Thank you for all your sweet and supportive comments on yesterday’s post. They mean so much to me!
I woke up in a kind of gloomy mood this morning.
I think it had something to do with this gorgeous weather we are having. I guess it is trying to get me prepped for the winter.
It is no joke in Erie during the winter months we can go 2-3 weeks and never see the sun. It is pretty annoying.
Oh, did I mention we will moving in 8-9 months?! Yep this should be our LAST winter in this hell! 🙂
This month I will be taking on a role that I haven’t been in for a while – race spectator/cheerleader.
Last year during the Chicago Marathon I ran it along with my husband, so the preparation and purpose of the trip was a little different. This year I am there purely as support and his personal cheerleader.
I have spectated and cheered on my husband in many marathon’s previously, and thought I would share some of my spectating advice.
1. Let them do their thing. My husband as you know is a pretty competitive runner. The morning of the marathon he is very focused. He wakes up, eats his bagel, gets dressed, puts his headphones in, and completely zones out.
I used to make the mistake of trying to chat his head off. I have learned that he has his pre-race rituals that he likes to follow and the best thing to do is to let him do his thing.
Of course, I am always there to take lots of pictures!
2. Plan a meet up spot. In every marathon Wes has run we have always planned a meet up spot ahead of time.
Some of the marathons our family will travel with us and sometimes it is just the two of us. Either way this helps to alleviate some of the worry about finding him afterwards and I know right where I need to be.
Fun story, in 2010 Wes ran his first Boston Marathon. We had planned a meet up after the race at the designated meet up area. I finally found him and he dropped down on one knee and proposed. Boston will always mean so much to us. More to come on that in the near future.
3. Plan transportation. I cannot stress this enough. The marathon’s that Wes runs are often the bigger ones (Chicago, Marine Corps, New York, and Boston). We usually either don’t have our car or the city is too big and closed off due to the marathon to drive.
BEFORE race day plan out how you are going to get home from the marathon after you are done.
Another fun story, last year at Marine Corps we didn’t think we needed to do this. We had done the marathon so many times we thought we knew how to get around. We forgot the fact that we were saying at a new hotel. Long story short, Wes and I had to walk/jog (AFTER he had finished the marathon) almost 5 miles to the hotel. Then we had to go back and get his parents (his dad also ran).
The runners don’t want to think about how they are going to get back after they have just run 26.2 miles, so have the plan ready and help them out!
4. Make fun/obnoxious signs. I actually havn’t done this in a few years because I have so much to carry for Wes now, but in the first 3-4 marathons he ran I always made him a fun sign.
This made it easier for him to find me in the crowd and I like to embarrass him a little. 😉
5. Let them enjoy every moment. Every marathon no matter how many times you do them is special. Let your runner enjoy every single minute whether it be walking around the expo before hand or getting a much needed massage or beer after!
I always love to watch Wes at the expo. He is like a kid in a candy store and I love seeing him so happy.
Runners work so hard to get there, the marathon itself is just the icing on the cake so I make sure to always take a back seat and let him enjoy every part.
Thank you to all those that entered my FlipBelt giveaway!! Don’t forget if you still want to purchase your own you can use the coupon code LOTR and receive 10% off!
The winner of the FlipBelt is………….
Congrats Kristy!! I will be contacting you shortly with details!
What is your favorite things about race spectating?
Do you prefer to run or watch a race? I obviously love running but there is nothing better than being my husband’s cheerleader!
The best is just watching people finish and getting a fresh burst of motivation 🙂
Oh I know! I am always so motivated to run after going to a marathon! This time I guess I will have to turn that motivation into motivation to cross train 🙂
exactly- don’t get down over it, running is in your future!
Great post! For some reason this just made me smile. Have a good day!
Aww I’m glad! Thank you – you too!
The people who are along the path cheering are *the best*.
In July I ran a small hilly trail-like marathon along a gorge (PA Grand Canyon) … and there were TWO places for spectators other than start/finish. Each required a significant drive to get there … and for more than 20 miles we were in heavy/torrential rains.
So the people who were out there getting soaked and still cheering for all of us … were awesome.
Wow that is dedication!! Yes those people were awesome! Spectators definitely make the race easier!
I remember really struggling during one of my marathons and the people on the sidelines really got me through it!
Yah for moving! I like running more then spectating, but I also really love to watch running races and triathlons. I find it really inspiring. I signed up for my first marathon after watching one in complete awe of these people running so far. These are great spectating tips – I am watching a friend run a marathon in a few weeks and I will keep them in mind:).
Yes I have to say I like running better too, but spectating is always fun and motivational! I’m sure it will motivate me to finish my recovery the RIGHT way so that I can be running again!
Awwwwww, the story about Wes proposing after the Boston Marathon is SO sweet!! I can’t believe he had presence of mind to actually do it after finishing the marathon! I can’t wait to hear more about it :). I’m with you – I love running, but watching my husband is awesome. I get so emotional when I see him reach one of his goals, which is funny because I never have the urge to cry or get emotional when I reach my own goals. Haha! I bet you’ll be an amazing spectator this season :).
I am the same way! When he finishes and crosses the line I think I get just about as emotional as I do for myself. I guess when you help and support them train it is almost a victory for you as well 🙂
I’d probably rather being running it, even though I’d be slow and probably walk a lot. But I’m planning my first race on Thanksgiving, its for scholarships for the high school I went to and I can chose 2 miles or 4 miles, run or walk. Decided if I chose 2 I’m running it for sure and if I chose 4 well, I’m not sure about that one. But got to work for that turkey and rolls. Also love the name I’m Thankful Four 🙂
Good luck in your first race!! That is awesome and so exciting!!
I love races on Thanksgiving they make you feel so good to start off the day! Go for 4!! I have a feeling you can do it 🙂 Even if you have to stop and walk some there is NOTHING wrong with that!
I got to do both recently. Hubby and I signed up for the same race, but run at different paces. I finished and then waited for him. It was so great to see him finish. I was so proud!
I wish I was the quicker one, but I am not 🙂 If hubby and I run the same race he finishes about an hour and a half (marathon) before me and waits around. HA
I do enjoy being able to watch him finish! Always makes me so proud 🙂
YAY! Thank you SO much! I can’t wait to order my flip belt! I love how you support your husband! You guys are really a cute, sweet couple!
Congrats!! I am excited for you!!
Make sure you let me know how you like it! and Thank you! 🙂
That is such a sweet story about your husband proposing! I’m impressed he was able to get down on one knee to even do it, thats some serious true love! I loved acting as my Dad’s support crew with my mom, scrambling from one designated mile marker to another providing him with fuel and water. It was such an adrenaline rush! But having just completed my first, I think I would prefer to be the one doing the race. Its a different kind of adrenaline rush. But at the end of the day, supporting loved ones in anything they do is always rewarding 🙂
I completely agree Stephanie! Yes he had a bit of trouble getting down on one knee – I was so oblivious to what was going on! HAHA I wasn’t expecting it AT ALL!
I am looking forward to a month of spectating. I know it will get my motivation where it should be to get back into training in a few months! Should be a good jump start from my cross training too!
I so prefer to be the one racing, but when being a spectator I always find myself very inspired. Yay for your last winter there haha! 🙂
Amen girl! I can’t take anymore crazy 9 month winters!
Yes I always leave these races inspired, which I feel like couldn’t come at a better time than during my injury! I need to get motivated and ready to go for when I am able to cross train! 🙂
Funny thought about ‘space’ – when I ran my first half marathon I did everything wrong: was eating in ‘weight loss’ mode, didn’t taper, went out too fast. So at the end I was a wreck … and all my wife wanted to do was hug me (sweaty mess and all)!
So when I finished my first full she took cues from me – but I was ready for a hug!
Haha my husband usually is all about hugs AFTER The marathon, before is a different story. He likes to focus and get in the “zone” and I know better now and let him do his own thing pre-race.
I am not ready for winter either … or at least not to be out running again in -20 temps! 🙂
One of my best friends from a past project at work is a great cheering person and aid-station worker. She used to run but has joint issues … so now she can’t (at 35 … reminds me too much of my wife in that regard 🙁 ) … but she is out at the halfs and full marathons in the area. Looking forward to seeing her and her daughter at mile 23 where their school has the aid station this weekend 🙂
Mile 23 is a great time to have someone waiting there!
That is really when you need a cheering squad 🙂