Am I the only one who was dumbfounded to see an MDot-approved baby stroller in the current issue of Runner’s World?
No surprise really.
If you have ever been to an Ironman Merchandise store, you will know that they put the IM logo on just about everything.
The the good thing is the BOB company is known for making very high quality products. I have always thought there bike trailers where one of the best things for bike touring to come along in a long time.
I don’t mean to denigrate the products. I understand the idea behind branding and all that, but I am still amazed at some of the things I see like that. I look at this stuff and I think to myself, “Does that logo/endorsement increase the likelihood that I will buy the product?” The answer, in my case, is usually no.
The question I ponder most, however, is the typical Slowtwitch ethical dilemna: Is it okay for a person who has never completed an Ironman to use the Ironman baby stroller? What about the trash bags? Or is it one of those things where it’s okay to use it if you are a non-triathlete, but if you are a triathlete, then you need to complete an Ironman before using the product?
I wear an ironman watch and have still yet to go long…
Good questions.
I am sure that the products appeal first and foremost to Ironman competitors/finishers and their families, but I am also sure that their are those outside this group who buy IM logo’d products. Case in point - the Timex IM watches which have been one of the biggest success stories ever, in product branding and merchandizing. The sales of these watches have gone way beyond the group of IM competitors/finishers.
Pres. Clinton had one so he could time how long Monica could…
Regarding the argument about whether you can wear M-dot if you don’t race Ironman:
What do Bill Clinton and Osama bin Laden have in common?
They both own Timex Ironman watches.
No, really.
The damn things are ubiquitous, I had one before I could even spell try-ath-a-lon, let alone race one. No-one busts the wearer’s balls about it. It’s perfectly ok.
However, wearing a finisher t-shirt might break the boundaries.
Actually I have that stroller and think that it is great but the Mdot had nothing to do with my decision. I had settled on a Bob stroller because of the ease of folding and compactness when folded and the Mdot vesrsion is the best in the lineup.
Andrew
. . . well I was not thinking about that, but there was a great picture after one of President Clinton’s Inauguration Day speeches. He’s jestering with his hand and the Timex IM watch is clearly visible on his wrist. The picture was on the front page of every major newspaper that day. The first thought that came to mind is why is the President of the United States, with a $2,000+ suit on, wearing a $39.99 watch you can buy at Wal Mart!
I agree with Ironman allowing their M-Dot to be used on baby strollers. I love this sport, and I want to see it grow and receive national attention and national sponsor dollars. Without Ironman the general public would probably still think that triathletes ski 25 miles and shoot pigeons with a gun over our shoulder.
I hate to hear the word “sell-out” because of their marketing push. It’s a product, brand, logo, distance, etc…and it needs to be in front of the public eye.
Maybe someday Peter Reid’s IMHI win won’t only be a 11 second blurp on ESPN on the late night show. We’re never going to get there if we consider the Ironman a “sell-out”.
my $.02
Guys, one of the biggest demographics with respect to Ironman participants is 30-45 year old triathletes, many of whom are juggling young families and racing Ironman. This branding makes a lot of business sense.
Wait a minute. I’m not going to get to shoot anything at Lake Placid? Drat!
You make some excellent points. I just find the breadth of products featuring the logo somewhat surprising. And then there are the occasional heated discussions we have here regarding appropriate use/display of Ironman logos and Team kits, which reflects an attitude that will also have to change if you want the sport to go mainstream.
True. I also don’t want to wear the MDot until I complete one. It would be kind of embarrassing if someone came up to you on the street and started talking about the Ironman experience while you are pushing an MDot baby stroller, and you have to say “Actually…I’ve never done one”.
However, not completing one doesn’t mean anything to the average person, and that is who this marketing push is for.
Why does it not shock me that Clinton wore a damn digital watch? Seriouly, who wears that when you are not working out? You would think that with all the monies from the cattle futures Billary could have got him something decent. KKKLinton IMO would look good in a Fortis (those who know watches will get the Fortis joke).
I would never ever wear a digital watch with a damn suit…never. Fashion Faux Pas.
Word. You gotta wear a nice pocket watch, or nothing at all.
I think I am going to do IMLP on this bike this year…damn IronMan bike…you know it is a winner for sure. I bet I could whip Steve Larsens ass on this!
Sweet, dude! If nothing else, you’d get a lot of respect (and funny looks) for riding a mountain bike with platform pedals.
But won’t you have to change out the drivetrain for Campy? ;p
IMLP…37 days days…gulp! It’s kind of funny, but I find that the disappointment that it will be over soon almost overwhelms the trepidation of the race itself.
Cute chain guards 
.
I think you might get banned for life like the WTC does for any other minor infraction. I recall a guy in Kona 96 or 98 who smoked the swim sub-50, and then did the bike on a day-glo beach cruiser with a basket, wearing running shorts and flip-flops. If I remember correctly he finished. The rules now state your equipment must be a “racing bicycle”.
Seriouly, who wears that when you are not working out?<<
Well, I was at a wedding (bride is an Ironman and ex-pres of our club; groom became a sometime triathlete), and there were lots of guests of both sexes wearing the Timex IM watch. Even a couple of people who wear their Polars as their watches.
clm, Timex wearer all the time