What do you think of trends? Do you follow them, or stay strong in doing your own thing?
When it comes to fitness, a lot of things are ever-constant: endorphins feel good, injuries happen, cotton is a no-go if there's gonna be any kind of perspiring happening. Yadda yadda yadda. We all know, though, that things need to evolve with the times, and it's (often) best that we change as well.
Here are a few trends, some new and some not so new, that I'm really liking at the moment...
Race "weekends" instead of just a single race.
What a genius idea! A lot of events are now featuring several options for runners to participate in, usually over the course of 2-4 days. Most of these reward participants with bonus bling (aka - medals) for those who take on the challenge of doing more than one race.
As a sufferer of FOMO (fear of missing out), I have done many events that encompassed more than "just one race." A few favorites include:
Chicago Rock'n'Roll Remix (2018)
Des Moines Half Marathon and Mercy Live Up Loop 5-miler (2016)
Route 66 Marathon and 5K (2016)
Grandma's Marathon and William K. Irving 5K (2015)
Racecations.
I realize I'm a bit late to the party on this, but it's only been in the past few years I have actually started taking my running shoes along in the suitcase when our family has traveled. Sorry to all of the peeps who hang out in the gym while on vacay...but I'm opting outside, either on my own or taking part in a race. Seriously, what better way to explore a new city than on your feet? You won't find these kind of treasures on a treadmill. For example:
I've run the streets of San Fran...
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| exploring the hills of China Town |
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| crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in my Brooks |
I love my cotton clothing, don't get me wrong, but there is a time and a place for it (and it's not on the race course or in a gym). Now days, you will see me, year-round, in wool (or wool-blend) socks for their moisture-wicking magic. I love the feeling of a sweaty tank top NOT weighing five pounds or bagging and sagging from retaining all kinds of bodily moisture. And compression sleeves/socks? Oh, they feel oh-so-good (even on a hot and humid day).
An emphasis on cross-training (and not just doing the same thing all the time).
Variety is the spice of my fitness life, but it wasn't always that way. My first year of being a runner was spent on my treadmill (believe it or not). I'd run three times a week, and run exactly three miles each time. No hill work, no intervals, no core work, no strength-training. It's a wonder I didn't injure myself from overuse of the same muscles all the time.
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| A fairly new cross-training love of mine is HIIT |
Event swag for the win!
When I first started pinning race bibs on my (cotton) shirts and toeing start lines, the swag was sorta bleak. Usually, we'd get another unisex (cotton) shirt to add to the closet. Now, we're not only getting tech shirts, often times they're gender-specific! And, for those embarking on distance events, a lot of events are now giving long-sleeved shirts or 1/4 zip jackets (some even have thumb holes!). I don't know about you, but I am NOT very fond of race shirts...they're usually boxy-fitting (even the shirts with a woman's cut), so I don't wear them much (if at all). But the jackets? I'm digging those! Granted, some of those jackets have a boxy cut as well...but they're jackets! They're supposed to be a little more loosely-fitted LOL.
When I first started pinning race bibs on my (cotton) shirts and toeing start lines, the swag was sorta bleak. Usually, we'd get another unisex (cotton) shirt to add to the closet. Now, we're not only getting tech shirts, often times they're gender-specific! And, for those embarking on distance events, a lot of events are now giving long-sleeved shirts or 1/4 zip jackets (some even have thumb holes!). I don't know about you, but I am NOT very fond of race shirts...they're usually boxy-fitting (even the shirts with a woman's cut), so I don't wear them much (if at all). But the jackets? I'm digging those! Granted, some of those jackets have a boxy cut as well...but they're jackets! They're supposed to be a little more loosely-fitted LOL.
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| IMT Des Moines Half Marathon jacket from 2018 |
Anyways, these are just some of the fitness trends (new and not so new) that make me smile. Fortunately, I'm not one to just sit on the sidelines.
Are any of these fitness trends ones that make you smile, too? What's your favorite? Any favorites to add?
You know I'm all about the race weekends and racecations!
ReplyDeleteThey are fun!!! Especially when there are fellow bloggers/friends there ;-)
DeleteI've done challenges (all Disney) but don't think I'll do it again. Cost more money and two races in one weekend is no longer my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteI am in the minority that I never keep any of my race swag. I don't keep the shirt or jacket. I used to keep the long sleeve cotton shirts to wear to sleep at night. I do have a few SS cotton shirts to sleep in too but that's it.
You don't keep any of your race swag? Not even the nice stuff? I'm guilty of donating the "duds," but try to hang on to the nicer jackets. Of course...I'm getting too much of a stash of those now LOL
DeleteNo. I have too much stuff. 😬
DeleteWell you know I am always in for a great racecation! I love it when races have different options so more people can participate.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! It's great to have the option to do just a single race or several.
DeleteI do love all of these trends! Racecations and race weekends just mean more fun :)
ReplyDeleteThey sure are fun! I have a hard time doing a big "weekend" and not doing all the races LOL
DeleteI love the idea of full race weekends. Such fun to be able to do more than one race in a weekend. I also still love my compression socks and sleeves especially in the fun patterns!
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge advocate of compression...and if they come in pretty colors and patterns, they usually feel even better, right? ;-)
DeleteWhile I'm not into race weekends, I love racecations! I've been lucky enough to run in Paris and Honolulu, as well as closer venues like San Francisco and St. George. That's the way to travel!
ReplyDeleteWhen I started running, the race swag really was all so-called Unisex sweatshirts and t-shirts. I was so excited when races started offering tech clothing in women's sizes!
Obviously the racecation is where it's at -- although I've never done a race weekend and not sure I really want to. Never say never.
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of smaller races, and a lot of times there's very little swag at all. But yes, almost anything is preferred to the race tee!
I think the weekend races look fun and I've earned a couple Remix medals, but I can't imagine running running more than a marathon distance in 2 days!
ReplyDeleteI do like seeing more quarter sleeve jackets. I like race T-shirts, as long as they're technical fabric and not gray in color!
I think I only ever did race weekends like from the Rock n Roll marathon series. The first event I did, was the Half in Lisbon and I didn't even realise there was so much bling to be had. To be honest, I don't even know if they offered it there! I have to say though, I've been traveling to races for quite a while now - long before the word "racecation" was coined (it's not my favorite word either but whatever haha!). Ron and I used to travel to see concerts (mostly Depeche Mode shows, sometimes other shows) and when we got into running it seemed only logical to travel somewhere to run a race. Anyway, as far as more than one race in a weekend - I noticed this trend becoming more popular here as well. With some of the big races they have events the whole weekend. It's good, it's inclusive! One big race we have is the 7 Hills Run - it's a 15K and pretty tough. They now have an event the evening before that's half the distance. This really encourages people who probably aren't ready yet for the 15 to participate.
ReplyDeleteSwag - yeah, we don't get great swag here! haha! For the Paris marathon we had great waist pouches but the elastic on that thing is just wrecked so I threw it away recently. I still have our awesome rain pounces and backpacks (that are very thing and fold up into a small packet). Usually the shirts we get from races are tech shirts but you have to buy them (not for marathons, those are included) and I just have too many t-shirts so I don't even do that anymore.
Cross training is the bomb! I've been doing it basically since the first time I was injured (knee) and was out of the running for 5 months. I never want to have that happen again so cross-training and quality runs, not quantity for me!
Race weekends/racecations are also great beyond the reason you mentioned - they're great ways to give back to the local community hosting it beyond your reg fees. Hotel, food, souvenirs, etc. /Professional hat off. LOL
ReplyDeleteWell,I am not so Race lover I was randomly searching on Google regarding the Weekend Race so found your article and started reading.Since not aware of this topic but when you start reading this article you want to finish it up.So all I wanted to say is your write up so well so any unaware preson can read your articles.
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