Lesley McLin -- Owner

Lesley became sole owner of the Fleet Feet, Jackson store in 2008.

A background as an Exercise Physiologist and Health and Fitness Instructor, she brings an unending wealth of knowledge and experience. Since assuming ownership, she has seen tremendous growth in our running community, and has helped make Fleet Feet the hub for runners and walkers in the Jackson area.

Over the past few years, Lesley has been able to visit brands such as Nike in Portland, Oregon, New Balance in Boston, Brooks in Seattle , and Mizuno in Osaka, Japan. “Seeing both sides of the industry sheds new light and adds new respect for the technology that goes into running shoes.”

 Lesley has completed seven marathons including two Boston and two Chicago marathons among countless area 5 & 10K's and full and half-marathons.

Candace Blaha -- 
Sales Manager

During this past January’s MS Blues Half-Marathon, Candace discovered arm warmers and fell in love…  with the arm warmers.  The ever fashion conscious Candace always has just the right look for the season whenever she’s out running.

Candace has a fierce competitive nature within.  She has finished several 5K’s, a 10K, three half-marathons and a triathlon.  She played sports all through high school and tournament softball around the South.  Before coming to Fleet Feet two years ago, she served as a speed and agility coach at a Jackson fitness center.

Her duties at Fleet Feet have included work at the Just Have A Ball 5K, Turkey Day 8K, Fleet Feet Diva Nights and coaching with the No Boundaries beginner running programs.

When asked about her unique approach to running, she said,  “I may not be as fast as most people, but I try as hard as everyone else!” 

Tate Antici -- 
Operations Manager

Tate is quietly confident.  He knows his stuff.  He graduated from the University of Mississippi studying exercise science with an emphasis in cardiac rehabilitation.

He enjoys mountain biking and resistance training in the gym.  He began run training over a year ago after other runners at Fleet Feet encouraged him.  Since then, he has run several 5K’s and two half- marathons.

His favorite event was last January’s 2011 MS Blues Half-Marathon.

The next logical step is to go the distance.  He has his first full marathon, the New Orleans Rock and Roll Marathon, on the training schedule.

When asked about his approach to running and fitness, he says, “You never know if running, walking, or biking will be enjoyable unless you give it a chance.”

Allison Wood -- Marketing Manager

Allison has never met a stranger.  That’s why she’s so good as Fleet Feet’s Marketing Manager. 

Having run several 5 & 10K’s and two half-marathons, she ranks her favorite as the Seaside (FL) Half-Marathon as the most memorable. 

Since Allison is so good at meeting people, you’ll see her, promoting Fleet Feet, at all the local racing events and health fairs.  Just look for the Fleet Feet banners or tent.  Allison will be near by handing out cups of water or frozen goodies.   If you’ve enjoyed any of Fleet Feet’s running social events like the Kid’s Run, Poker Run or Pub Run, that’s Allison’s doings.  She loves to be out in the crowd, hosting for Fleet Feet!

Fit Specialists

John Brower

 John has worked at Fleet Feet Jackson for over four years and has completed many races varying from 5k’s to 100 milers.

When asked about his running philosophy, John says, “The only thing that stops most people from doing what they believe they cannot do is their mind.  The body will continue to go if the mind is willing to endure.”  

John hopes to one day become a TV game show host.

Camille Eiland

 Camille is training for her first MS Blues Half-Marathon in early January, 2012.  This is a little farther distance than her running cross country in high school.  She adds softball to the list of her high school athletic accomplishments as well.

To train for the half-marathon, Camille plans to enter 5K’s to help her prepare for the longer distance competitive experiences.

A senior at Miss. College, Camille is studying Interpersonal Communications and has been a Fleet Feet Fit Specialist since October of 2010.

Debi Gagliardo

 Debi is always ready for a running event that involves a festival atmosphere!  Case in point, 2011’s St. Paddy’s Day 5K where she placed third in her age group!  Go Debi!

Debi is the proud mother of four and the even prouder grandmother of five!

She has been a Fit Specialist at Fleet Feet since September, 2009 and plans on training and running in two more 5K’s this year.

Chuck Galey

Chuck began running at an early age.  You see, Greenwood, Mississippi, his home town, has no leash laws.  He ran from dogs so that he would not become their next chew toy.  It was all speed work, all the time.  He ran the mile in high school track and has continued running since.

After completing countless 5 & 10K’s, three half-marathons and four full marathons, he once again wants to run the MS Blues Marathon.  That is, if it's cold enough.

To date, the 2010 MS Blues Half-Marathon is his favorite event because it was 17 degrees that day in January.  At the water stops, there was ice in the Gatorade!

At Fleet Feet, Chuck is the graphic designer and helps in the store’s marketing effort, including being the webmaster of the Fleet Feet Jackson website.

His particular approach to fitness is simply enjoying running on a trail alone or with friends to enjoy being outside.  One never knows what one will run up on!

Now days, he out runs dogs... most of the time!

Rebecca Hardy

 Rebecca started running 5K’s as an undergraduate.  She ran her first marathon while training for two ultra-marathons.  All while working forty hours a week teaching fourth grade.  Her favorite races have been the Holcolm Valley Thirty-Three Miler in Big Bear Lake, CA. and the 2010 MS Blues Half-Marathon.

Rebecca has been associated with Fleet Feet for a little over three years.  She coached the marathon and half-marathon training programs in 2009 & 2010.

She really enjoys encouraging people to be active and get moving, even though their schedule is full or they never thought they could do it.  She views every opportunity to run as a gift, even the not so great ones. 

Rebecca is thankful for every run she’s able to squeeze in and look forward to sharing this love with her children!  However, she laughs about how she’d love to run thirteen miles in the snow, like the 2010 MS Half-Marathon, for a break from her mom duties!

Karen Hosick

Karen is a certified athletic trainer and exercise physiologist.  When she was younger, she participated in gymnastics and rowed for the crew team in high school and college. 

She has run several 5k’s and 10k’s  and has run five marathons and five half marathons.  Having qualified for 2012’s Boston Marathon, she is currently training for that event.
She enjoys coaching and motivating folks to run.  
To fulfill her not-yet-realized singing career, she likes a good karaoke bar.

David Mittwede

 A life long soccer player, including collegiate soccer, David has enjoyed working at Fleet Feet since early 2010.

He ranks the 2010 Tupelo Half-Marathon as on of his most favorite events.  His 5K count “kind of runs together,” so it seems that they are too numerous to mention individually.

David can be found helping out with Fleet Feet’s various events such as the Poker Run, Pub Run and Kid’s Run as well as various in-store events.

He proudly acknowledges,  “As a previous sufferer of biomechanical inconveniences, but currently a painless runner due the miracle of Fleet Feet, I feel I can effectively communicate our FIT process and relate to customer’s pains and help them find a remedy to their ailments and injuries.”

Soothing words for discouraged customers!

Jessica Mittwede

 Jess is no stranger to competition.  She ran track and cross country in high school and went on to do the same in college.  She was so good at cross country in college that she qualified for the nationals in her senior year.

She loves a good 10K race.  Her favorite race to date, however is the MS Blues Half-Marathon.

Jess enjoys helping Fleet Feet customers with their running needs so that they feel their best when they hit the running trails.

Luke Mittwede 

A multi-tasker, Luke likes to play an array of different sports.  From soccer, to basketball, to baseball, Luke considers running as conditioning for all of them.

His favorite race to date is the 2011 Watermelon Classic 5K where Luke he enjoyed the crowds and very hot July 4^th weather.

Joining Fleet Feet in May, 2011, Luke looks forward to helping customers enjoy their running experience by fitting them in the correct shoes and helping them with their exercise questions.

Eli Rhodes

Eli has played sports like ultimate Frisbee and soccer.  Although he is not currently training for any big race, according to Eli, everyone has to start somewhere with their running.  His favorite race to date is the Run From The Sun 5K.

COACHES

Avery Ainsworth --
Head Coach, Triathlon 101 and Running 201

 A life long runner, Avery is constantly training for one kind of running event or another.  Whether a 5K run or a half-ironman event, “Double-A” can be seen riding his bike or running along the paths in the Ridgeland area.

One of his favorite races to date was the Best of the U.S. Championships (triathlon) in southern California this past year.  He is looking forward to returning to that event this year as well as the Boston Marathon in April, 2012

With all that running and triathlon experience, Avery brings a wealth of coaching advise to our Fleet Feet training programs.  He is the Head Coach for Fleet Feet’s Running Remix Marathon and Half-Marathon training programs as well as the Triathlon 101 training this past spring.

His advise to all runners? “Rest!”  He says, “So many people just train, train, train!  Without rest, you will never reach your full potential.  Listen to your body.  It will tell you when it has had enough.  Then, rest!”

Avery is in training now days as a manager and hopes to one day own a Fleet Feet store. 

Melanie Clyatt--
Head Coach, No Boundaries 5K Training Program

 Melanie’s list of running events reads like a woman who loves running.  And that fits Melanie just fine.  She has run “too many to count” 5K’s, about a dozen 10K’s, a whopping ten half-marathons and three full marathons.  Whew!

She says that there was something special about training for her first half and full marathons because her husband trained with her for both events.    

Her goals for future event are to improve her half-marathon finishing time and learning to balance her running life with a new baby.  She and her husband “T" welcomed baby Jackson into the world in late July, 2011.

Melanie’s running philosophy is to slowly building mileage and consistently training while balancing the challenges of life.  She especially loves to watch new runners fall in love with the sport and conquer longer and longer distances.