This is my daily chat #RunBlogRun viewers and track fans on the track.
This is Coffee with Larry on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Coffee with Larry is sponsored by #OMIUS, the refrigeration technology company. You can find OMIUS here www.omius.io
Omius makes hats, visors, and headbands with cooling pods that, once installed, help you stay cool during hard workouts. Spray with water every 30-45 minutes during exercise and OMIUS will keep you cool. It works; we tried it!
Olympic marathon winner Sifan Hassan wore the OMIUS headband in Paris. Men’s silver medalist Bashir Abdi wore the OMIUS headband. In the stormy and wet conditions of the August 1st 20k race, Daniel Pintado (Ecuador) won a grueling ride wearing an OMIUS headband all the way.
Check out OMIUS products here www.omius.io
Thank you, OMIUS, for sponsoring #CoffeewithLarry!
Our topics:
1. Running stores are becoming more critical in the running world. When I see running shops, I think of Gary and Steve Gettleman at Ryan’s Sport Shop in Santa Clara, California.
2. Running stores include HOKA, Brooks, On, ASICS, Saucony, New Balance, NIKE, Altra, Mizuno and PUMA. Brands that perform well are fully engaged in this important channel.
3. Top brands produce one fantastic product after another. Consumers want subtle changes to their favorite shoes and will respond with pockets of shoes they like or dislike.
4. Existing stores respond to consumer needs and trends. Max shoes were the answer for many and minimal shoes for some. Most runners want a shoe that fits well, lasts a while, has good support and cushioning, and looks good. They would also like good prices. The price is getting out of control.
5. Successful running brands host mass events, support elite athletes, consistently provide great products, and support running performance retail.
6. Some big brands forget every five to seven years that mileage got them to where they are. They eventually rediscover running and then do the same thing over and over again. NIKE and NB have been at the top of the food chain for many years, but now they have to fight their way back.
7. Brands like Brooks, HOKA and ON know where their bread and butter is, which is performance. Yes, they will sell 70 percent of their shoes to non-runners, but even non-runners want authenticity.
8. I think there will be brand destruction over the next half decade, and brands that don’t dedicate themselves to running performance will be left in very short-changed positions.
9. 8 years ago today, Matt Centrow Jr. of the USA ran a smart race to win gold in the 1,500 meters, the first for an American since 1908. Matt’s pride moved again.
See you tomorrow #coffeewithlari
