“My sister Stacy was running marathons and she knew that shoes, bras and nutrition were all different than just for the regular person,” Stein said. “She taught me all of these things, but I thought for the normal person who starts running, who is going to teach them?”
Stein knew that most people were going to the big box stores to buy running shoes and many were not buying the correct size or even the right shoes.
In September 2005, Stein opened her first Up and Running store in her hometown of Washington Township. In November 2011, she opened her second store at 12 S. Market Street in Troy.
Stein’s store offers personal service to every customer.
“We greet each customer and talk to them about what they are doing in their workouts – whether it’s training to run a 5k or walking a dog - it doesn’t mean they get a different product – everyone gets the same fitting process,” she said. “Once we get that information, then we test shoes and ultimately the customer picks what feels best.”
Size is important, according to Stein, since many people haven’t been measured in years.
“We urge people not to guess at shoe size,” she said. “Very few people are in the right size.”
Up and Running also sells a variety of other running related gear, including electronics, compression, sunglasses, hats and nutrition items, as well as, according to Stein, the all-important sports bra.
“Your first piece of equipment is a shoe and, if you’re a woman, the second piece is a sports bra,” she said. “We can measure and we can give you choices. Once a woman finds the right bra, it’s amazing and you can hear the difference in their voices. ”
Stein is on a mission to help walkers as well.
“I feel bad for the walker because they deserve a good shoe as much as the runner,” she said. “Walkers sell themselves short and they don’t think they need to feel good, but it’s just as important for them.”
For more information, log on to www.upandrunningindayton.com
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