2018-07-30 – Best Motivational Signs You Have Seen Running?

Below is a previously unpublished blog post from July 2018 for the #RocknBlog Team. Enjoy.

Bio:
*** Sebastian started running in 2009 where his first event was the Rock n Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, VA. He has since participated in several half marathons across the US. He occasionally drives race cars, likes going on run-cations and spending time with his family & friends. ***

What are the Best Motivational Signs You Have Seen Running?

mo·ti·va·tion

ˌmōdəˈvāSH(ə)n/

noun: motivation; plural noun: motivations

the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way

You are excited. You are about to finally cross the starting line of the running event you have been looking forward to and training for months. You traveled hundreds of miles by plane and automobile to get here. Your time is finally here! You begin. You take off fast from the start. But then about a half mile in you realize you need to set your comfortable pace because you want to make sure you finish this event. Then you may have a couple of shin splints. Then a couple of slight leg cramps. Maybe you should not have started so fast. Maybe you should not have drank that cup of coffee this morning. Maybe you should have trained harder. Maybe you should have run more hills. All of these ‘maybes’ are running through your mind faster than your feet are going. And then you see it. A sign. Literally a sign right by the street curb that takes your mind off all of the ‘maybes’ and doubts. It says “Your doing GREAT! Only 12 and half more miles to go!” and in that instant you read that ALL of those maybes are gone, replaced by a chuckle and the wonder of who put that there. Right after that, I heard the person next to me talking to another runner “We have to look for Elvis at Mile 10.” That was the start of my first half marathon.

We all know that the Rock n Roll Marathon Series has some of the best on course and post event entertainment around. What may sometimes be overlooked by the participants in the events is that the RnR Series also has some of the greatest course support from the locals around. Virtually every mile of an event has spectators cheering you along your journey. I have seen funny signs such as “Go Random Stranger” and “I thought this was a Parade” to heartfelt signs of encouragement to loved ones like “My mommy is running & is awesome!” over the years. These types of motivation can be what a person needs to get past that mental roadblock, all those ‘maybes’ and doubts that she or he may have. It helped me during my first event. I have purposely sought out those signs that people have taken time out of their day to make for us runners. When I see a person on the edge of the course with a “High five here for a Power Up” sign I make sure to head towards them to get that extra boost. When I see someone holding a “Run Forrest Run” sign I try to quote a line from the movie to them. When I see Elvis, I try to grab a quick photo with him (or her). When I can, I thank them for being out there just as I do for the course volunteers and course security personnel. To me, they are a vital part of an event weekend.

For myself the RnR events are so much more than just another race. They are a running event. It begins at the Expo, runs through the event, and ends with a post race party. I encourage all participants to take in as much of the entire experience as you can and live in the moment as possible. If you average a 6 minute pace or a 15 minute pace, you will have fun and it will be memorable. PR’s are great and we all try to achieve our personal best but when things don’t always go as planned on your run, do not get discouraged. Look for a sign. Look at the spectators and bands along the course. You may see complete strangers on the sidewalk yelling your name (I am still amazed that some people can read bibs while watching runners). You may see a person in a cow costume with a sign that says “Keep Moo-ving Along”. You may see a person in a banana suit. You may see Elvis at Mile 10.

Random Elvis on RnR San Antonio course