Got Goals? We can help you reach them!

By Coach Laura Henry

Ten years ago, I moved to Syracuse and didn’t know a soul.  I was fresh off of a major injury sustained while I was in the Police Academy (that injury and subsequent loss of that job is what prompted my move to Syracuse).  I knew I wanted to be active and make friends in my new city, but I didn’t have a clue how to do it.

Before starting the Police Academy, my department had sent me and my fellow recruits on a 100-mile road trip to Fleet Feet Syracuse to be fit for good footwear and to get outfitted with what we needed to endure the physical training we would encounter in the Academy.  So, when I moved to Syracuse, I went to literally the only place I knew in town: Fleet Feet Syracuse.

I was greeted with a smile, and the staff working at the time told me about some new running programs that they were going to be starting up.  I decided to go to an Information Session, and my introvert self felt SO at ease with the folks who were going to be coaching the program. Reaching outside of my normal comfort zone, I decided to sign up for a program called Advanced 5K so I could meet some people, explore new areas, and give this “running for fun” thing a try.

The goal race of that program was the ARC 5K, and to be very honest, despite the encouragement of my teammates and coaches in the Advanced 5K Program, I was so intimidated by the idea of going to a race that I didn’t show up on race day.  I regretted this choice after the fact, so I signed up for another round of the Advanced 5K Program the following Spring. That year, I *did* show up to the goal race (Paige’s Butterfly Run), a spark was lit inside of me, and a love of endurance sports and the Fleet Feet Syracuse community was born.  I haven’t looked back since.

It’s now my complete and utter joy to coach dozens of new athletes each year who come to Fleet Feet Syracuse to get their start in movement and wellness programs.  It is my greatest hope that each person who participates in a Fleet Feet Running Club Training Program will feel the same sense of community, strength, and joy that I did when I came to Syracuse ten years ago.

Fleet Feet Running Club has some wonderful programs coming up this spring/summer that are now open for registration.  Whether you want to take on your first 15K, swim/bike/run your way to a triathlon finish line, or get faster at running, we’ve got a program for you!

Spring Triathlon Training Program

This 14-week coached program prepares you to swim, bike, and run - all in one event!  This program meets twice a week and provides in-person swimming and cycling coaching, along with a complete training plan to prepare you for your race.  Spring Triathlon begins on Thursday, May 2.

Boilermaker Training Program

This 10-week coached program will prepare you for Central New York’s most popular race - the Boilermaker 15K!  The Boilermaker Training Program begins on Wednesday, May 8.

Track Tuesdays

NEW this year, we’re heading to the track on Tuesdays!  Track Tuesdays is a drop-in program that is designed for runners of all abilities who would like to improve their speed, strength, or power for running and/or other fitness goals.  This program begins on Tuesday, May 14 and runs each Tuesday all summer long!

Laura Henry has been employed at Fleet Feet Syracuse since 2016 and has been an endurance sports coach for more than six years.  She is the Head Coach of the Triathlon Program and Fleet Feet X-Training Program (FFXT) as well as the Coordinator of Fleet Feet Syracuse's Workplace FIT Program.  Outside of work, Laura enjoys traveling, photography, reading, and cooking.  She can be reached at lhenry@fleetfeetsyracuse.com.