I need a Finisher’s SOMETHING! A certificate, a medal….something!

Race season is upon is almost upon us!!!! I get giddy just thinking about it. It’s time for extra yoga classes, drinking 3 liters of water per day, cool down days in the pool or just scenic walks and (most importantly) the race after-parties. The other 11 races I completed this year were just warm-ups compared to what’s to come. Although I thoroughly enjoy pitter-pattering on the pavement. (AKA Running), I consider myself a recreational runner. I enjoy running just to feel the breeze in my hair and the fresh air in my lungs. I love, love, love taking in the scenery of Memphis as I run.
I am not a competitive runner…I repeat… I AM NOT A COMPETITIVE RUNNER. Therefore, the thought of me getting a medal because I’ve placed in a race is laughable. It’s just not gonna happen. Especially when I’m running against some purely amazing Memphis runners who run an average of pace of a 4.6 min mile…during a half marathon!!!!! I just can’t compete with that!
But that doesn’t mean that I didn’t work as hard or train as hard as those RoadRunners (beepbeep). I showed up to the race, I ran and I FINISHED. I put forth my best effort and most times I actually beat my personal best. And just like those light speed runners, I would like a little recognition. Earlier this year I ran an entire series. I was present and pushed myself for the 3K, 5K, 8K and the 10K. I ran thru mud and damp woods. I ran down ravines and pulled myself out of creeks using a rope. And all I received was a t-shirt. I paid, I participated and all I got was a t-shirt!!!!!!!!! WITW!!! #cakeofmisery
You see, with most single-race runs, you get a minimal of a t-shirt, a bib and a certificate with your time printed on it. Those are basic minimums to any race in Memphis. With a series race, a race that includes multiple race days, you get a little more. You usually get some neat swag and invitation to an exclusive after-party. But this wasn’t the case with this series. Oh no, not at all. They did not have after-parties after each race for this series, so I was really looking forward to the culminating party.
Thus far, I have only received a t-shirt for completing 4 races. When I heard that the culminating party would be at a brewery, I was overjoyed. A t-shirt and free beer!!!!! Now that’s how you show appreciation for your recreational runners. Even though I didn’t win anything, I was looking forward to the free beer and fellowship. I was floored when I found out that the beer wasn’t free. #cakeofmiserywithsprinkles You read right!!!!! They had an after-party for series racers, but  the beer wasn’t free. I knew something was up when the runners who did win received their trophy and left. At first, i thought it was odd. But hey, more beer for me. But when I found out the beer wasn’t free, I left too.

Now I can hear those over-over-achievers yapping their gums about participation rewards. “Back in my day, kids didn’t get trophies and stuff for just being on the team. You only got a trophy if you actually won something. They’re making kids these days too soft.”
Well….#1. I ain’t no damn kid. #2. I’m not on a damn team. I ran those races with my own 2 legs. #3.I like getting stuff when I work hard. PERIOD! Don’t play down my effort and not acknowledge said effort because I didn’t come out on top! Hell, I wasn’t at the bottom (aka last place) either!!!!
GIVE ME A FINISHER’S SOMETHING!!!!!
Tshirt+Certificate+Free Beer+After-Party= A Happy Memphis Runner
P.S. - Where I run really doesn’t matter, just have beer for me when I finish.

#realworkwife

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