Zappos merchandising happy hours are always quite the party, let me tell ya. All the different lifestyle merch teams do skits, they celebrate the accomplishments of the teams for that quarter as well as individual accomplishments.

This past happy hour was a big day for Chris P. Not only did his performance team have outstanding numbers for the past quarter, but Chris was surprised with a promotion to Director of Performance. Chris has been at Zappos for five years, and not only has built a really strong team, but is someone who exemplifies what the core values are all about.

Congratulations Chris!

With Zappos.com sponsoring this year's Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, many of our employees are preparing to participate in the event. Last week we spoke to some of the people doing the half marathon, so this week we decided to go around and talk to some of the people planning to run the full marathon.

No matter if your a seasoned runner, or just someone wanting to challenge yourself, the Las Vegas full or half marathon is a great way to get out and work on those fitness goals. Here are some of our Zappos employees talking about their training so far.

Our friends at Mizuno came by the office last week to show off their Mobile Running Lab, which houses their signature Precision Fit Machine and every shoe size imaginable. Over 20 Zappos team members received a biomechanical running analysis to valuate several different aspects of their gait, foot arch, posture etc. The purpose of the Precision Fit Machine is to help runners find the perfect Mizuno Running shoe to fit their feet. A big thanks to Mizuno for coming out and helping get us ready for the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon!

We are happy to announce that our Customer Loyalty lead Jean D. has implemented the Internet Vendor Mentor program. This new program allows our vendors the opportunity to listen in on phone calls from our customers regarding questions about their respective categories. For example, if one of our rideshop vendors wants to hear questions that our customers are asking about skate shoes, they can sit in with representatives of our rideshop business unit. We currently have 5 business units: Kids, Outdoor, Running, Comfort and Rideshop.

Great job, Jean!

Our Development Department redecorated each row of their department with a sports theme....and then tested it with real, live sports action!

This is the third installment of Q&A with the CLT business units. We have previously interviewed our Kids team CLT group and the Outdoor team. This week features the candid responses of our Running CLT business unit!



From the left: Renea W. and Eleni D.

Question: Why are you passionate about running?

Renea: "Oddly enough, I'm not much of a runner these days. I'm more into cross training, hip hop-zumba classes, and playing volleyball."

Eleni: "Running gives people a sense of accomplishment. No matter how bad of a day they've had or what's going on in their life, after running a couple miles or even just 1, they can say that they have completed a goal. My mom who is 62 and she participated in and completed the Full Zappos.com Las Vegas Marathon last year. Although her body hurt afterwards, she was so proud of herself for finishing that she hasn't stopped talking about it."

Question: Other than running competitively or for exercise purposes, when have you run the fastest?

Renea: "The last time I ran real fast was back in the '80's (high school track). I was running from a girl who eventually passed me and kicked my butt in the race! My track career was
officially over at that point!"

Eleni: "I was walking with a friend when, from out of nowhere, a big giant horse looking dog started coming towards us and started barking. I pushed my friend in front of the dog and took off. All that dog saw was my dust!!! Sorry Lakisha, but somebody had to go for help!!" :)

Question: If you had to choose between being able to run and being
able to fly, which would you choose?

Renea: "I would rather fly because (a) I wouldn't be stuck in traffic, (b) driving is so overrated (everybody's doing it, and not very well!), (c) it would give me a greater sense of freedom and (d) I would save a ton of money on airline tickets and gas!"

Eleni: "I would definitely have to say Run. I would need a cape to fly. It's not a good thing to have when there are planes and elevators or big fans around. As Edna Mode from "The Incredibles" said "No Capes"!!"

Question: What are you most excited about now that summer
has arrived?

Renea: "The fact that I'm going back home for a week (Alaska) and won't have to deal with 100 degree temperature!"

Eleni: "Sending the kids out of town! WOO HOO!! Momma loves you but I need a break!!!"

Question: What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?

Renea: "People asking questions they already know the answer to, the SLOW clap, and drivers talking on their cell phones.

Eleni: "People who order cheeseburgers & then say with "no
cheese"(what!?!?!), patting me on my head, and Kool-Aid with only one
cup of sugar in it...YUCK!!

Question: Which summer blockbuster movies are you most excited to
see?

Renea: "There are a few...Sex and the City, Indiana Jones, and Iron Man."

Eleni: "Kung FU Panda, Wanted, and THE HULK!!"

Question: What are your top 5 songs for the summer?

Renea: "I don't really have any favorites...anything with a good beat!"

Eleni: "(1)"HONEY" by Erykah Badu, 2)"THE RIVER" by Noel Gourdin,(3)"CUSTOMER" by Raheem Devaughn,(4)"SUMMERTIME IN THE LBC" by The Dove Shack, and (5) Any oldies song between the years '72-78 (The Isley Brothers mainly)."

Question: What do you love most about your job?

Renea: "The laid back atmosphere, the people I work with, the "culture" and being one of the first people to see the catered lunch carts go
by!" :)

Eleni: "Everything! The ATMOSPHERE IS OFF DA HOOK!! The vendors are friendly, and ALL of my co-workers rock!!!"