? for Runners that don't believe in wearing shirt b4 earned

JAllen32

I wear the shirt on race day for the first time, and anytime after that. But if for some reason I bought the shirt but missed the race, I would probably still wear it if I liked it. I mean I paid for it, so why can't I wear it? Of course I wouldn't go around saying "Look what I did!", but I don't wear any of my race shirts for that reason. I only wear them if I like the way they look on me! :-)

reneegee23

First world problem.

I love people.

DaughterOfTheMostHighKing

for me, i wouldn't wear the shirt if i didn't run, basically because I'd know I didn't do it... guilty as charged when asked. and people do ask!

Austin1988

I don't think they should wear the shirt unless they win the race.



That's how those races work, right? If you come in first, you get to wear the shirt?

"If you're not first, you're last!"

bregalad5

Just recently I wasn't able to make a race due to a stress fracture in my 1st metatarsal. It was for a charity that I paid the entry fee and received a shirt. I figure that I donated to a good cause and got a shirt. Felt bad I didn't make the run but I know the money went to a good cause. And I am going to wear the shirt. Its just a shirt.

I had signed up for a 10 miler. I couldn't finish my training due to sinus infections + some knee pain. Then it was confirmed I couldn't even ATTEMPT it after I fractured a toe. Know what? I went to the packet pickup and asked if it was ok if I still got my packet. They said "of course!". So I picked up my race packet, including awesome dri-fit shirt, and have worn it. Hopefully I'll get to run it next year, but I paid my $40 and totally intended to run it, so screw it, I'm wearing my shirt!

Oh, and the proceeds for this were going to cancer research, so it's for a good cause, too!

jdelot

Ok I am a total subscriber to you can only wear the shirt AFTER the race and after it is earned. My friends and I are firm believers but don't judge others for wearing it though. I would like to ask those that also believe in that theory a question... so my sister knows someone who is running in the Police Memorial Run from Philly to Washington DC. To raise money for that, the person is selling tshirts from the race that say Police Memorial Run 2012... looks like a regular race shirt. I have run several races and if I had to cancel on a race I know that I would not wear the shirt from that race... since the shirt is what is given in exchange for the donation I'm not sure if that's a game-changer. The theory of "it's for charity" does not work because every race i do/will do is for a charity and if I cancelled on a race then I wouldnt wear the shirt. I have no problem giving my $12 donation without a tshirt but wasn't sure the "runner's protocol" on this. thoughts? And i'm not asking to be told that the "not wearing until earned is flawed" i'm pretty stuck on that theory and can't be talked away from it lol
Thanks!

I agree with this...Similarly, I bought a 13.1 sticker even though I haven't completed a half marathon yet. I won't put it on my car until after the 1/2. Stick to your guns...you have to earn the shirt.

amymrls

Isn't wearing the shirt at any time good promotion for the cause?

I think that is the point of the shirt yes.

dsjohndrow

I just put on the shirt and run.

I registered early so I could get one in most cases. And it's good PR for the cause when they photograph u at the start line and again at the finish line.

JMarigold

As a poor woman who shops at thrift shops I often end up wearing T-Shirts for things that I have never heard of. I try not to make it things I wouldn't want to represent or might have people asking weird questions. I don't buy Breast Cancer Walk T-Shirts that say "Survivor" on them. that would be a little misleading.

However, sometimes if the pickings are slim in the thrift store T-Shirt section I just don't get to be very scrupulous. So I might throw in a few 5Ks and since I've NEVER done one. It's definitely a misrepresentation. I can run that long though if it makes you feel better. Sorry.

smoten

I think i understood the original question and i do think it is protocol to wear the shirt later. The people at the event are already familiar with the cause (thats why they are there) so spreading the word at that time isnt really as productive as it would be at another time/location.

If you get the shirt but dont do the race for whatever reason, wear it if you like it. You must appreciate the cause or your wouldnt have signed up right?

i dont know if earning it is what it would be called, but i understand its a pride thing. Especially for long distances that you work your butt of for, however i was never prouder than when i completed my first 5K and i put my shirt on as soon as i got home.
Its a personal preference and i've found that runners are the least judgemental of any fitness group i've encountered, i'm proud to be one of them and at a race, everyone is just glad you're there, they dont care if you are a "newbie" or have been at this for years. So if you run in your shirt, no one will really care.

SabrinaJL

but you better believe I'm saving my first half-marathon & marathon shirts for the second I cross the line.

That was me. I wouldn't even try the shirt for my half on because I was worried about jinxing myself, but once I was done, I went to the bathroom and put it on. Mostly because I wanted to get out of the sweaty shirt I was wearing as the breeze was making me cold. :laugh:

HardcorePork

Well I guess when I report back to the friends that asked me to post it I will say that many of the responses came from angry, negative people that have nothing to do but pick on a stranger asking a simple question instead of just moving on to a different topic, and majority of those saying those things probably didn't spent hours and hours a day for month after grueling month training for a race to understand what "earning the shirt" actually even meant. I'm not saying everyone because some people have and don't care about the shirt which I clearly was only asking the question to a specific group of people "runners that believe in wearing a shirt after earned".
Its like the "insanity" tshirt from the program, you can't buy it but you have to earn it. I did the program and after going through a few months of the program, passing out and throwing up along the way you have a new-found respect for "earning" things and what it takes physically and mentally. It definitely doesn't take judging others that's for sure.
Thanks for those that gave good input and maybe I will give it to the shelter as I know that I am not running 100+ miles in 3 days like the people competing are. I already have many police memorial shirts so I already show my support since it's close to home. And to those that were just mean, maybe you need more exercise because that usually makes people happier and if you exercise a lot maybe you need a punching bag because being mean to someone who posts a question isn't a good way to get out whatever frustration you have in your own life. Cheer up, smile a little, go for a run maybe.

I think maybe you need a good run too. You seem very tense.

You asked for feedback and got it. I didn't read anything that was outright rude; people were simply stating their opinions. Maybe just take it with a grain of salt and move on? Or if you can't, don't post in forums like this. These responses are normal, if not tame, compared to some I've seen elsewhere. Go for your run and smile :flowerforyou:

Hear hear. Just because someone doesn't share your perspective, they are angry and rude? Nonsense.

jerber160

I get it.. I wouldn't wear it until I did it! seemed silly otherwise. but we did a quick resort refresher course... made a couple of dives that week and then i bought the shirt!!!!! Oh... and I am SOOOO not this weight any more.. hehehehe.

Steve_Runs

I race quite often. I have a tradition where I wear my shirt from my Saturday race every Monday. I'm a teacher at a local high school and the kids get a kick out of talking to me about my race!

I also, don't think it matters if you ran the race or not. It's just a shirt!

kellyq4u

love seeing everyones measuring sticks! like to see the big "lost 97lbs" and the 5lbser!! keeps the motivation alive! ...wait is this about a tshirt???lol

SueInAz

My sister, a friend and I run races together and our tradition is to wear the race shirt immediately after the race. We finish the race, clean up and change into that dry, clean shirt to proudly show off our accomplishment. I have to admit I'm with the others who've said that it's just a shirt, though. I have a couple of race shirts my sister gave me that she won't wear for whatever reason and I have no trouble wearing them for training runs.

MisdemeanorM

I think it depends on how you view the shirt - as a badge of honor? As a way to join as a group and all dress alike in unison (like wearing pink to the CURE walk)? As a souvenir? As a memory? As a talking point for people who see you wearing it? As support for the organization or others running the race? Something to keep you from being naked on laundry day?

I think they're all legitimate and it just matters what that particular runner feels about why they get a shirt. Me, I tend not to get them because I'm cheap and don't need any more shirts. (Not that I'm a runner, but I had a few from back in college.)

buckystars

Seriously, no one is trying to be rude here. I think you need to relax and go for a run.

lillebanon

I had no idea this was even a thing. I always assumed they gave you the shirts BEFORE the race so that you could wear them IN THE RACE. If you shouldn't wear them until you've completed the race, they shouldn't hand them out until you cross the finish line... like when they give you your finishers medal. (as you can see in my profile pic, I was wearing my half-marathon shirt for my race last weekend... and my finishers medal since the pic was taken after the race)

Laurarunnergirl

Yeah, I'm one of those who doesn't wear the shirt until I've crossed the finish line. Partially because I'm superstitious, partly because I want to feel like I've earned it, especially if it is a marathon, but mostly because I need to race in something I know will be comfortable. "Nothing new on race day" as the old saying goes.

That being said, I've seen plenty of folks wearing the race shirt during the race. To some folks, that screams "newbie", but hey, at least they're out there and doing something good for themselves. Whatever works for ya! Gotta say, though, if you do wear it during the race, and it's a tech shirt, wash it first, especially if you sweat a lot. That sizing stuff they put on the shirts can cause some mondo chafing issues.

I had a race shirt from a marathon that I couldn't run because I was sick on race day. I used it as incentive to train for the following year's race. I bought some of those stick on letters, and put "training for" on the front of the shirt and a new date, and stuck it on my wall by where I stash my race stuff.

k7n2w3

haha yes I agree with that too! The whole "earning" thing is one thing that I abide by but I'm also superstitious (which goes with the earning aspect somewhat as well since when i say earn I mean ME earning)... I envision a pothole and falling in it around mile 3 if I wear it before the race and the chafing from it being new since not wearing before. I know that's silly, trust me, I'm aware haha! But "bad juju" as my friend says with the race shirts is not welcome! I always put the shirts on right after the race. I guess should wash them if I wear to run right away, never thought of that! And I think anyone running or doing anything is a good thing. I didn't wake up and run 13 miles, I woke up and struggled to run a quarter mile with an asthma attack while walking the rest while thinking "i'll never run a mile, EVER". Nothing happens overnight and just getting up and doing something is most important whether walking, workout video, bicycling, etc.
I guess the solution to my question I posted is just to give the shirt to someone at a shelter, I didn't run the race, I have police memorial shirts galore, and someone else should benefit.
My friend was disappointed that a lot of people found my post dumb since he and a few others wanted opinions on it and figured it was a casual topic that could be posted and was meant to be a lighthearted, friendly chat about a topic that some runners have thoughts on. I'm glad that some good input was given though :-) Nothing wrong with a little silly topic, hey if people can post things like drop a word, add a word, a post about a tshirt seems completely reasonable. lol

ccmccoy09

I do, however, think it's tacky to wear the race shirt on raceday. Like wearing a concert tee at the concert you're seeing.

Not sure why people think it's tacky. There's nothing wrong with being proud to be at an event. At the time I ran my first half, I wore the provided tee shirt because it was a tech shirt and I only had one other tech shirt and it was in the wash...and I was damn proud to just show up up to that race. Half the people there were wearing their tee shirts. I also wear concert tees at concerts, sometimes. No one has ever come up to me and said anything. Except for one time a band member walked by and high fived me for wearing his band's shirt AT THEIR SHOW...he thought it was awesome LOL.

I should have clarified. I think it's tacky for ME. That's all. I don't care what other people wear. I like clothes and I like to wear something fun on race day. Also it makes it easier for Husband to spot me in a sea of raceday tees.

I talked to my running buddy about this and she's superstitious and won't wear her race tee before raceday, but doesn't see anything wrong with it in general.