Hello from Boston! This CA girl feels like she’s jet-lagged and on the other side of the world. But, I am running off adrenaline and have a ton to share about today!
New Balance was very generous and is sponsoring our Reach the Beach team. Hence our name – Off Balance!
Our company contact organized a day of pre-race fun so we met in Boston for lunch and van decorating.
There were a bunch of different lunch bags and we chose based on names. I picked the Farmer’s Market with Turkey. 
It was a wrap filled with turkey, cheese and a bunch of veggies – including edamame! 
We’re not done with the van decorating just yet. More to come 
Then we piled into the van and headed to the New Balance factory.
There is a camera crew following us around all weekend, so that’s kinda fancy huh?!
I grew up in a family where I was taught the importance of buying American. So, I really love that New Balance is the only athletic shoe manufactured in the US. 
25% of their shoes are made in the US. That accounts for over 2000 jobs!
We got a tour of the manufacturing floor. 
We saw how the shoes are made from cutting the leather uppers…
and getting the layers added
To getting sewn into shape
Then we headed to talk to their Biomechanics experts
The group split up into 3 and we got a ton of great information on how they study biomechanics and shoes. (It’s Sarah Fit!)
The Smash Lab tests things like how much cushion a certain foam has…
and how quickly a shoe wears.
They lab had competitor shoes to test too. I think Theodora wishes this was a banana.
We all got the chance to run on a treadmill and watch our gait. 
Mid-day snacks. That green cookie is pistachio…
Jenny Simpson!
Shoes shoes shoes shoes shoes
After the tour we headed to Watchusett (where the race begins). It was a drive that required snacks. Good and bad.
We just got back from a team dinner and photo shoot!
I’m dying of tired-ness (yes, that’s a word). Good night!
Your day looks like so much fun! 🙂
Great post! Love seeing the factory and knowing about the USA jobs. Your links aren’t working, btw. 🙂
Shoe heaven. that’s awesome. love the fueled by expensive nut butter. too cute!
I did not know that NB was an American company. I do wish they fit me. It seems like no matter what style I try in NB they just don’t work for me. 🙁 What a great experience you had!
I didn’t realize that about New Balance. Very cool day!
Good luck!
The Kidless Kronicles
Is a pistachio cookie a good thing? Looks tasty!!
That looks like an awesome tour! Good luck at your relay! 🙂 Sounds like a blast!
Have fun and good luck at the relay!!!!
Go to Wachusett Brewery and have a Country Ale – Best Beer all over the country! Good Luck at the race.
How was that Chocolate Chip cookie you had?
thats so awesome!! i love the ‘fueled by expensive nut butter’ haha sounds about right. 🙂
Looks like a fun trip! I don’t think I could run in front of other people who are specifically watching me, but it’d be interesting to know how I run.
I love seeing all my favorite bloggers in one place! It’s so cool. I hope to one day be where you are. Have fun!
Girl I’m worried for you! Hoping you can get a little sleep before the race starts… you won’t get much during the race!!
Please ask her where she got her Team Peeta shirt! Love it!!
I got it on Etsy! http://www.etsy.com/listing/92208018/womens-hunger-games-team-peeta-t-shirt
Thanks! I have to get one! Love it!
You didn’t mention the most important thing… how was your chocolate chip cookie?!?!?! 🙂
The last time I flew from the west coast to the east coast it was also daylight savings time weekend. It really messed up my sense of time!
Pistachio > spinach in green cookies!
Ugh, BRB- rolling around in pistachio pudding. Gimme that cookie!
Good luck with the relay!
That looks like such a cool day! How interesting to see the workshop, smash lab, and gait analysis.
Looks like such a great experience! And that pistachio cookie looks amazing…
Totally awesome experience. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!!
I thought I saw Gretchen! I follow her, too! 🙂
Yes! Gretchen is on the team! She’s runner #1 🙂
really random but it just kills me when you tag things as fancy..love it!!
have a great time this weekend!!!
It is so cool you got to go to the factory! What did you learn about your gait??
I actually was borrowing Theodora’s shoes which are too big, so I’m not sure my analysis was super accurate. But, it seems like I’m heel striking A LOT! Need to work on that.
Looks like so much fun! Hope you get some sleep!
That looks like so much fun! What a great experience. And you are famous on camera! woohoo. Have an awesome race 🙂
Get some rest and some coffeeeeecoffeeecoffeeee!