Why we do what we do.  

I love owning Fleet Feet Sports with Dan. There are days though,like with so many of us that I think,- why do I do this? It is a business so there are days of paying bills, dealing with health insurance, buying supplies, wading through paperwork. Then I think - I know that "corporate" part of what I do does not speak to the real part of Fleet Feet! I focus back on - Why we do what we do!

The Fleet Feet Sports manifesto speaks loudly about why we do what we do. "It is not a shoe store. It is a starting point. A place that converts human inertia into a force. "Tramples down walls and eradicates excuses. Brings a nation to its feet. It moves people for life and health and strength. Its momentum is unstoppable. It moves people to move people. It moves people together. It ignites hearts and inspires emotion. And that emotion turns into motion. That motion is turning out to be a movement."

"We are the Movement. And so are you.  Be the Movement"

We have talked about No Boundaries, our beginner 5K training program, many times. No Boundaries is one of the most inspiring things we do at Fleet Feet Sports. We hear great things from participants all wanting to Be the Movement for health, for weight loss, and so many other reasons. I want to share a note from a group of five participants in our last No Boundaries session.

Why we do what we do in words to one of our coaches:

~ "As a mentor for No Boundaries, you definitely make a difference in people's lives in one way or another. I wanted to let you know that you made a difference in ours. My family and I are grateful for yours and the other mentors' guidance and inspiration. Our mom passed away in May from cancer. We shortly after came across the No Boundaries program and quickly thought it would be not only a challenge as none of us have run before but a great way to bond as a family, keep busy, and get healthy. We set out to accomplish this race for our mom. And we did it! We are thoroughly grateful to you all as it has been a great accomplishment and the perfect therapy for us. In a time of great grief, we found a way to keep going and lean on one another. We could not have done it without all of you. We will truly miss the Monday night runs and all of you. It was a wonderful experience and we all plan to continue running and hope to run with all of you again in the future. Thank you!"

Why we do what we do - as seen in the faces of young runners benefiting from Shoes on Students. SOS is another way that we live up to the words of the Fleet Feet manifesto - moving people to move. There are just so many young runners trying to achieve their athletic goals, facing the challenge of inadequate equipment to do that. Brooks Running helps us to do what we do with their continued support of the Fleet Feet 15K. Visit our photo gallery to see the impact of what we do on young runners lives.

Shoes on Students Slideshow

The Color Run painted our town this past August helping us to do what we do. A fun event that encouraged individuals of all age and all levels of fitness to get out there, run, walk, and get colorful!  The Color Run also provided donations to teams of young athletes from local schools (they were tossing that color at the participants) in all areas of sports helping them to travel to meets, purchase equipment, and make it easier to achieve their dreams.

Why we do what we do - everyday for you. We look to offer options to improve the way you live. We offer programs and events that create a common spirit of health and active living. We work to be the expert for you in all that you need to know about running, walking and fitness to support you on your path to health. We create an emotional bond with all of you out on the roads with you - training and racing.  All of you is why we all do what we do!  Our focus is always on that every day!

Alice and Dan Loncto and the Fleet Feet Buffalo Team