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Business & Tech

Achilles Running Shop Expands

Mentor store helps runners and walkers get their feet into the right shoes to prevent common foot and ankle ailments

Walking and running are two of the most popular exercises for many who want to lose weight and stay healthy. What’s more, these exercises are the least expensive ways to stay in shape.

And Kris Mendeszoon, who co-owns with her husband, Dr. Mark Mendeszoon, speculates the popularity and low cost of running and walking have contributed to the Mentor store’s growth.

To keep pace with that growth, Achilles Running Shop recently expanded by recently opening a new 6,000-square-foot retail location at 7439 Mentor Avenue.

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“Our first location (only 1,500 square-feet) served its purpose when we started six years ago,” said Mendeszoon. “But we ran out of space as we grew. We had no storage space. We had no room to show our apparel side of our business. We found this location and we couldn’t beat the deal.”

Mendeszoon speculates her business has been growing in part because more people are running and walking, which in a tough economy are low-cost ways for people to stay healthy.

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“If you are put in a good pair of running shoes, they can take you 400 to 600 miles of running or walking,” Mendeszoon said. “That is a lot less than paying for a gym membership.”

But the only downside to running and walking is that the exercises can lead to foot, ankle and leg ailments. For example, just an average day of walking brings a force equal to several hundred tons to bear on your feet, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. It’s estimated that eight out of 10 Americans experience foot problems from uncomfortable or ill-fitting shoes.

“It’s amazing what the wrong shoes can do to your feet,” Mendeszoon said. “It you’re feet aren’t right, it affects other parts of your body.”

However, the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine says common foot injuries such as arch pain, tendonitis and blisters may be prevented by stretching exercises and selecting good running shoes.

The Mendeszoons and their store employees are well versed in this area. Mark is a foot and angle surgeon at Precision Orthopedic Specialties Inc. in Chardon, and he also has been involved in track and field for more than 30 years. Kris competed in gymnastics and track and field in high school. Achilles Running Shop Manager David Jacobson competed in track and cross country while attending Chardon High School, and shop employee Doug Middleton was a competitive runner at .

To help customers select the most appropriate shoe, Achilles Running provides a free videotaped gait analysis for every customer. A gait analysis is a detailed look at how you walk or run. In addition to determining your foot type and shape, the gait analysis can help find the best running or walking shoes.

“We usually provide a customer with three to five different shoe types to try on because each shoe line has different designs,” said Mendeszoon. “Giving them that choice can help our customers select the most appropriate shoe.”

In addition to offering a full line of top brand running and walking shoes that can't be found at other stores, the Mentor store sells a wide range of running apparel and accessories. Achilles Running Shop also offers weekly sport massages and a workout room for customers.

The store is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m – 6 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

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