Someone gave me the idea of giving him one of my race shirts that I haven't worn. This sounds like a great idea only there is one problem. I once told my dad I would give him my New York Marathon shirt and he looked at me like I said I was going to give him the Ebola virus. His exacts word and I quote were "I am not taking that shirt, I didn't earn it!" My father believes you don't wear the actual shirt that you are given from a race unless you earned that shirt. Sure you can buy one that has the name of the race on it, but you don't even think about wearing the actual shirt unless you crossed the finish line. What is weird though is when my father was heavy into running he and his friend who lived in Florida would trade race shirts with each other. So I guess as long as your doing a trade it's okay.
This brings me to my next topic, Earning. I am like my father, I believe you don't wear the race shirt of a race unless you have earned it. Last year Boston released their jackets a few weeks before the race and you could buy them online. My first thought was I need that, but then I thought how dumb am I going to feel wearing a Boston jacket, the most known race in the country and having people ask me how I did. What the hell would I say, umm I didn't qualify for it but I did buy the jacket to look cool, just doesn't sound right. When I see a person wearing a race shirt I assume they have run that race. I assume they earned the shirt. Imagine you finish a marathon and look over and some guy smoking a cigarette is wearing the medal. How would you feel then? A friend of mine told me that he has a person in the Boston area that could get him in the marathon. I told him I would not do that because when I go I want to be able to say I earned my spot. I know some people will get into a race using the charity or team option. Listen I am all for charity and I think running on a team is great, but once again for a race like Boston I want to earn my way in. I know some people say that could be the only way they will ever have a chance of running that race so they will take it. There are tons of people that I talk to that say I will never qualify for Boston so if I can get on a team or run for a charity I am going to jump on it. Listen you may qualify and you may not, but unless you really try how do you know? Some of the most inspirational stories are people saying they started running to lose weight. From there they fell in love with running and after so many years got into Boston. Before you throw in the towel and say you know you can't make it in, really try. If you don't see results and you still want to run it then I guess go for the charity or team. I however would rather watch from the sidelines and cheer everyone on.
Well, for your dad, there are different options:
ReplyDelete1. A trip to rivertown brewery for a beer tasting. They have tickets for a tour of the brewery. You can say this is for "carb-load". I am sure he will love it (as long as he likes beer).
2. Get him a ticket/trip to go with you to your next race to make a father/son experience. He can then cheer you and you can spend some time together
3. If he his a runner - a running rain jacket. Check at True Runner, they have wonderful gears on sale now. You can get running rain jacket at 70% off - the one I paid $130 last Winter :/
Sorry, I do not have more ideas ...
All good ideas, thanks!!!
DeleteTake him on a race cation and run it together
DeleteI would love that but unfortunately he doesn't run anymore, he walks but he got injured and had to stop running. Maybe a run cation where he just watches
DeleteMy first idea wouldn't work if he's no longer running--a goodie gift basket filled with gels, chews, a new water bottle, and post-run snacks like chips, pretzels & cookies. Does he read? The book A Race Like No Other about the 2007 NYC Marathon is awesome. A new pair of shoes?
ReplyDeleteHe is a book aholic, he reads more books than anyone!!! That is an awesome idea.. Thanks
DeleteAs for the gift-I'm all about gift cards though some think them impersonal. I 100% agree with you on the "earning it" philosophy. I hate this fucking entitlement society we live in. (Holy hell- did I just drop the "f" bomb? What is this world coming to)?
ReplyDeleteFuckin right girl!!!
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