Finishing Medals..Rally up? (Page 3)

I am looking into the finishers mugs (prices, delivery time, etc) as a racer I always look for stuff I will be able to use and that sounds like a good idea.

What do you guys think of giving race belts, 24oz. bike water bottles and/or coolmax socks instead of a regular cotton T-shirt. (I personally not a big fan of cheap T-shirts either) We were considering nice fabric training shirts; however most of the quotes I received are too expensive for our budget. (As a new race is been hard to get a lot of sponsor support) We are trying to cope a well organize and safe race with good prices, a goodie bag with handy items (not a bag full with flyers and other crap) a few free talks by PT for injuries prevention and USAT coach for training ideas and a post race party.

Oh, you always make me laugh bear!!! Out loud. at work. in my cube. (!!!) Always.

For the record, I don't need a medal... I think the shirt is enough. I'd prefer a shirt to a medal. I never actually WEAR the medal, and they all look alike.

Pride and Joy.... Snicker snicker snicker... Still laughing here...

Whizzzz

Actually...Pride and Joy products would be great sponsors. Indeed, perfect branding. After reading Whizz's entry, I thought "hmm...was Bear insulting me, or just having some fun?". Whizz, your snickers spoke volumes, possibly on Bear's behalf.

Someone mentioned the bib's being cool. I thought about that one, and indeed, they do have similar charm, don't they? Yep, I think I can go on without medals, especially if it upsets so many, and sheds such a grim outlook for others. Yep, I still think they are fun, and mine don't collect dust. (Triple Threat....I promise I train for me, not the medals, lol)

My thread was posted with no intent of starting a big hoopla. Just having a light chat about fun aspects at the races.

Yeah, that Pride and Joy gag's an old one, dates back to Henny Youngman, DeNiro used it in Taxi Driver, I believe. Not an insult, just poking a little fun at your expense. Glad someone got it, glad to make you snicker, Whiz!

I think all you NON-MEDAL people are just talk.

You say it is "collecting dust" or "hanging in the closet", it must mean something or it would have been thrown out along time ago.

And guess what, there is not one, not even one, IRONMAN finishers medal on ebay, nor even a triathlon medal listed, but there are plenty of cheesy finisher shirts listed.  

HMMMMM...........

Well I like medals. Shirts I find next to useless unless they are made of Coolmax. I don't wear cotton when I work out because it holds in the sweat and sticks to my skin.

I also love how people who don't care for medals jump to the conclusion that those of us who do are materialistic. To each his own, but I don't judge someone for preferring a shirt.

When you've gone from a perfectly sedentary life and morbid obesity to being an athlete, maybe you'll appreciate how much those trinkets can mean. Some of us never competed in a sport before and don't have walls of trophies. To be able to look at my medal and say "Yeah Tory, YOU did that" makes me happy. Do I feel pride without it? Sure I do, but I also like the feeling of having it placed around my neck and having someone tell me "Great job!"

Medals are actually cheaper than shirts. I bought one last year for my husband and carried it in my first triathlon, presenting in to him when I crossed the finish line. He was my supporter, best friend, training partner, and coach throughout and he deserved a medal as much as I did. I like the idea, if you don't want the medal, of giving it to a course supporter or a loved one.

So basically what you're saying is that those of us who compete in triathlons, but don't win, are mediocre and don't deserve to feel pride in our accomplishments? Neat. Thanks for that. Not that anything someone like you would say would make me feel bad about myself, but this comment has to rank right up there with the thread last year from the guy who didn't understand why you wouldn't do a triathlon if you couldn't place.

I'm glad that you had a lifetime of sports achievements. I didn't. I never played on a single team. I didn't have the talent or the opportunity to do so. I guess that makes me undeserving of anything demonstrating my personal accomplishments. Do I "need" a medal? No. Do I like them? Yes. Does that make me some mamby pamby conformist? Not in the least.

People like you who think that only the strongest and fastest should get recognition are why "athletes" are portrayed as insensitive and egotistical. Every single person on this list deserves to have credit given to them whether they came in first, last, or somewhere in between. A few weeks ago I ran a 5k and I stayed and cheered the very last person who came in almost an hour after the start. That lady deserved a medal not because she was great, but because she got up that morning and she did it! I'd hate to think that her sense of personal accomplishment would be degraded by someone who finished at the beginning telling her she wasn't "good enough" and didn't have a right to celebrate her accomplishment.

Well put.