Friday, May 17, 2013

Bulging Calves, etc.

Today I worked the expo for Sunday’s Denver Colfax Marathon. It was held inside Sport’s Authority Field where the Broncos play. We’ll also run around the field on race day.

As a race ambassador I was there to answer race questions (What do I do if I crap my pants? How far is a marathon? Will beer be served at mile 19.5 and if so, what kind?). I milled around looking like I knew what I was doing – which was a lie. Although apparently someone thought I knew what I was doing because they interviewed me for the 5 o’clock news. And, then they didn’t air it. Guess I didn’t know so much after all.

If you want to see in-shape people, go to an expo. Out of shape people usually can be found at a buffet in Vegas, although that is stereotyping. I am not a fan of stereotypes, but I will admit they can sometimes be slightly accurate. Today I saw more bulging calf muscles and chiseled runner’s faces than I could count, but I wasn’t really counting.

I picked up my race swag:

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This has to be one of my favorite race tees ever.

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I’ve gotten many, many race shirts I’ve never worn and probably never will, but this one is an exception. I love the color, the simple graphics, the fit and most of all the length (not too short). I have some race tees that could seriously be mid-riff and worn with Daisy Duke shorts. Not quite my style, although I do frequently get told I look like Jessica Simpson (or maybe they said Marge Simpson). The brand is Leslie Jordan, and I am now a huge fan. Oh, and other great thing? If your size wasn’t right, you could exchange it, right there on the spot.

Next, the race people came up with something brilliant. You get a “runner’s gift” which for women is a silver chain link necklace. On race day, the medal will have a medallion attached to it that you then put on your necklace. Anyone ever heard of this before? I also love how they put your name on the bib!! Then people can yell, “Beth you look like hell, get your ass moving!

Tomorrow I am taking my whole family back to the expo for the day. Ken and the kids will give out race bibs and packets. The kids said, “We like the way you just signed us up to work without asking.” Yep. Told you I was bossy. I will make it up to them by making them come and watch the marathon for four hours.

So, I told you I was feeling crappy this week. I think my head cold turned into a sinus infection. Started antibiotics yesterday and am hoping for the best. Feeling a bit better today. I know the drugs might mess with my already very sensitive stomach, so race day could be interesting. But I would rather have good energy and a shitty stomach than hit a wall at mile .4.

What’s the best and worst bit of swag you’ve ever gotten from a race? Best is probably the necklace or my mountain goat trophy. Worst was a pair of bright orange huge socks with a turkey on them.

What do you do with old race shirts? I sleep in some, give some to my kids and use some as rags.

Are you racing this weekend? What race & where?

SUAR

48 comments:

  1. What’s the best and worst bit of swag you’ve ever gotten from a race?

    Best and worst were actually from the same race. I volunteered at a Turkey trot and had to wear a turkey on my head. Wore it with pride, but come on. I had my head up a turkey's butt for two hours. Not really a way to encourage volunteers to come back. LOL

    What do you do with old race shirts? I sleep in them. Well, except for two that are tech material, those I work out in.

    Are you racing this weekend? What race & where?

    Nope, not this weekend. Next race is June 2nd. 5K that made me cry last year. This year I want redemption!

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  2. The best race shirt was my volunteer shirt from Girls on the Run. It is soft like buttah!
    My least favorite was a sprint tri shirt with a giant superman S.
    I am just getting over pneumonia. Decided to run my Run Like a Mother 5k on Sunday and then spiked 101 fever. Not my best choice. I ran pretty well considering.
    No run this weekend. I'm training for another sprint so maybe the rain will hold off and I can ride my bike. That shouldn't be toooo hard on the recovering body….maybe?

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  3. Best was from a Mermaid Series Half Marathon. Instead of a medal, they gave us a cool necklace that says "athlete." The race shirt was a lightweight hoodie sweatshirt with a cool design. It doesn't look anything like a race shirt (it doesn't even say the name of the race). Cottonwood Marathon gave us cotton gloves to wear at the start where it was forecast to be very cold. They were perfect to toss a few miles into the race.

    The worst? Any cotton t-shirt. I am surprised these days when a race gives a cotton shirt. Tech shirts are so inexpensive these days. Cotton shirts go to my kids now.

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  4. I loved getting a race medallion that I could put on a necklace after the Portland Marathon. Very cool idea, and yes I have worn it a few times...more than most shirts, which I wear to bed. Also, I love the option of NOT buying a shirt. Why not pay less for a race without a shirt that will only have a flattering fit on my husband? Or is ugly. Either way, no thanks. I love volunteering at races. I'm always amazed at the gratitude of the runners. It's inspiring and humbling.

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  5. worst bit of swag (if it could even be considered "swag") was a small cutting board with some sausage and cheese...it was weird to be handed a big sausage after running 11k. This was in Switzerland, I don't think they're big on t-shirts, I only got 2 the entire time I raced there (5 years). Best was a wine glass! (even though I much prefer beer to wine). Next run for me is the dirty girl mud run, but not till June 1st!

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  6. I loved getting a race medallion that I could put on a necklace after the Portland Marathon. Very cool idea, and yes I have worn it a few times...more than most shirts, which I wear to bed. Also, I love the option of NOT buying a shirt. Why not pay less for a race without a shirt that will only have a flattering fit on my husband? Or is ugly. Either way, no thanks. I love volunteering at races. I'm always amazed at the gratitude of the runners. It's inspiring and humbling.

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  7. Myrtle Beach Marathon, half marathon, and 5k...you got a cool backpack you could put all your stuff in. Now I carry stuff to other races and sport activities in it.

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  8. You were there? I purposely looked for you as I made a mad dash for my bib and tee. Have to say, that Expo isn't the greatest. I'll be sure to look for you at the finish. I'm doing the 10 mile but maybe our paths will cross...
    I agree, the shirt is good! Last year's was similar, only black and more techy. It was actually a bit big so I'm glad they changed the fabric. Good luck resting tomorrow and have a great race!

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  9. Love love that race shirt!!! So clean and simple. I usually wear crappy/ill fitting race shirts to bed.
    I'm running the Go Girl Run half marathon in KC tomorrow while in town from MI for my nephew's high school graduation.

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  10. Best race shirt - Colorado Marathon last year. Loved the color. Worst was the dark blue one from the inaugural Denver Rock and Roll. I spaced and ordered a mens med and the would not let me exchange. It comes down to my knees. I color my hair in old race shirts - lots from the Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half. I will be running - a few miles behind you on Sunday! Great meeting and talking with you at the expo today!

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  11. The Women's Half Marathons do that same thing with a medallion that detaches from the medal to be put on a chain. I love that! It's like you can wear your race bling everyday without getting rude looks.

    My best race shirt was from a 10k...fitted, long, nice colors, and overall just a great top!

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  12. That is one of the best race shirts I've seen! You're right, the shirts they give out do tend to be really short, a big reason why I don't generally wind up wearing them. The best swag I got from a race might be a pair of Nike Tempo shorts, given out instead of a race t-shirt (very unique). I don't think I've gotten any truly terrible swag, but I have gotten a few kinda disappointing finisher medals. Good luck with the marathon on Sunday! I'm running a half on Sunday, but at an easy pace, so it should be a nice time.

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  14. I am volunteering at the Colfax 5K and then at the finish line on Sunday. It will be a fun weekend! Good luck with the run!

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  15. First tri this weekend (Olympic). Best swag: White polo type shirt with zipper at the neck. Great for lounging about during the hot summers in Memphis. Worst swag: nothing but a bunch of advertisements in a plastic bag.

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  16. I use my old race shirts as workout shirts or sleep shirts as well. Some of them are just ugly haha!

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  17. Those orange turkey socks actually sound like one of the best pieces of swag to me!

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  18. haha, bulging calf muscles. i can never fit into skinny jeans from the knee down!

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  19. Almost all the best stuff I got was at the Women's Half last year. Reusable grocery bag held all the race stuff, and at the expo I got a coupon organizer and a magnetic list/coupon/pen holder that clips on to the grocery cart. I guess they were stereotyping women as grocery shoppers who like to save money. I was okay with that. They didn't give out chain necklaces, but there was a removable medallion on the finisher's medal. I just had to give Husband the chain I wanted for him to give back to me for Christmas, and I was all set!

    So, you've raced before as a regular Joe, and now you're running as a surely-more-well-known Joe. Does it change your race experience, having people recognize you even without the name on your bib?

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  20. Great swag! You look awesome!!! You're right, great shirt!

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  22. Good luck tomorrow...you'll kill it, I"m sure! I'm looking forward to reading your race report.

    Love that race shirt! When I ran Chicago, I bought a shirt that says "Run Like El"...the El is the elevated train system in the city. It is cotton, so I don't run in it, but when I wear it, I get some fun comments!

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  23. I've only done one major race (more than a 5K) so I guess that would be the best and worst swag - The backpack it all came in was nice but the bag of brown rice kinda cracked me up - no way to use THAT during the race! I'm not a fan of most of the t-shirts but I wear them the day after just because. I may have even considered sleeping in my Half Marathon shirt-just because-but I wore it the next day (it's the only tech shirt I've ever gotten so that's great).

    My next race is in July (5K) and I'm going to PR. And maybe win my age group (It's a small race and I won my age last year - with severe Achilles tendonitis and my slowest 5K pace ever)(All of the big girl runners do the 10K). These shirts are great from this race (even though they're cotton) because they're red, white, and blue with fireworks on them (it's a Fireworks 5K).

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  24. That is seriously an amazing race shirt. I am jealous enough to run it next year. Yes you heard right! I will fly my butt over there for that T-shirt!
    So don't fret about the antibiotics. I ran two marathons - my first and my PR! - while on antibiotics and it's better than the alternative (being at death's door). Good luck, not that ya need any luck!

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  25. I'm doing the Colfax half. See you out there.

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  26. I love that race shirt! I'm really not a fan of most race shirts, they just don't fit that well. And I tend to be between sizes so I'm never sure which to order. Honestly, I'd rather a cotton t-shirt that I can just wear around.

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  27. Yes...BEST race swag ever was running the SAN FRANCISCO Nike Womens Marathon and at the finish line all the Men were in Tuxedos with Nike sneakers and on silver platters they were holding Tiffany bags with our Finishers necklaces in them!!!!! How COOL is that...even the Half marathon finishers got necklaces as well!!!!I haven't gotten a BEST t-shirt ever...My Ironman t-shirt was awful. I am hoping for a pretty great Trans Rockies Run t-shirt this summer.

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  28. My best race shirt is from Disney Princess Half Marathon this year. It is a nice women's cut tech shirt. i'm saving all of my favorite cotton race shirts to have a quilt made. I sleep in some of the more comfortable non favorites and give the ones I don't like, away.
    My next race is Hospital Hill half marathon June 1st in KC.

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  29. I am doing my first half-marathon this weekend! Your blog is one of my favorites and helps me a lot with running - a new love I discovered to help deal with the stress of medical school and life. I figure I survived M1 year (just completed!) so I can get through this race tomorrow morning (right??!?!). Best of luck with your race and I look forward to seeing your post telling how it was!

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  30. Have a great race, Beth!

    Any day you can run a Marathon is a GREAT DAY!

    8)

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  31. Sounds like a great expo and I too love the idea of a necklace!
    I only wear a few race shirts I've gotten, most end up being going to the textile donation collection at the greenmarket - they give usable textiles to homeless or use them for rags at city garages.

    Good luck! Hope you're feeling better!

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  32. Damn! I can't believe we missed you at the expo. You blended so lovely with all the hard bodies. My husband is running the full tomorrow. I figure after over a dozen races the last two years its his turn. The best race swag was a pullover hoody from the Middlepark half marathon. It's thick and warm and I even ran with a moose on that one. The worst would probably be the muscle milk whey protein stuff in my goodie bag at a Rock N Roll. Hope to see you running with my husband tomorrow. It's his first marathon. Go Tim! Go Beth!

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  33. Doing Colfax tomorrow, the Urban 10 Miler! I should finish a bit behind you, so will look for you at the finish. And since you are an ambassador, can I forward my expo complaints to you?? Example: the line for the necklace was SO LONG that we just could not handle the wait, guess I should mention though, I was carrying my 3 month old granddaughter, so waiting was not a good option. Maybe if you get ahold of any extra.... But I agree, the shirt is pretty cool, I will wear it. And have a super race Beth!!

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  34. Good Luck today! And I hope you feel better, and have zero tummy troubles! :) Looking forward to your race report.

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  36. This year at a very small race that generally gives out nothing they gave out tickets to all finishers for a free beer at the beer stand. I was so psyched. Then double psyched when my friend who also raced gave me her ticket. 2 FREE BEERS ! Much better than a crappy t-shirt.
    Worst swag : a weird children's clock with a suction cup to "put in on your dashboard" (I was told).

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  37. Hope you had a great race!!! Love the tshirt most of them are usually are pretty crappy but that one is nice! I did an adventure race in Williams this weekend :)Got the San Diego Rock n Roll 1/2 in two weeks!

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  40. I never wear my race t-shirts. I made a quilt from them.
    Best trophy was a large hand-thrown mug from Catalina Marathon. Held lots of coffee.

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  42. As a short person I find most shirts given away to be too long and too narrow at the waist. ;)

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  43. Placed second in my age group at the Fort Desoto sprint tri in Florida yesterday. Super sweet medals and a true women's fitted tech shirt in black. (I ruin all those white race shirts in about 2 seconds.)

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  44. Running hats. Few races hand out running hats.

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  46. I wear most of my race shirts running or working out. Event the horrible cotton ones I keep. I saw an ad in the back of Runners World for a company that makes quilts out of running shirts. When I'm old I'll have a quilt to remind me to "shut up and run", or walk at that point! I'm also saving all my kids T shirts from their activities, a quilt of them will be a neat keepsake for when they're older!
    Hope you're marathon went well, can't wait for a recap!

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  47. Our running club collected new and gently used tee shirts and gave them to our church to be distributed at a homeless shelter. People are asking me when we'll be collecting again.

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