The Blog

RaceReady is having a SPECIAL this Holiday Weekend!   For all orders of $50 or more, enter coupon code FOURTH and receive 20 percent off on your order…..Hurry, Special ends July 5th, 2010.    New Clearance Items have also been added.  

HAPPY FOURTH!!!

Now that summer is unofficially here, many of us are planning summer vacations.   As long as you try to maintain a flexible attitude, most likely you can maintain your running while on your vacation.

In fact, some of my favorite running memories are of running adventures taken while on vacation.  

Enjoying the Channel Islands

On foot, one can have a grand sight-seeing tour.   It’s nice to be able to relax and run without being concerned about pace!   

Here are a few tips for vacation running:

—Do it early!   Especially if other family members & friends are involved, it is a good idea to get your run in so it doesn’t interfere with the communal plans for the day.

—Drink more water than usual.  Let’s face it, traveling can put your systems out of whack & often causes dehydration.   Be conscientious of drinking plenty of fluids.

—Carry a cell phone.   (RaceReady Long Distance Shorts are ideal for this.)   You don’t want to get lost, but when you are in an unfamiliar place the likelihood of getting lost certainly exists!    Carry the phone number of where you are staying, so you can “phone home” if necessary.

—Enjoy your surroundings!  Take in the scenery – the sights, sounds, atmosphere, terrain, weather -  soak it all up! 

Happy Running & Happy Vacation!

Question:  Hi Mary,

RaceReady was on the road recently for a few of our favorite RaceReady Expo Trips!    

The final Sunday in April is the Big Sur Marathon.  The Expo is the previous Friday & Saturday and we see plenty of RaceReady customers during this two day show.   Many of the customers who stop by our booth are “repeat” customers.  It’s always great to meet our customers face-to-face!

We love staying in Pacific Grove while we are on the Monterey Peninsula,  Thursday through Sunday.   We stay at a quiet and tranquil lodge across the street from the Asilomar State Park.  Asilomar features trails along the beach.   It is relaxing to take long beach hikes each morning!      We also always find time to run or walk along the beautiful 17-Mile Drive.       We took in the beautiful coastal scenery and got as far as point 8 on the Drive, China Rock.  In years past, I’ve run as far as point 16, the Lone Cypress.   It truly is a spectacular area.  We have been coming to the Monterey Peninsula annually since 1993, and that even doesn’t seem enough trips to take to this area!

Last weekend found us in the lovely Santa Ynez Valley.   There is a wonderful Half-Marathon here, put on by Destination Races   Destination’s theme is “Cool Races in Beautiful Places.”   Believe me, they do not steer you wrong.   The Santa Ynez Half Marathon is one of the most scenic half-marathons we have ever run….   There’s plenty to do in the scenic Santa Ynez valley.  We spent our “non Expo time” wine-tasting, hiking & enjoying  some fabulous food at the Hitching Post.     All in all, it was a fabulous Business Trip!      

Now it’s time to get caught up on the RaceReady office work!     Next RaceReady trip —-SAN FRANCISCO in July!

Road racing has gotten quite popular.   Nearly every weekend here in Southern California there are multiple road races to enter!  And, these races are drawing more participants than ever before!   It’s exciting and great for our sport.  However, it CAN be frustrating to be in a race when fellow participants are clueless as to proper racing etiquette.  

BEFORE THE GUN GOES OFF….

Don’t hassle the registration folks.   If it is very unorganized when you are picking up your race registration materials, don’t take it out on the people at registration.  Most often these are VOLUNTEERS.    Address your complaints to the Race Director.   The volunteers are likely just as frustrated as you with the chaos. 

Line-up at the appropriate place at the start.  If it is your first race, most likely you should be starting toward the back.   If you are walking, by all means please let the runners start ahead of you.   It is much safer if you are running or walking with others of similar pace.   Nobody wants to run down someone, nor be run down at the start!  

Cooperate with the race directors.  If the race director yells, “Everybody step back 2 feet” at the starting line, yes, he is talking to YOU!     Obeying commands at the start will help getting the race started on time. 

DURING THE RACE… “DOs  & DON’Ts”

—DON’T  create a human barricade.  Running any more than 2 abreast is unfair to others who may want to get around you. 

—DON’T suddenly change directions or cut off another runner.  Take a glance around if you need to break your stride to make sure you are not cutting off another runner.

—DON’T  drop water cups, extra clothing or anything else on the course, except at the Aid Stations.   Even at the Aid Stations, try to toss the empty cup to the side so you don’t ruin someone else’s race with an unexpected slip on the litter.  

—DON’T run a registered race without registering.  Doing so, is “stealing” from those who have registered.    Even if you don’t take any of the aid along the course, your body is still taking up space on the course.   Medical Aid, road closures, street protection, permits, etc are all costs covered by registrations and benefit EVERYONE who is on the course.   Please pay your share by registering.  Bandits at registered races are not OK.

—DO thank volunteers and spectators along the way, when possible.  Volunteers are the unsung heroes at the local races.   Say a quick “thanks” as you grab the water cup at the aid station.

—DO encourage other race participants.  “Looking Good” is a fine comment to make as you pass another runner.

—DO offer congratulations to fellow competitors at the end of the race.   The finish area festival is a fine venue for camaraderie with fellow runners.    Celebrate the Race!

—DO provide feedback to the race director.    Provide both praise and constructive criticism in writing within a few weeks of the race, if possible.    Your feedback can help the race improve so it will be even better the next time you register and run the Race!