THANK YOU PEARL IZUMI!

love it

If only every running shoe company advertised that way.

So a six hour marathon and I'm good, right?

It's unfortunate. For those of us who've trained, competed, given everything for a decade+ to make the most of what we could in this ridiculous sport to see it come to this. But the facts are that most of the country, maybe the world, see our sport like this. And if we want to keep shoe/apparel companies making products for us, race directors to keep hosting races for us, or if we want our events to see any air time, we've got to pay our respects to the seven-hour marathoner. Because they're the biggest driving force behind keeping our sport somewhat relevant. I'd bet that less than 1% of the country cares about the difference between a 2:05 marathon and a 4:00 marathon. Most people I know have more respect for someone who finishes a marathon than they do for someone who runs a 4:00 mile. It sickens me, but it's a love/hate relationship.

If you like the company, buy the product.

Their apparel is the best on market right now in my opinion (Sugoi and Smartwool are other favorite for me personally, but neither make good warmer weather stuff or cool racing stuff like PI does).

They have a small but strong lineup in terms of footwear. Anyone who has never tried a pair before should give them a go at least in a store some time.

when the "we are not joggers" campaign came out so many people were pissed it was awesome. you had forum boards light up with pearl izumi hate and petitions started floating around.

forgot the link.

http://www.wearenotjoggers.com/book.html

It's just an ad. The marketers at Pearl Izumi don't give a crap if someone runs a marathon in two hours or in twelve hours. They are playing to your feelings of superiority to make you buy their product. And it's working.

It's working on me. I like feeling superior. ;)

Loved the book and I love feeling superior. :)

I have no doubt that the guy who wrote that book posts here. Step forward and receive praise.

They make pretty great apparel. I'm fine with this.

I'd like to offer a contrary opinion. The ad stinks of elitism. What is "racing" a marathon? I have JOGGED a 2:50. I wasn't racing. I have also tried to "race" the marathon (pacing for 2:30), and bonked and ended up running 2:49 anyway (which is, like I said, a jogging pace overall). My question is: how many of us can truly RACE a marathon? It would seem to me, the answer is very few of us. And this ad is supposed to make me feel special? I would much rather welcome anyone who makes a goal in running, even if it is to just finish a marathon. It actually is a significant accomplishment.

LOL "beat the sunset"

umbrella fight wrote:

I'd like to offer a contrary opinion. The ad stinks of elitism. What is "racing" a marathon? I have JOGGED a 2:50. I wasn't racing. I have also tried to "race" the marathon (pacing for 2:30), and bonked and ended up running 2:49 anyway (which is, like I said, a jogging pace overall). My question is: how many of us can truly RACE a marathon? It would seem to me, the answer is very few of us. And this ad is supposed to make me feel special? I would much rather welcome anyone who makes a goal in running, even if it is to just finish a marathon. It actually is a significant accomplishment.

What?

You totally honored the spirit of the marathon when you bonked. You raced it like a man. Maybe next time you will succeed. That is the challenge. Racing a marathon is hard. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. You could job 2:50s all year long, but when you try to race a 2:30, that is when you test yourself. That is when you are racing.

Great ad. I believe the people who work for PI's advertising are probably runners. I have worked in advertising my entire life. Usually the agencies try to match these things up correctly. they are at least doing their research, no? How else would they know? The ones pouring their hearts into the ads don't care if more shoes are sold, they want to make killer ads. Small campaigns like these are usually more grassroots and sincere.

Oh yeah. the PI shorts are the best on the market. I own 6 pairs.

nice ad. i know this is a long shot, but does anyone have a link to old nike ad featuring bob kennedy that reads

"If you think like a Kenyan

And train like a Kenyan

You might run like a guy from Indiana"

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Urine Idiout wrote:

What?

You totally honored the spirit of the marathon when you bonked. (snip)

Thanks but what I really mean to point out is that a lot of people who run 5, 6, 7 hours are going as fast as they can. If that is "racing" then they are racing. My wife recently ran her first marathon in 5:30 and it was truly the fastest she could have done it. Props to her.

IMHO, the marathon is so darn long, absurdly long, that for 99.9% of people, the pace is just a jog. Even a 2:50 is a simply a jog requiring patience.

Terrapin_Ben wrote:

nice ad. i know this is a long shot, but does anyone have a link to old nike ad featuring bob kennedy that reads

"If you think like a Kenyan

And train like a Kenyan

You might run like a guy from Indiana"

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Yes! We had that poster in our apartment in college. i wonder where that poster is. One of you suckas has to still have it.

I somewhat agree. If someone works their ass off to run a 5 hour marathon, that is respectable. What is not respectable are the people who barely push themselves and then brag about their "amazing" marathon accomplishment.

Now, if someone struggles to run a 7 hour marathon and they are not an elderly person, disabled, or severely obese, then I would argue they could have trained much harder and run a good deal faster.