On I went, out of the wood, passing the man leading without knowing I was going to do so. Flip-flap, flip-flap, jog-trot, jog-trot, curnchslap-crunchslap, across the middle of a broad field again, rhythmically running in my greyhound effortless fashion, knowing I had won the race though it wasn't half over, won it if I wanted it, could go on for ten or fifteen or twenty miles if I had to and drop dead at the finish of it, which would be the same, in the end, as living an honest life like the governor wanted me to. -Alan Sillitoe, "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner"

Thursday, February 18, 2010

2010: The Year of the Medal?

2010 medals to date: 2 (ALA Fight for Air Climb and the ESBRU)



It all started back in October when I finished the Chicago Marathon.  I was motivated in the last 10 or so miles solely by the desire to feel the weight of the medal around my back.  And I wasn't disappointed.

But then... it seemed like every race I registered for after that gave me a medal.  The Damon Runyon Yankee Stadium 5k.  The Prospect Park Turkey Trot.  The 5k in Somerville.



And that got me thinking: how many can I get in 2010, without going overboard?  I'm not planning my race calendar solely around the idea of obtaining medals, but I am trying to find medal-friendly (non NYRR) races. 

Also?  I'm totally doing this.  Check out the medals that I can earn that way!  In fact, I'm a quarter of the way to a bronze.  [Harsh language alert!  Ahead!]  Suck it, WBHS gym teachers.  [/Harsh language]  But one of them - he knows who he is - almost kept me from graduating high school by threatening to fail me in gym class.  True story.  If they could see me now...

I know that Fred Lebow said that runners will do anything for a t-shirt, but I have enough t-shirts.  Medals, those I can never have enough of.
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4 comments:

  1. njmFri Feb 19, 10:23:00 AM EST

    Remember the Somerville 5K medal doubles as a bottle opener! Anyway, my sister (the one who you say is me with black hair) used to win those President's Challenge medals when we were in elementary school. I wasn't athletic enough apparently. I got over it (kind of). So, how many medals are you aiming for this year?

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  2. TFri Feb 19, 10:26:00 AM EST

    I didn't even know they gave out medals back in grade school. We had to do all the tests, but I was never even maybe close to the level of earning anything besides a certificate that said that I'd done all the tests.

    Anyway, I'm not exactly sure how many medals - partly it's a surprise. I think, if I finish everything I plan on starting, there are at least 6 more in my future. It's always a little bit of a surprise whether a race will have them or not, you know?

    Btw, I registered for Broad St. the other day. Are you in? :)

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  3. TiffanyFri Nov 04, 09:17:00 PM EDT

    I came across your blog looking for info about the ESBRU. I am finding trouble signing up online, do you know which website you went to to sign up? Thanks!

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  4. TTue Nov 08, 07:41:00 AM EST

    Hi, Tiffany, apologies for the delay in getting back to you. If you go to nyrr.org in late December/early January, they'll have the information up there. I have to warn you: it's hard to get in, and getting harder each year. You can join through a charity program, but to enter the "normal" way requires an application (in the past it's not been a lottery). Good luck - awesome race!

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