sany Bain-Sales, Ben Grieco-Owner

109 Fiddler’s Elbow Road, Greenwich, 692-7569, benjaminsfineflooring.com

Benjamin’s Fine Flooring, founded by Ben and Sherrie Grieco, is a full-service floor-covering store, and has been serving the Capital Region for over 35 years. At Benjamin’s, we offer a quality selection of all flooring types—ceramic tile, carpet, hardwood, laminates, vinyl, natural stone, and remnants. We offer top flooring brands like Shaw, Mohawk, Daltile, and Mannington . . . but have always strived to carry flooring lines that set us apart from our competitors. We offer a full line of “green” flooring, like Marmoleum, Smart Strand and wool carpets, cork, and oiled hardwoods, and also carry a beautiful selection of ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles from around the world. Our company does both residential and commercial work, and we warranty all of our installations for life. We have all of our own payrolled expert installers who have worked for us for years, but also offer a full line of installation tools and materials for your next do-it-yourself project. We pride ourselves on excellent one-on-one customer service. Our staff here at Benjamin’s is very knowledgeable of all flooring types and the proper installation of each. Feel free to call us with questions or even for ideas any time! We enjoy doing custom work, and working with you to design the exact layout/pattern you’ve been envisioning. We offer free in-home estimates, and 90 days same as cash financing. Come check out our beautiful new showroom and warehouse, or give us a call . . . and let us help you design the floor of your dreams!

A Full Service Floor Covering Store ~ Retail and Installation of Ceramic Tile, Vinyl, Carpet, Hardwood, Laminates, Marble, Slate, and Marmoleum.
Instock Carpet Remnants and Rolls, Mannington Vinyl Rolls, and Laminates….many beautiful options, at great wholesale pricing.
Free Estimates *Guarenteed Installation*Financing

Hours: Monday – Friday 10-5 Saturday 9-3 Closed on Sundays

Check out local Malta, NY restaurants and have a cocktail!

http://www.saratoga.com/event/12465/

http://www.maltabpa.com/show_newsDetails.php?file=30

http://www.linkedin.com/osview/canvas?_ch_page_id=1&_ch_panel_id=1&_ch_app_id=7083120&_applicationId=2000&_ownerId=0&appParams=%7B%22go_to%22:%22events/86208%22,%22referrer%22:%22public%22%7D

check out http://www.saratogacountyfair.org/ for the schedule.

Fair open 9am-midnight.

Midway open noon – midnight.

Beer Garden open noon-midnight.

Gen Admission Tu-Th $7

Gen Admission Fri-Sun $10

Senior Citizens Wed July 15 until 5pm: $4

Under 50″ tall: free

$20 ride handstamps available.

Built in 1802 by Gideon Putnam and expanded after the opening of the Saratoga Racecourse in 1863,  the Grand Union Hotel was one of the largest buildings in the area and catered to the rich and famous.

It was located on the West side of Broadway near where the Adephi Hotel is located.

Unfortunately, the hotel was torn down in 1953, and a Grand Union Supermarket was built in its place.

Article June 30, 1907 NY Times

 http://www.grandunionhotel.org/

Saratoga and How to See It by R.F. Dearborn:

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/17633

http://www.saratoga-springs.info/saratoga-hotels.php

Tonight, July 10^th, Mirk and The New Familiars as well as Timbre Coup will be playing for the Grand Opening.

 Putnam Den also pays homage to Saratoga history with a wall mural of the nineteenth century Grand Union Hotel by Albany artist Samson Contompasis. Putnam Den offers 10 beers on tap, speciality cocktails and more, serves Esperanto’s food til 4am, has nine bathrooms and an outdoor patio to come.

http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/06/29/news/doc4a482cccbb27d927667123.txt

http://www.jambase.com/shows/Shows.aspx?ArtistID=&VenueID=94818&City=&State=&Zip=&StartDate=&EndDate=&Rec=False

Other recent and future Saratoga Springs openings:

Sabinas, The Backstretch Taproom & Terrace, 8 Tables, The Seven Horse Pub, Chicory’s Ballston Brasserie, Brickyard Tavern, El Mexicano, Harvest & Hearth, Brindisis will be opening another restaurant in October at the  Saratoga Hilton Hotel Called Grand Union Hotel, Route 29 Deli, Irish Times, Esperanto Expansion,  Hot Dog Charlies.