In the Running

Long Island runners reveal their shoe and shopping preferences, and why the exercise is a healthy way of life, especially during the pandemic. By Tara Campbell

RUNNING IS GOOD for the mind, body and soul. It’s also relatively easy on the wallet as compared to, say, a Peleton bike that runs well into the thousands, not including membership fees. Running is also convenient and, since the onset of the pandemic, safe. Hence, the recent running boom that has seen millions of new participants as well as those who rediscovered its joys.

According to a 2020 Sports & Fitness Association survey, about 50 million Americans (roughly 15 percent of the population) participated in some form of running. A Runner’s World annual survey backs that up, noting that the sport is more popular than it has been in years and being fueled by pandemic newbies. A recent Run Repeat survey of nearly 4,000 runners, found that about 29 percent started during the pandemic. What’s more, they like it. Since most gyms have reopened, studies show that many are sticking to the great outdoors for their runs.

Here, Long Island runners discuss why they choose to run—and what they wear when doing it and where they might go to buy that next pair.

BRIAN:

Wearing: Nike Purchased at: Dick’s Sporting Goods How many miles a week? Three to five. Next pair? Nike, again. I’ve been very happy with these, and probably at Dick’s, again. How long have you been running? Ten years. Running more during the pandemic? Definitely more. I have more free time. What do you love about running? The endorphins.

LORI

Wearing: Saucony Type A Purchased at: RunningWarehouse.com How many miles a week? About 35 to 40 miles. Next pair? Probably the same pair and likely online. I get the best price online. How long have you been running? I ran cross-country in high school and then took did other types of exercise. I got back into it about 10 years ago. Running more since the pandemic? The same. What do you love about running? I love to move my body, and I love the scenery on Long Island.

ARIELLE

Wearing: Asics Dynamic Duomax Purchased at: The Asics store at the Tanger Outlets. They help me get the best fit because I have very flat feet. In certain brands, I’m a size up and others it’s a size down. I’d rather not have to return stuff. How miles a week? About 15. When I was training for a half marathon last fall it was 30 or 40 a week. Next pair? Back to the Asics store because they were super helpful and these have held up well. Plus, they have a huge selection and you get a good deal. I also really don’t know where else to go. How many years have you been running? About eight years. I started in college when I had to run a 5K and couldn’t do so without stopping. I’ve been increasing my distances since. Running more since the pandemic? Definitely more. There was a lot I couldn’t do, but I could always go for a run.

KEITH

Wearing: Brooks Adrenaline Purchased at: Super Runner’s Shop (now closed).

Lori Keith

Tiana

How many miles a week? About 55 to 60 miles. Running more since the pandemic? Yes. Before that I was running 30 to 35 miles a week. I have double the time at home. Next pair? New Balance 1400, most likely online. How many years have you been running? I ran in high school and then took some years off but picked it up again about eight years ago. Love about running? It’s a great stress reliever.

TIANA

Wearing: Nike Max Zoom Purchased at: Online, a gift from my sister. How many miles a week? I walk, run or jog three miles about four times a week. Next pair? I usually wear Asics or Nike, but I don’t have a particular brand in mind. I usually try to shop a small business first, like the Sport Runner’s Club in Northport. How long have you been running? Since I was 14, so about 8 years. Running more during the pandemic? More. I started in March and ran because there was nothing else to do. Now that it’s summer, I’m running more. What do you love about running? That I can totally Zen out after working 9 to 5. It’s nice to get outside and do something good for my body.

CHANDLER

Wearing: Nike Pegasus 35 Purchased at: The Nike store at the Woodbury Outlets. I shop there or Dick’s Sporting Goods because they have a wide selection. I’m not brand specific and looking for what has a good price tag. How many miles a week? About three times a week and probably 5K intervals. Next pair? No particular brand or style. I just want a versatile shoe with a somewhat narrow fit that’s breathable and somewhat waterproof. I’ll probably look at the same stores. Running more since the pandemic? I took a step back because I wasn’t able to compete in any Spartan races. What do you love about running? It’s an opportunity to disconnect—like going into a dream-like state where I can forget all the stresses in life.

MADI

Shoes: Nike Purchased at: Dick’s Sporting Goods Next pair? I might buy Nike again, but I’m also looking into Hoka and a few other brands. How long have you been running? About six years. But I seriously got into running during the pandemic. How many miles a week? Ten to 15 miles. More if I’m training for a half marathon. What do you love about running? It brings me to another place and gets my endorphins going. I’ve been working from home during the pandemic, so going for a run in the evenings is just a good way to leave my house and go into the outside world.

SCOTT

Wearing: Nike Flex Run Purchased at: The Nike store in the Tanger Outlets. I like to try them on first before buying. Next pair? Probably the same pair; they’ve been very comfortable. And probably the same store. How long have you been running? I started running outside since the pandemic, because I couldn’t go to the gym. I run three to four times a week now, and it’s more fun than going to the gym. What do you love about running? It keeps me in shape and gets out frustrations I might have.

RENEE

Wearing: Hoka One One Purchased at: Smithtown Running Company How many miles a week? About 20-plus. I run 7 days a week. Next pair? I’m usually a Brooks girl, so probably those, and again at the Smithtown Running Company. How long have you been running? Ten-plus years. Running more during the pandemic? Absolutely more. I have more free time and want to get outside, because I’m still working in an office. What do you love about running? It makes me feel good. I do a lot of good thinking when I’m on a run.

PAUL

Wearing: Reebok Zig Wild TR 6 Purchased at: At the Reebok store in Tanger Outlets. How many miles a week? About a mile a day. Next pair? This is the first time I ran in these and they’re pretty good, so I’ll probably buy these again. Same store, too. How long have you been running? I started in high school and it’s going on 50 years now. Running more during the pandemic? I’m just getting going again. When the YMCA pool closed, I stopped swimming and then running. But I’m coming back. What do you love about running? Being in shape and feeling good.

Renee

Chandler

Madi

Scott

A Perfect Fit: The Importance of Strengthening Retail Relationships

How Twisted X® continues to double down on its retail partner relationships to drive success for all parties.

LAST YEAR, THE retail industry faced one of the worst drops in sales history, plunging by 20 percent when the world shut down two months into the pandemic. Worse, clothing and accessory store sales fell by an unprecedented 89 percent, while department store sales plunged 45 percent, according to analysis by Deloitte. Consumers had fewer reasons to shop, even though retailers desperately needed them to do so. Fast forward to today. As America reopens, the retail landscape looks vastly different. Ecommerce has increased exponentially, many brands have ramped up their directto-consumer (DTC) efforts and consumers have a new mindset regarding what they spend their money on, as well as how and where they shop. The so-called new normal in this regard is very real.

So what does all this mean for traditional retailers? More importantly from Twisted X’s perspective, how can it support its retail partners going forward? It starts with quality products that sell! Since 2005, Twisted X has been creating comfortable, handcrafted footwear collections in western, work, outdoor and lifestyle categories. Blended into that is a commitment to sustainable design and support of numerous related philanthropic causes. Twisted X understands its shoes must look good, feel good and do good!

Secondly, it means Twisted X doesn’t sell DTC. Retailers have been partners since day one, which is why the company chooses to work alongside them versus competing against them. “Without our retailers, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” says Twisted X CEO Prasad Reddy. “Our retail relationships have allowed us to increase our brand stature as well as value in the industry beyond sales, so it’s important to us to stand by them while many others have pulled away.”

Relationships matter. And healthy ones are based on understanding each other’s wants and needs. That’s why Twisted X tailors its support to each retail partner based on their individual needs and challenges, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach. “The building, strengthening and continuation of our relationships, no matter the situation, is our underlying philosophy,” affirms Reddy.

Still, the shift by consumers to shopping online is seismic. In 2020, consumers spent $861.1 billion online—a 44 percent increase, yearover-year. According to Digital Commerce 360, that marked the highest growth in decades and nearly tripled 2019’s increase. But rather than just joining the DTC flow, Twisted X sees this as an opportunity to support its retailers in their expanding omnichannel efforts with social media campaigns. By providing a variety of assets, layouts, web designs and emails, the company caters to its retailers’ needs to help tell their stories and connect with current and potential new customers. The ROI is a win-win for Twisted X and retailers. Similarly, Twisted X extended a helping hand to its retail partners when their inventories went out of whack at the onset of the pandemic. With stores closed, retailers needed relief—fast. Twisted X took the burden off their shoulders by increasing its factory production and inventory levels, making goods easily accessible so retailers could fill in as needed. Many brands saw this approach as Look good, feel good, do good: The Zero-X collection features no-glue a financial risk not worth taking. construction, ecoTWX recycled plastic bottle uppers and bamboo laces. But this turned out to be one of the best ways Twisted X supported its retail partners, not to mention strengthened inventory levels of original and new styles like never before. Twisted X was able to grab more shelf space when other brands pulled back. While the future of wholesale may look a lot different than today, Twisted X firmly believes it will continue to play a key role. “If there is trade, there is wholesale,” Reddy offers. “And as long as consumers are still at the forefront trying to buy from brands, retailers will be here.” That’s why Twisted X’s overall approach is to try and always do right by its retail partners. It’s an ongoing effort that spans product development, inventory flexibility and marketing support. In addition, the ability to pivot to help retailers when the need arises—like during the tremendous upheaval of this past year—is a must. Such understanding and flexibility are the essence of a successful and long-lasting partnership. “We see ourselves to be in service to our retail partners, where our job is to make footwear that makes us grow together,” Reddy says. “And the more successful retailers are, the more successful we are.”

ROAD OF LIFE

Frank Cammarata, CEO of The Enjoiya Group, reflects on the twists and turns that led him to the ultimate dream job.

Dear Frank,

Although you never dreamed you’d end up spending the better part of your life working in the retail and footwear industries, I’m happy to inform you that it’s a career you’ll absolutely love. Maybe it was destiny? You’ve always attributed your love of retailing to your parents. After all, they met as teenagers, in 1958, while working at Macy’s Herald Square. They even marched in the Thanksgiving Day Parade, where your mom was a float girl and escorted Ginger Rogers, and your dad was a balloon navigator helping tame Mighty Mouse. No wonder you sometimes think of you and your siblings as the “Miracle on 34th Street.”

Growing up in New Jersey, a stone’s throw from Manhattan, gives you access to street smarts and great culture. There’s nothing quite like it. Sports also play an integral part of your formative years. It fuels your competitive spirit, which you’re going to need to thrive in the shoe business! (More on that in a bit.)

As a teenager, you might not think holding down several jobs in dairy pasteurizing and chemical production factories, an Ellen Tracy garment warehouse and selling Cutco cutlery door-to-door will have any impact on how your career unfolds, but they do! Each of these experiences provide valuable life lessons. You learn to be flexible, resilient and open to new possibilities. It’s where you also learn how to work—how to follow orders, take responsibility and earn your keep. While they aren’t dream jobs, above all they teach you the importance of believing in yourself.

In 1982, you put that self-confidence to its first major test, moving to Massachusetts to accept a position as an assistant store manager at the start-up, T.J. Maxx. It turns out to be a very wise move. You work there for the next 19 years, rising the ranks to buyer and then merchandise manager. It’s the most gratifying career experience of your life up until that time. Many of the people you meet during your retailing days remain good friends to this day. It’s also where you’re introduced to the footwear industry. You quickly discover you love it. It’s fast-paced and dynamic. Plus, you have a knack for spotting winners. This shoe biz love affair is the impetus for your next big career move, in 2008, when you and two partners launch the Kruzin’ and Rocabouts kids’ brands. It’s a dream job involving branding, merchandising and fiscal matters. The hands-on experience ignites your passion to start your own footwear company one day, i.e. your ultimate dream job.

That day comes in September 2013 when you, as CEO, launch Camtrade, featuring the women’s brands, Secret Celebrity and Soft Comfort. Utilizing your extensive industry contacts gathered over the years, you put together an all-star team of dedicated professionals— some with extensive footwear backgrounds and others with outside expertise—spanning operations, finance, design/development, customer service and marketing. Your goal is to keep growth disciplined, always with the long view top of mind. Of course, launching a shoe company from scratch has its challenges. The road ahead is not always smooth. Setting up a reliable manufacturing base in various countries around the world is grueling work and filled with potholes. But you always drive forward, and soon your team’s efforts and talents pay dividends! Your company is selling a lot of shoes. Business is good. Life is good. Then, March 2020 comes along. (I would advise you to just skip this year entirely but, unfortunately, that isn’t possible.) Just know that the year the deadly Covid-19 pandemic sweeps the globe will be one of the greatest challenges of your career. Stores are forced to close for months. Supply chains go into chaos. The world is turned completely upside down! It doesn’t help that, six months earlier, your company rebrands as The Enjoiya Group, marked by the launch of a namesake fashion label. Except, seemingly overnight, slippers become the office shoe for millions of remoteworking Americans and dress footwear gets shelved as weddings, graduations, holiday parties, conferences, etc. are put on hold. Business is tough. Life is not easy.

However, you’ve always been taught, throughout your career, that where there is crisis, there’s opportunity. You buckle down, pivot where you can and ride out the pandemic, believing that the world will heal and thrive once again. That, hopefully, another Roaring Twenties awaits. Your faith, as of mid 2021 when I’m writing you this note, just might be rewarded. The pandemic is not over yet, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel when, just a few months earlier, there appeared to be only darkness. In the meantime, you continue to take solace in your work. You love your job and truly appreciate the important things in life: family, friends and your associates. Life, in those regards, is always good.

In closing, stay humble, be open to new ideas and never stop learning. The road to success is always under construction.

Sincerely, Frank