Ricole Runs (Sometimes): Is There Such a Thing As Too Much Bling?

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Is There Such a Thing As Too Much Bling?

Remember how in May I ran the Portland Rock n' Roll Half Marathon? It sucked, it was way hillier than advertised, my legs felt heavy, and I didn't come as close to a PR as I hoped. I'm sure you remember my complaining.

Then remember how in June I ran the Seattle Rock n' Roll Full Marathon? It sucked, running on I-90 was slanted, running through Seward Park was lovely, the last 4 miles I wanted to die, and I didn't PR. I'm sure you remember my complaining.

Then remember how what a lovely surprise it was to get a second additional medal after the Seattle race for doing both Seattle and Portland?

Who doesn't like a bonus medal?

Whew, that was a lot of background story. Now we're caught up.

On Wednesday this week I got a mysterious package in the mail from Competitor Group. What could it be?

A 4th, unexpected medal? Don't mind if I do.

But what did I do to deserve this? I already got an extra one for doing 2 of Competitor's races in one year! But apparently that was a special one for doing 2 SPECIFIC Rock n' Roll races in one year, and now I get the GENERIC medal for doing 2 Rock n' Roll races in one year.

So to summarize, 4 medals for 2 races. Overkill???????
What do you think about getting more than 1 medal for an event? Has this happened to you? What other races do such things?

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Jess · 660 weeks ago

Absolutely no such thing as too much bling! I confess I signed up for a virtual 5K once because everyone who finished got a medal, and there is probably no way I'll ever get bling for a 5K! (I did once, place 2nd in a local 5K, but the winners got a lunch bag. Really. A koozie lunch bag. And I guess I placed in the same race last year and would have won a backpack for my efforts, but I couldn't stick around for the prizes...I've wondered if they just don't contact the winners, of if it's the fact that it's an ex boyfriend who heads up that race that I didn't get it!) Otherwise, being that my 5K time is awesome if it's under 30 minutes, I probably won't be seeing bling. (Other confession: 50% of the reason I'm signing up for a half marathon next month is the bling!)
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1 reply · active 660 weeks ago

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ricoleruns 72p · 660 weeks ago

A lunch bag???!!!!!!?????!!!! �No way.�

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Kasey · 660 weeks ago

I guess that's why RnR races are so dang expensive?
The more medals, the merrier. Hang 'em with pride!
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Renee · 660 weeks ago

Personally I think multiple medals are silly...because you know they aren't free. I'd rather they cut out frivolous extras and made the entry fees cheaper.
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runfundone 65p · 660 weeks ago

That generic medal is way prettier than the others. They should make the others pretty like that one! Hmm...I don't know how I feel, it all comes down to how you feel. Are you excited about having that pretty guitar medal? Then great! Do you feel that it's not wonderful because you didn't earn it? Then that's fine too!!!
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Tasha @ Healthy Diva · 660 weeks ago

I got the encore medal in the mail as well and it made me feel guilty since I didn't run Seattle. Oh well, it was pretty so I guess I will keep it! Maybe that is why the RnRs are so expensive????
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Lauren · 660 weeks ago

I am not a medal fan. If all races did away with medals I'd be a happy camper! Plus the ridiculous medals and how much they must cost is yet another reason I refuse to participate in any RNR races.

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sarahthefitfoodie 12p · 660 weeks ago

I personally enjoy the extra bling! Part of the allure of the Rock 'n' Roll races are all the extra perks like the heavy medals. Does offset a little of how expensive the races are.

I ran the Portland and Seattle as well and thought it was a nice touch that they celebrated the inaugural Portland race in combo with Seattle.

I just received the Triple Crown for running the RNR San Diego as well. Come December doing the Vegas half, so I think the extra bling is an added bonus for traveling and doing all these races. :)

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Kim @ (Just) Trying · 660 weeks ago

I love all the extra medals. They didn't get me to sign up for races I wasn't going to do anyway, though. And, I'm waiting, waiting for my medal for doing 3 RNRs this year. Seattle was my third. Where is my medal, grrrr?
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elizabeth · 660 weeks ago

no such thing as too much bling!!!! and, for as much as the RNR races cost, you should get 5 medals per event. just sayin….
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LindsayOnTheGo · 660 weeks ago

If I had paid the entry fees for the RnR Races, I would be VERY happy to get 4 medals. Makes the medal rack look that much more impressive. It's all about appearances.... ;-)
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Murph · 660 weeks ago

I’m torn on this one. Mainly because on one hand, I’m sort of new to running, so my sock drawer is still kind of Bling Free… I have a couple of Ragnar medals in there, and it’s kind of cool to show them off at times, but on the other hand, I’m sure that they do bring up the cost of the races, which, if they were cheaper, I could probably run more of them, and is it really worth the cost for a medal that’s just going to sit in my sock drawer? But on the other hand, I did sign up to run Ragnar Las Vegas after running Wasatch Back just so I could get that Saints & Sinners Medal that I’ve been drooling for since the first time I laid my eyes on it. So… I’m just going to go with… “Bring on the Bling!”
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hikermom · 660 weeks ago

What a fun surprise:) I have never gotten more than one medal for a race. Are you ready for Sunday?
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3 replies · active 660 weeks ago

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ricoleruns 72p · 660 weeks ago

I'm TERRIFIED!� Are you doing it???

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hikermom · 660 weeks ago

Yes. I'm scared! Seriously thought about not doing it, but I have to take the plunge.
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ricoleruns 72p · 660 weeks ago

We can be terrified together!!!

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eallwardt 22p · 660 weeks ago

Definitely no such thing as too much bling!! The extra generic medal was a fun surprise!!
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Beth @RunTraveler · 660 weeks ago

I think I'm in the minority on this, but I don't keep my medals (unless it's a rare AG award) so extra ones just are more clutter I need to get rid of eventually.

Fortunately, for those of you who aren't medal-collectors, there are programs like Medals for Mettle that re-purpose the medals for people battling life-threatening illnesses.

(PS - The first time I heard of multiple medals was for the Triple Crown -- 3 half marathons -- in San Diego. The Competitor Group - Rock 'n' Roll organizer - is also based in SD. Maybe extra bling is a SoCal thing?)
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pensive pumpkin · 660 weeks ago

I found this extra medals thing odd. The Pacific Peaks was cool, because it was for those specific races and who knows if they will do it again next year, but getting one in the mail was bizarre. On the other hand, the one that came in the mail is the prettiest of the bunch. I have it hanging from the rearview mirror in my car to motivate me after work and pre-run. But one medal per race seems plenty, and I agree that the "freebies" are not actually free.

This is my first year of medals, and my Christmas tree is gonna look so badass. : )
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Yo Momma Runs · 660 weeks ago

I got that same double guitar medal from RNR this year, and it wasn't very exciting. To get a medal not really associated with a specific event feels very ... um, like not really a medal. Part of the fun of a medal is wearing it around for hours after your race and pretending you forgot to take it off before going into stores and restaurants.
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henness 31p · 660 weeks ago

My blog title has been Heavy Medal precisely BECAUSE of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series medal perks. It's a fabulous marketing idea for a mega marathon series to encourage bling collectors to remain loyal to the RNR brand. I do buy into it and it's the reason that I ran 7 RNR events in 2011 (to get the Rock Legend Heavy Medal). I built my blog off of this endeavor.

Once you get to Rock Star (5 events in one calendar year) you can pick it up at the expo so that you have it to wear around with your event medal at the finish. I did this with medal #5, #6, and #7 and was unashamedly proud to answer everyone's, "Wow, cool medal. How did you get that one?" What can I say? I'm a bragger. lol.

But, like anything, if you're not into collecting it and bragging about it, then its just overkill. My husband could care less about his "extra" medals. He's going to make an end table top out of them someday. haha.

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1 reply · active 660 weeks ago

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ricoleruns 72p · 660 weeks ago

YOU RAN SEVEN ROCK N ROLLS IN ONE YEAR????!!!!� Oh my gosh how did I not know that???� You are officially my hero and I want to be like you!� Now I want a GINORMOUS medal!� I only have to run 5 more between now and December 31!� :-)

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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Is There Such a Thing As Too Much Bling?

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