I am curious what this board thinks. I was asked this question by a higher up at Under Armour and was very careful with my answer.
I am curious what this board thinks. I was asked this question by a higher up at Under Armour and was very careful with my answer.
Solid Sr. year.
Under Armour? Awesome. Is she going to wear knock off Nike spikes or XC shoes with built in gaiters? Maybe super tight camouflage muscle tops or 3/4 tights underneath baggy shorts at the gym? UA is the absolute last company is ever want to be associated with. I'm talking, even after Skechers.
The big question is whether the success is sustainable. Based on thinness and severity of thinness-related injuries, I'd say no.
I highly doubt Molly is returning to ND to get a contract with UA.
BEE EMM EYE wrote:
The big question is whether the success is sustainable. Based on thinness and severity of thinness-related injuries, I'd say no.
This was almost identical to my response.
I say take a flier on her. There is a good track record for women named Molly coming out of ND.
If she can string together 2 yrs of health in a row that's a good sign. I'd watch her next year. Of course, first mover advantage in contracts is one thing... but my hunch is a lot of the usual suspects will pass her over due to lack of a long track record of success. Now part of the question - are you talking shoes, $, or $$$? And, would there be reductions in the contract that would encourage her to perhaps do things that would lead to injuries such as she had a few years ago?
My name is unimportant wrote:
I am curious what this board thinks. I was asked this question by a higher up at Under Armour and was very careful with my answer.
"Deserving" is completely irrelevant.
Its all about the business's market. Does she fit or not?
Anna Kournikova was never a great player, but she was worth every bit of promo money she got.
HUGE upside on this runner. Amazing talent, extremely hard working, and intelligent and articulate. Sign her!
Molly -- sadly -- is another story of temporary success driven by poor health. Her size when running her best is NOT sustainable. Most shoe companies have the diligence to do what many college coaches will not -- pull back when they see red flags.
Earlier this month at USATF Club cross Molly was the 14th best "professional" (with MANY of our best pros not competing - Hastings, Flanagan, Molly Huddle; etc) and only the 2nd best college runner (Allie Buchalski of Furman beat her by approx. 40 seconds).
No. She is not pro material. AT ALL. If lucky Saucony will give her the same deal they give all their average people -- a stipend of $8K to basically survive and free equipment.
Note to young female runners -- work on being strong and DURABLE more than being skinny. The skinny thing NEVER lasts.
Honestly, I hope molly forego's a professional running career and follows her dreams and lineage to do great things in the "real world". Professional running nets you what? About 150k if you are Matt Centrowitz or Galen Rupp? She always wanted to become a doctor. Jumping the gun on those who will cry back about her studying anthropology at ND, my guess is she took an honest assessment of herself and expectations to maintain her scholarship and took a lighter load academically. In theory she could do anything she wants so why risk it on distance running?
How sharp is she expected to be coming off of injury and without a fall racing season?
How many heavy elite 10k and up runners are out there? How many runners have a thick, strong looking physique that run high mileage?
You mention being strong, have you ever seen her hold a plank?
Guy in the know wrote:
How many heavy elite 10k and up runners are out there? How many runners have a thick, strong looking physique that run high mileage?
You mention being strong, have you ever seen her hold a plank?
I assume any collegiate runner can hold a decent plant.
The poster that said durable vs skinny was probably not suggesting hobby jogger "thick and running to lose weight."
THere's "skinny you look like a runner but you're durable" and "skiiiinnnnyy you look like you're break."
Both runners might have solid plank skills, but the runner that looks like she'll break is going to at some point. Poor investment.
Be durable. It might mean an extra 5-10 lbs over skiiinnnnnnyy, but it's worth the extra weight.
If Molly wants to be a good pro then she needs to sign with a group like NAZ or Hansons ans prove herself over the next 4-5 years. If she signs an individual contract with UA or Saucony or someone else and try to navigate the pro scene with just an agent and a contract she will fail.
Molly already has an agent. He is going to lengths to make her marketable.
Maybe she will put together a track season. Maybe a post-collegiate coach will want to work with her. Maybe she will remain healthy.
She can't have an agent and be eligible at Notre Dame.
Flag Staff wrote:
Molly already has an agent. He is going to lengths to make her marketable.
Maybe she will put together a track season. Maybe a post-collegiate coach will want to work with her. Maybe she will remain healthy.
This is 100% not true. Name her agent? Just because someone may have given her a little advice does not mean she has retained them as an agent. I can tell you that part of her problem is that Coach Matt does not have any connections in the industry. This is why UA is the only one asking. No Nike, No Brooks, No Asics, No New Balance, No Saucony.
Untrueism wrote:
Flag Staff wrote:Molly already has an agent. He is going to lengths to make her marketable.
Maybe she will put together a track season. Maybe a post-collegiate coach will want to work with her. Maybe she will remain healthy.
This is 100% not true. Name her agent? Just because someone may have given her a little advice does not mean she has retained them as an agent. I can tell you that part of her problem is that Coach Matt does not have any connections in the industry. This is why UA is the only one asking. No Nike, No Brooks, No Asics, No New Balance, No Saucony.
CALLED OUT
thick vs. wrote:
Guy in the know wrote:How many heavy elite 10k and up runners are out there? How many runners have a thick, strong looking physique that run high mileage?
You mention being strong, have you ever seen her hold a plank?
I assume any collegiate runner can hold a decent plant.
The poster that said durable vs skinny was probably not suggesting hobby jogger "thick and running to lose weight."
THere's "skinny you look like a runner but you're durable" and "skiiiinnnnyy you look like you're break."
Both runners might have solid plank skills, but the runner that looks like she'll break is going to at some point. Poor investment.
Be durable. It might mean an extra 5-10 lbs over skiiinnnnnnyy, but it's worth the extra weight.
Who are these durable heavier girls that are getting contracts? Show me the data that heavier, more durable girls are progressing better and staying healthy/injury free over their careers. Who is your example of the ideal body type?