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Friday morning (that was Halloween), Melissa and I headed off to Starbucks, and then settled in to watch Spirit of the Marathon. This is not only a pre-race tradition for me (even though I run half marathons, not the full!), but I was hoping that she’d get a little more excited about her own race!
After lunch (I, of course, had my typical pre-race lunch of cranberry sweet potato quinoa salad, banana, and yogurt!), we headed down to the expo to get our race bibs and work at the team in training booth. We picked up our bibs and walked around the expo for about an hour. I bought a pull over from the expo that had the Monument on it, and I think it’s adorable! Monumental is a lucky course for me, where some of my most fantastic race memories were made!
State farm also had shirts that you could make for free at the expo, so we both did that. I chose the phrase “better sore than sorry”, and decided to sport the shirt the next day as I walked hobbled around the house. I definitely was sore that day, and definitely had nothing to be sorry about in terms of my performance! My legs did feel pretty trashed though with the splits I ran the last few miles!
The greatest part of the expo came as I was walking around a line of people, and immediately squealed “ooooooh- that’s Jeff Galloway” and jumped straight back in line! It was fun to get to meet him briefly. I had him sign my bib, and I think that gave me a little extra luck on race day 🙂
With Jeff
A little extra luck on my bib for race day!
Melissa and I spent two hours working at the team in training booth, and we both had a great time chatting with runners who were interested in running with the team next season! Being at the expo for so many hours definitely helped to really get me in the mood to run the next day!
GO TEAM!
Melissa and I hurried home (the rain had started- the sleet/snow mix would come later that night) because Meg and Caitlin had arrived! We ate dinner, and like I mentioned in my race recap, we had a dance party! I realized at that point that I was getting a migraine, so I made sure to take some time to roll out my back, take medicine, and use a tennis ball to dig at a few of the knots in my shoulders. It definitely helped, and we enjoyed a few episodes of America’s Next Top Model before bed!
These girls definitely helped to make this weekend truly fantastic!! Meg and Caitlin are SO thoughtful, and they both brought “good luck” presents for the race!
Seriously- how well do they know me? Meg got me those cute cat socks for after the race, along with an adorable coffee mug, which just happened to have my race day colors on it! Cait got me that adorable notebook that says “Are you kitten me?” on it, along with 6 beautiful prints to frame. I LOVE it all! 🙂
After the race, I was expecting to receive a typical “space blanket” like I’ve gotten in previous years. For some strange reason, this year they had these bizarre jackets that were made out of a material that made my skin crawl. I didn’t even put it on, but I did take a picture of it for your viewing pleasure. I have no idea what the race organizers were thinking!
There are so many things that I could say about this race weekend. I still get a little teary eyed while thinking about it. I felt so much love from so many people in my life, and I put out a performance that I am nothing but proud of!
Now it’s your turn to share! What makes a great “race weekend” for you? What’s one of the weirdest things you’ve ever gotten after a race?
Wow, sounds like an awesome expo! I love the kitty socks 🙂 So cool that you were able to get your bib signed by Jeff Galloway! He was at a half marathon I did last spring (his alma mater is in the town over from me where the race was held) but I didn’t have time to wait in line to meet him.
The weirdest post race experience for me was at a half where the only food served was Subway sandwiches. For a shorter race I wouldn’t care but I needed to refuel badly and couldn’t because I have a gluten allergy.
The expo was definitely one of the favorites that I have been to, which was nice. Meeting Jeff was fun, and I was lucky that, when I went, the line was pretty short, and I only had to wait about 5-7 minutes to meet him.
They ONLY had Subway after the race? That’s so strange!! A few races around here have pizza at the finish (along with other items), which I think is cool. They do need to consider food allergies a bit though when thinking about post race food.
What a weekend. I’m so proud of you for your PR – a HUGE accomplishment – and for really pushing yourself in those last few miles. You’re a constant inspiration to me! I love you!!
PS: Still waiting on my space blanket. #bitter
What a crazy weekend, right? I want my space blanket too!! haha.
They handed out those same kind of jackets after the Portland Marathon. I heard that it was more “environmentally friendly” and better for clean up. Personally, I did not like the itchy jacket at all and just threw mine away. It seems like a lot of money goes to waste, but maybe they know what they are doing. Haha. That is awesome that you got to meet Jeff Galloway! P.S. I love your curly hair!!!
I suppose it does make sense that they are more environmentally friendly, but I would rather have nothing than have been given that jacket thing! At that point, maybe it’s better for them to just save their money! Meeting Jeff was definitely very cool. I really hated having curly hair when I was younger, but in college I decided that I would learn to like it, and now I actually really love it.
They give out the same crazy jackets at Marine Corp Marathon. How sweet that your buddies brought you good luck gifts.
Really? I wish I just understood more about the jackets. They don’t seem nearly as effective. I love all my good luck presents 🙂