Being the Best Race Spectator

First of all, you guys ROCK! I love all the comments and helpful advice I got on revamping my wardrobe! The ideas were super helpful, and I am hard at work creating my personal style. 🙂

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you know that I had high hopes for a PR at the Shamrock Anthem Half Marathon next weekend in Virginia Beach. Since my training was derailed by a stubborn hip/groin injury, I was forced to take a month off training.

I think I went through the typical phases of injury: denial, anger, and finally acceptance. People keep asking me how I am doing with the whole injury ordeal, and the truth is– I am fine with it now. I just want to be completely healed, so I can run again.

Although I will not be running the Shamrock Half Marathon, I will be trying to set a PR in the Best Race Spectator/Cheerleader division. One of my best friends, Michaela, will be running her FIRST half marathon in Virginia Beach, and she’s going to rock it!

I think there are some key aspects to being the best race spectator. Here are a few:

• Make signs! Everyone loves to see their name on a sign, along with a really motivating message.
• Be comfortable being a coat hanger–it’s so handy to have someone that can take any extra clothing items you want to discard.
• Be a one person aid station. Depending on the size of the race, aid stations can get really crowded. It’s so nice to have someone on the sidelines with a bottle or snack of your choice.
• Be willing to scream REALLY loud!
• Make sure you let your runner know where you are stationed and that you know their estimated time of arrival at various points on the course. You want your cheerleader to be able to spot you!
• Have fun! Enthusiasm is contagious and can be just what a runner needs to keep on pushing at a difficult point in the race.

Do you have any other words of spectating wisdom to share?