I really didn't want to have to hate you.

I run.

I enjoy running. I find it therapeutic, and apparently, it's good for you.

Running Room felt like a good find. They promoted running, provided education about running and had a good, inexpensive in-house line of clothing.

That was before.

I didn't mind so much when their popularity increased and they jacked up the price of all their clothing so it was as expensive as the name brands. It's a business; if they want to market to the boutique running crowd, so be it. I was a bit disappointed to once again being relegated back to the sale bins at Winners, but that's my problem.

I also didn't mind when, being on Running Room's email list, I received 'Tips for Training', which were essentially running swag ads. Again, it's a business.

What pissed the holy hell out of me was this latest ad.


I draw the line when a company bastardizes a scientific claim to support whatever product they feel they need to move off the shelves. Even if this was a ad for plain milk I wouldn't be so pissed off. But it's not. It's for chocolate milk, aka milk with added sugar. There's no nutritional benefit to drinking chocolate milk over regular milk, and the writers of this ad know it. That's why the text is carefully worded to including science-y sounding phrases and then astoundingly vague claims as to how chocolate milk actually accomplishes any of these benefits.

Try this: go through the ad and replace "chocolate milk" with "cat feces." The ad is still 100% true! Amazing.

Why chocolate milk? It costs more than regular milk, so it increases profits and the added sugar is satiating, so consumers are more likely to drink more of it.

So, in conclusion, Running Room - bite me. I will not be visiting your corporate sell-out stores anymore.

It's a shame too, because I'd like some new runners.