Outdoor Reads: Stay centered while overwhelmed; plus, don’t be ‘that guy’

What did the SNEWS team read this week that other industry insiders might find interesting? Read on to find out.

• Maybe your customers want to get into skiing but are nervous of being “that guy.” You know, the one who reminds you of Jeff Daniels in “Dumb and Dumber” when he walks into the ski lodge decked out in a racing suit, already wearing his skis and making a fool of himself. But Backcountry.com has this helpful guide on what not to do so you don’t look like that guy when you’re a newbie on the slopes.

• Speaking of “that guy,” our sister publication, Backpacker, has a list of the most annoying behaviors of our camping and backpacking partners. It’s a really long list, including the person who’s obsessed with the fire and the one who drops the flask and wastes all the liquid good times. So if you have a backpacking or camping trip coming up, brush up on how to not piss off your friends.

• Despite recent management changes and an attempt to right the see-through wrongs of the past, Lululemon’s stock is still taking a hit. This story said it’s because customers lost faith in the brand and retailer, and no longer see value in its products. Another reason, the article said, has to do with Founder Chip Wilson’s comments about Lululemon’s pants not being for every body shape.

• We’re always struggling to find the perfect work/life balance. Sometimes we skip our daily sweat session to cram in all the other things we need to do. Turns out that’s not the right thing to do, according to this Inc. story, which says exercise can help reduce stress and make us more productive and efficient. So get out for a trail run before or after work to reap the benefits.

• We’re right in the thick of cold and flu season, and we’d do just about any exercise or movement if it means strengthening our immune systems. This story has a video link for the top five yoga poses to help do that and also to relieve discomfort if you’re already sick. These will come in handy next week when we’re all spreading our germs all over the Salt Palace for Outdoor Retailer.

• We happen to think snowshoeing is one of the best gateway activities out there. It’s not difficult, it’s safe and it’s not as expensive as other winter sports. If you’re in our beautiful home state of Colorado, you should check out any one of these top five spots to snowshoe featured in 5280 magazine.

• According to this story, not many people can say they invented a sport. Jeff Lowe is among the few who can. The famed climber is said to have invented modern mixed climbing when he first dry tooled the M8 Octopussy route in Vail, Colo. Check out this tribute to Lowe, who is suffering from a unidentified degenerative disease, and a recount of Ueli Steck’s recent climbing of that iconic route.

• We wrote a story last summer about how ultramarathons are good for your bottom line, retailers, but what exactly are they doing to your customers’ bodies? This New York Times post has got the answer. Though ultra-runners experienced some breathing problems and irregular heart beats, but they also had fewer work absences due to illness and injury and lower risk of developing common diseases like diabetes.

• Charging customers a “fitting fee” might be a good way to battle showrooming. In this Running Insight story, one specialty run retailer tells the tale of how so many customers have come in to get a gait analysis and shoe fitting only to leave the store in search of a cheaper price. Another retailer quoted in the story said they’re not just selling shoes, they’re selling their experience and expertise.

• With Outdoor Retailer coming up next week, we might all be feeling a little overwhelmed with appointments, interviews, events, dinners, deadlines and happy hours. But don’t forget to take care of yourself in Salt Lake City. Check out this story on five ways to keep yourself centered when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Did you read anything awesome this week? Email us because we want to read it, too.