Medal Motivation

on October 5, 2010
in Girls on the Run and Operation Beautiful

I was so happy to coach Girls on the Run today!  Seeing those sixteen girls lifts my spirits so much.  I hugged a bunch of them today and said I missed them SO much last Tuesday (I was in Florida for a family emergency). 

 

Want to know the hardest part of being a coach for Girls on the Run?  Getting those girls to actually RUN! 🙂 It’s hard to motivate 8 to 10 year old girls to run without making it a competition (competition with each other is not very GOTR-ish).  But today, I had an idea!

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Coach Jen and I brought our race medals and gave one to each girl to wear.  I said, “We wanted to bring our medals in today to show you guys what YOU will get when you run the 5K at the end of the season.”  Then I showed them my Disney Marathon shirt and said, “You’ll also get a special shirt.”

 

A few of the girls asked if they would only get a medal if they WON the race. And Jen said, “No, no.  This medal is for finishing the race at YOUR pace.  If you try really hard throughout the season and run the best race you can in December, you will earn a medal, too.”

 

Then, the girls asked me if I’ve ever WON a race.  I said yes, once I won a race.  But I then I said, “You know what?  Once I was the last person out of the lake during a triathlon, which is when you swim, bike, and run.  And getting that medal felt even better than I one I got for the race I won.  Because that race was SOOO hard, and I was so proud of myself for finishing.”  Jen told a similar story, too.

 

I think they liked the idea of getting a special medal and shirt!  And they ran extra fast today after our lesson on tobacco and alcohol!! It was awesome.  🙂

 

In other news…

 

A Simple Step-By-Step Guide to Making Baked Tofu

 

Step 1: Start with extra firm tofu.

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Step 2:  Remove tofu from box and drain.  Wrap entire block of tofu in paper towels (or clean dish clothes) and press in between two plates for 15 minutes or so to remove extra liquid.

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Step 3: Prepare your marinade.  I like the marinade for Perfect Baked Tofu, but this simple mix works well, too:  olive oil, soy sauce, honey, and chili powder.

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Step 4: Remove tofu from paper towels and chop into small blocks.  Pour marinade over tofu and let stand for 10 minutes while the oven preheats to 400 degrees.  Then, pour tofu into a greased cookie sheet and bake for 40 minutes.

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Step 5:  Plate and eat (we usually get two servings out of a block of tofu).

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I had mine with brown rice and salsa verde and roasted veggies.  Hit the spot!

 

Pre-GOTR snack was an almond milk, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, and a banana smoothie.

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And a leftover scone.

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I’m watching a fun new HBO show called “Boardwalk Empire” and eating some chocolate.  It’s so good (both the show and the chocolate)!  Gotta love those HBO shows.

 

Do you display your race medals or bib numbers?  I wish I knew a way to display mine… they are just heaped into a drawer, completely disorganized.

{ 126 comments }

 

  • Eliza October 5, 2010, 9:10 pm

    I really want to see Boardwalk Empire- I am a huge Sopranos fan!

    Also, I think its awesome that you are doing Girls on the Run- its one of my favorite organizations.

  • Charlie October 5, 2010, 9:12 pm

    My friend kept all of her medals on the wall over her bed.

  • Whitney October 5, 2010, 9:13 pm

    I’ve thought about taking them to work and doing a little bulletin board for them, but I don’t want it to look like I’m bragging. Boardwalk Empire is so good!

  • Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl October 5, 2010, 9:15 pm

    I LOVE that you are doing GOTR! You are most definitely making a huge impact on each of those girls’ lives.

    I know the Marie Claire article was a big downer (I read it Saturday night and couldn’t sleep I was so mad), but the more I think about it, I am so excited for all of the people checking out these blogs as a result of the press and seeing the amazing things each of you women are doing in your lives. 🙂

  • Larissa October 5, 2010, 9:20 pm

    take a picture of them all, then frame that. or take an individual photo of each one, then print them in a photo book on snap fish…. saw this idea on oprah for childrens art work …. http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/photobookcategory

    • Caitlin October 6, 2010, 9:24 am

      That is a good and space-saving idea!

  • Jamie @ Food in Real Life October 5, 2010, 9:21 pm

    Your dinner looks really good and comforting. I haven’t bought tofu in a while, not sure why! I haven’t received any medals for races yet, but I think I will get one from the Philly half. I’ve saved all of my bibs and think I might do a little bulletin board thingee in my spare room. I like Boardwalk Empire too. I need to watch this week’s episode!

  • Anna @ Doing Good & Living Well October 5, 2010, 9:21 pm

    You make me want to get involved with GOTR. A friend and I are looking for one of their 5ks to run in December!

    I proudly have both my bibs and my medals pinned up on the wall. I cannot wait to add to the collection!

  • holly @ couchpotatoathlete October 5, 2010, 9:22 pm

    All of my medals and bib numbers are all in a box together — I’m not sure what I want to do with them.

    Tonight was the first time I baked tofu — and my process was similar to yours (pressing the tofu between 2 plates) so I know I did it right 🙂

  • Ramona October 5, 2010, 9:23 pm

    What a cool way to volunteer! Young kids need good mentors.
    Your blog is truly special, Caitlin. You have an awesome balance of food, exercise, and the other pieces of your personal life. I love how you use your platform to shed light on ending negative self-talk (through Operation Beautiful) and helping the next generation (through GOTR). Your blog is a blessing to those of us who are trying to get to our goal weights in a healthy way. Your blog is way more than oatmeal and peanut butter. Pretty please don’t change it!

  • Rachael October 5, 2010, 9:24 pm

    I like the fact that GOTR honors personal bests and individual achievements – so important in the running world! And your examples of how you’d won…and come in last…were spot-on in terms of giving the girls a sense of perspective!

  • Bria October 5, 2010, 9:24 pm

    Awww such a cute idea!

    I am interested to see what people suggest for storing bibs and medals. Mine are in a shoebox, stored away! My bf and I keep our most recent/most memorable medals hanging in the kitchen, but so many are tucked away.

  • Alyssa October 5, 2010, 9:25 pm

    I love that show!

  • Cathy K October 5, 2010, 9:29 pm

    so glad you are enjoying GOTR! what a payback in warm fuzzies, eh!
    i have my medals stashed in a box, except for a special few that i have hanging off my closet organizer – just where i can see them, but still have them out.
    enjoy the tv and the chocolate!

  • Ashley @ Will Run for Food October 5, 2010, 9:31 pm

    I plan to put all of my bibs and medals into a scrapbook one of these days…and maybe some pictures from each event and my time too! That way I can keep it all organized!

  • Jessica@tastyandtrim October 5, 2010, 9:35 pm

    I’ve only completed one race, but I like to keep the medal on my dresser because it reminds me of how accomplished I felt after finishing the race 🙂

  • Erin October 5, 2010, 9:36 pm

    I love that idea, especially since you’re not singling out a winner and instead letting EVERY girl feel like a winner.

  • Evan Thomas October 5, 2010, 9:37 pm

    Damn, that’s a lot of bling

    I have 2 race bibs and 1 race medal and I have them both on my wall!

  • diana October 5, 2010, 9:37 pm

    what a GREAT idea!! i hanged my bib # on my lamp!!

  • Exercise and Eat October 5, 2010, 9:39 pm

    I’m surprised there was no bone suckin sauce on your tofu tonight!

    • Caitlin October 5, 2010, 9:49 pm

      I am out!!!

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday October 5, 2010, 9:40 pm

    Do they give out participation medals to everyone at 5K races these days? Or is it just because the girls are so young?

    • Caitlin October 5, 2010, 9:49 pm

      Most 5ks don’t but all GOTR races do.

  • carlee October 5, 2010, 9:40 pm

    That looks like a smoothie i’d like!
    I am so jealous of how into running you are!
    Hopefully once my back gets better I will be able to run again and possible get as into it as you are!

    • Caitlin October 5, 2010, 9:50 pm

      I hope your back heals 🙁

  • Kristy @ KristyRuns October 5, 2010, 9:41 pm

    All of my medals (6 marathons and a handful of half marathons) are hanging on a clothes hanger in my closest. 🙁 I definitely need to find a way to display them in an attractive manner. I worked hard for those babies! They don’t deserve to be trapped in a dark closet. 🙂

  • mindy @ just a one girl revolution. October 5, 2010, 9:41 pm

    I have all my race stuff tucked away but one of my friends recently suggested getting crafty and putting them in a shadow box, so I think I’m going to try that!

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine October 5, 2010, 9:41 pm

    I only have one race medal, but I’m proud of it!! It’s hanging in my bedroom at home. I can’t wait to get my second one in November!

  • Amanda Davis October 5, 2010, 9:41 pm

    I’ve just started racing but I think I’m going to save the race bibs in a scrapbook with a commemorative picture from each race and the race information.

  • Kelly October 5, 2010, 9:42 pm

    Love Boardwalk Empire! And I just made a race board with one of my favorite quotes I’ve ever read on your blog to display my medals and bibs.

  • Amanda October 5, 2010, 9:44 pm

    I definitely didn’t like competition when I was a kid. I really don’t like it now either as an adult, really. I admire you for the messages you are sending to these girls!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey October 5, 2010, 9:44 pm

    My medals are thrown all over the place!!!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss October 5, 2010, 9:48 pm

    Awww that’s so great!! I know the feeling..I was a horseback riding counselor for 7-12 year olds and at the end we would have a horse show for them. It was so great to go through the Summer seeing some of the girls go from being terrified of horses to trotting (or sometimes even cantering!) and then rocking the show 🙂

  • Amy B (Second City Randomness) October 5, 2010, 9:50 pm

    My bib numbers are all posted on my pantry door in my kitchen. Not sure what I’m going to do when I fill that door up… 😉

  • Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks October 5, 2010, 9:53 pm

    What a great idea bringing in your medals was.

    The idea of collecting bib numbers and medals sure motivates me…and I’m three times the age of those kids! 😉

    Currently, my one ribbon and my bib from Race for the Cure are hanging from a string on my chest of drawers. I really would call it a display, but I don’t want to put them in a drawer either!

  • maria @ Chasing the Now October 5, 2010, 9:54 pm

    I keep all of my Bib numbers, but I don’t display them. Maybe someday if we have the space.

  • Lily @ Lily's Health Pad October 5, 2010, 10:00 pm

    Such a cute story about GOTR! I used to keep all my bibs, but I think I purged them in my last move. I keep my medals hung around one of my doorknobs.

  • April @ Crazy Fabulous Life October 5, 2010, 10:00 pm

    Hmm..maybe you could make scrapbook type thing and keep it on the coffee table so guests can pick it up and flip through? Maybe put a little blurb on each page with the bib number about that particular race. Bet it would be an awesome conversation starter!

  • 'Dee October 5, 2010, 10:01 pm

    I love Boardwalk Empire! One of my new favorites.

    For my race bibs and medals, I bought a bunch of decorative bulletin boards (about 3′ wide/2′ tall) and hung them on every wall in my workout room. Then I pinned my race bibs and a photo from each race on them and hung my medals on the corners. I love it! GREAT inspiration. I still have 2 walls “blank” and they are filling up fast, LOL.

  • Kelsey October 5, 2010, 10:03 pm

    I bought an old school photo album from JoAnns to store them in. You know, the ones that have the sticky peel up pages. I found one with a pretty cover for about $5. Then I put one of my bibs onto each page on the front. For races where I get something in the mail after with my time, I put that on the back of the page. They aren’t displayed per-say but they are neatly organized and easy to look back on.

    • Laura S October 6, 2010, 8:00 am

      I was going to suggest the same thing! I stuck a small piece of paper in the corner with the race name, date, and my time next to the bib too.

  • Shelly October 5, 2010, 10:04 pm

    The only medal I display doubles as a bottle opener and hangs on the wall in my kitchen. Obviously, it’s my favorite. 🙂

  • Chelsea at Striking Balance October 5, 2010, 10:05 pm

    What a great idea to motivate the girls! I really love that you focused on running the race for you and not for others. I also love that you told your story about the triathalon- must have been very inspirtational for the girls to hear! Have a great night 🙂

  • Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life October 5, 2010, 10:08 pm

    I have my medals heaped into a shelf in a tucked away bathroom closet. The only way they come out is if the Husband puts them all on for a laugh! : )

  • Marilyn @ Lipgloss and Spandex October 5, 2010, 10:10 pm

    I keep all of my race numbers in a box, with other keepsake stuff. My medals from races and fencing tournaments are hanging off of hooks or doorknobs in my room. I need to find a better way to display them!

  • Kaitlyn (College Girl Runs) October 5, 2010, 10:10 pm

    In college I hang my race numbers on my bulletin board! I only have 3 though, but it motivates me to see them in the morning when I wake up and want to go back to bed!

    My little sister to GOTR and LOVED it. I am looking into getting involved with volunteering for it! I’m happy to hear that you like coaching it!

    Have a great night 🙂

  • Leah @ Why Deprive? October 5, 2010, 10:11 pm

    I love the idea of letting the girls wear medals. I think actually SEEING what they could get makes more impact than just saying it.
    I’ve never actually run a race, but I have a bunch of ribbons from when I had my horse. I never knew how to display them, so theyre all still in a shoebox under my bed.

  • Judith October 5, 2010, 10:12 pm

    After running 10 marathons, 20 half marathons and a bunch of other distance races, I have a lot of medals! I got one of those small boards you would hang by the door to hang keys — it has 4 hooks on it. I have all of the medals displayed on the board which is in my bedroom. I just signed up for my 21st and 22nd half marathons so I hope there’s room….I used to keep race bibs but that got out of control quickly! 🙂

    • Caitlin October 6, 2010, 9:25 am

      10 marathons?! you are epic!

  • ashley @ ashley's adventures in alaska October 5, 2010, 10:14 pm

    Ahh I love that! What a great way to show the girls that it’s all about doing THEIR best, not about being THE best.

  • Susan@MomSwimBikeRun October 5, 2010, 10:19 pm

    Mine are also heaped in a drawer. I keep thinking one day I’ll have million dollar idea about how to display bibs and medals.

  • Megan October 5, 2010, 10:26 pm

    I just hung up my medals and race bibs last week. I used a Christmas card holder 🙂

    Picture here: http://plixi.com/p/47841212

    • Laura S October 6, 2010, 8:02 am

      That is a great idea!!

    • Caitlin October 6, 2010, 9:26 am

      That is genius – where did you get that holder?

      • Megan October 6, 2010, 9:39 am

        Thanks!

        I am pretty sure I bought it at Pier 1, but it was a few years ago.

  • Kristina @ spabettie October 5, 2010, 10:28 pm

    I just wanted to tell you that You Are Awesome. <3

  • Anna @ annarunsmadison October 5, 2010, 10:31 pm

    That’s awesome that you are a GOTR coach! I’m running the Chicago Marathon on Sunday for GOTR as a Charity runner. SUCH a good cause 🙂 Props to you on your commitment to such an amazing organization, Caitlin!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing October 5, 2010, 10:31 pm

    GOTR is such a great organization.. you should be proud to be helping those girls! I’m sure they love you!

  • Tina October 5, 2010, 10:33 pm

    I love how you two inspire those girls. What a great way to get a fabulous message across of there being great accomplishment in doing their best. 🙂

  • Caitlin October 5, 2010, 10:36 pm

    I really love that you volunteer with GOTR and that you’re spreading such a positive message! You are truly serving as a great mentor and inspiration to girls at an age when having a role model is SO important!

  • Ellen@FirednFabulous October 5, 2010, 10:37 pm

    Heeey, I want a shirt and a medal! 😉 Good idea!

  • Megan (Running Foodie) October 5, 2010, 10:39 pm

    I post my race bibs in my classroom on the side of my filing cabinet! The kids like asking about all the different races.

  • Erin October 5, 2010, 10:44 pm

    All but one of one my medals (the one from my first half marathon) and heaped in a pile on my desk. I’ve been debating display ideas and so far I like these:

    http://www.marathonframes.com/

    http://www.alliedsteelfab.com/catalog/?dept=Running (See this one in action here: http://irunyourun.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/my-fancy-new-medal-holder/)

    • Caitlin October 6, 2010, 9:29 am

      I love the second one, I’m ordering it

  • Katrina October 5, 2010, 10:56 pm

    Most of my bibs and medals are in a drawer. One is extra special and it’s hanging on my fridge now with my stats. It was from the trail half marathon this past May called the Twisted Ankle. It was the HARDEST THING IVE EVER DONE. The elevation kicked my flatlander butt. I knew I had done something special when I crossed that line on my own two feet and able to tell about it (I’m a diabetic). And I can’t wait to do it again!

  • ari October 5, 2010, 10:57 pm

    i just saw that there’s an operation beautiful event on the FSU campus tomorrow! sort of makes me wish i didn’t transfer so i could be there for it!

    • Caitlin October 6, 2010, 9:37 am

      so fun! i wonder what it is exactly.

  • Megan @ The Daily Sweat October 5, 2010, 10:58 pm

    I have a ton of race bibs, but not all races have produced medals. I want to figure out a cool way to display my bibs…maybe I should read some of these comments and get some ideas. 🙂 By the way, you have motivated me to volunteer for my local GOTR next year.

  • Kerry October 5, 2010, 11:06 pm

    My bib numbers are in a photo album, and the medals I use as ornaments on my Christmas tree. It seems special to take them out and look at them once a year.

  • elaine! October 5, 2010, 11:08 pm

    Regarding bibs, I just read about this thing called a “Bibfolio” on RunFasterMommy.com. Here’s a link to the website that sells them: http://is.gd/fNbXf

    Basically, they are a laminated front cover (which you can personalize with a race photo and motivational quote) and a stiff back cover with your bibs sandwiched between them. Two binder rings at the top, which go through the top holes of the bibs where you safety-pin them on, hold it all together. (…I bet it’s pretty easy to DIY.) I think you can stand it up to display, like a decorative photo album.

    That was a great idea for your girls, by the way! Finding out that they get a medal for participating must have been really fun for them.

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) October 5, 2010, 11:13 pm

    I post all my bibs on a bulletin board. I only have a few medals because I run small races but I hang them off my dresser drawer for my workout clothes to remind me to keep going.

  • kristin October 5, 2010, 11:23 pm

    my boyfriend and I have been watching Boardwalk Empire together- we’re really liking it so far. He loved the Sopranos, and I’m a history buff, so it hits both of our interests.

  • Krystina October 5, 2010, 11:36 pm

    Love baked tofu. Yum 😀

  • whitney October 5, 2010, 11:37 pm

    what a great idea to inspire the girls

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair October 5, 2010, 11:45 pm

    I have all my numbers and medals thrown in a cupboard too but Danica from Chic Runner had a really cool way to display hers using a shadow box with the medals hanging over top of the numbers. I plan on doing this with mine if I can ever find a box like that! http://chicrunner.com/the-finished-new-room/

  • Runeatrepeat October 5, 2010, 11:55 pm

    Is a block of tofu 2 servings – like you and the husband eat a whole block for a meal? I’m asking because I seriously ate a block of tofu over the course of 2 meals this week and thought that was weird.

    • Caitlin October 6, 2010, 9:38 am

      yes we split one block into two servings. i think its suppose to be three but im too hungry for that.

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) October 6, 2010, 12:17 am

    I love the medals idea 🙂

  • Julia October 6, 2010, 12:19 am

    I faced the same challenge when I coached GOTR a few years back. I love how you faced the situation. And you are making me really want to coach again 🙂

  • Camille October 6, 2010, 12:20 am

    You sound like such a great role model for the girls! I applied to be a coach next season!

  • Michelle @ IronDivas October 6, 2010, 12:26 am

    I just started doing races and wanted to be able to put a scrap book together. I bought an album and everything. The hard part is actually putting it in the album, lol. In this digital age it’s hard for me to find the time to actually print photos out. So right now I just kind of stick my bibs and any other memorabilia inside it… hopefully one day I actually really scrap it and not have the album explode with madness!

  • Michelle October 6, 2010, 12:29 am

    That’s such an genius way to inspire those girls to love running even more! And the tofu looks delicious. I’m always on the hunt for new tofu recipes.

  • Amy Ramos October 6, 2010, 12:35 am

    I have all of my bibs from every race I have done on my wall in my bedroom.
    Did you know the only medal I have is the from the race I did on Sunday-my very first 1/2 marathon!!! I did the San Jose Rock n Roll and I LOVED IT!
    It was very emotional for me as I accomplished a goal I had for 2010-to finish a 1/2 marathon.
    Even better-hearing my husband tell me that he was very proud of me for accomplishing something that not everyone can do. 🙂

    • Caitlin October 6, 2010, 9:38 am

      YAY 🙂 good job amy!

  • Letitia October 6, 2010, 12:40 am

    My daughter is a gymnast and I took one of those mirrors that are long and have coat hooks under the mirror and removed the mirror and replaced it with galvinized steel and she hangs her medals on the hooks and then uses the steel part for a magnet board. Would work well in a home office.

  • Katherine @ Left Coast Contessa October 6, 2010, 12:41 am

    Isn’t Boardwalk Empire awesome?! I love it so far. I keep my bib numbers on my fridge. I don’t have any medals yet so I’m sure what I will do once I have it. I’m getting my first one next month so I have to decide soon!

  • Krista @ Can't Survive on Yarn Alone October 6, 2010, 12:45 am

    I’m running my first 5k in November. I’ve already decided that my bib is getting framed and hung on the wall.

    • Caitlin October 6, 2010, 9:38 am

      nice!

  • Kate @ Spoonful of Vigor October 6, 2010, 1:37 am

    All my race bibs are currently in a drawer waiting for a good idea to strike. I found a shop on etsy that can turn bib numbers into tiles, which could be cool.

    Thank you for sharing GOTR! I decided to be a SoleMate for my upcoming half, and it’s made training all the more worthwhile 🙂

  • Lauren October 6, 2010, 1:52 am

    I’m coaching for GOTR too and it is sooooooo hard to get them to keep running.

  • Sharon October 6, 2010, 2:05 am

    I write a summary of each race on the back of my number. Then, I can go back and look at them and see how things went. I keep meaning to put all the numbers together, but haven’t done that yet. I saw a neat idea on another blog though, called the bibfolio by http://www.goneforarun.com/ it’s pretty neat and maybe one of these days I’ll actually do something like that!!

  • Tt October 6, 2010, 2:22 am

    This is a great idea to show the girls that it’s all about doing their best, not about being the best.
    You are awesome!

  • JL goes Vegan October 6, 2010, 6:31 am

    Great inspiration for the girls!

    My husband and I both race (running races and triathlons). We started cutting the ribbons off and placing the medals in a bowl. One year we had an idea…and it’s stuck: each year we decorate our Christmas tree with all of our medals. It actually makes for a lovely tree and when we’re decorating there’s lots of “remember in the race in …”

  • Marie-JourneyToBodyZen October 6, 2010, 6:32 am

    Thanks for the tofu-how-to. Mine usually turns out too soggy!

  • Jennifer October 6, 2010, 6:52 am

    I just have to say I tried the baked tofu this past weekend for the first time and it was definitely the best I’ve ever had! I think I’m addicted now! As for the medals, I’ve have two from races I did this year and they are hanging in our bedroom. I have great plans to frame them with the bibs and pictures, but haven’t gotten there yet.

  • Lauren October 6, 2010, 7:00 am

    What a great way to motivate them!!! ANd you always know, the best part about any race is the free t-shirt! 🙂

  • Kirsten October 6, 2010, 7:26 am

    I display all my race medals in a clear round vase and have organized them so my faves are on the outside – it sits on my desk!

    • PhillyGirlRuns October 6, 2010, 8:36 am

      this is a REALLY good idea! now I just need to find races where I’ll get a medal 🙂

      • Caitlin October 6, 2010, 9:39 am

        that is a cute idea!

  • Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun October 6, 2010, 7:27 am

    Whoa! You have SO many medals! Good job! 🙂
    To answer your question: Yes, of course I display my past medals/bibs! (I only have 2 medals and 1 bib so far so it’s easy! Haha!)

  • Cyndi @ Weightless Life October 6, 2010, 7:48 am

    I don’t have any medals yet, but I display my bibs on the wall above my desk. I don’t do it to show off or anything, I just leave them up as a reminder of everything that I have accomplished. I went from being unable to run a 1/2 mile to running 13 miles, and that’s something I’m very proud of.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin October 6, 2010, 7:54 am

    I have a certificate from running a Terry Fox race, which is the only race I’ve ever run. It wasn’t really a real race, but I’m still super proud of it! 😀 It’s awesome you’re teaching the girls to be proud of themselves, regardless of whether they win!

  • Lisa October 6, 2010, 8:16 am

    Hi Caitlin-I have been wanting to start a GOTR Chapter on Long Island (NY)-I went to their website and there is absolutely no contact information-was wondering if you could help me out here-we really need this program here-I am a strength and conditioning coach, tri and run coach, marathoner, triathlete and exercise physiologist and would absolutely love to start the program in my area-anything you could do to help connect me to them would be greatly appreciated-thanks, Lisa

  • Jess October 6, 2010, 8:19 am

    I just went to a meeting for GOTR last week! We’re starting a chapter in our area.

    I got a giant shadow box frame for all of my Boston Marathon stuff – It’s a nice way to display medals and bibs from races well-ran.

  • krista October 6, 2010, 8:23 am

    I feel like such a buzzkill – I throw away all my bib numbers, trophies, and medals. I just don’t like clutter! I do save my times in a spreadsheet though. 🙂

  • PhillyGirlRuns October 6, 2010, 8:38 am

    The only bibs I’ve kept and display are the ones from my Broad Street races – they’re in my office at work, on my bulletin board. I need to start running races with medals! And I’m with the girls – the free t-shirt is a really big part of why I run races.

  • Holly October 6, 2010, 8:46 am

    I love Boardwalk Empire! I’m a history teacher so that show is definitely my cup of tea.
    I haven’t ran a race longer than a 10K so far (first 1/2 marathon is an all womens race in December!!). But I display all my bibs on my bulletin board in my classroom (I teach high school) and will do the same when I get medals as well. The kids ask me about them all the time and I love telling them about running. I’m really glad I had the idea to display them there.

  • Andrea (@ Puppy Dog Tales) October 6, 2010, 9:07 am

    What a great idea. I wonder if they have a GOTR around here. Maybe I should check into it!!!!

  • Sarah W. October 6, 2010, 9:35 am

    And Her LIttle dog too blog uses a corkboard and hangs the medals there. You could also do a showbox frame (michael’s has them)

    skinny runner uses a special decorative box for her bibs and a separate box for her medals

    I like to scrapbook my bibs in with the pics of a particular race 🙂

  • Alayna @ Thyme Bombe October 6, 2010, 9:45 am

    I get a small local magazine called Decatur Living and the Atlanta chapter of Girls On The Run was featured in it! I thought of you immediately!

  • Carly October 6, 2010, 10:01 am

    Oh Caitlin! I wish I’d have known you were doing a tobacco lesson! I work at Tobacco-Free Kids – I could have sent you some swag for your girls. If you do a follow up, or do the lesson again for another group send me a message and I’ll send you some stickers, bracelets, and fact sheets. It’s so important that kids remember how dangerous and deadly smoking is!

    • Caitlin October 6, 2010, 10:04 am

      i’m emailing you now!

  • Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion October 6, 2010, 11:22 am

    I have min in a pile, just sitting there. I NEED to find something to do with them. I want this: http://site.racesrmybag.com/Custom_Race_Bags.html

    My half marathon one is up on my wall at work, I am so proud of it.

  • TheHerBehindItAll October 6, 2010, 11:39 am

    Another great idea for displaying race bibs would be to frame them and make an entire wall out of them in your office on the wall to opposite to your desk. I think it would be a really cute way to display them!

  • TheHerBehindItAll October 6, 2010, 11:42 am

    that’s supposed to say opposite to**

  • Tracy October 6, 2010, 11:47 am

    Your medals are so colorful! Most of mine have that old standard blue ribbon, and the medal itself is the standard bronze/gold colored circle. And despite running 5 marathon and 7 halfs, I don’t think I have anywhere near 12 medals. The medal-for-completing-a-half seems to be a recent phenomenon, and at least one of the marathons I’ve run gave out finisher cups rather than medals. Anyway, I really like how colorful the ribbons are on your medals (and Jen’s too) – you guys look like you’re at a running luau!

  • Sassy Molassy October 6, 2010, 12:52 pm

    Great way to show the girls a reason to finish that 5k! I currently have mine in a box and am planning to mail the medals to this organization http://medals4mettle.org/contacts.htm who accepts race medals and gives them to people who are suffering from life threatening illnesses. Otherwise, I know chicrunner.com did a shadow box with all her medals and race #s.

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound weight loss!!! October 6, 2010, 1:02 pm

    In the past I did not have an area to display any of my race stuff……=(……..however after a recent move I found a perfect area in my new huge walk in closet to showcase all my bibs and my first medal as you can see on my Race Recaps page on my blog!

    I love it, it is so motivating to see everyday! =)

  • lisasfoods October 6, 2010, 1:47 pm

    I post my (two of them) bibs on the bulletin board in our office. I like to look at them every day I’m writing and working, thinking about my progress with running.

    I’ve asked my parents to record Boardwalk Empire, since we don’t have television. Can’t wait to see it!

  • Lisa October 6, 2010, 1:50 pm

    My Hood to Coast relay race bib is on our fridge. I love looking at it!

  • Jessica October 6, 2010, 2:11 pm

    I do the scrapbook idea! I print out the logo/date for the race (usually from the website) then put my race bib under it. I also print out my finisher times and all the info of where I placed, etc. I don’t do pictures just because… well, I usually don’t have any. It works out really well and I can look at them whenever I want!

  • Wendy October 6, 2010, 6:18 pm

    I <3 GOTR!

  • susan (stepping off the coaster) October 6, 2010, 7:24 pm

    my sister has a big frame (the kind that’s kind of like a box, with some depth) for each of her boys, in which she has pinned all of their wrestling medals, and the fram hangs in each one’s bedroom. you could hang up the ones you have now, and then once you collect lots more, do a second frame. it’s a neat way to have them all displayed but in a somewhat compact way.
    TOFU! i just learned about boiling tofu! have you heard of this? it completely changes the texture and makes it soak up the marinade better. the resulting taste is amazing!! and i had no idea boiling was the trick!

    • Caitlin October 6, 2010, 7:44 pm

      i have absolutely never heard of boiling tofu! an experiment is now required.

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