Run Wild Sports

Run Wild Sports is an awesome running store. I have known the owner, Catherine Austin since she first opened her store in the Pearl Brewery area several years ago. Catherine and her staff have always made time to properly fit me for running shoes and apparel even though I don’t look like the typical runner. The same can’t be said for other stores.
Her staff knows me by name and always make me feel welcome. She moved her store about a year ago to the corner of Broadway and Grayson. In this larger location, she now offers Kettle Bell classes. Boy, these are challenging. Catherine is committed to fitness and the health of her customers. She has always been a great supporter and friend to the local running community.
I would and do recommend Run Wild Sports to my friends and running peers. You don’t have to be an elite runner to receive superior service.

After a year hiatus, I find myself training for another marathon. But, since it’s been over a year since I ran even a half marathon, I feel almost like I’m running my first marathon again. Almost.
Enter Run Wild Sports. It’s more than just a store to buy shoes, though new shoes were what first drew me here. I was on the lookout for a particular brand and style to suit my stride and because I’m me, I really needed them in the neon yellow I’d heard they were sometimes available.
RWS helped me find the perfect pair of shoes and confirmed that they were in fact the proper shoes for my to train in. They were super helpful and knowledgeable and I always feel like I’m in a good running store when they fit me for shoes instead of just letting pick up anything and buy it because I like the shade of yellow. However, when they fit me properly AND have my signature yellow, well that’s just a bonus all around.
Now beyond a full and state of the art selection of running gear, run wild sports also has built a community. They host running clubs and help plan long run routes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. They have a staff that is knowledgeable and super helpful. I’m really glad I found them!

After almost two years of running around my neighborhood in north central San Antonio, trying to find sidewalks and parks where the trees don’t make me think of dead things (we’ve had a rough summer… and winter…), I found something satiates my need for social interaction as well as weight baring exercise: running clubs!
It all started the Tuesday before the 2009 San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon; one of the only longer runs in San Antonio, slated for early to mid November every year. I finally got the gumption to show up and be sociable, something that can require a bit of nerve anyway, and everyone was gearing up for the 26.2 miles they had been training for during the past six months. Waltzing in with no more than 4 – 5 miles under my belt, it goes without saying I felt a little out of place. But everyone was super nice, and a few people still ran with me, my own sluggishness notwithstanding.
This particular club is held at Run Wild Sports every Tuesday evening and on Saturday mornings. I always call in advance if the weather looks crappy or if I’ve missed a few meetings, just to make sure they’re on. The group is usually training for a specific race, i.e. after San Antonio, it was Austin, then Dallas; but you can always join in, even if you’re not readying yourself for anything special.
The location of the shop is great, at the Pearl Brewery, right behind Synergy Studios and across from Farm to Table. I like this because our runs are downtown-​ish, and that makes for some great exploring. There’s no better way to see new stores and restaurants than on foot — or we run the River Walk extension, which is beautiful. Sometimes I swallow a few gnats, but it’s all part of the experience.
The Run Wild staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating — if they don’t have something you want, they’ll let you know where to find it or make a special order. Most importantly, they make you feel welcome, even if you’re not a seasoned runner, which can be intimidating in a whole store dedicated to one sport.
Which brings me to the phenomenon of being able to spend exuberant amounts of money on a seemingly «free» hobby. You can do that here. And as annoying as it is that you can spend $ 200 and it doesn’t make you run any faster, it is oh so much fun.
The running crew is awesome — so encouraging, and there are runners of every level. The owner is also really involved in a lot of races around South Texas, so she’s always in the know. Any questions from shoes to hydration can be asked at this privately owned shop. This is a surefire way to keep motivated when you’re finding it difficult to tie your shoes on and get out the door. After a while, they’re expecting you! Meet friends to run a race with, or just keep it casual. No commitment, and the club is free.
Around SA marathon time, there are a lot of additional club events to get the team motivated, like running-​themed movie showings and the like. A great, healthy alternative to meeting new friends too, if the bar scene is gettin’ ya down. I’m just saying…

Nice, knowledgeable people will get you running. Running groups on Tuesday and Saturday. Get out and run (or walk)! I can’t give them 5 stars because their selection is a little limited. They are gradually adding stuff and will probably be able to fit you in the shoes you need. If not, they will point you in the right direction.