You've Earned It ... Now What?

One of my favorite pastimes is reading other peoples’ running blogs. I call it research, but in true runner fashion, it’s actually scoping out the competition. I like to see who else is writing recaps of what races, who’s an expert on any given subject from nutrition to technology, and to check out who has the latest in fancy equipment. It’s digital voyeurism in its purest and most innocent form.

During one of my recent perusals, I came across a blogger (who shall remain nameless) who threw out the age-old question about what runners do with their mementos from races. Usually this topic centers around where race medals are hung and on what apparatus.

In this case, the blogger was referring to actual plaques and awards for age division placement, and even first overall in a race. The blogger took photos of the awards laid out on an obscure piece of furniture, described each award and the race in which it was won, and then described unceremoniously throwing away multiple awards because they took up too much space.

My first reaction to the blog? If you have room for that furniture, you can find someplace to put a half-dozen plaques. But that’s just the beginning of my quandary with this situation.

I’ll admit that I rarely place in races, and the two plaques I have for placing in my age division are among my fastest marathon times. After receiving my plaque for my first place age division finish in the 2011 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, I asked the race director if there was a mistake and then double checked to make sure I wasn’t the only person competing in my age division. Having said this, I have now qualified my feelings that follow by showing that I place a high value on being recognized for an achievement, no matter how big or small.

Everything that goes in to the production of medals and awards takes time and energy put forth by race organizers. Months of planning, designs, and drafts are gone through in order to get those finished products produced and in to the hands of stand out performers at the event. As someone who understands on a professional level what goes in to putting on even the smallest production, it pains me to see those awards publicly being discarded as refuse.

As training for another running season approaches and the summer months dwindle, more medals and award will begin to line shelves of athletes everywhere. When I first ran a marathon three years ago to earn my first medal, I framed it to hang it in a prominent place. My initial intent was to run two or three races at that distance, so I bought matching frames to await filling them with medals.

Now, with many more marathons and half marathons under my fuel belt than I can name off the top of my head, I have more medals than the wall of my meager abode can handle. They hang on the side of a CD rack or from the top of a glass apothecary jar on my kitchen counter. I treat each as their own piece of artwork, and many are just that; however, there is no way each can be displayed in an appropriate way to justly note what they stand for and the achievement associated with each.

I like talking to friends who have their medals thumb tacked to their office walls to allow their coworkers to look on in awe at their accomplishments. I also think it’s a subtle way of them saying “Don’t tick me off, or I can easily run you down without the use of a car.”

So that brings me to asking you “What do you do with your awards and race mementos?” I’d love to get some tips on how to properly display them in both a proper, yet space sensitive manner. These items may be disposable to some, but to many I believe they are held in the esteem that they deserve.

Great Spillway Classic Trail Run: The 2012 Recap

The past couple months have found me neglecting my weekend racing. As a result, I forgot what it’s like to go to bed early on a Saturday night to allow for an early wake up on race day Sunday. This past Saturday was no different, with last minute calls to action for social obligations keeping me out way past my bedtime. However, I had the foresight to register for the 2012 Great Spillway Classic Trail Run weeks ago because I knew I wanted to run this race. All I choose to remember is that 6:45am came very early Sunday morning, and my alarm (along with the requested text message reminders from early rising friends) was not a welcome interruption to my slumber.

Bad Eggs –Voting Now Open!

Normally blatant panhandling to the masses via blog would be totally against my style, but here I am. I’ll say in advance, your support is appreciated.

For the past three years, I have run the Walt Disneyworld Goofy Challenge. That’s the half marathon on Saturday and the full marathon on Sunday. There’s even been an instance or two where I did the 5K on Friday as well. Alas, its time to register for the 2013 installment and I have realized … Disney races aren’t cheap. Trust me, for what they are, the experience is worth every penny. Nevertheless, I’m in a place where I have to decide if I want to go for four years in a row. It’s the 20^th anniversary of the full marathon in Walt Disneyworld, and RunDisney has a bunch of special events planned for the anniversary, a new anniversary medal, a new and improved course, and even more on-course entertainment at the 20^th mile marker. Its giving me more and more reason to HAVE to be there.

So, here’s my plea … Threadless.com ran a t-shirt design contest throughout June and the theme was Disney Villains. They gave a set of villains to choose from, and you design a shirt utilizing one, some or all of them. There’s a cash prize, so I decided to work on a concept with a graphic designer friend for entry. At long last, CLICK HERE to see what we came up with.

Please go to the page before July 16th, make an account (they don’t spam expect for cool shirt design releases once or twice a week), and rate it a “5” with a fun comment. Should we win, we’re splitting the cash prize and I’m using my half to do the Walt Disneyworld Marathon / Goofy Challenge the right way.

And while you’re at it, the running best friend who’s also a graphic designer by trade (for the sake of our friendship, we didn’t work together) did a t-shirt featuring Captain Hook. Feel free to show her some love as well with her design. She’s contemplating making the Walt Disneyworld Marathon her second race at that distance, and one of us winning would help me seal the deal. Check her out by CLICKING HERE.

Thanks for the CYJ Support! I’ll keep you posted on the results in the comments of this blog below.

Crescent Connection Bridge Run: The 2012 Recap

Nothing excites me more than getting to run a race for the first time. When it comes to New Orleans area races, that’s a seldom occurrence. I’ve attempted to run everything at least once, if not year after year. This year, the stars aligned and my race schedule was clear for the Crescent Connection Bridge Run on Saturday, June 9^th.

Boston Or Bust?

This past Monday (April 16, 2012) brought runners from around the world to the Mecca of Marathoning. It was Patriots Day in the New England states, but to athletes, that local holiday is better known as Marathon Monday. It was the 116^th Running of the Boston Marathon.

Many runners set qualifying for Boston as a life-goal. It’s admirable and something that, once achieved, you have bragging rights in to posterity. In my current age division, I would have to run a sub-3:07 marathon to even have the right to apply for participation. Because of my goals and my approach to run “for the fun of it,” I laugh at the idea of that ever happening. Qualifying is an achievement that I don’t know that I will personally ever obtain … unless I keep my current marathon pace until I reach my 75^th birthday.

With that being said, I have had the privilege of running the Boston Marathon twice as an official participant. Fortunately, my position of employment combined with respectable marathon finish times at other races allowed me access to take the road from Hopkinton to Copley Square in 2010 and 2011. Some would call it a “perk of the job.” I would agree with that statement, and still wear my blue and yellow finisher’s jacket with pride; however, that pride comes with an asterisk.

Honestly, I felt (and still feel at times) my place at the start line diminished by the “less traditional” method I took to get to Boston. I was a mere mortal in the midst of supermen and women as I toed the line at the master of Marathon Masters Race. Nevertheless, the runs in 2010 and 2011 are very special race experiences to me for many reasons. In 2010, my best friend was able to come and support me for the first time at a race, and it was where she caught the running bug (she’s since quit a pack-a-day habit, dropped countless lbs, just finished her 11^th half-marathon, and has NYC as her first full on the horizon in November). I was also able to run in the wake of some of the most talented marathoners of our generation, and was present when  Ryan Hall ran the 2011 race in the fastest ever American marathon time (2:04:55) for a 4^th place overall finish. Also, experiencing the screams of Wellesley College Girls, the drunken frat boys of Boston College, running past Fenway and the Citgo sign … all memories that I can’t believe I was able to take in. Given an opportunity, I can’t wait to take them in again one day.

One thing I have realized in my experience is that you don’t have to be an “elite” marathon runner to experience the same euphoria that comes with a Boston Marathon bib. Runners who “run to finish” or correctly state “there’s no such thing as losing in a race with yourself” can still obtain a runner’s high by participating in another race with even greater memorable moments. When planning your fall and winter race schedule, here’s a list of races in which I’ve participated, and which don’t have the strenuous qualifying standards of Boston:

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – Runners and walkers of all skill levels can participate in 5k, half, and/or full marathon distances. The South Florida weather is almost always perfect the first weekend in January, the medals for each race are incredible, photo opportunities with characters throughout the race make the miles fly by, and the Goofy Challenge (run both the Half and Full Marathon in the same weekend) all make the weekend special for the whole family. As a consecutive three-time Goofy finisher, this race is a must-do every year.

Marine Corps Marathon – I have my marathon PR on this course, so I may be biased. The race takes a historic route through the Capital City and around many of our nation’s most notable monuments. In addition, every water stop is manned by enlisted servicemen and women from the Marines. Their cheers of encouragement make you forget the pain of 26.2 miles. If finishing at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington Cemetery isn’t enough, your medal is placed around your neck by a Marine who congratulates you and thanks you for your participation. It’s incredibly emotional and rewarding, and again touts a field of participants in every shape and size. Once more, registration is open to first-come first-served, and sells out in hours.

The San Francisco Marathon – Both half and full marathon options are available, and runners can choose which “half” of the race they want to run (the first 13.1 miles of the full course, or the latter half). The first half and full runners get to run out and back across the Golden Gate bridge on the only day during the year where the street is scheduled for closure. The second half and full runners get to explore Golden Gate State Park, follow in the path of the Grateful Dead, run by the World Champion Giant’s Stadium, and finish under the Bay Bridge.

Rock’n’Roll New Orleans – In my book, there’s nothing like a hometown race. Plus, seeing St. Charles Avenue, the French Quarter, the Lakefront, and City Park from a runner’s perspective doesn’t compare to the quick glimpses locals usually get from a car. Plus, a race where family and friends can come out to greet you along the course helps make the race that much more fun.

The Louisiana Marathon – Again, a hometown-ish race allows for running with friends. Plus, the first year experience was so superb for this “small town race,” I can’t wait to see what they bring out for 2013 to top it.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon – Another one of the Marathon Masters races, this race brings out the elite of marathon running. Its open to first-come first-served participants, and everyone is welcome to participate regardless of skill level. Running along the magnificent mile and seeing every part of the Windy City makes this race unforgettable, causing the registration to sell out fast.

CCC10K: The 2012 Recap

On the list of things I know I shouldn’t do the night before a race, number one is now “Stay up past 2 a.m. to finish the first book in ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy.” It’s not something I’m proud of, but I decided to jump on the Katniss bandwagon two days before the 2012 Crescent City Classic … and damn it, that thing is a page turner. Regardless, that’s what happens when you leave me to my own devices for entertainment on a Friday night … and boy, did I pay for it race morning.

CCC10K: 2012 Coverage

For the past 4 weeks I have been writing non-stop about the 2012 edition of the Crescent City Classic 10K race. Well, Saturday is the day we’ve all been waiting for. It is April 7, 2012 … Race Day. After all of the blogs and articles I have written about the race, I feel like I have already run it ten times over. Today is my last shake-out run before the big event, and it’s the last chance I have to get my mind and body in the proper state for race morning.

I feel like now is the perfect time to re-cap all of the stuff you may or may not have read to help you better prepare yourself for what lies ahead:

CCC10K Expo Info – What you can expect and what you need to pick up before race morning.

CCC10K CYJ Official Meet-Up – Meet fellow runners and #RunLA enthusiasts at the CCC Expo.

Race Morning Transportation – Where to park, how to get there, and why being early is key.

2012 Race Preview – Course, Aid Stations and more about race day activities.

Race Day Etiquette / On-Course Safety – Rules of the Road on race day.

Top-500 Poster Award / CCC10K Artwork History – How to get your hands on a CCC10K print.

Post Race CYJ / #RunLA Night at the Hive – Post race meet-up for CCC runners and Discount Hornets Tickets!

CCC10K Training – While its too late for this year, thoughts to prepare for 2013!