Good Morning TEAM:
I just saw the weekly thread is closed too. That's a first for us! Even with all our taper madness. Here's the e-mail I sent to Pearl Izumi.
Dear Sirs:
I have found your "We Are Not Joggers" ad campaign to be demeaning and insulting. Yes, I am a runner (albeit a slow runner). I completed my first marathon in January of this year. Yes, I am slow - currently running 9-10 mpm, and I was even slower in January running 11 mpm for a 5 hour marathon finish, but I am a runner. I am proud of setting a goal and training for over a year to meet that goal. I am proud of finishing my first marathon. I am proud of being an example of healthy living, running, and fitness to my family. I am currently training for my 2nd marathon, and I have an ultimate, lifetime goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Yes, I am a runner, even if I am slow and listen to my iPOD while training.
My proudest moment so far in running is the fact that I inspired my daughters, ages 6 and 9, to train for and complete their first 5K. They trained 3x/week for 8 weeks for the race, and my 6 year old daughter was the youngest finisher of the race. In this age of childhood obesity, I am very proud of the fact that they could see the joy I get from running and racing, and that they wanted to join me on the run. They are runners too.
I use a Pearl Izumi long underwear tights and shirt for my baselayer training in Rochester, NY all winter for my January marathon. I have loved your product. It has worked very well, lasted a long time, and I would have purchased more of it. I will not now that I know the exclusive, elitist attitude of your company, and I know you do not want customers like me. I will be sure to inform all of my running teammates of your elitist attitude, and suggest they do not purchase your products as well.
I wish you well on your business model of catering to the elite athletes. Unfortunately you will miss out on the vast majority of runners out there.
Sincerely,
David Parfitt, Ph.D.
Rochester Center for Mind Body Research
University of Rochester Medical Center