"What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Swag – noun 1. a suspended wreath, garland, drapery, or the like.
Every race that I have run has swag. It may be a t-shirt, a finisher’s medal, discounts to a running shop, announcements to upcoming races, a water or Gatorade sample bottle, Cliff Bars, Gu, etc. The last race even included tiny sample bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar (we used them on our backpacking trip, thank you very much!). The bag that it all comes in is even called a swag bag. At the SF Half Marathon, the bag was made of cloth with cording to draw it closed and printed with the race logo and a place to write the bib number and could be used to store and drop off sweats before a race.
The finisher medals are cute. Most display the year, the name of the run and maybe the race's logo. Most are made of metal hung on a wide ribbon to fit over the head. The finisher's medal at the upcoming Big Sur Half Marathon (Nov. 14?) is a unique ceramic piece. ...but a medal for finishing? ... really?…why? We received the t-shirt. We have the memories and the stories to share. I guess… to each his own. To one person, the medal represents the accomplishment, to another, just a ribbon and cute medallion. T-shirts from a race are a much more visible representation of running the race and are practical to run practices in. Oh, we may have our favorite shirt because of its color or t-shirt design, or because we completed some special ru; it lifts our spirits reminding us of what all the hard work is about. T-shirts also are small mile markers (no pun intended) of the distance we have come since getting off of the couch and walking out the door many months ago.
So whatever your motivation, enjoy the fellowship, enjoy the moment, enjoy the swag, enjoy the run, but know that at the end… you may stagger but for heaven’s sake don’t swagger. (swagger – verb 1. To conduct oneself with an arrogant or pompous manner.) – Johnny B
I am grateful for worship services
I am grateful for family dinners
I am grateful for the Holy Spirit’s promptings
I am grateful for morning runs
I am grateful for music – all kinds
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