New Balance and Girly Girl Sneakers

Some of us (meaning some women) just don't like running shoes or walking shoes from a fashion standpoint. We just need something a little more stylish to accent our wardrobes. And sometimes another pair of heels is just another pair of heels, you need something different. That is were New Balance steps in! According to this article by Sarah Mahoney from MediaPost's Marketing Daily, next fall New Balance will launch NB Inside, a women's line of fashion sneakers.

This new line, along with a new look will feature innovative materials and comfort. "New Balance says NB Inside will sport" 'environmentally preferred materials' inside, 'using the natural cushioning, breathable, and lightweight properties of cork to provide maximum support.' The new shoes will also feature NB's ABZORB® and ABZORB® SBS shock absorbing technologies.

It's about time fashion and comfort came together to create a shoe that looks as great as it feels!

--Cassie

Helping the Homeless get back on their Feet

Anne Mahlum of Philadelphia is not your ordinary 27-year-old marathon runner. While she is dedicated to increasing her mileage and hitting her PR, she is also dedicated to helping local homeless men get back on their feet...in more ways than one. Anne started a Running Club for homeless men in her community. She even asked local businesses to donate clothing and shoes so her runners would have what they needed, "and the support that I received back is so astonishing," she said. Right away she had nine runners join her club.

Her club grew, and more and more men signed up. Soon, the group evolved into more than just a club, but a tight knit community, "this circle that we had just kept growing and growing, and the smiles got bigger, the hugs got tighter, and we started to develop this team, this family," Mahlum said.

As the weeks passed, the members of her club started to gain more than just health benefits, they gained a sense of freedom and increased mental health as well.

According to the article, the Back on My Feet homeless running club has jogged 3,335 miles so far.

This is the time of year to remember those less fortunate. Who would ever have thought that a hobby would turn into such an incredible cause, and improve the lives of homeless people. Anne's story shows us that if you share your passion with others, you can drastically change lives.

Happy Holidays!

--Cassie

Last Minute New Balance Gifts for the Men on your List

My husband and father are two of the most difficult people to shop for during the holiday season. They each tell me every year "I don't need anything." Well, of course you don't need anything, the holidays are about getting what you want. So, after poking and prodding and asking tons of questions about what they want, I finally have a list to work with. Here are a few items that were on their lists and some will be under our tree!

XT Running Glove
Neither my husband or my father run competitively, but these technical runnning gloves showed up on both of their lists. These gloves have a high density gel on the palms for extra grip; so scraping ice off cars, shoveling snow, or just driving are a little easier in these technical gloves.

Sneaker Balls
Gym bags are the worst; they collect dirt and trap odor. Sneaker balls go right into running shoes, cross trainers, etc. and freshen the inside of the shoe with a clean scent. So, gym bags won't be so scary to open anymore!

Gear Short
Comfy shorts with lots of uses. Guys can grab the Gear Short and head to the gym or wear lounging at home. My husband has three pairs, no kidding! And the New Balance Gear Short was recently featured in the December issue of Men's Health magazine as part of a "well stocked gym bag." Now, who can argue with that recommendation?

So, those are my favorite guy picks for Last Minute gifts. Whether the men in your life are weekend warriors, muscle men, marathoners, or everyday athletes, there is always something for them under the tree and in their gym bag!

--Cassie

NBwebexpress.com on The Complete Running Network

The NBwebexpress Blog, Online New Balance Store, is now on The Complete Running Network!

The Complete Running Network is an excellent resource for runners of all skill levels; you can find inspirational stories, informative articles, awesome gift ideas for runners, training tips, funny running anecdotes and tons more!

You can also find over a thousand running blogs all in one place (you will need to scroll down on this page to see our blog, under "Online New Balance"). You can also browse tons of other running blogs from all "walks" of life. There are blogs about/from elite runners, beginner, middle of the pack, back of the pack...you name it, you will find everyone here!

So, if you are looking for a little extra inspiration during the holidays and don't know where to look, check out The Complete Running Network!

--Cassie

NB Web Express Gift Certificates

Shoes can be difficult presents to give. What if you pick the wrong size? What if they need a cross trainer and not a running shoe? What about walking shoes, they might need those, too!? And who wants to ask their gift recipient tons of questions about what they want under the tree? That intense Q/A would give it away! Then there would be no surprise on the big morning.

You can solve all of these issues with an NB Web Express gift certificate. Plus, they are super convenient; these gift certificates can be emailed directly to your gift recipient. You can also send them U.S Postal Mail, but please allow 3-5 business days for delivery.

So, get them a gift certificate and let them choose their "Perfect Fit" this year on NBwebexpress.com!

--Cassie

Lace Up for the Cure! New Story Featured on NBwebexpress.com

Once every few months, we like to feature a personal story about a breast cancer survivor on NBwebexpress.com. We open this up to anyone and everyone visiting the site. Interested applicants enter their story for us online; we read each and every story submitted. They are all incredible stories, but once every so often, we come across a story that really touches our hearts beyond all others. For this month, it was Bethany Allen's story that grabbed our attention.

Bethany Allen was only 25 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time of her diagnosis, she was graduating from law school, had earned a sought after FBI internship, and she was training for a marathon. She never suspected cancer was in her future.

But after the diagnosis, after the treatments, after the battles, Bethany took charge of her disease. Despite the surgeries and chemotherapy, she graduated from law school, ran her marathon and beat the odds. She still has another year of treatments to go, but she has a fresh perspective on life.

Being in the mid-twenties myself, this story really hit home for me. It was not long ago that I was graduating from graduate school, starting my career and dreaming of the future. I can only imagine what Bethany went through during such an important time in a young woman's life. We think we are invincible in our twenties; but really we are never prepared for the unexpected turns of life. Her story has taught me to never take anything for granted because tomorrow may not be there.

Read her touching story on our Lace Up for the Cure page. It's a great story for the holidays and shows us all that if you believe in yourself, anything is possible; even beating cancer.

--Cassie

Last Minute New Balance Gifts for Ladies!

If you are like me, you have not finished your Christmas shopping. I still have my parents, in-laws and husband to finish shopping for, so this next week will not be easy! But, fortunately people can always use great shoes or comfortable fitness apparel; which brings me back to New Balance for last minute gift giving.

Here are a few of my favorites; and items I would not mind having under my own tree this year:

Women's Vent™ Mini: This fitness monitor is designed especially for women. It's smaller in size, so it fits on a woman's wrist perfectly without gaping or sliding. The water-resistant Vent Mini™ features 9 interval timers, 3 alarms, and a convenient training log.

Single Bottle Waistpack: This gift is perfect for the Lace Up! advocate or active woman with lots on her to-do list. The Lace Up! Single Bottle Waistpack is perfect for active days or any Lace Up for the Cure event next year. The adjustable waist belts are comfortable and made to fit every body type!

Cotton Stripe Lo-Cut Sock: The perfect stocking stuffer! This cute Lace Up! sock features fun stripes and a great fit for every foot. Your gift recipient can wear this sock for any activity they choose!

So, there you have it; some of my favorite last minute gifts for women this year. You really can't go wrong with items that will keep your loved ones healthy and happy in 2008!

--Cassie

Wear Test for New Balance

Attention Runners, walkers, and joggers everywhere! You could have what it takes to become a wear tester for New Balance. The wear testing program was set up to gain important feedback on new products. New Balance is always looking for new athletes to test different shoes, apparel and other items. They will use your feedback when updating styles or when making design decisions.

New Balance wants their products to be field tested just as they would be in the "real world." They want runners to up the mileage, run on rocky trails and put New Balance shoes to the test!

Know any active kids? Children can also apply to be wear testers of popular New Balance kids' shoes.

To apply, go to the New Balance website and fill out an application to become a wear tester. You will have to meet certain criteria to be considered.



--Cassie

An Early Christmas Present from New Balance

Here is a feel good story for the holidays; New Balance is donating unlimited shoes to a great cause. Frank Abate, who suffers from cerebral palsy and has made headlines for running marathons, has been promised all the New Balance shoes he can wear out.

The article explains how Abate wears out his shoes so fast in his training efforts, "Because of the way Abate runs — alternately swinging his legs forward and landing with his feet splayed out — he wears out his pairs of New Balance shoes a lot faster than the rest of us. Affording them is not always easy."

Maybe we can all learn something from Frank; that the impossible is possible with a little determination. He is even setting new PR's and new goals for coming races; an inspiration to everyone who runs.

Check out this "feel good" read and let us know your thoughts. What inspires you?

--Cassie