• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
RELENTLESS FORWARD COMMOTION
RELENTLESS FORWARD COMMOTION
  • Ultrarunning
    • Ultrarunning for Beginners
    • Ultramarathon Training Plans
    • Ultramarathon Training Tips
    • Ultramarathon Racing Tips
  • Trail Running
  • Strength Training
  • Running Tips
  • Running Gear
  • Race Recaps
  • Coaching

Celebrating Individuality on Race Day

May 19, 2015 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP 1 Comment

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Last Updated on September 29, 2019 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP


If you asked me to pick the one reason why I love running, I simply couldn’t do it.  There are far too many reasons, some of which can’t even begin to be verbalized.   But one of the big things I love about running, and the running community as a whole, is that everyone is welcome.

And I mean everyone.

Age, gender, race, socioeconomic status, pace, size, religion… none of it matters; if you put on a pair of running shoes (or don’t, actually, barefoot is OK too) and take off running you are a runner.

End of story.

Zappos8

One of the best places to witness all of the walks (no pun intended) of life that comprise the running community is at a race.  Over my running career I’ve participated in countless races.  Literally, countless…as in I’ve lost count.  A few years ago I tried to calculate a total and I was somewhere around 55+, so I’m thinking it’s safe to assume I’m near or past the 100 race mark.  These races have run the gamut from local 5K’s with less than 75 participants, to marathons with 45,000+ runners.   This means that over the course of my racing career, I’ve encountered and run side by side with hundreds of thousands of different people.

That is entirely too overwhelming to wrap my mind around.

Hundreds of thousands of different people, all there for the same purpose: to cross both the start and the finish line of that particular race.  One very specific goal, and yet while we certainly have many similarities that brought us to this goal, we likely have many more differences.

They say you cannot judge a book by it’s cover, and I’d absolutely agree that this applies to human beings as well.  But on race day, individuality shines.

Zappos 1

My beautiful family and I, displaying our bright personalities and unique individualism before a fun run.

For me, I like to wear bright, bold colors and patterns that represent the outgoing and happy feelings running gives me.   And it’s obvious I’m not alone: your average racing crowd is making a bold statement. Personalized shirts displaying messages from charity support to humorous quips. Tutus.  Tiaras.  Superhero costumes.  Neon colored running sneakers that can be seen from miles away.  Skirts, shorts, tank tops, and more in all colors, patterns, and designs imaginable.

zappos

More bright colors, more smiling race faces.

And I’d like to say that I’ve seen it all on the race course…except that I haven’t.  Not even close.

cooper river

Seen by my camera, Cooper River Bridge Run.

Individuality is indeed celebrated on race day, and one of the most fantastic races to witness the spectacle of race day spirit is Bay to Breakers.  San Francisco’s Zappos.com Bay to Breakers is the oldest consecutively run annual footrace in the world, a staple to the City by the Bay since May 1912. With a starting point near the San Francisco Bay, a few blocks from The Embarcadero, the 12K race runs west through the city and finishes at the Great Highway where breakers crash onto the Pacific Coast’s Ocean Beach.

Zappos.com, the lead sponsor of Bay to Breakers, is a  15-year-old e-commerce site now boasting over 150,000 styles from over 1,000 brands.  They offer fast and free shipping with a 365 day return policy.   Need something to help you stand out from the crowd at your next race? Browse Zappos.com’s massive athletic apparel section to find something unique.

How do you stand out on race day?  Are bright, loud colors and costumes your thing, or do you prefer something more subtle?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

About Heather Hart, ACSM EP

Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion.   She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade.  Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. geoff hart

    May 19, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Bay to Breakers 2018!! With the On-On Option!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Ultramarathon coach Heather Hart running down dirt road  with text "Meet Heather"

I'm Heather, mom of two, ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, and an overzealous athlete who cannot focus on a single discipline, so I train for all of them at the same time. When in doubt, I run...and then write about it. Read More…

RUN COACHING:

Image of Runner climbing down a large rock on a trail with words "Running & Training Tips"
Ultrarunning Coach Heather Hart running through the mountains during a race with text "Ultramarathon Training & Racing"
Heather Hart climbing up a large boulder during a trail running race with text "Races & Adventures" on image
Hart Adventure Racing Logo

Subscribe

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Footer

My name is Heather Hart, I am a mom. I am an athlete. I am a writer. I am an adventurer with a wandering spirit and wandering feet.

  • About
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact
© 2022 Relentless Forward Commotion
0 shares