June 15, 2007

  Bob from the Left Coast
    By Bob Francis, Owner
    soundRUNNER




Julie and I are back from the Asics conference, held in Monterey, California. Each year we meet with other specialty running store owners to learn about changes in the footwear and apparel lines, industry trends, and the application of the latest research in biomechanics, exercise physiology, and sports medicine to our business. The sights along the central coast were spectacular: we drove the thirty miles to Big Sur along the marathon course, ran along the shoreline through Monterey and Pacific Grove, and climbed steep single-track trails through chaparral to a ridgeline overlooking the Salinas Valley.

The Asics line continues its patterns of innovation, evolution, and technology transfer. In terms of innovation, the Kinsei 2 (MSRP: $180) will do what was not yet technically possible in the original Kinsei: move the discreet gel unit feature into the forefoot. This will account for the weight gain in the shoe, which I believe will run like a lighter shoe and will be the high-end solution for runners spanning the continuum from neutral to motion control. The Kinetic (MSRP: $160) will take the place of the original Kinsei, with evolutionary improvements in the fit, retaining the Kinsei features. And just as the Nimbus 9 (MSRP: $120) now features discreet heel unit technology passed down from the Kinsei, so the Kayano 14 (MSRP $135) will inherit both the dual-density gel heel as well as a new formulation of the Solyte midsole found in the Kinsei 2.

The sessions with Dr. Simon Barthold, physician, medical school professor, and chief of research for Asics, were so important that soundRUNNER will begin carrying footwear for field and court sports. In past years we have learned much from Simon about gait, gender-specific issues in footwear design, and footwear solutions for biomechanical problems. This year Simon reviewed the classes of injury for athletes aged seven to eighteen and the causes of those injuries. Among the best ways to help young athletes prevent crippling injury and avoid chronic pain is to give them sound advice and appropriate footwear. soundRUNNER will begin carrying soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and volleyball footwear in both youth and adult sizes.

Julie and I are proud to announce that we will be opening a new store in Madison this August, and that space in the store will be devoted to developing concepts from Asics. Along with many professionals, ranging from podiatric surgeons to physical therapists, who have demonstrated their extraordinary capabilities by presenting in the Saturday Morning Coffee Series at the store, the professional staff at Asics will assist soundRUNNER in developing in-store educational programs for our staff, friends, and customers.

There will be much more to come on the opening of the store in Madison. The point I want to emphasize for both Julie and me is that we strongly believe we can make the greatest contribution to our communities by supporting training and development programs for young runners, by offering consistent and reliable consultation to athletes and their families, and by making available the best products meeting footwear and apparel needs. To do this well, we must extend our reach to adjacent communities, bringing these services closer to those who may benefit from them. Next stop: Madison.

Archive of Bob’s Lane

Issue 1: May 1, 2007: Bob on the Bash
Issue 2: May 10, 2007: Bob on Dave Parcells
Issue 3: May 24, 2007: Bob on the Branford Road Race
Issue 4: June 1, 2007: Bob on Being Green