Wear the race tshirt during the race?

[PrincessAndrea'sMom]

Hello All! I am training for the Disney Princess Half in February. At the advice of many of you here, I signed up to do a few local races to get the feel of it. My very first race every is on Sunday! I am doing the Baltimore Women's Classic. I picked up my race packet today, along with my first ever race bib and chip timer, goody bag and race tshirt. The shirt is really nice! It is a blue New Balance women's tech shirt, with the race name and date, along with a few sponsers.

Anyway, my question is: Do many people wear the race shirt on race day? I would like to, but do not want to look silly doing it. I have no idea what the norm is here! I looked on the race website at pictures of others years races and don't see anyone wearing race tshirts. What should I do? Thanks!

 

[Danhockey04]

Lots of people wear the shirt or shirts they received at other races, it will not be silly, better to be in tech material than a cotton shirt. And when you run, shouldn't matter how you look as long as your comfortable and feel good. I wear female running shorts as the shorter length appeals to me, running tights and any tech shirt I have which may be pink or blue, i can careless how people look at me when i run, i run comfortable and try to keep injury free. Sometimes with tighter shirts, i get chafed nipples that I will wear a sports bra to prevent that from happening. My point is wear whatever feels right to you and other runners will be doing the same, most are very friendly and won't judge at all. Run comfortable.

 

[John VN]

Seem to remember reading that the consensus of opinion by many is that running with the race tech shirt is an indication that the person wearing the shirt is a newbie. The thought is that until the race has been run, the shirt does not get worn.

Do as you wish, have fun and good luck.

 

[stitchfan18]

A lot of people do wear the race shirt for the race, so you definitely won't look silly. I always save them to wear the day after the race, or for the next race I run. I've also read that many of the more serious runners will associate the runners wearing the race shirt with being newer runners. I don't wear new clothes on race day. I've learned my lesson doing that before. Even if something looks and fits great, it may not perform great while running if you aren't used to it. Have fun at your race!

 

[FFigawi]

Anyway, my question is: Do many people wear the race shirt on race day? I would like to, but do not want to look silly doing it. I have no idea what the norm is here! I looked on the race website at pictures of others years races and don't see anyone wearing race tshirts. What should I do? Thanks!

You won't look silly, but as was stated above, you'll look like a newbie. Either way, I wouldn't wear it because I don't believe in wearing anything new on race day. Stick with what you've been training in and there's less of a chance of problems developing during the race.

 

[Hockeychic]

My DS always wears the race shirt during the race, don't know why he just prefers it.

I however would never I consider it bad luck and I always only ever wear my WISH shirt during races. I do however usually wear it later that day.

Kim

 

[cloudnut220]

I generally think of race shirts as a sign to other runner that hey "I finished this race!" So I don't wear my shirts until after I actually finish the race.

Have fun at the BWC! I live in downtown Baltimore so I thought about doing the race, but it turns out I'll be in DE this weekend racing at the beach!

 

[cewait]

First, remember I have been around for a while. Generally, your race shirt means I Ran The Race. In the old days shirts were handed out at the finish. It is bad form and possibly brining on bad mojo. It screams ROOKIE. Will you look silly? No, you will not be the only runner in the race screaming rookie.

To pre-empt comments that I have worn the race shirt in the race... Yes I did a few Disney halfs ago. My race shirt was poorly printed with the graphic being about 10 degrees tilted and off center. I needed a throw away shirt for pre race so I wore it until in the corral. It went to good use as I saw a fellow running picking it up and telling his friend now had two.

 

[Dsnrunner]

It's up to the individual. If you don't own any tech gear, then wear the shirt for your own comfort. However, there's an old saying in running: If you didn't run it, don't wear it...

 

[saysay]

I saw plenty of people in them during the princess. In my local races see them there as well. Is it the majority, um no, but its really up to you!

Enjoy your first race!

 

[stampingoddess]

I don'r wear mine until after the race because I am a firm believer that you shouldn't try anything new/wear anything new on race day. Been there, done that, and paid the price!

 

[hauntedcity]

Hmmmm, I see. It's like going to a rock concert, buying a t-shirt for the band, and immediately putting it on. So uncool. (Okay, I totally used to do that all the time, until my wife started making fun of me. Anyway...)

If any one wants to be a cheater, Disney Store.com currently has several shirts from previous marathons up for under 12 bucks! Grab 'em while they're hot.

Doug

 

[ChloroFiend]

I don'r wear mine until after the race because I am a firm believer that you shouldn't try anything new/wear anything new on race day.

This. I come dressed for the race in clothing I know works well. No sense mixing things up. Combine that with my utter disdain for cotton T-shirts while exercising and it's a no-brainer.

Granted, my thoughts on the matter go way back to before I started running. I'm a hockey player. We're both a superstitious and particular lot of people. I couldn't fathom showing up to a game without having already broken in my gear and figured out how to best adjust it for me.

This post bought to you by a 10 year old pair of hockey gloves

 

[cewait]

This. I come dressed for the race in clothing I know works well. No sense mixing things up. Combine that with my utter disdain for cotton T-shirts while exercising and it's a no-brainer.

Granted, my thoughts on the matter go way back to before I started running. I'm a hockey player. We're both a superstitious and particular lot of people. I couldn't fathom showing up to a game without having already broken in my gear and figured out how to best adjust it for me.

This post bought to you by a 10 year old pair of hockey gloves

A slight hijack....

My bad mojo comment is pure superstition. What other things do you all do for a run


Me.... Right sock right shoe are always first and I always retieshoes in the corral.

 

[FFigawi]

My bad mojo comment is pure superstition. What other things do you all do for a run

Left sock, right sock. Left shoe, right shoe.
Tie the laces loose. Tighten and double-knot laces right before the start.
Turn Garmin on after doing laces.
Clif Bar 45 minutes before the race (if 10k or longer)
Only my Wigwam Ironman socks for marathons. They've been going strong for 6 years.

 

[CrystalCastle]

I only did it in 2010 for the Goofy. Those of you who were there remember the temps. Well I didn't pack or train for that, dumb. So I wore the race shirts for both the half and full so I wouldn't freeze. I also wore a jacket the whole time for both. Since the shirts were too big and bunched up, I ended up chaffed under my arms. So not good! Ugh! Never again.

 

[ksoehrlein]

If any one wants to be a cheater, Disney Store.com currently has several shirts from previous marathons up for under 12 bucks! Grab 'em while they're hot.

Thanks for posting, Doug. These are actually "in training" shirts for prior years, not finisher shirts, so not cheating at all. Check them out!

 

[stitchfan18]

As an alternative to the original question asked. Do you wear a shirt for an event that was canceled? I was supposed to run a 10k this morning, but it was canceled due to lightning. I have a ton of tech shirts from races, so I don't need it, should I just donate it?

 

[FFigawi]

I'd keep it as a one-of-a-kind item and donate some of my older shirts.

 

[Duanerice]

I agree that you don't wear anything new on race day. Don't want chafing in the wrong places. Not like there are any good places for chafing.

Otherwise, in a race like Disney and other races that are geared to new runners, or more of a fun run, you will see many people wear the race shirt. More established races you won't.

Do what is right for you. No one will make fun of you. And, you don't have to be as superstitious as Charles and John Heck, I don't even tie my shoes (elastic laces)

Enjoy,
Duane