By: Greg Koch
Winter has arrived in Sioux Falls, bringing snow and colder temperatures. In retail—especially in this region—weather significantly impacts business. Despite more than a decade of effort, sales still drop sharply during weather events. As an independent business owner, this presents ongoing challenges. Now five months into solo ownership, I am navigating a difficult season. Simply put, slow sales are not ideal, but we continue to push forward. With several major shoe launches, we must invest strategically to remain competitive, but extra capital is limited. While taking on debt is an option, I am not willing to put my family at risk. Instead, we rely on careful planning, resourcefulness, and a commitment to financial independence. My team leaders, have been with me for years, and I see firsthand how business fluctuations affect them. We hold ourselves to high standards—tracking performance, hosting community events, investing in customer service, and staying ahead of industry trends. We create, adapt, and refine constantly. And yet, some challenges persist. I want to be clear—none of us are drawing large salaries. Our team earns fair, living wages, and every payroll cycle requires careful planning. This is not a plea for sympathy but a reminder of the realities of running a small, independent business. While we had an excellent January and have been thriving since last July, we remain mindful of our expenses and continuously refine our approach to ensure long-term sustainability. The Power of Eight Minutes Have you heard of the eight-minute rule? In therapy, patients must engage for at least eight minutes to receive reimbursement for a unit of treatment. I have no idea if this is true as this is not my line of work. Research does suggests that eight minutes is enough time for a meaningful conversation. Even writing this blog has helped shift my perspective—focusing energy on something productive is incredibly powerful. At times, I question the best path forward. My team depends on this business for their livelihoods, and that responsibility is significant. But my appeals for support aren’t about me—they’re about sustaining a business that uplifts our community. We collaborate with local partners, support nonprofits, and employ dedicated people who serve our customers. We sustain this work through product sales, coaching, race registrations, and a relentless commitment to engagement. I am not perfect, but I am always striving to be better. Navigating Challenges Lately, I’ve been reminded that challenges rarely come alone. A long-standing partnership ended unexpectedly, forcing us to reevaluate key aspects of our business. The impact extended beyond finances—it affected our team, our morale, and our sense of stability. Business may be business, but for us, it’s also deeply personal. Additionally, I received an email that, while professional, was difficult to digest. Leadership requires resilience, but moments of criticism can linger. I hold myself to high standards and work to improve, but setbacks—both personal and professional—are part of the journey. Finding Perspective Yesterday, I received a simple but meaningful email from my daughter's teacher, sharing that she had a great day at school. That small message was a reminder that even during difficult times, good things are happening all around us. I encourage all of us to look for those moments. Whether it’s an act of kindness, a message of encouragement, or a small win, these things matter. The road isn’t always easy, but with focus, resilience, and community, we will keep moving forward together.
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By: Tait Hermanson, Fit Advisor
The new Brooks Glycerin 22 might be my most anticipated shoe of 2025. If you were to ask me my favorite shoe I would tell you it’s the Brooks Glycerin 21. I have gone through two pairs of the 20’s, a pair of the 21’s, and now a pair of the 22’s. I was even told that the 21’s was our top selling shoe of all time. So the Glycerin 22 has some big shoes to fill (see what I did there). I am about 13 miles (about 3 runs) in, and so far I have come to enjoy them. I am not ready to say they are as good as the 21 but I would definitely recommend them if you enjoyed the 21. With the new DNA Tuned Foam which we saw on the new Glycerin Max, the new Glycerin has definitely changed. The rubber outsole is very grippy and suitable for light trail runs, pavement, and whatever you are willing to throw at it. One of my favorite things about Brooks is how durable they make their shoes, it always seems like I can squeeze a few more miles in them than other shoes. The new foam and upper hold true to that testament so far. The upper is a part of the shoe I definitely feel has improved, taking some inspiration from the stealth fit while still containing that padded tongue, this shoe's upper just feels comfy. The new stretchy heel pull tab is also a very welcome addition to the shoe, looking great and useful. Lovers of the GTS, including myself, will continue to enjoy the hugging fit of the guide rails. I am excited to continue running in them and put the majority of my track training miles in them. Come stop down at either of our stores to see for yourself. By: Greg Koch
This week I've been attending the Run Congress, an event designed by my close friend Mark Jimenez of Red Rock Running Company. The vision statement of the congress is as follows: Bring partnerships to life by connecting brands and independent retailers to tackle the industry's toughest challenges. This is an unfiltered, two-day meeting of some of the best and brightest minds in run specialty. Unlike other events that are driven by transactions, entertainment, and glad-handing, the congress sets a level playing field and focuses on direct and respectful conversation. So, what is the run specialty channel? This is the collection of brands that specialize in run-specific products and the independent outfitters that specialize in selling these products. As the channel has grown, so have the buckets of retailers participating in "specialty" sales. These include select big box stores (like Scheels), franchise stores (like Fleet Feet), and specialized online dealers (like Running Warehouse). As the business of running grows, the formula for success can become combustible due to the amount of passion poured into creating that growth. What was once a passion for many suddenly became a career path, and when you combine passion with livelihood and a dose of rapid growth, a certain amount of friction is bound to happen. So, what have I actually been doing for the past two days? For starters, the amount of energy that was poured into this event prior to everyone arriving in Las Vegas was very evident. Mark was a very successful educator before becoming a running store owner. More importantly, Mark was a math teacher who also studied curriculum, instruction, and organizational leadership. Essentially, he is incredibly talented at taking on hard topics, breaking them down into digestible talking points, facilitating conversations, and guiding groups toward solutions. This may sound like a simple task, but trust me, it is not. Here is a breakdown of what this looks like in practice: A session at Run Congress might include myself, another running store owner, a district sales manager from Asics, a sales rep from New Balance, and the president of Body Glide. All of us sit at a round table breaking down a topic curated by Mark from a survey sent prior to attending. This is a "peel the curtain back" sort of moment. Yes, our brands sit at tables together not as competitors but as collaborators with the purest goal of improving the business of running. I cannot stress how magical this format is. Here is why it works: Tickets are limited, which means the setting is intimate. The brands show up in a huge way—not with sponsorship dollars or product, but in the people they send to the congress. Simply put, this is a who's who in the North American running industry. If you truly want to enact change, you work with the folks that lead the teams across the country that deliver the shoes and gear we all love. The stores that come to Run Congress are Independent Specialty dealers across the country. There is no minimum sales volume or number of doors required to attend. These are the local retail stores that impact communities across the country. We had some of the best and brightest entrepreneurial minds in the industry sitting at our tables. There was no coastal bias at the Run Congress and no glad-handing only for the top stores by volume. This was a true commitment to independence and collaboration among brands and retailers. Over the past two days, we built a playbook on how to conduct business. We addressed challenges in the industry like direct-to-consumer sales, cross-department communication challenges, and best practices for doing business together. We achieved this through role-playing, role-reversal exercises, and small and large group discussions. We broke bread together and, of course, we ran together. It has been a very special time here in Las Vegas. No product was shown, no meet-and-greets with elite athletes were conducted, and no wild parties were hosted. Over the past two days, brands and retailers met together and went to school on building a better industry. New connections were made that wouldn't happen anywhere else. I am leaving the congress feeling motivated as a business leader. I want to continue to build better partnerships with our brands and be a better business owner. This means leaning into the visionary component of my job and digging into the details that make us successful. I've gained a better understanding of the challenges my brands face and how I can directly impact their ability to do business. I am establishing some best practices for us and have a solid timeline for creating more successful partnerships. Motivation is exciting, but the real challenge will be in my discipline to deliver the goods. In runner terms I just signed up for a marathon which is really exciting, but the key to my success will be the training between weeks 10-16 in my training plan. We want to give a warm welcome to the newest member of the 605 Running Company team!
Jess Walhof has been a dedicated member of the Sioux Falls running community for a number of years, especially when it comes to hitting the trails. Jess specializes in trail running and can give you recommendations and advice on which ultras and trail races are sure to give you a challenge. Many know this but we wanted to dig deeper, so we asked Jess a few questions to help us get to know her. Below you will find her answers. Where would you recommend to run in Sioux Falls? Good Earth State Park has over 10 miles worth of trails with scenic river views and rolling hills just graded enough to challenge you or you can opt for some pleasant flat routes. It’s a great place to get out in nature and just be. What is your favorite thing about running? I love getting out in nature on the trails, and even more so when I can do it with my friends! I also like the opportunity to test myself, whether in speed or distance, and explore my limits. Do you have a favorite hobby outside of running? Somewhere in the past couple years while in some meditative state while running, I started creating something that resembles poetry. I began scribbling those ideas and thoughts down and sharing them on social media. I found myself with excess extra time the past few months and gathered all of those small works and published a book, “Wandering Wonderings: Poetic Ponderings Transcribed on the Trail.” What is something you are most excited to do this year? I am hoping to do another round with the Black Hills 100 this summer! What is your favorite post-race food? If it’s been a hot race (which it usually is), I crave something cold, sweet, and refreshing like a mountain dew and/or popsicle – I have become famous for sharing post-group run popsicles in the parking lot at Good Earth State Park in the summer! What is your favorite running quote? “When you realize failing doesn’t make you a failure, you give yourself permission to try all sorts of things.” “The thing about a long, grueling journey is that it strips away who you’re not and allows you to discover what’s left – or who’s left. One damn good reason to pursue endurance – and choose suffering – is to get to know yourself inside and out. When you reach that moment where you gave more than you thought you had and accomplished more than you thought you could, it’s clear who you are.” - Jennifer Pharr Davis, “The Pursuit of Endurance” About the Hoka Skyflow: As an avid trail runner, I’ve struggled for years to find a road shoe to fall in love with, but the HOKA Skyflow might be a perfect match! The structure promises for a smooth ride with just enough cushion to give absorb impact and spring forward. I’m looking forward to logging some longer runs in this shoe when I’m unable to get to the trails! By: Tait Hermanson, Fit Advisor
Asics continues to surprise me the last few months. From the Glideride Max to the Novablast 5, Asics has included its new FF Blast Max that is superbly comfortable and more plush in more and more shoes. The Asics Gel Nimbus 27 is a different story however, it continues to be a flagship shoe with little changes. Containing the same FF Blast + with the same rubber, and an improved upper, fans of the Nimbus 26 will be happy to know it hasn’t changed too much. I believe this shoe has a perfect spot in Asics lineup in 2025. Max cushioned shoes continue to get more plush and add even more foam. The Gel Nimbus 27 however is a bit more stable and on the firmer end. I also feel it is perfect for heel strikers as the Gel makes for a perfect heel to toe transition. Plus the upper of the Nimbus reminds me of the stealthfit from Brooks, the tongue is stretchy and provides a snug and comfortable fit. For those that enjoy a higher cushioned shoe, but not too much plush, the Nimbus 27 is the perfect shoe! Stop into either of our stores and try on the Nimbus 27 for yourself! |
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