Swag, the Whole Swag, Nothing But the Swag

Categories: Chicago Marathon, Monster Dash Half, Race swag

I was shopping for races yesterday and came upon the Monster Dash Half. This was an inaugural last year and finishers got cool skull belt buckles. This year they’re touting stained glass medals.

It got me thinking about swag. For me it’s nice but not mandatory. I tend to expect more as the price of the event and the length of the race increases. But that isn’t always the case: at my first Chicago Marathon I got a big plastic bag full of ….well other than ads…..nothing.

Until this year and their 30th anniversary, the March Madness half I run every year gives out no medal and only the first 200 to register even get a shirt. But what do you expect for $30?

I’ve found that B-list races (I don’t mean this in a bad way, just that they’re smaller) are often A-list for swag. Fleece hats, ballcaps, Sigg bottles, socks, towels, flip flops, backpacks, berber vests, jackets, the list goes on.

One bit of swag I’ve never gotten but kind of want? This may be weird coming from someone who is a total lightweight in the booze dept.: A pint glass! I’d even go for a coffee mug.

Race Report: Just Book It! 5k

Categories: 5k, Athleta, Race Report

I was so excited to run this inaugural race–finally a chance to meet more local bloggers!
The race was fairly close by and started at 8 so I took my time getting up and out.

Goal: Stay away from the Garmin and just see what I can do. My speed and tempo work over the past month have been stronger and I’d hoped my 5k time would reflect that. The race was hosted by Kim and Bobbi’s running club. In my book: running club races = lots of strong runners. So I expected a strong field.

We lined up promptly after the kids’ dash went off. It was hot, very muggy, but thankfully overcast.

I felt good the first mile but the humidity took it’s toll quickly. I wanted to stop at the first water station badly but did not. When I saw a second one though, I took full advantage. Walking, drinking, pouring, basically lolling as if it were a desert oasis. I simply didn’t care about my finish time at that point.

I mentally checked out the final mile, telling myself ‘this is what I’ve got today’ when a lady in red shoes passed. I intuitively knew she was in my age group but told myself I was fine with that and let her. Surely there were hordes of far speedier ladies ahead of her. I took it easy through the finish–no pukie award for me today.

Erin finished soon after and we walked back to run in Bobbi, who was being paced to a PR by Kim.

We chatted afterward over ice pops and I have to say these girls are just as they seem on their blogs, except even more fabulous. It was a great time!

Miraculously I snagged AG 2. Four seconds behind red shoes lady. But if I didn’t care then, I shouldn’t now right? My new Athleta running skirt performed beautifully, the a snap-front pocket came in handy for my car keys. Plus who can pass up a chance to dress like a watermelon in the middle of summer?