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First off, you people are INCREDIBLE. I never imagined that in the first 36 hours after I posted the awesome running gear raffle to benefit the UCF I would raise $740!!! I am just blown away by the generosity. If I could reach through the computer screen and hug each and every one of you personally, I would! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! For those of you who haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, follow this link to the raffle. Thanks for your continued support!!
Last night I read a hysterical post by Punk Rock Tri Guy about race addictions and how we are all a bunch of big babies wearing bibs and attracted to shiny things. I laughed, and nodded at the parts I could relate to (who am I kidding, I related to all of it).
And now, I find myself being the perfect “exhibit A” for Ron’s post, because I currently find myself throwing a mini “I wanna race” temper tantrum.
Earlier this afternoon, I was attempting to earn my keep as an assistant organizer in the local meetup-mommy group (I swear I’m surprised they haven’t demoted me by now) by posting some local races to the calendar. After doing so, one of the other members mentioned a half marathon, next week, in a town about an hour away. Whaaat? I didn’t know about this one!
OF COURSE, now I want to run this race. In my tempertantrum state I’d almost say I NEED to run this race, but I know that is silly. I just really really really want to go! And I promise I won’t race, I’ll save the PR attempt for Myrtle Beach in February as planned. No, instead it could be just a leisurely training run…but instead of dodging cars and weird looks from neighbors I will have insta-cheerleaders, dixie cups of water handed to me, and a shiny medal at the finish line. Last 13 miler I did here at home I was handed a baby with a full diaper at the finish line. At least he was cute!
Why am I so addicted to racing? Is it the atmosphere? The energy? Or is it because I am instantly surrounded by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of others just like me? Those who don’t give me the funny raised eyebrow when I respond to their question of “what did you do this morning” with “made the kids breakfast, ran 15 miles, folded some laundry…”
Maybe it’s just having people around me, period. I used to complain about running solo. I have a crazy schedule and take my running time whenever I can, usually at a few minutes notice. The only running partners who I can ever seem to keep a running date with are my own kids in the jog stroller. But over time, I’ve grown to appreciate the quiet time. Let’s be real, what mother of two toddlers doesn’t appreciate alone time! I’m able to push myself when I want to, and not feel as though I have to apologize for holding someone else back on those off days. Still…it gets pretty lonely out there, especially when approaching the 2 hour + mark. People watching is fun. Passing the same houses in the same neighborhood again and again tends to be a bit mind numbing. Races are a nice change of pace (no pun intended!)
And did I mention I love the medals? Silly, I know, that I take such pride in material objects. I hear of so many other runners who toss their medals in storage or give them to their kids. Me? I put mine on display like each one is an Olympic gold medal. Contrary to popular belief (well, I’ve heard it once or twice at least), running doesn’t come easily to me. Heck, I don’t think a marathon comes easily to anyone, short of the 50-100 mile ultra runners. So my medals hang on the wall, as a reminder of my accomplishments, from the good races, to the miserable ones I stuck with and didn’t quit. And they remind me of just how far I’ve come in the last couple of years, from the days I only hopped on a treadmill for a mile once every few months in a lousy attempt to burn some of that beer gut away.
Oh, and I think they are pretty 🙂
Alas, as awesome blog pal Tall Mom Mel says, I am a mom first, runner second, and so there are other priorities. Family plans for the day come first. Bills must be paid, and food in the fridge (I can’t even begin to tell you how much these kids eat!) before I consider dropping money on some dixie cups of water and a shiny half marathon medal. I can afterall, get the same distance here at home, for free. DARN YOU RACES for being SO EXPENSIVE! A $20 entry fee here and there I can justify, but $65 on a whim for an unplanned race? Not so much. If it all comes together, however…don’t think I won’t toe that start line! Looks like it’s time to shmooze the customers on my bartending shift this Monday, HAHA!
I LOVE RACING!
Pavement Runner says
I’m in the same boat as you. I love race day. The thousands of people each with their own goals. The twenty or so people around you when you cross the finish line with a mixture of emotions: Success, failure, relief, gratitude, you name it, someone is feeling it.
I also hang my medals like trophies, because they are. I find pride in each one because they each tell their own story. By looking at one, you can instantly remember details about that day.
Keep it up. We are many!
Becca Sue Congdon says
I like medals too. I’ve never participated in any medal-earning activities, so completing my first half in March (with all you CM Mamas!) will be my first medal ever. I’m going to wear it for a week, I think. And then have it framed with a horrific picture of me crossing the finish line. 😀 I hope things work out for you to get your race fix! I’m scratching my race is this weekend with a 10k. I’m officially part of the crazy club. 😀
Jess says
Race fees certainly can deter a runner. I would so downgrade the SWAG for a cheaper race.
And everyone loves a medal! It’s so shiny!
Meg Runs says
You are so cute! I loved the comment about your medals and I like the picture too! By the way, cheese GU, blah! How about wine GU??
Anyway, I love racing too, it’s so fun to get out there and work hard! Happy New Year!
Heather says
I know the feeling! I think I’m content with my race plans until some new race catches my eye and then I just can’t stop thinking about it. 🙂
shellyrm says
Racing is so great. It shows all that running was for something. At least it shows it to others but for me I run because I love to run, outdoors perferably and I race because I like to have a tangable measure of my improvements…and I like shiny metals too!
Entry fees are a factor for me too. So I stay small and semi-local when I race. Good luck saving up for the entry fees you really want. (why is it that diapers are always filled at the finish line?)
Mama says
Yeah, I’m totally addicted to racing as well. Hope you get some good tips at work and can float the $65 entry fee.
MCM Mama
Mel -Tall Mom on the Run says
Thanks for the nod, although I OFTEN end up thinking with my Runner hat on when it comes to racing. IE.. going to drop a few greenback for my 2010 racing calendar this week..
OK so I need to get on the bandwagon and DONATE.. FYI I LOVE LOVE the idea of a gear raffle and will be totally steeling it come time for me to go PINK.. Thanks for the idea.. HUGS Heather, do what your heart tells you..
Or…maybe email the race director and tell him/her that you would be happy to write a race review and provide feedback from an “experienced racer” and Blogger for a discounted/free race entry.. Never know $65 could become $32.50 🙂
Michelle says
At least you get medals – so far all I have plunked cash on are races without medals! Here’s to 2010! Thanks for feeding my addictions!
Morgan says
That was a hilarious post wasn’t it?!?!? I was like OMG it’s SO TRUE!!! We are a bunch of babies! LOL!
Good luck on Monday’s shift… cuz I can’t wait to hear about the race! 😉
onebadrunner says
I’m with you.
I just found out yesterday that I have a conference to go to in Seattle in March…first thing I did was see what races were in the area – or where I could run if there weren’t any.
Guess what? There’s a 30K – swore I’d never do another full marathon…but 30K? That might just happen!
Evolv Rose says
I feel the same about the race fees, especially now that I have a little one who needs fancy things like diapers and single-grain cereal. But the longing to race is still there, so I think I’ll save up for one or two really good races a year, and do charity 5K’s when I feel like racing on a whim. All I have to do is get back in racing form…
I can’t wait for my first post-baby race. Even if my husband does hand her back over to me with a load in her pants 🙂
Mike Russell says
One thing I like to do is have “mini-races” with a couple of friends. We will get together early in the morning and go out on a predetermined course and race. It is a lot of fun and cheap too.
lindsay says
gah to me $65 IS a deal for a race! that is sad! where do you find these $20 deals?!? sign me up 🙂 i can hardly find 5k’s for under $30 🙁
misszippy says
I hear you…racing is an expensive addiction. But if it gets you out there with others when you’d have to go it alone otherwise, well worth the cash! Good luck with your decision.
Twincerely,Olga says
Great post!! I haven’t run that many races yet!I just love to run!! Definitley love it with my twinkies but cherish the solo runs too!! I love to outdo myself!!! I am going to start running more 5k’s ’cause I want the medals too!!
Rookie on the Run says
I love the medals (I only have one so far) and I love the give-away shirts (I have a few of those)!
I like the festive atmosphere that often surrounds the race venue. They are also a great place to people-watch.
I wish you successful shmoozing!
Lisa says
I totally related to this post. I’m addicted to races (and medals) too, even though I almost never actually “race” an event. There’s something about the atmosphere of a race that motivates me so much more than just training on my own. Luckily I don’t have a family yet so there’s no one but myself to make me feel guilty for dropping money on a race. I hope things work out for you to make it out to the upcoming half!