Apparently it is both unlucky and uncool to wear your swag-bag race shirt during a race. Those in the know suggest wearing the same clothes you train in to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions whereas douchebag* seasoned runners consider wearing the race shirt to be a rookie mistake. Race shirts should be earned, and apparently training and race fees don’t count.
Admittedly, despite having half a dozen race medals on my wall already, I had not heard about these rules until the night before my most recent race.
If you’re a runner in this city, there is one race which rules them all. New York has its marathon. Boston has its marathon. Toronto has its marathon. Halifax has the Bluenose Marathon. The Bluenose is the largest marathon event east of Ottawa, and it boasted nearly 14,000 participants this year. Many of the roads in our city shut down for the event, and if you live anywhere near downtown, you’ll see racers jogging to the start line, running mid-race, or crossing the finish line.
It is nothing short of inspiring.
Big things usually start as whispers; a hint of a possibility. The Bluenose Marathon was the Big Thing that convinced me to start running. As a non-runner, I envied people who could make their bodies endure speed and distance. I wanted to do that. I wanted to look like that. I wanted to get together with the rest of my city and test my physical limits, like that.
But I didn’t run. I couldn’t run. I hated running.
Still, the whispers nagged.
What if?
Maybe someday?
Why not?
It was five years ago that I first told myself I would run the Bluenose 5K race next year. I was just about to get married and despite having a gym membership and a goal to rock my dress, stress and busyness got in the way of all the weight I was hoping to lose. Maybe running was the way to go. Maybe I’d be ready in time for the next race. Next year.
That first year of marriage flew by and I entered May much as I did the previous year, except with an additional 20lbs of wedding weight. Next year, I told myself, as I climbed the ten flights of stairs to our apartment’s treadmill, feeling inspired once again.
The year that followed was full of surprises and life changes. When May rolled around again, my arms rocked a brand new baby and my body had taken on its new motherhood shape. I loved being a Mom but I hated my body. As marathoners raced by our new apartment, I told myself that maybe I’d be able to participate next year, when I had fully recovered from childbirth.
May snuck up on me once again, but seemingly quicker this time. My body had gone through a marathon of motherhood and miscarriages. As the Bluenosers raced through my city once more, I laced up my sneakers for the first time and ran for a few short minutes over those same sidewalks that cheered through pink and blue chalk for the marathoners. Maybe, if I didn’t give up, I’d be ready to run the Bluenose next year.
I kept running. All summer I’d smile at Haligonians in Bluenose race shirts running by me. In August of that year, I ran my first race – a 2 miler. Later that month, I ran my first 5K race – when I was six weeks pregnant.
My excuse the following May was legitimate. Gavin was only a couple weeks old when the Bluenose happened in 2012. I knew I could run the Bluenose 5K if the timing had been a little different. So I told myself I only needed to wait one more year. Next year, no excuses.
It took four years of this kind of thinking to actually start running. Five years before I finally ran in the Bluenose.
As I opened my race-kit last weekend, I pulled out the yellow tee shirt. It was the shirt I had been coveting for five years. Five years of slow pushes to run. I hadn’t run the Bluenose yet, but I certainly had earned the right to wear the shirt on my 10K Bluenose race day.
Filled with so many emotions at the starting line, I noticed that I wasn’t the only uncool rookie standing there. I was surrounded by thousands of runners in bright yellow race shirts. And even though my kids and husband weren’t able to join me at the start line or meet me at the finish line, I felt like I was part of something. The yellow shirts and the shared distance connected us. We weren’t racing each other. We were racing ourselves, together. We were a running community. A family. I fell in love with running all over again as I ran the race that got me running.
I might be unlucky. I might be uncool. But I will always wear my race shirt to the race.
Photo credit Marathon-Photos.com
Race Stats:
Race: Bluenose Marathon
Date: May 19, 2013
Distance: 10 km
Time: 1 hour, 12 minutes, 20 seconds
Personal Best: 1 hour, 10 minutes, 56 seconds
Pace: 7 minutes, 15 seconds per km
Place: 1885/2226 [595/662 in category]
*Not nice, I know. Let me clarify: I do not want to imply that all seasoned runners are douchebags, or that those who choose to not wear their race shirts are jerks. I was just kind of annoyed at the tone set in the rules I had read online when I was writing (see the link in the following paragraph).
Congratulations! I took years to start running too, but once I did I loved it. On race days I wear everything I normally wear to train. It’s a combination of wanting to avoid wardrobe issues and a healthy (unhealthy?) dose of superstition.
Katja recently posted..Boot camp
They are the lame ones! Wearing your race shirt is part of doing the marathon. They are douchebags! Sure it’s a race, but it’s about the shared experience. You did great! Maybe I’ll join you next year and do the 5K. Good job Mama!
Congratulations, Laura!
I had no idea it was uncool to wear the race tee, and I worked at Nike where we organized races all the time (and people wore the race tees).
I think you’re cool. :)
Alison recently posted..Words
I would have worn that race shirt unless I was putting on some fun getup to run in. You totally earned that and can wear it whenever you want. This running community and the feeling of completing a run is SO amazing. Congratulations! I can’t to see how far we can go with this!
Brittany recently posted..How Run Disney Got Me to Run Again
I’ve run my whole life and I proudly wear my race t-shirt!
Oops! I wore the shirt this year for the 5k! :) Well done on your run!
I find this post very inspiring Laura. I keep telling myself that I will ‘one day’ start running. In part I am watching a number of friends make better health choices, and I am watching my own hair start to grey so I know ‘one day’ really ought to be now.
I also have to say I read the post you linked to about race etiquette and that made me quite upset. That is the kind of attitude that has made me shy away from a number of exercise places. I hate going to the gym in my old clothes and flabby body being judged by the well established gym users.
Anyway good for you on doing your run, keep up the good work!
Christopher D Drew recently posted..Five Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became A Dad
Honestly, Christopher? That link made me quite upset too. It took me much longer to write this post because I had to push the anger out of the words first. (And, to tell you the truth, this post idea stemmed from a conversation on Facebook the night before the race where the words “not cool”, “nerdy”, and “faux-pas” were used. This wasn’t some obscure blog post. This was people in my own network (or one step outside of it) using these words to describe fellow runners!)
Thankfully, I have found the reality to be much different. –Especially when it comes to running. (I always felt strange and out of place at the gym too.) Even when I started running and was going for no more than 30 sec or 1 min at a time, other runners would run by and smile at you – not condescendingly. Just embracing a fellow runner. And that is why I will continue to wear race shirts at the event – because I like that being a part of the running camaraderie.
Download a couch to 5K running program on your phone, get an armband, and go out for a run (maybe once the weather starts getting better) – one day could be today!
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..The Race Shirt
You did a great job of taking the angry out of your voice, good for you.
And I remember seeing the posts about your runs a while back and I had kept thinking I would try. I really just ought to finally jump right in and go for it.
Christopher D Drew recently posted..Five Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became A Dad
Awww I love this post so much! This is something I think “most” runners can relate to and yet most of us look around and tend to feel a little intimidated by the “seasoned runners” but truth be told, I think 75% fall into this exact same category! When I went to run my first Bluenose 5K I was all excited to pick up my race pack with the shirt and then one of my friends who was an “experienced” runner quickly made sure I was aware that it was an unspoken rule that “you don’t wear the race shirt from THIS race, you wear last year’s shirt” Ummm, ok, so I’m not cool enough to wear a race shirt until I’ve already run the race the year before? To each their own I guess, but truth be told, I’ve never been a fan of running in any race shirt I’ve gotten so far as they never fit me comfortably enough and I’d rather wear my own tried and true training clothes, but still, if it felt right, I’d friggin wear whatever I wanted! At that finish line, there was NO ONE that could have brought me down – that first 5k was right up there with my wedding and birth of my son as most memorable and proudest days of my life. It’s amazing what stepping up your game can do for your life :-)
Great race times I should add! Your results are pretty much my goals for the Maritime Race Weekend 10k. Are you running that weekend?
congrats on finishing the bluenose 2013!!! yay! It was fun watching your tweets, felt like I was almost there haha.
As for the etiquette, i think it’s possible the poster was being a bit sarcastic (i hope!), but regardless, the commenters weren’t. They are all d-bags and I’m glad you wore your shirt :)
EcoYogini recently posted..What I Learned from My Failed Attempt to Cut Out Cheese
Such a huge victory Laura, and you look GREAT in that yellow shirt!
Lady Jennie recently posted..Everything Happening, Great and Small
This Jr. High BS is why I’ve always worked out alone.
Silly grown-ups.
Congrats on doing something you’ve wanted to do for so long!
Heather, Mmm… Is for Mommy recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Huggles with Nanny #Linky
Good for you. I have no idea what your stats mean as I am not a runner (I prefer strength training), but just the fact that you run 10km astounds me.
Grace recently posted..A rolling stone gathers no moss
That is so awesome, Laura! Sometimes, it takes a while to be ready… it did for me!
I think if you’ve worked that hard to get to that point then you should be able to wear whatever you darn well please.
Jennifer recently posted..Raising TV Junkies
Wear that shirt proudly, girl!! Yay you.
Tonya recently posted..Inquiring Minds Want To Know
The really cool runners encourage everyone to get out there and have fun and do their best. They applaud all participants for running. They don’t judge and compete mainly with themselves, hoping for a personal best. You rocked it. Congratulations.
Laura I’m SO happy for you to have done this! There’s is no prouder feeling (in the running world :) ) then accomplishing your GOAL race…the race that inspired you to initially lace up your sneakers!!
I knew that feeling earlier this year and I relived it all through you reading this. Love it! Can’t wait to run the Bluenose with you next year!
Candice recently posted..The courage to GROW!
Wear that race shirt proudly, girl! You deserve it! Congratulations on getting there and running the race, so proud of you! And isn’t it SUCH a great feeling to do it and to finish!? I am clapping over here for you, really. :D
Elaine A. recently posted..Size Matters.
Congratulations on finishing your 10k, Laura! I’m a long time Blue Nose volunteer (among other events) and I LOVE seeing folks out in their shirts on race day! It just strengthens that community feeling – it brings us together during, and after, the race! Thanks for sharing :)
is this kind of like you don’t wear the concert shirt of the band you’re going to see? My husband told me that rule–had no idea it was uncool to do that. For what it’s worth–who the hell cares what you wear? I like the yellow shirt. Nice work out there lady! Go you!
Congratulations on your 10 k – that is awesome! I love the shirt and I totally would have worn it!
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..Outside His Room
You go, girl!! That is fantastic. I’ve raced only twice so far, but I’ve worn my race shirt both times… I will join the ranks of the uncool with you any time. xo
Kristin Shaw (Two Cannoli) recently posted..Being brave
Oh for goodness’ sake. They think you’re not supposed to wear your race shirt? That’s ridiculous. You can register for the race, get your race package, not run the race and still get the shirt. It’s not like they hand it to you at the finish line.
I think it’s great that you wore it, and with pride. It’s a great shirt! (Better than any of the ones I have.) If the race shirts I got were that cool I’d wear it. Maybe I should come and run that race next year. ;)
Robin | Farewell, Stranger recently posted..Conversations with the Steam Cleaner
I don’t feel like you “got the angry” out of your words at all. You come off as pretty judgemental and a wee bit self-righteous regarding ONE list of so-called runner rules created by a single runner. Yeah the race shirt thing has been around for 20 years, so what. I’m surprised this one line actually made you so angry. The whole douchebag thing is over the top, the fact you retract it later on just makes your words sound indecisive.
It’s cool you’ve joined the ranks of us runners, many of us have come from very difficult personal circumstances to just be part of the Bluenose crowd, but please understand that there are plenty more of where those “rules” come from and letting that stuff go shows true maturity and self-awareness over what does and doesn’t work for you as a runner. What’s next-GU bashing or a rant on running skirts? Sheesh. I won’t be back, but I’m sure, in our very self-absorbed world where we only like to read nice things said about us you won’t want me back anyhow.
Hi Sarah,
I’m really very sorry that my words come off like that, especially if I offended anyone. I sometimes write strike-through words as a tongue-in-cheek way to exaggerate my feelings. I did not retract the word later. I intentionally wrote it crossed out as a style-choice. I also added the addendum to the end at the same time because I really did not want any runner feeling as though I was calling them a “douchebag” (not a word I typically use). If the writer of the list came by and saw the word, then maybe it would apply — but to no one else, and I think I made myself quite clear. But it obviously wasn’t clear to you, and therefore I sincerely apologize for any judgments expressed or felt.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I would welcome you and your comments back anytime.
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..The Race Shirt
So proud of you! I look like the most uncool person ever when I run – as I still wear gear from 1991, the year I started running. Now I just call myself ‘retro’ – ha!
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..Do-Over
Laura, I’m so proud of you! It took me years to get into running as well, and it wasn’t until someone asked me to be a race ambassador and just signed me up that I finally did it! You have worked so hard, and you deserve that shirt! When I ran the ZOOMA half marathon there were TONS of people wearing their swag bag shirts. I thought nothing of it. That looks like a lot of rules to follow!
Leigh Ann recently posted..Grad season! Hooray! Also Waaaahhhh!
Congrats Laura! Eeek – I had never heard that rule before and I have run three 5K races. Thinking back though, every single one of those races gave us the shirt at the finish line. Seems odd that someone would send you a shirt BEFORE the race if they didn’t want you to wear it! I would think seeing all those other yellow shirts while you were running would be very encouraging and help you feel like you were part of a bigger thing. I hope you keep running, and wear what you want to wear. It’s really nobody else’s business. XO
Leslie recently posted..Land of the free, home of the brave…
Having been a runner for many years, I’ve thought of it as a superstition rather than a rule. I never wear mine for the race because I like to wear it at immediately after, but to each their own! Who freaking cares, you know??
Poppy recently posted..5 Things To Consider Before Dog Sitting a Hyper Puppy
Just catching up blogs I missed while I was away and had to comment on the “rules” as well. First off, congrats on your race at Bluenose! Secondly, your tweets about your runs are inspiring me to get my butt back out there after a month of inactivity.
As for the “rules”, ignore them! When I started racing, I was told that it was “bad luck” to wear your race shirt before completing the race, and to this day I still hesitate to even try on for size before the race, which is ridiculous. You should wear it proudly whenever you want to! If they didn’t want you to wear it until after, they’d hand it out with the finishers’ medals (which they do in some races).