It’s Friday, so I am linking up with Courtney at Eat, Pray, Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up for What and Mar at Mar on the Run for their weekly linkup. Each Friday, they host a link up — a “Friday Five.” This week’s topic is “Race Swag.” I am going to change it up to be 5 Things to Bring Home from Your Race/Event. Why? Can I tell you a little secret? Please, don’t be mad. I don’t get the fascination with race medals a/k/a “bling.” People run multi event/multi day races and get EXTRA medals. That just gives you one more “thing” that needs a place. I know I run more races than the average person (or maybe 10 average people) but keeping medals makes me feel like a big hoarder. Well, you’ll see what I mean in a second.
5 Things to Bring Home from Your Race/Event
I am counting down in order of importance to me. No judgements – just my list…
5. The medals. As I said, medals have never really been my thing. I saved all of my marathon medals. Some are now vintage, I guess. I have many half marathon medals and all medals that were received as age group awards, I think. These pics are embarrassing and make me feel like a hoarder. Maybe that is why the idea of getting 6 medals in one weekend holds no appeal for me! Maybe I need a better way to keep them? Joys of apartment living!
4. The race/event shirts. I am a big fan of a nice, tech race shirt. I have enough to be picky. My faves are gender specific, tech material and a mix of colors, styles (LS, SS, tank) and designs. I tend to wear the same ones often because they are on the top of the drawer or the clean laundry pile.
3. Mugs/Cups. I am not a collector of many things (other than the above piles o’things). I do have a small collection of mugs from races and a few that were awards. I LOVE drinking my coffee from a marathon mug or a “winner” mug. It is just a great way to start the day. Right?
2. Photos! If you read this blog, you know I always force my friends to take pics at and around races (and sometimes running in general). I try to get at least one (but usually many) per race.
1. Friends and Memories. The best thing I can bring home with me from any race is the experience and the stories of the amazing people I meet along the way. If you know me, you know that I am a running/racing talker. I’ve met so many friends in races that I am friends with years later. My friends Marie, Sharon, Natalie and Lief are examples of people I met in races that I am friends with over a dozen years later. More recently, I met some great folks in the Phoenix Marathon and Grandma’s Marathon. Running is a common experience that spans the ages. This is the reason that I run races.
What are your fave things to bring home from races? Bling or no bling? What do you do with your medals?
Have a great weekend, all! Stay cool!