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Competitive Running

Maryam
Maryam Sendmail

Races and Race T-shirts!

posted almost 2 years ago | Report

I read an article a couple days ago that said you SHOULDN'T wear your race day t-shirt that comes with your packet on race day. Apparently it's considered a rookie move and there are tons of superstitions associated with doing that!

How do you guys feel about this? Is it really that big of a deal? If so, why? And what kind of superstitions are we talking about?? :)

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25 posts

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  • Jon C.
    Jon C. Sendmail

    I haven't heard of there being any superstitions about doing that, but personally I never wear the race day t-shirt for the actual race. I usually like to wear another shirt that I'm used to and comfortable in. Nothing is worse than wearing a new shirt on a run and having it not fit right and cause chafing or something like that. Race day shirts have gotten better in terms of quality over the last few years (synthetics instead of cotton), but rather save them for regular training runs instead of the actual race.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Nick
    Nick Sendmail

    Some folks are pretty sensitive about this...but I totally agree with what you posted about race-day t-shirts. The whole superstition thing, the fact that a race day t-shirt may not actually be the best racing attire for certain race distances or weather conditions...and I've always felt that running & finishing the race was sort of a way of "earning" the privilege to wear the race day t-shirt for that race.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Maryam
    Maryam Sendmail

    That make sense! I mean the golden rule is not to change anything on race day, right?? :)

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Maryam
    Maryam Sendmail
    in reply to what Nick said:Some folks are pretty sensitive about this...but I totally agree with what you posted about race-day t-shirts. The whole superstition thing, the fact that a race day t-shirt may not actually be the best racing attire for certain race distances or... read more

    Nick I think looking at the shirt as a little prize is great makes it a little more exciting! It also makes you feel like you really are getting more for your buck since races can get expensive! ;)

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Reverend Run V.
    Reverend Run V. Sendmail

    I don't wear the race day shirt for the race because I have allergy issues and I need to wash everything before I wear it.

    I've never heard the superstition aspect, but I agree with the others who mentioned not changing things on race day.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Mimi
    Mimi Sendmail

    I've heard that too. I don't really care about superstition stuff but I don't wear race t-shirts on race day b/c the ones I've gotten are just plain ol' t-shirts. I'd rather wear a moisture wicking shirt when I run.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Joe P.PRO
    Joe P. Sendmail

    Sometimes I wear mine just to spite the people who believe in superstition. That's how I roll!

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Maryam
    Maryam Sendmail
    in reply to what Reverend Run V. said:I don't wear the race day shirt for the race because I have allergy issues and I need to wash everything before I wear it. I've never heard the superstition aspect, but I agree with the others who mentioned not changing things on race day.

    That would suck to break out in hives on race day! It's already hard enough to catch your breath running! :)

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Maryam
    Maryam Sendmail
    in reply to what Mimi said:I've heard that too. I don't really care about superstition stuff but I don't wear race t-shirts on race day b/c the ones I've gotten are just plain ol' t-shirts. I'd rather wear a moisture wicking shirt when I run.

    Good idea, Mimi!

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Maryam
    Maryam Sendmail
    in reply to what Joe P. said:Sometimes I wear mine just to spite the people who believe in superstition. That's how I roll!

    Joe that's freaking awesome!!

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • John P.
    John P. Sendmail

    I'm not superstitious, but you gotta have something dry to put on AFTER the race!

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Mike D.
    Mike D. Sendmail

    It's not a big deal to me but I prefer to wear it as a prize after the race. Also I am more comfortable in a shirt that has been used and washed. Plus, you need to coordinate your outfit beforehand to look good!

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Gary L.
    Gary L. Sendmail

    Nothing to do with superstition with me...I just feel like I have to earn it before I wear it and that means doing the race for me. I don't have a problem with people that wear them..to each his/her own.

    posted almost 2 years ago | edited almost 2 years ago

  • Kent P.
    Kent P. Sendmail

    I like to wear technical shirts for races, and running in general...

    posted almost 2 years ago | edited almost 2 years ago

  • Kent P.
    Kent P. Sendmail
    in reply to what Reverend Run V. said:I don't wear the race day shirt for the race because I have allergy issues and I need to wash everything before I wear it. I've never heard the superstition aspect, but I agree with the others who mentioned not changing things on race day.

    Glad to hear I'm not the only one with that problem! I'd break out before the race was over if I wore the race shirt on race day.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Lenny G.
    Lenny G. Sendmail

    I'll never wear a race shirt on race day because I'm particularly sensitive to nipple chaffing and so I want to stick with shirts I know will work. Sometimes the shirts included are cotton shirts and if that's the case, I'll wear the shirt after the race to warm up (if it's cool that day). I haven't heard any of the superstitious beliefs though but that's interesting. =)

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Mary L.
    Mary L. Sendmail

    Among all the other reasons mentioned here...it's like wearing the concert shirt to the concert...you just don't do it!

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Jen S.PRO
    Jen S. Sendmail

    I think that it is a great way of thinking about it in terms of "earning it" before you wear it! and yeah, I think I would like to wash it first anyway... :D

    posted almost 2 years ago | edited almost 2 years ago

  • Debbie
    Debbie Sendmail

    I never wear shirt I get at packet pickup. Number one rule is never race in a piece of clothing you have never worn before. I also feel things should be washed before warn. I once wore a singlet I got for a training program without washing and for the first time at a half marathon and chafed horribly.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Julio C.
    Julio C. Sendmail

    I am very superstitious, and I can only think of 1 time I wore the race shirt for the race in the last few years, mainly because I needed something green...for another out of town race I switched my outfit, but I usually stay with what I usually wear, but I may switch the singlet soon.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Alicia
    Alicia Sendmail

    "Among all the other reasons mentioned here...it's like wearing the concert shirt to the concert...you just don't do it!"

    I was going to say the same thing! hahaha

    No really, I don't think it matters if someone wants to wear the race shirt on race day, it's just not really something I'd ever want to do, especially if it were a cotton tshirt. I like to have my race outfit be something I've run in and know I'm comfortable in. Besides, I prefer to run in tank tops. Short sleeves tend to bother me. And anyway, I'd rather wear the shirt after the race because I've earned it.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Dan N.
    Dan N. Sendmail

    I've typically received cotton t-shirts, so those are always out for running in. I did the Fargo Marathon last year and did get an actual running shirt out of that deal, but I never like wearing anything new the day of a marathon- even a shirt.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Eddie D.
    Eddie D. Sendmail

    I never wear the race shirts on race day. I cant remember who told me that it was a "rookie" thing to do but it has always stuck with me. However that is not the only reason for not wearing the race shirt. I generally prefer wearing a tank top or singlet for races, (I haven't run any races where I needed long sleeves), finally you just never know how comfortable (or uncomfortable) a shirt will be until you try it on during a run.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Martin O.
    Martin O. Sendmail

    For me I never wear a race day shirt on race day until after the race or the next day. I myself had to break this rule because after one race I ran I tried to wear my race day shirt the day after and it did not fit. The shirt size was correct but the shirt felt like two sizes too small. So now when I pick up my goodie bag I try on the shirt to make sure it fits.

    Now I have one for everyone. Now you pick up your race day shirt and something happens that you miss your race. Do you still wear the shirt or not?

    It has happen to me. I miss my first 5K because I got out of work late. I did not wear the shirt until I did the same 5K the following year. I did not feel too bad wearing last year 5K after running the same race that year.

    Would like to hear about it.

    posted almost 2 years ago

  • Thesean D.
    Thesean D. Sendmail

    it's a shirt.

    posted almost 2 years ago

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