Tri & Run

‘ve been meaning to write this for awhile and have just gotten around to it. I have had three very bad experiences at the Tri & Run. The first two times I gave them the benefit of the doubt (bad day/​distracted employee) now I’m pretty sure it’s because I don’t look like a runner.
The first two times I went in to buy products (once looking for a spi belt once a sports bra) I was ignored when I walked in. When I did get someones attention I was spoken to quickly and dismissively. The third time I was looking for a head band. At checkout I asked if they had a beginners running class and I was told no. When I was asked why my mother (who was with me) told me not to bother him (my mom wanted to get out of the shop). The guy (who I believe was the owner) said «You should listen to your mother». Excuse me? I’m a 38 year old adult who asked a pretty simple question.
The only thing I can think of as the reason (unless others have had similar experiences) is that I’m overweight. The first two times I came in I was training for the Boston Marathon (which I qualified for). The third time was after I had finished 9 months of chemotherapy for leukemia and I was looking for something to hide my hair loss/​find a beginners class to get back into the swing of running.
Why would I give my money to a company that either has employees with a chronic attitude problem or who don’t believe that overweight people (God forbid) run? Especially when they purport to be a Christian owned store.
I take my business to TracShack off of Mills Avenue. I’ve never had a problem there. They have a helpful non-​judgmental staff who are happy to help!

Wonderful local running store that has everything I need for my training needs. They also organize great running events in the area.
Owners are very friendly and knowledgeable.

My first experience here was not the greatest, but I have participated in several events they have organized and they are usually well run. The downtown Winter Garden course is kind of boring.

Great local running store with knowledgable owners, right on the West Orange Trail for all your running/​nutrition needs!

I was very excited to find a store that specialized not only in running but in triathlons too! When I got to the store I was somewhat disappointed to see how small and relatively empty of merchandise it was. Maybe I’m just spoiled by big shops like Track Shack in Orlando.
They have a small selection of running shoes and apparel and an even smaller selection of tri stuff. In fact, I saw a bigger selection of triathlon stuff at David’s Cycle on Edgewater! We wandered in and wandered out.

I dare you! This running and triathlon related store is a nice little place on Winter Garden’s busy Plant Street. The owner will most likely greet you, and the door is generally open to all those who are fitness enthusiasts.
Whether it’s the new line of Tri shoes, Zoot, or a pair of your standby Saucony’s, they can help you. The prices are about normal and the selection isn’t too vast, yet it’s not skimpy either. They have Tri clothes as well as normal running gear along with the staples a good runner should have. Powerbars, Clif Bars, Gel, Shocks, water bottles, watches, hats, socks, etc. They have a nice setup in a space that’s filled wisely – not crammed at all which made for some nice browsing.
Outside, on a Saturday afternoon, they had boxes of sneakers for sale and almost made you want to stop and see more. They also offer the «Life is Good» brand of clothing and hats which accentuates their idea that running, biking and swimming are part of a good life.
Overall, I think they have successfully created a store for all of us runners out there to come and enjoy. Plus the owner is a friendly man who is willing to chat if you are as well.