Tag Archive | race costs

Living in a Virtual World

Mar11

Sometimes we need a little extra motivator.   We live in a virtual world, so why not let a virtual “race” motivate you to get out the door?   I will admit that I do enjoy the feel of an actual race, but sometimes that is not an option.    I will also admit that in the past I may not have given these events the respect that they deserve.   Really though if these events motivate someone to get out the door, why not?  Besides they are a lot more cost and time effective than other events.  Plus as with anything in life, you get out of it what you put into it.

I belong to many online running communities where I have and probably never will meet these women who inspire me.   I had an online running coach who I only met for the second time at the NYCM.   We do so much online anymore that virtual reality mixes in with the real world.   So why should a virtual race be any different.

I recently signed up for Pi Day 5K event.   The beauty of these events is that there is an online community to share your “race” with.   Plus you can actually get a medal if you choose.   I will say that I liked the medal, so I went for the whole package.

Who doesn’t love pie?   I mean Pi Day.  Although I am not a math lover, I think it’s kind of a cool play on the word pie.   I might like it more for the word play than the actual math, but don’t tell my friend.   So what is Pi?

Pi

You know what?   That’s all I know about this type of Pi.   I have no idea what it is used for and why math people love it so much.   Now the other pie I know a lot about, but I digress.   Anyway, I thought the medal for this virtual race was really cute and I liked the idea of my own personal race.

PiDay5KIsn’t it cute?

Now I know the official Pi Day isn’t until Tuesday March 14 (3-14), but we are supposed to get a BIG, BIG,BIG snowstorm Tuesday.   So yesterday I decided to do my Pi Day 5K.   You know what?   It motivated me to run and run fast.   Now if this was an actual 5K with other racers around me I might have not walked a time or two, but I still don’t care.   I ended up having a really good run.   Probably the fastest run that I’ve had in a while.   It was a great motivator to me when I was finished.   Isn’t that what it’s all about?

Pk5KResults

It was meant to be.   Kind of cool too that my calories were exact.   Could not have done that if I tried.

So even though I really don’t care about Pi (shhh), virtual events can be motivating.   The bottom line really is that if it is something that will motivate, inspire, or push you; go for it.    Because in the end, all that really matters is what will get you out the door.

DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

EVER DAMN DAY!

The Age of Entitlement

Dec2

Yesterday while pursuing my Facebook Groups, someone posted a news article about a race in Cincinnati.  Apparently it is the longest running road race starting 105 years ago.  It was probably a Turkey Trot before the phrase Turkey Trot even existed.   It’s grown to a large race of 15,000 now.   The race went according to plan, but then it veered off course.   Apparently, when people finished they plundered the post race snacks taking more than their fair share.   Taking so much that they had arm fulls.   Taking so much that those who finished near and at the end had nothing.   Taking so much that the there was no extra food to donate to local food banks.   It’s a sad day for runners.

Then the discussion turned to bad running post race behavior.   A few of the women told of times that they volunteered at races and people tried to loop around to get a second medal.   Really?   Really?   When one guy was called out on it, he said he wanted one to give it to his daughter as he promised her one.    Then give her yours!   My 8 year old coveted my Philly Marathon Medal.   Can’t really blame him either.   You know what?   I told him that when he is much older and I no longer want it (AKA I’m dead but I didn’t put it that way to him), he can have it or he could also run a marathon like Mama when he’s bigger.  One even mentioned a blogger (not me!) who bragged about taking more than her share of the bounty.

I will admit to taking an extra banana a time or two, but I have never taken so much that I couldn’t carry it.   It’s insane.   Let’s be honest.   If you can afford to pay for registration, your Garmin watch, and all the bells and whistles we love so much, you can also afford to buy your post race snack.   Come on people.  This is not your weekly grocery shopping trip.   Yes, many times a company will donate samples so it might not be costing the race anything.   That being said, those companies want EVERYONE to sample their product just not a select few.     It really boggles my mind.

The sad thing is that this type of behavior isn’t just post race.   You see it everywhere you go.   Everyone wants something for nothing.    The problem is that there really isn’t a free ride.  Yes, maybe it isn’t costing you anything; but that doesn’t make it free.   Someone, somewhere is paying for it.   There is no free lunch.    There is no free ride.    Everything comes with a cost and it is really time that the masses realize that.

I don’t know how to change this behavior that is so prevalent in our society/world anymore.   Except to say my favoirte slogan…….

change 4It really is true.  If every person took it upon themselves to be a better person, to be the type of person that they would like other people to be, the world really would be a better place.

Now as far as Post Race activity goes, I hope that if you see someone being a total glutton, you call them out on it.   Usually it is best to do it in a joking manner and tone.   This way you get your point across, but you do it with a smile.   Most people when called out on bad behavior usually (not always, but usually) are embarrassed and realize they should behave better.

Have you seen this Post Race Behavior?

Have you called anyone out on it?

Are you part of the problem or solution? 

Strike A Pose!

Oct28

I was taught by the Master (yes, I mean you Robyn) on how to strike a pose while running a race.   I’m not to her level yet, but I have come a long way from some of my race pictures.

IMG_0257

Let’s see if I’ve got this right…

Keep your eye out for the camera people.

When you spot them – Big Smile, Raise your arms in the air and make it look easy.

Still working on that, but I will say that my photos from the Hat Trick came out much better (not all of them), than let’s say my photos from my Sprint Triathlon.   Part of that may just be the nature of the beast because it really is hard (at least for me) to look all together while looking like a water rat at the same time.   It’s a work in progress.   I’m still looking for a way to look good while doing a Tri.  (Yes, I may be that shallow.   Although, maybe not because I do still share those photos).

Case in point….

????????

Anyway, I would love to show you actual race photos, but I really don’t have many during events except for the time a friends husband came and took pictures.   I have a few before selfies and maybe a couple after, but not many during.   Why is that when there are trained professionals throughout the course taking photos.   Photos that I now have been trained to smile and pose for.   Like this one from the Half at Runner’s World Festival.

RW

I LOVE this picture!

I would LOVE to have a copy of this picture, but I don’t.

I also LOVE how the two guys behind me are showing how truly tiring running a race is at the finish line.  Therefore making me look that much better.

I hope I don’t get in trouble for sharing.  Don’t mind the dots…..

So if I love the way my pictures came out, why have I not ordered them?

Ok.   Let’s start with that I am a mother of three boys.  Two of them starting their braces and one of them in speech.    These minor things usually come before my race photos especially when I’ve already paid for the race which I certainly understand the cost there.   What I do not understand is why race photos are $60 to download or $45 to order 4 photos. And for the Hat Trick, its triple the cost.  Now I am not beating up on Runner’s World because the cost of Race Photos is across the board!

I further understand that they do need to pay the photographer for their time.   They need to pay to sort the pictures or what ever magical program is used to match the photo to me.   I get that there are costs.   I know that there is nothing free in this world and I’m NOT expecting free, but come on people.   Really 60 bucks!   I wonder how many people actually buy these photos.   I don’t know many. We LOVE to look at them.  We wait for them to be sent, but most of us  of the people I know don’t buy them.

Here is a thought….

LOWER THE PRICE OF RACE PHOTOS AND YOU WILL SELL MORE!!

Therefore MAKING MORE MONEY!

I admit if the price was between $30 and $40,  I probably would be more tempted to purchase them.

I just can’t justify $60

Am I the only one who feels this way?

Do you spend the money on your race photos?

Would you buy them if they were cheaper?

Race organizers, please listen to us and I bet you will make more money that way and also have happier runners!