The Running Thread - 2016

[camaker]

QOTD: Do you use back check offered for your races? Why or why not? What items do you check?

I have never used bag check. It's always seemed like more of a hassle than it was worth. At Disney, I'm headed straight to the bus out of the finishing area and for local races, I just leave stuff in my car, as parking is pretty close by. I am considering checking a jacket and fleece pants for this weekend's race, though, as it's a half mile to the car from the finish line and race temps are going to be in the 30s-40s based on current forecast.

 

[Flossbolna]

ATTQOTD: I usually travel to my races (the few that I have done...) by public transport. So, I kind of have to use bag check if I want to have something that I am not taking on the race course with me. Usually it is just a fleece jacket to wear for the trip to the race and back. I have one old one that I am not very fond of, so in case it gets lost it does not really matter. My phone and keys just go in my running belt.

 

[Chaitali]

Good point, I would never bag check a wallet, phone or keys. Those things all go with me and it's just things that I'd be ok losing. Generally just warm/dry clothing. I did volunteer at bag check for a race once and it was funny to see what people bag checked. There was one that was a giant trash bag and the only thing in the bag was a set of keys. I'm like, you couldn't find a way to keep that on you!?!

 

[Miranda]

What race is that Miranda?

I've never used one. Local races are usually close to my car and everything I need will fit in my sparkle skirt. I left a bag of stuff with DH at Princess last year just in case I didn't like anything in the snack boxes they handed out. My Honey Stinger waffle was a lot better than the bird seed that was in the box. And I had a Gatorade in the bag too. Sparkle Skirts will hold my key, id, money, tissues, iphone, and even a small water bottle.

Old Port in Portland, ME. The same race company also does Maine Coast Half/Full and uses the same locker company.

Most of the time I am fine too with just my Sparkle Skirt to hold keys, phone, etc. I put my ID and a credit card and an insurance card in my handheld water bottle pouch. But if I'm doing same day packet pickup, I usually need somewhere to stash my race goodies... shirt or hat or bag of coupons, whatever they are giving out. I usually just try to get there early enough that I have time to walk it back to my car.

Side note, if anyone is considering doing those races, they are nice races, but if I do them again, I will spring for the VIP option. The race fee itself is lower because nothing is included, but I ended up paying extra to get a shirt, and then for the locker at Old Port (and wished I would have gotten the locker at Maine Coast), and I REALLY wished I had the special parking lot and separate porta-potties that they get. All of those are included with the VIP price. The porta-potty lines were LONG at Maine Coast, and I didn't get the locker at that one, and it was kind of a long walk from packet pickup back to my car to drop off my race shirt. The VIP lot was right up near the start. And at Old Port, I had to pay $20 to park in the parking garage, which is surely more than the difference between the VIP option and what I paid between the shirt, locker, and race fee.

 

[dis_or_dat]

ATTQOTD: I regretted not using bag check for my first half. A friend convinced me that it would take too long to get my stuff back and she held everything for me. So after the race I was freezing and there was no line to pick up bags and then I had to have another friend pick up my stuff a month later (mostly gross sweats, but I love 'em). I used bag check for Tink and it was great except that the bag check was so far from the corrals. I almost missed the race start because of it (my fault for not budgeting enough time). Haven't bag checked since then since my husband was at my last half and otherwise I've only done a few small local 10k or less races.

Anyways, what I pack: NUUN, water, fruit leather (basically fruit roll ups), bananas, maybe extra honey stingers. I'll put my sweats etc in the bag as well when I'm ready to give them up. I think I usually carry my car key and license during the race if need be.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

ATTQOTD: I never use bag check. I carry everything I want on me either in my water backpack or in my flip belt. If the start of the race is cold, I wear throwaway sweats. I know Disney donates their throwaway clothes, don't they? During my last race, I asked if they donate the clothes that were given to them (I just gave my throwaways to the bag check guys), but he sounded like they didn't - oh well! I still don't want to bother waiting in a long line after I'm done.

 

[Anisum]

QOTD: What is your longest midweek training run you have ever done that did not count as your long run?

I would say 6 miles. And for the bonus I don't have kids but I do have coworkers who bring in leftover Halloween candy and I've eaten three twix, one kit-kat, seven peanut m&ms, and a mini hersheys bar.

QOTD: Do you use back check offered for your races? Why or why not? What items do you check?

I haven't yet. I usually have someone at my race with me for anything I need after but even then it's left in the car. Prior to the race I either wear throw away clothes or the cheap mylar blankets I got on amazon after someone on this thread pointed out you could get them. I have a pocket for my phone and fuel (and could certainly fit an ID or credit card in as well) and post race everything I need is in the car.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

I know Disney donates their throwaway clothes, don't they?

They do which is great.

ATTQOTD: The only time I used bag check is when I didn't have family around to carry my stuff. Generally I'll ask my family to bring me a small bag with shirt and socks.

 

[Disney at Heart]

ATTQOTD: Only used it once because we walked from my house to the race and registered there and I bag-checked the free race t-shirt.
I'm super low maintanence so I prefer not carrying a lot of stuff. Same mindset while in Disney too. My car is basically always my "bag check."
That being said, I WISH I had bag checked a hoodie for the last race because I was warm while running but got very cold after finishing.

Like @roxymama I'm very low maintenance. I have never checked a bag. I keep warm/dry clothes and flip flops in the car when feasible. That being said, my first Disney race, TOT '13, we did rent a locker during the day to avoid bag check and changed in a restroom for the party.

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: Do you use back check offered for your races? Why or why not? What items do you check?

Nope never have. I might in the future just never have at this point in time. It would likely depend on the race and setting.

 

[croach]

ATTQOTD: I almost always use bag check at Disney races and I've used it at other halfs and fulls. I like to throw in a change of shirts, a long sleeve if it's cold, and usually a towel to dry off afterwards. I'll also throw my phone, hotel key card, magic band, little cash, etc in my bag. The less I have to carry during a race, the better.

And the Disney bag check volunteers are super nice! I remember after my first Goofy, I walked into bag check feeling like death and they all started clapping for and congratulating the runners walking in. Got me a little emotional.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Never used bag check, though am considering it for the half and full in January

 

[DopeyBadger]

ATTQOTD: I've never used bag check before, but I plan on doing it for Dopey this year because no one plans on seeing me finish other than at the marathon. Apparently I'm too fast these days and thus it's too early. So I'll check a chocolate milk and food for the 5k/10k and the start to my carb loading plan for after the half.

 

[gjramsey]

ATTQOTD: I have used Bag check quite a bit for halfs and fulls where the car was not close by. Most of the time, I don't have a support crew for races, so I need to have something to change into after races. Disney does a great job with the Bag Check. Houston Chevron also does a fantastic job with bag check. I have only had one instance where bag check ended up being a pain (RR Dallas), and it took the folks looking for my bag about 20 minutes to find my stuff and it was freezing and the mylar blanket was not doing the best job of keeping me warm.

 

[FFigawi]

I nearly always use bag check. I want my flip flops, dry shirt, and other gear available when I finish. I've got five bags to check this weekend, though at least one I'll never see again after I use it on the bike course.

 

[keahgirl8]

Congrats to the Cubs! I'm not much of a MLB fan, but do follow college baseball. Having said that, if your a sports fan last nights game was amazing to watch.

QOTD: Do you use back check offered for your races? Why or why not? What items do you check?

I do for Disney races, because I do them on my own. I have a snack, coconut water, an extra mylar blanket (in case they don't give me one) and a jacket if I didn't need it. Next time, I think I may put my Oofos in there, since they are more easily replaced than my old flip flops.

Good point, I would never bag check a wallet, phone or keys. Those things all go with me and it's just things that I'd be ok losing. Generally just warm/dry clothing. I did volunteer at bag check for a race once and it was funny to see what people bag checked. There was one that was a giant trash bag and the only thing in the bag was a set of keys. I'm like, you couldn't find a way to keep that on you!?!

I definitely never put anything that's not replaceable. Plus, I always want ID and my phone on me. I never go anywhere without ID and a phone.

 

[Chasing Dopey]

ATTQOTD: I've used it for Disney races, but that's it. Mainly, it's because we've had a good group of friends join the adventure, so there is more waiting around/hanging out time. We also stayed on property for those, so a clean shirt, sandals, and protein shake is a little too far away. For W&D this weekend, we're off property and with a smaller group, so I think the car will do fine. We'll see! It'll be a good test before Dopey.

FYI: For those at W&D, DW and I are doing Colette and Linguini for the 10k, and Featherduster and Lumiere for the half. (Although we won't be running together for the half.) And I'll be the guy in houndstooth pants during the day Saturday. So if you see us, say hi!

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

The first week in November is going to be a big week for our fellow posters on this group with a long list of races. This weekend we have the following:

Thank you! I lost track of this thread sometime in July (major life changes) and next thing I knew, I was 100+ pages behind!



But this is one of my favorites, so I guess I'll just have to fight my OCD tendencies to read #alltheposts before coming back. Hope everyone is doing well and good luck to all racing or running this weekend!

 

[baxter24]

I have only ever done bag check at Disney races actually. Normally I carry everything I need during a race but for one reason or another, I have had extra things for the Disney races I have done. I have checked changes of clothes and shoes. Plus it seems like Disney is always giving you a bunch of stuff after you cross the finish line so it's nice to have a bag to put that stuff in as well.

 

[Mimsy Borogove]

QOTD: Do you use back check offered for your races? Why or why not? What items do you check?

I've only done bag check twice: W&D 2013 and TOT 2014, both because of the after parties. Otherwise I head back to my hotel/home or my husband is usually pretty good about schlepping things for me.