Trail running has been my go to for over two decades, and never stops challenging me in obstacles from logs, deer, and today ice… everywhere I wanted to speed up there was…. you get the picture.
Universal Sole Trail running series has been Chicago’s premiere running series event host for over a decade. I was involved with Universal Sole when they were a small running shoe store in Chicago’s Lakeview area run by Paul Peters, Jessica, and partners. A welcoming, and family type atmosphere where yes, everyone knew your name, running style, and speed on some of the city’s, and national races. It was that type of store.
Equipment to gear you up for training, and racing were stocked. If not they bent over backwards to get it for you quickly. I was honored to run, and train with the U-Sole team. I have to say that these guys were, and still are wickedly fast runners. I trained with some of them in the mid nineties, and proud to have them lead me to some personal bests, and coach me for some adventure races also.
They supported me when I could no longer run, and helped me recover from a major life altering event that stopped my running career altogether. So, getting back to running, and now racing a trail race that they sponsor is heartwarming, and brings me great joy. A challenge met, and looking forward to once again run in the U-Sole sponsored race series.
I hope one day you can enjoy the family atmosphere wherever it may be of a local shop that knows how you run, what your best and not so best times are, and what they can in turn help you grow to become a better runner.
Ruck and Field Fitness 