A great weekend out at Oak Mountain State Park at the Autumn Equinox 25/50k. Thanks to Race Director Owen Bradly and all the volunteers for making this such a fun and challenging way to celebrate this great fall weather. We’re thrilled to have 3 AO Team members (John Cobbs, Ali Edwards, Philip Croley) take the top three overall places in the 50k distance with all three breaking the 5-hour mark, plus new course records set by John Cobbs for the males and Ali Edwards for the females! Congratulations to all the finishers and to everyone for making this event so great. We look forward to being apart this race again next year!

This Thursday, Sep. 27th Alabama Outdoors will be hosting a Trail Running Injury Prevention Clinic presented by Eskridge and White Physiotherapy downstairs at our Homewood store at 6pm. Join us as we learn from the best about proper technique, strengthening, stretching, and maybe even unlearning some bad habits of running. The therapist at Eskridge and White have been taking care of the Alabama running community for some time now and I and personally thrilled to have them come out and share a little of their wisdom with us for an evening. Sign up on our FaceBook Invite as seating will be limited for this informative evening.

This Saturday is the first in our Alabama Xterra Trail Run Series produced by Dirty Spokes Productions. Come out to Mt. Cheaha State Park for a 6.2mile Trail Run through one of the most beautiful areas of Alabama. This will be your first chance to gain points in the overall for the 5 race series. If your looking for the perfect fast short trail course, you’ve found it, plus this race is ideal for those new to the trails and looking to get out for the first time on the dirt. We’ll be presenting great prizes for both the overall places and age group winners.

This evening our good friends Merrell will be out at our Every Tuesday Group Trail Run at Red Mountain Park. Merrell will have demo shoes and free swag for all. We’ll meet as always between 5:30pm and 5:45pm heading out promptly at 6pm for the trails. Couple of changes – As the days get shorter we’ll need to start wrapping up a little earlier. The park closes at dusk which is about 6:45pm so we’ll be sticking more and more to the 6pm strict start time. Also, make sure and bring a water bottle to run with as we’ll have less water on course as the days get cooler (always plenty at the start area in the parking lot).

See ya on the trails!

Shop Locally, Eat Locally, Run Locally!

Phil

Specialty outdoor retailer Alabama Outdoors is set open two new retail locations in Alabama this Fall. The first, in Montgomery, will open September 28th.  A new storefront in the Inverness community of Hoover is scheduled to open October 5th.
“I’m excited to see growth in the number of communities that we serve,” says company president Scott McCrory. “We are passionate about the outdoors and serving the people who enjoy it.”

Alabama Outdoors had operated stores in Hoover and Montgomery in the past, but those locations were closed prior to McCrory and a group of investors acquiring the retailer in July 2010.

“We’re a new company in many respects,” McCrory said. “We’ve worked diligently to build upon past successes of the brand, while implementing core values that center on providing exceptional customer service. We look forward to serving the communities of Montgomery and Hoover.

Alabama Outdoors is a leading provider of apparel, footwear and equipment that enhances the outdoor life. Specializing in product from Patagonia, The North Face, Chaco, Merrell, TOMS, Mountain Khaki’s, Salomon and more, Alabama Outdoors has established itself through excellent service to customers, quality products and expertise in the outdoors.

The Montgomery location will occupy a space in the Festival Plaza shopping center on Vaughn Road, next to Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers. A ribbon cutting with the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce will be held on Friday, September 28th at 5 p.m. and is open to the public. Product specials, giveaways, and demonstrations will be held throughout the weekend.

The Inverness storefront will be at the intersection of Hwy 280 and Valleydale Road in the former Blockbuster Video location. A ribbon cutting with the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce will be held on Friday, October 5th at 11:00 a.m. and is open to the public. Product specials, giveaways and demonstrations will be held throughout the weekend.

Alabama Outdoors also operates locations in Homewood, Trussville, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Florence and Mobile.

We’re kicking off the fall trail season in style with 3 events over 2 weeks!

Alabama Outdoors presents this weekend’s Autumn Equinox 25k & 50k trail run out at Oak Mountain State Park on September 23rd. We’re thrilled to be working with our friend and race director Owen Bradley in our own Birmingham backyard! Runners can chose 16miles once around the red trail, make it 2 loops for 32miles, or just come out to cheer on the runners and spend some time outside in a beautiful area of Alabama supporting a great local event. This is a very laid back affair with great after party. Race registration and information here. We’ve got some great race prizes for both distances plus our friends at The North Face will be stopping by with some free swag and shoe demos to try out!

Thursday Sept 27th Alabama Outdoors will be hosting a Trail Running Injury Prevention Clinic presented by Eskridge and White Physiotherapy downstairs at our Homewood store at 6pm. Join us as we learn from the best about proper technique, strengthening, stretching, and maybe even unlearning some bad habits of running. The therapist at Eskridge and White have been taking care of the Alabama running community for some time now and I and personally thrilled to have them come out and share a little of their wisdom with us for an evening. Sign up on our FaceBook Invite as space will be limited for this informative evening.

To top the month off we’re thrilled to be presenting the first of our Alabama Xterra Trail Run Series produced by Dirty Spokes Productions. Come out to Mt. Cheaha State Park for a 6.2mile Trail Run through one of the most beautiful areas of Alabama. This will be your first chance to gain points in the overall for the 5 race series. If your looking for the perfect fast short trail course, you’ve found it, plus this race is ideal for those new to the trails and looking to get out for the first time on the dirt. We’ll be presenting great prizes for both the overall places and age group winners.

This evening is our Every Tuesday Evening Group Trail Run at Red Mountain Park! And it’s gonna be a really fun wet run! We’ll be out there getting it done on the trails rain or shine staying in shape for the upcoming trail season! FYI We won’t have any water on the course as it’s too wet to drive on the trails so bring along your water bottle and come out for some great fun with us. We will have plenty of water at the start/finish with our rainy day minimal setup. *** If come 5pm it’s severe weather then we’ll call off the run, but it looks like it’ll be just some ole rain making for a really great cool evening*** Stop on by any one of our 6 locations for all your trail needs including professional trail shoe fit, the best in trail gear, expert outdoor advice, and all the newest outdoor styles.

See ya on the trail my friends!

Shop Locally, Eat Locally, Run Locally

Alabama Outdoors and Shoals Yoga Present: Yoga In The Park

In honor of National Yoga Month, Danielle Snoddy & Ashley Baker from Shoals Yoga will be leading a free one hour yoga class open to everyone. The class will take place on September 15th, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Wilson Park in Florence, AL. Join us to energize your body while finding a calm & peaceful mind. Please bring your own mat (we will have a few to borrow). Refreshments served after class. Door Prizes and discounts offered from local sponsors.

Friends of Hurricane Creek, Habitat for Humanity, Kentuck Arts Center, and Local Artists Join to Celebrate the “It’s All Good- Hurricane Creek Reclaimed Wood Art” Exhibit

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, September 4, 2012 | Friends of Hurricane Creek

From September 6th through September 27th, the Georgine Clark Gallery at the Kentuck Arts Center will host the “It’s All Good- Hurricane Creek Reclaimed Wood Art” Exhibit. Community members are encouraged to attend this free art exhibit to see how local artists, students, and residents used tornado-tumbled timber from Watson’s Bend at Hurricane Creek to inspire hope and beauty.

Since the Watson’s Bend Campground along Hurricane Creek was decimated by the 2011 Tuscaloosa tornado, the Friends of Hurricane Creek and Hurricane Creekkeeper have been working to find uses for all the fallen timber so it doesn’t end up in a local landfill, like much of the other wood debris. The Creekkeeper has been milling and selling lumber to local nonprofits and individuals for their use, but a more comprehensive, community-based strategy was needed to spread the word about reusing fallen wood debris.

“Artists and educators think outside the box for a living. We hoped to channel their creative energy into doing something good with all the creek wood. In the process, something unexpected and wonderful happened- the Friends of Hurricane Creek learned more about sustainable disaster recovery and forged new ties with local teachers and artists. The generosity of Jimmy Watson in donating his wood to us created a challenge and opportunity that only community participation could resolve. We are unbelievably grateful to all the artists and woodworkers- some coming from as far as North Alabama- who crafted ‘objects of hope’, like comfort birds, to donate to tornado victims who lost their homes. As Tuscaloosa continues to rebuild and tiny trees begin to repopulate the landscape, the value of timber and trees as an economic and cultural resource provides a reminder and lesson to us for the future.”

Participants have the opportunity to donate their entries to local families who lost their homes in the tornado. Tuscaloosa Habitat for Humanity will coordinate and manage the distribution to these families as “house-warming gifts” for their new homes.

Tricia Schuster, an art teacher at Holy Spirit Catholic School, distinguished herself and her school as creative contributors to this exhibit. You can see the ingenious and skilled use to which Holy Spirit students put this wood with the encouragement of a dedicated teacher who is a model in civic engagement.

In addition to the Exhibit, there will also be a Contest formally judged by a team of seven local artists. Contest winners will be announced and awarded prizes at Friends of Hurricane Creek Creekstravaganza in the Kentuck Courtyard on September 27th. Judges will judge wood art based on its creativity and its potential for use in a local government building or community center as a memorial to the tornado. Entries will be judged in separate categories divided into Young Artists (16 and under) and Adult Artists.

Join us in discovering what happens when “trash” wood is used for good which reflects the natural beauty of nature in addition to the talent of local artists and visionaries. The Clark Gallery is open on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm. To schedule a field trip to this exhibit, please contact the Kentuck Arts Center by phone at (205) 758-1257.

Slope N’ Slide 2012 – Benefiting The Action Fund

The Action Fund presents Slope N’ Slide, the 200′ slip-and-slide at Horse Pens 40 is back for its 3rd year! Alabama Outdoors and The North Face are proud to be presenting sponsors this year.

HP40 hosts some of the best climbing in the country and on September 22nd, will also host the best slip-and-slide in the country. Don’t miss your chance to “slip” into the climbing season with this great event, benefiting the Action Fund and Horse Pens 40.

The North Face Athlete Lisa Rands will be on hand, as well as some of the best climbing vendors in the Southeast!What to expect for your entry fee:

• 200 foot long Slip N Slide!
• Best BBQ the South has to offer
• Good People Beer
• LOTS of swag
• Intense games of kickball
• Raffle (bring cash)
• DJ with dance party at night

The money raised from this event goes 100% back into the community.

We’re pleased to be a part of this year’s event. For more information, click here.

Black Warrior Riverkeeper Celebrates 10th Birthday

We’re pleased to help Black Warrior Riverkeeper celebrate 10 years of clean water advocacy with the “Tap into the River” event Saturday, September 22, from 2pm to 8pm at Good People Brewery (114 14th Street South). Two excellent bands will play during the event: The Locust Fork Band and Earl Williams & the Juke Band. The event has no entry fee and is open to all ages, although guests under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.

Guests age 21 and older can purchase a variety of Good People beers throughout the event. The Brewery will donate 10% of all beer proceeds to Black Warrior Riverkeeper. Guests can also purchase gourmet food prepared by Food Studio B, featuring ingredients donated by Snow’s Bend Farm from the Black Warrior River near Tuscaloosa.

Check out the website for more information: Black Warrior Riverkeeper

Or view the event on Facebook

Phil C | Updated September 10, 2012 9:30 pm

Alabama Outdoors 2012/2013 Race Schedule

We’re proud to announce our Alabama Outdoors 2012/2013 Sponsored Trail Race Schedule! We’ve partnered with some amazing race directors who put on some amazing trail races in our own beautiful state. We’ll be hosting distances from 5miles to 100miles, and most anything in between. As a special note we’re very excited to be hosting a Trail Running Injury Prevention Clinic led by our friends at Eskridge and White Physiotherapy downstairs at our Alabama Outdoors Homewood location September 27th. Come learn some great strengthening exercises and preventive tips to keep you running strong on the trails. Feel free to visit any of our 6 Alabama Outdoors locations for more information on all our outdoor events, for expert trail advise, and an array of trail gear to help you get outdoors.

And what better way to get those legs in trail shape then to join us out on the dirt! This evening is our Every Tuesday Evening Group Trail Run at Red Mountain Park and our friends at The North Face and Mountain Hardwear will be joining us on September 11th with demos for everyone to try out. The cooler weather should be ideal for some time spent on the trails. We’ll meet between 5:30 pm and 5:45 pm at the main entrance, get everyone signed in, divided into our 3 pace groups, and head out on the trails for about an hour. Come out, enjoy the great weather, love yourself some local trails, try out some free gear demos, and meet some new folks. **Remember, nothing beats the heat, even when it’s cooling down out, like running with your own water supply, so grab a bottle and and come run with us on the trails** Thanks as always to the Birmingham Track Club for their support!

Like Us on Facebook to keep up to date on all our Trail Events, Trail Running Clinics, New Trail Gear, and Group Trail Runs. We’ve got your trail running needs covered all 6 of our Alabama Outdoors locations, your source for getting out in Alabama.

Shop locally, Eat Locally, Run Locally!

Phil C

Tuesday Group Trail Runs at Red Mountain Park this evening! Inov-8 will be on hand with a slew of free demo trail shoes for you to try out on the trails. This evening might be a perfect time to get your feet into a demo pair of TrailRoc 255s and see just how they fly on fun and maybe a little wet RMP trails (checkout our recent brand spotlight on Inov-8)! Meet up at the entrance to Red Mountain Park between 5:30pm and 5:45pm. We’ll break into pace groups and head out at 6pm sharp. ***We’ll be out at RMP rain or shine, unless there’s really really heavy rain or lighting***

Here’s some video inspiration for the trails courtesy of Killian Jornet, Anton Krupicka, and Salomon running. Killian set the FKT on his round trip run in the Grand Tetons only have that record broken by Rock Creek team member and Chattanooga’s own Andy Anderson! (Speaking of R/C, congrats to everyone who got into the Upchuck 50k!).

See ya on the Trails this evening!

Shop Locally, Eat Locally, Run Locally

Phil