Wk of July 1--WISH Walking/Running Club

[Jen117]

Carrie - Oh that just really bugged me. Thanks for posting it so that we all are aware of PI's stance on runners. I am interested to see if their marketing campaigns change in the future because of the feedback. You don't make money on the elite runners... it's all us "joggers" that are the majority!

As for GU/Gels. I usually gel every 4 miles on runs longer than 6-7. BUT, on Saturday I ran 6 and took a gel before I started my run. I was fine for 6 miles. So I think there are factors and every person is different. I guess it's just trial and error to see what works for you. Also, at my last 1/2 marathon I gelled at about mile 5 and took Gatoraid and water for the last 7... I was dying by the end so I now know that I need 2 gels during a 1/2 marathon.

It is lightly raining here. I am not sure if I will run in it or switch to cross training tonight. Oh big decisions here!!!

 

[chimera]

Here's mine...GMTA Jen!



Dude!

You might want to fire your marketing department…looks like they slept through Economics/Marketing 101. There are a LOT more ‘joggers’ than ‘runners’ in this world. You may have just alienated 90% of your potential customer base. I hope that remaining 10% buys lots of shoes and apparel to make up for it. I’ll even do my part to help. I’m going to call Rodale Publishing right now and threaten to cancel my subscriptions to Runner’s World and Running Times if they publish anymore of your ads. That should save you some money in your advertising budget!


Have a good running day!

Melissa M. Murfin

Runner

 

[chimera]

And here's my note to RW:

Dear Rodale:



I am sadly disappointed that you have chosen to publish the ad for the new Pearl Izumi “We Are Not Joggers” campaign in your August 2007 issue. Although the ad in the magazine is rather tame, the full text that appears on the Pearl Izumi website is grossly elitist. I am particularly offended that you would print this ad on page 59, the back of John Bingham’s column on page 60. John Bingham embraces runners of all abilities and paces and to have this ad appear even in the same publication as his column is ridiculous.

I am a new runner and have turned to Runner’s World for much advice as I grow and improve in this sport. However, I have no room in my running world for elitist attitudes. If this ad campaign continues in your future issues, I will respectfully cancel my subscriptions to both RW and Running Times and request refunds.



Thank you for your attention to this matter.

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey everybody!! I hope everyone is having a great day!

Today is a rest day for me as far as running, although I do have a hockey game later tonight for some XT.

Stephanie--I love your form of XT...I wish shopping at Target was my XT more often.

Kim--Yes, yesterday was not a good day for us Devils fans....especially since Scott Gomez went to our rival Rangers...not very happy about that!!!!!! Hope you enjoy your day off!

Sunny--Hope all goes well with the "test drive" next week.

Carrie--Good Luck with tonights run! Forget about your stonker, we all have them once in awhile.

Angie--Don't worry about your times so much, just get those steps in. The rest will come with time!

Jen--nice job on your run! I hope your allergies are doing better soon, I know that feeling all too well!

Kristi--sorry to hear about the strep throat, I can't believe you have never had it before!!!! Take care and feel better really soon!

Martha--if you go to www.halhigdon.com, you will find his website. He has all his training programs and other info on there. Good LUck with your race this weekend, you will do great!!!

Cam---ooh ooh..how was the Tim and Faith concert? DBF and I are going next monday night, I can't wait!!!!

Dona--enjoy your new Garmin! Still have to get myself one of those. My birthday is coming up soon, so I am hoping somebody in my family has been listening to what I really want!

I also am disgusted by the whole Pearl Izumi advertising campaign!! Do they really think they are going gain customers with that approach. Like others have said, majority of people who buy their shoes are probably "joggers". I will definetely not buy anything from that company ever again!!
Stephanie, Judy, and Mel--I love your emails that you sent to the company!!
Leana--I love your comments about the Pearl Izumi issue. As a physical education teacher, who tries to encourage young children to be fit and exercise regularly, I couldn't agree with your comments more!!!

 

[Hockeychic]

They are all great letters, I don't subscribe to Runners World but do pick it up once and a while on the news stand. I should try to get a letter composed as well. Can someone post a email address (only if it is allowed)

Thanks
Kim

 

[RedDragon]

And here is my letter to Izumi.

Dear Sir/Madame,
I am writing to log a complaint about your website http://www.wearenotjoggers.com/home. I find this in very poor taste. Not everyone is an elite, olympic, world-class caliber athlete but it seems that that is the only type of person you wish to have buy and wear your clothing and shoes. How too bad.

Based on this website alone, I can honestly say that I will NEVER buy any of your merchandise nor shall I recommend your company to any of my friends and aquaintances. If you wish to continue to be a bunch of snobs and cater to such a small population, you might just find it difficult to stay in business. I wish you luck with your business model decision.

Sincerely,
Martha Stephenson

I'm sure they are quaking in their boots. What was it P.T. Barnum said "I don't care what you say about me, just spell my name right." What is too bad is that I'm sure they really don't care what measly little joggers have to say about them. They only want elite runners to buy their stuff. But it did feel good to write it.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Dona - Have fun with the Garmin. I'm still low-tech too (I have the 201), but it does plenty to keep me entertained!

Kristi - I had my first round of strep when I was in my 30's. Hope you're feeling better!

Meghan - We're trying to figure out if we could get to another race. Nashville is probably the next closest, but timewise it's a little tricky.

I guess there's a reason that I like buying my running gear at Target...

Just got back from a short 2 mile run. Since we're doing a 5 mile race Wednesday morning, I didn't want to do anything too hard. It was great - I actually ran the entire first mile - only the second time I've ever done that, and I did it in 10:08. The second mile was 11:50 - not bad considering I was doing 2R/:30W intervals for that one.

Jackie

 

[westcliffemom]

Hey Kim, I got my confirmation letter for my Jan reservation- did you get yours yet? I thought they said they'd just send an email. It did give me a thrill to get it!

I saw the PI ad in RW about "joggers" and really resented it! When I saw the website, I was sickened! What are they thinking? Even though it's still PR, I can't see why they'd want bad PR.

I did 3 miles today, 2 miles yesterday. I'm nursing a sore knee. The other day when I sat down it felt yucky, then over Fri/Sat I was driving alot, which made it worse. So I've been taking it slow.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

OMG!!!! HAve you guys seen this???

We Are Not Joggers

Penguin mentioned it on his blog. (Not in a happy way) Glad I don't wear their shoes. Never will now!!!!!!

I think that is absolutely horrible. I am a runner, and I don't care what Pearl Izumi thinks! I am now upset to know that I have a pair of their long underwear and use it as my base layer for running in winter (granted I bought it when I was in graduate school more than 10-15 years ago). I won't buy any more!

OK, I read the rest of your posts now, and I am going to write e-mails and letters to Pearl Izumi and Runners World too.

 

[Hockeychic]

Great letter Martha

Jackie: Great workout.

No Stacey, I haven't received mine yet but I did end up getting a email on I think it was Friday but it is a holiday today so no mail today. Congrats to you!!!! I hope your knee is better soon

It is a rest day but DH and I are heading out for a 4K just a stroll.

Kim

 

[wfloyd]

I'm eagerly (and frightfully) awaiting my spinal cord stimulator "test drive" next week.

I should read this a little slower. At first I thought you were getting a spinal cord simulator and was trying to figure out why anyone would want to simulate a spinal cord. Hope it works out.

It is raining again and it just started when I was ready to go out. There was also lightening around so after the look from yesterday, I will postpone this run a day and hope for something better tomorrow.

I can't believe that the company would put an add like that out there. It definately got a reaction but I don't know if it will be one they like. It will be interesting to see if anything actually comes from this.

Bill

 

[KeenHo]

Hi everyone... just checking in with some running results.

First, those Pearl Izumi people can take their shoes and shove 'em. There, that's out of my system.

Second, I ran at the state park tonight in my Asics:

7.2 miles

Mile 1: 8:13
Mile 2: 9:19
Mile 3: 8:41
Mile 4: 9:43
Mile 5: 9:24
Mile 6: 11:22
Mile 7: 13:06

This was my longest run in my "training" for the CDC to date. I felt pretty good, no shin splints.

Have a most excellent evening!



Howard

 

[KeenHo]

Dear Sir/Madame,

I am writing to log a complaint about your website http://www.wearenotjoggers.com. I find this in very poor taste and, frankly, very insulting. Not everyone is an elite, world-class athlete however, it seems that that is the only type of person you want as customers.

I have RAN in over 30 5K events, a 15K event, 4 5 mile events, 3 half-marathons and two marathons. I am a runner, not elite, but a runner. I strengthen the sport, not weaken it.

Based on your website and advertisments, I can honestly say that I will NEVER buy your merchandise nor will I recommend your company to any of my friends or RUNNING teammates.

I hope your message gets out to all of us non-elite runners and that your sales and brand are tarnished for good.

Sincerely,

HLK

 

[windwalker]

What ever happened to the old advertising commandment, "Thou shalt not insult the customer"?

Geez. If joggers are second class citizens, what does that make me and my fellow walkers?

I predict a dramatic decrease in iP sales is on the horizon. Can anyone say, "backlash?"

Amen to that. I can't even jog!

Sometimes companies lose sight of what endurance sports are all about. We should never forget that even if our time is faster than someone else's their effort my be greater than ours. I had a lesson in this today.

I think they did enouth damage to themselves with that advertisement that they will be sucking up to us lower forms of life pretty soon.

Erica uses the gu's and the gels and things like that. I just eat. A couple of hours prior to a long race, I'll have a light meal then during the race I'll drink Gatorade or what ever the electrolyte drink is. At Disney I took a piece of banana whenever they were available. I started running out of gas about mile 22 so I might try nibbling a powerbar or something every couple of hours.

Everyone preparing for the CDC, good luck and good training. Wish we were doing that one with y'all but we have to miss some of them, Darn-it!

Dave

 

[Kristi1357]

Do you guys have an email address for those bozos at Pearl Izumi? And Runner's World as well? I don't own any of their products - thank God! But I am just as peeved as the rest of you! I am speechless knowing they placed this ad immediately after John Bingham's column. Idiots! (I will go search for my "I am surrounded by idiots" t-shirt now)

I also love the workout clothes at Target!

I am feeling better. Maybe the penicillin kicked in, or all this sleeping is helping. In any case, I am heading to bed yet again since Zack is asleep. If I feel up to it, I will try to get in a 3 miler tomorrow, even if I just walk & do some 'jogging.'

 

[keenercam]

Stephanie – great email! You tell them!
Mel – Very impressed with both of yours, too. Especially the one to RW

To everyone who asked about gels, etc. – I use ½ powerbar about every 3 miles. Tonight, I was sweating especially bad and felt lightheaded, which I know means my electrolytes are off-kilter, so I was glad to have cliff blocks and started using them at almost 4 miles.

Laurie – The concert was absolutely incredible. Faith performed for nearly 1.5 hours and then Tim took the stage for about the same amount of time and blew me away, too. I was sobbing during “Live Like You Were Dying” which has been my warm-up song on my running mix ever since I first started exercising after my heart surgery. For some reason, it just hadn’t occurred to me that he’d do that song since it is older and I just totally lost it. When Tim and Faith performed together, the sizzle was palpable. I hope you have an awesome time at the concert!

Kristi – I hope you are feeling better, though I’m sure your doctor would have recommended you rest tonight instead of doing kiddie –swim!

Sunny – it is so good to see you here, sweetie. We miss you. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you that this pain management trial is just the thing for you.

Dona – my Garmin and my ipod are the best toys I have EVER owned. Some women want furs, diamonds, BMWs. I wanted a Garmin, a lime green ipod shuffle, Wright Running socks and a really comfy running skirt. Shhhh!!!! Don’t tell Howard I am a really cheap date!

Jackie – awesome run!! Can you believe how far you have come? I hope you are tremendously proud of yourself! You ROCK, girl!

Hi, Bill! Are those midnight feedings affecting your vision? Please give Lynnda and Billy and Timmy big hugs for me!

I LOVE seeing all the correspondence to PI and RW. I hope the message gets through to someone. Even my rockin' DH, who is in PR and marketing, saw absolutely no merit to their approach.

By the way, honey, nice RUN!!!! WISH I could have been outside on this gorgeous night.

I did a TM workout tonight because I left work too late to get outside for any distance.
warmup of 5 minutes at 4.0 --->> .33 miles
5 miles in 68:05 (pace ~ 13:37, I think) -- burned ~ 560 calories.
Total miles for July so far -- 5.33. That is a LONG way from 13.1 but with the 5k on Wednesday morning, I just didnt' want to overdo it tonight.

I can't even imagine how many calories all you faster or further runners/walkers are burning.

 

[hoosmi]

You are all cracking me up about the Pearl Izumis. I started yelling at my Runners World when I saw the ad. I'm not even going to look at the website. By luck, I don't own any of their products, and now I'm keeping it that way! Love the e-mails.

So, I did 3 miles on the TM today. I finally hooked up my Nike+ thing. Well, I didn't calibrate it or whatever, just put it on and took off. The TM said I was doing about 10:30 miles, but the Nike+ read an average of 9:30! So, I'm thinking "wow, can all these TMs be wrong?!" Because, you know, surely this new gimmick I have can't be wrong...

I decided to trust the Nike+ for awhile, just for the fun of it. I am thinking about doing the virtual half-marathon in October, so I have to fix it before then or feel guilty forever, but in the meantime, look at how speedy I have become! And look at how utterly pathetic.

Jen in GA

 

[keenercam]

Laurie -- Just a teaser. Be sure to bring a camera, no matter what. I really regret that I followed the posted signs. There were soooo many cameras and I missed the chance for some great pix! This one was taken with Howard's cell phone:

 

[Dennyha]

Carrie,
I don't know if it qualifies as XT, but I can't wait for it to be over, so, on second thought, it MUST be some type of training.
Seriously, with all of this work to get the house ready, all that keeps me going is knowing that it should be over in a few months (hopefully). We had one realtor here this evening, and two scheduled for tomorrow. The manager for the moving company came her to "survey" our stuff for the move. Everything went so slow for so long, and now it's moving fast.

BUT, I promised that I would get up and get another 4 miles in tomorrow morning before I start building a deck railing.

Everyone on here is keeping me inspired to take, no..no.., MAKE the time for a run.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I cannot believe the Pearl Izumi attitude. I do hope it majorly backfires. I am trashing whatever it is I own that has PI on them. I am not elite. I admire the elite participants. I do not admire elitists. I have fun! I do my best. Sorry it is not good enough for their equipment. Oh well, I'll live with it. I'm sure the investment I can make will be accepted elsewhere.

I am going to send to PI and RW as well. I also will thank The Penguin for his support of my newfound sport.

Great job to all that are putting in those good efforts. You rule!

Those that are struggling, keep at it. Things will change. (I keep telling me this too.)

Denny, good luck to you as you sort through everything. More work than I could handle. I've got to clear out all the junk we've gathered here over time.

Sunny, keeping good thoughts going for you.