A perfect race? Is there such a thing?
A few months back, I participated in the all women’s Montrail Trail Race. This was a 5 mile trail race and since it was only women and there were only 786 of us we didn’t need to “bump elbows with anybody” for the coveted center line position on the trail. We could see where our competition was and how far apart we were. We each got a semi- well fitting technical tee. The winners in each category (3 deep) won new Montrail shoes.
For a lot of women, running is our only outlet. Particularly for us moms, who spend 90% of our days taking care of our wonderful children, running is our time. It is my girl time, my getting physically fit time, my chance to just be Rachel the athlete, my time to sweat, my chance to get lean, all of it. A running event, cycling event, or a triathlon event are the icing on the cake- party time! Which races should we do next? What is our next challenge? What is the next event we should do and how can we train for it? I really enjoy all the female bonding and the encouragement I get from my running buddies, it is also fun to pick and plan future events with them. For some people, maybe, they love to go to bars and go dancing, for others, drinking, for me, it’s a race event that gets me excited.
So, here is my dream event described in detail:
1. A participation token. This could be a bracelet, necklace, pair of shoes, socks, visor, skirt, shirt, anything- as long as it is a QUALITY item. I’d even race for a jog bra! If a shirt is the item, get a women’s size technical tee with stylish graphics that is CUT to fit. No boxy, loose fitting clothes, please.
2. SWAG bag. A swag bag that has usable items in the bag. Organic chapstick, sunscreen, Hammer Gel, socks, magazines, coupons for books that are relevant to an athletes life, coupons for $5 OFF entry fees, hair products. Things that women are interested in! If it’s a men’s and women’s race, then make two different swag bags. Men like freebies too! But they are more interested in the technical sides of things such as Garmins, Power Meters, HR monitors..
3. Designate an area for the athlete’s family to spectate the course and to reconvene after the event. Give the family some form of pass so that they can have access to the post race party. Make it easy for the family members to park and to pick up the athlete.
3. Have a fabulous EXPO. Half the fun of attending an event is to SHOP at the expo. Try new products, see new products, featured products by smart, creative women who had enough passion in their product to turn it into a business, organic food items, shoes, anything under the sun. Make the EXPO a reasonable cost to the prospective business owner so that YOU get more sponsors! One of the best EXPOS I’ve been to in the last few years is the Sea Otter Classic, but still there are very few products specifically for women.
4. Be a tour guide. Make it easy to find someone to show an interested athlete “their town”. An interested athlete would be more willing to come back and be loyal if they’ve been shown around by a local. Whenever we travel to a new town, we make a point of seeking out the locals to find out their favorite eateries, beaches, fun spots, it makes it that much easier for us!
5. Keep the number of participants to a manageable level. Too many runners is more like Disneyland in the hot summer than an actual event. Make sure you can adequately take care of each runner’s/cyclists needs during the actual event.
6. Make it a PARTY!! If we can only do 4-5 events a year, make them GREAT instead of just ok. Ideally, it’d be great if the sponsors of the after party actually had a RECOVERY product that might help an athlete recover better from their efforts- such as whey protein, recovery drinks, etc..
What did I forget? Race promoters, I know you work your butts off and I truly appreciate it! I know what I’m asking is probably unrealistic, so, pick the best things you can do and focus on those!
It is best that you have the perfect triathlon training schedule to be more effective.
6 responses so far ↓
1 andrew // Aug 26, 2008 at 4:57 am
mine would be lean horse 100. it was my first 100 miler, and i went through more emotionally, physically than i ever believed possible. i learned more about myself on those 28 hours on the trail than i have either before or since that day.
a marathon was one thing, but 28 hours of constant moving was something that tore me down and in the end, when the sun rose on that second day, built me back up.
they had the best food, and the ‘trinket’ for finishing was a solid black hills gold belt buckle!!!! i wear it almost daily even now, 2 years later.
i think what made it so incredible for me was doing something i thought was impossible. looking back now i do not know how i did it. i have tried many 100’s since and DNF’s all but 1 (2 finishes). but if i live to be 90 years old, i’ll never forget those 2 days in south dakota. i have the memories and belt buckle to prove it.
andrew
andrews last blog post..keeponrunning: see, pain makes you wanna stop, absence of pain make you wanna keep going. i wanna keep on running.
2 AndrewE // Aug 26, 2008 at 8:07 am
I like these ideas! We don’t normally get any swag at events here in NZ!
3 Lance // Aug 26, 2008 at 10:23 am
One of the my favorite races was one I didn’t even compete in, but volunteered at. It was an XTerra event held near us a couple of years ago. And this was an event that was done right. There were many of the things you’ve mentioned above. And, a couple of other things they had were speakers – professional triathletes doing talks (and then being available to talk one on one afterward). And they had a kids area setup. But it was more than just a jumping pit with balls in it. They had a climbing wall. A ropes course. And a couple of others things that fit the theme of an XTerra event – and all free for the kids. The t-shirt I ended up with is my favorite t-shirt from a race. It was really an awesome event. I really hope they come back here, I’d love to enter one of the races they do and see it from that side!
Your list for the “dream” event would be pretty cool (well, except I think I’d pass on the jog bra…).
Lances last blog post..What Are We Missing?
4 Bobbi // Aug 26, 2008 at 1:49 pm
ok so I think in my next life I am going to be organizing races, with you as my boss;)
5 Jill - GlossyVeneer // Aug 26, 2008 at 3:11 pm
What a great list! I totally agree with providing women’s cut technical tees. I hate the giant boxy shirts that I can’t wear. And I also love the expo.
But I’m torn, I want the women’s bag AND the men’s gadget bag!
Jill – GlossyVeneers last blog post..Work Trip: Twitter Style
6 Mark Salinas // Aug 26, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Trail runs with hills winding through the woods. That is what I like….btw…I want to do some shirt shopping for my wife. Her and her running partner are looking for pink shirts amongst other things. Ideas?
Mark Salinass last blog post..Wall Sit Challenge
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