Branding the experience

Warning: all views in this post are my own.

I have had a lot of problems with this post. I wrote it and deleted it about 3 times already. I want to tell all of you how my experience was being the Brand Specialist for DICK'S Sporting Good during the Pittsburgh Marathon. Here is the problem, when I first started this blog I promised myself that I would not try to influence any of my readers when it comes to a product or company. I may suggest that you try a product because it works for me, but I would never say a product is bad. Simply I would say that it just wasn't for me. The same goes in this case as well, I do not want to influence you in anyway towards the company of DICK'S. I will try to sum up my experience in a nut shell just so you have a better understanding of where I stand.

First you need to know that when I was hired to be the Brand Specialist it was through a marketing company from Chicago. I originally never knew DICK'S was the company involved until right before I got hired. I also was being told that I would be the Running Specialist for the marathon, and my job would be to act as the face of the marathon. I was going to be the go to guy for newbie runners that may need some training advice. I was excited to do this because I have been around the running community for over 20 years and I do feel that I have a lot of knowledge that can be useful to a new runner. Unfortunately I was never given the chance to help anyone because I was there to brand DICK'S. If you follow me on Twitter you may have noticed that at the beginning of this campaign I was telling everyone where I would be for events, and later on I quit posting where I would be. The reason for this is I did not want to push product on people that I knew. Most of the people that follow my on Twitter are seasoned vets and they already know what works for them. Once I figured out that the people from DICK'S didn't care about the runners it rubbed me the wrong way. I don't mind pushing product if it is done classy and your company truly is trying to help out the runner. Sara, the other Brand Specialist and myself tried to give many different ways that we could get in contact with more runners and every time it was swept under the rug. The communication was very poor and most of the time we had no clue about any of the events that were coming up. This made it extremely hard to talk to anyone because we couldn't answer questions, since we didn't know any information. At times it was very frustrating. Someone has already said "well you were being paid, so you can't complain." First I am very grateful that I was lucky enough to be put in a position to get paid. However I never got involved for the money. I truly love the sport of running, it means a lot more to me than just going to a race and running. For me it means FAMILY. I was raised on running and have gotten to see all the great things that come with it.  So yes, I was getting paid good money but I would rather help a person cross a finish line that thought they couldn't over taking money any day.
I think the main reason things went wrong with this whole campaign was whoever designed it obviously was not a runner and didn't understand how runners think. It is a shame because I honestly believe with Sara's and my own knowledge we could of done great things. 

Now that the campaign is over this is what I walked away with. I do want to work in the running field for a company like Medi-Dyne. A company that will go out of there way to help a runner out and still tell you about their product in a classy way. The first time I ever heard of them they went out of their way to help me out. They never asked me to buy the product or anything like that, they were more interested in me running a good, safe race. There are so many small companies that are trying to get their product out on social media. So many of them are willing to let you sample the product and so many of them are ran by fellow athletes. I would say please consider giving these small companies a try, they are the ones that really care about you and they are the ones that want to see you succeed. Those are the types of companies I would love to eventually get a role in, a company that lets you help runners while selling the product. As for DICK'S I just can't look at them as a store for running. I would rather give my money to the small family owned running companies in the area. The ones that have training runs and when you are in there are really trying to help you out. Your money is your money and I can not tell you how to spend it or where. Instead I can just give you my reasons. 

On a side note I would just like to say all of the employees that we met while at DICK'S Sporting Good stores were very nice and went out of their way to make us feel more comfortable in a uncomfortable situation.

The Final Week: It's Time

1 week away from the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, which means this is my last training recap before the race.

The next time I do my Sunday weekly recap it will be me telling you how the race went. If I could title this past week of training I would label it “Put The Record On Repeat”. Like a record on repeat that is how my training went, ice, compression, and stretching. I did not run at all this week because I needed to let my calf muscle get back to 100%. I did however manage to make it to the gym a few days and use the bike. I figured since I couldn’t run I would use the bike and keep my legs loose. I threw in some lifting as well and I feel really good. The pain in my calf is gone and it does not feel tight at all anymore. This week I will test it out with a few short 3-4 mile runs. I will not push the pace or anything stupid like that, I just want to keep the legs loose and ready for next Sunday.

 So this upcoming week has a lot in store Friday I am supposed to work the expo for DICK’S. Notice I say supposed to, there has been some changes and now I may not have to be there at all. Once I find out for sure I will put something on twitter so everyone knows to come see me. After all this marathon stuff I will get around to posting about my experience working with DICK'S for the marathon. Saturday Stephanie has created a meet up/tweet up. We will be meeting at 7:30 am at the intersection of W. General Robinson St. and Mazeroski Way outside on PNC Park. Most of the people will be running the 5K race that morning so it is the perfect time to meet up. I originally was not going to be running sinnce I am “supposed” to be working the expo shortly after, but after some peer pressure from Steph. I have decided to run. If I do have to work the expo on Saturday just follow the stench it will probably be coming from me. I am not going to have enough time to go home and shower so it looks like I will be doing a baby wipes bath. I am pretty happy I signed up for the 5K. I am now eligible for the 3rd medal. The weekend comes to an end with the half marathon for me on Sunday.

So here is my game plan for the race: I have the hydration thing down to a science ever since last year’s marathon. Water and Gatorade Saturday night while I sit at home and rest. I will be in bed early like I do for every big race. I normally set my alarm an hour before I need to leave the house. As soon as I wake up I B-Line to the kitchen and drink a glass of Gatorade and eat a protein bar. After I get dressed, I try to keep moving around the house in hopes I get the urge to use the restroom, never happens though. I bring a bottle of water to drink on the way to the race. I like to get to the starting area early and use the bathrooms before the rush hits. About a half hour before the start of the race I take my GU Chomps, and take my last swig of water. Once the race starts I take a drink out of my hand held water bottle at every mile. I use GU at mile 4 and mile 8. This is how I have trained with long runs all season and it seems to really work for me.

If I can leave you any advice before the race it would be this. Run your race! Don’t let the crowd and the other runners dictate your performance. I know even myself is guilty of this, but don’t doubt your training and your ability. We have all worked way too hard to get here and let it crumble due to doubting ourselves. Believe in yourself. Last but not least when you are on the course and you start to feel tired and the pain starts to take over, start to think about how hard you worked. Think about all the time and dedication you put in too this. Think about anyone who has ever said “you can’t do it”. This is your chance to prove everyone wrong. Set small goals if you have to, but don’t let your mind overcome your body. For me I will remember all the people that made sacrifices along the way with me. My wife who I could of stayed in bed with on a Sunday, but instead needed to get my long run in. I will think about seeing my family along the course and wanting to make them proud as I pass in a good time. We have 26.2 miles or 13.1 depending on what you run to make your mark. Make every person you pass, every person you are next too remember you. Be the image in the other runner’s mind that they remember on race day. This is our day, go own it!!!

Less than 50 days to PGH Marathon

Happy St. Patrick's Day Week!!!!!  I am sure a lot you celebrated on Saturday like myself, but not before getting my run in. So this week I was back to my normal schedule at work. I decided this week was going to be the first week I change up my training plan and fit it a little better to myself.

MONDAY: The normal training plan called for a 3 mile at an easy pace. I decided I would do 4 miles instead.  Even though doing the 3 miles is helping me get faster, I feel like doing 4 will not only get me faster but it will add a bit more stamina. I ended the run with a 8:54 pace and felt really good. At point I honestly felt like I was going so slow and looked down to see my mile split was a 9:05.

TUESDAY: I had to take this day as my rest day since I had some running around that needed to get done.

WEDNESDAY: Since I missed Tuesday I decided to move everything back one day. So today was my speed workout day. I was so happy when I arrived at my local track and saw that the track had no snow on it. I did 8 400 meter repeats with a 200 meter walk after each one. 
splits:  1:32
            1:28
            1:25
            1:27
            1:30
            1:27
            1:29
            1:05  as you can see on my last one I try and see what I have left in the tank and basically sprint.     I was surprised to see how good I felt for the most part. My legs really didn't feel fatigued and I was able to control my breathing for the whole run.

THURSDAY:  Once again I chose to do 4 miles instead of 3. I ended the run with a pace of 9:04. This course was a bit hard and had a lot of hills so I am really pleased to see how I did for an easy run.

FRIDAY: Instead of doing a tempo run I decided to use this day as a whole day to strength train. I did a whole body workout. I know the normal schedule calls for strength on Monday and Wednesday, but I sometimes forget to do after the run or I just do the bare minimum. Adding in one whole day is great for the core.

SATURDAY: I had to be down at the SCRR training run for DICK'S Sporting Goods. It was a benefit to 2 runners who had shoes that weren't up to par.  Our rolls for this weekend were the "Nasty Shoe Police" we gave one lady and one gentleman a gift card for $150 to buy a new pair of shoes. We may be around again for one of their runs again soon. Since I was there and I am a member of the SCRR I decided to go for a short 4 mile run. I ran with the 9:30 pace group since it was raining, and I just wanted to do an easy run.  After getting my run in, I did take in some St. Patty's Day shenanigans. A few friends and I ended up going to a few bars and throwing back a few green beers.

SUNDAY: Today I headed out to North Park with my friend Kari. Kari was having some knee issues and wasn't sure if she would be able to even run at all today. I told her I would run right next to her and let her set the pace and see how it feels. We ended up doing the "Horseshoe" and it was just over 7 miles. Our pace was nothing to brag about but, Kari was able to run the whole way and after the run decided to sign up for the Half Marathon. My training run called for a 90 minute run. We ended up finishing just a few minutes short of that. Next time we venture to the park together we will run at our speed. Today I was more concerned about a friend being safe and not hurting herself any worst.

 

 

How did your week go?  Did you do anything over the weekend for St. Patty's Day or will you do anything on the official day, Tuesday?

 

 

Until next time be safe and have good runs!!!!

An Invitation From Me To You!!!

Hello Everyone!!!!

The new year has begun and with it has come a brand new opportunity for me. I've recently been named a Brand Specialist for DICK'S Sporting Goods for the build up to the DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon on May 3rd. For the next four months I will work closely with the brand to serve the Pittsburgh runner in new and innovative ways. That means you will be seeing a lot more of me around the running community at major events throughout the city.

What's most exciting is that right of the bat, my exciting opportunity has provided you with one too. Each night next week, Monday-Thursday from 6-8 pm, we will be hosting VIP Parties at four different DICK'S Sporting Goods locations around Pittsburgh. These nights will include a coupon for 20% off your entire purchase, an opportunity to hang out with me (and our other Brand Specialist, Sara Brunazzi), food and beverages and an opportunity to win a grand prize "Pittsburgh Staycation" including hotel, parking, and meals for you and your family the night before this year's marathon. So skip the messy traffic and come down the evening before for a good night's rest in anticipation of the big day.

All you need to do is comment on this post with your preferred date/location and I'll add your name to the list. Space is limited and we'll be taking people on a first come, first serve basis

DICK'S Sporting Goods Monroeville - January 5th

DICK'S Sporting Goods Robinson - January 6th

DICK'S Sporting Goods Cranberry - January 7th

DICKS Sporting Goods South Hills - January 8th

Hope to see you all there!!!