I run a lot of races. A.LOT. And I don’t wear a single race shirt on a regular basis. Am I the only one? Or is there a race I should run because the shirt is just that awesome? That’s what we want to know here at Tuesdays on the Run.
In 2013, I actually got a few shirts I liked.
But I turned them into a quilt that I LOVE instead.
Since then, I got a really awesome shirt from Marine Corps. Except it was made for someone with the worlds teeniest neck. I do plan to get it converted to a half zip, as many runners did, so that I can wear it without choking. (And the first MCM shirt I got is in the only color of green that looks awful on me.)
I do like the Mainly Marathons shirts because they are so unique, but two of those ended up in my quilt…
So, what do I want in a shirt? I’m picky. It needs to be a woman’s fit. I love a v-neck. I prefer tech materials. I want a color other than white. I love it when it’s a long sleeve or half zip or a tank top.
I’m pretty sure I’m a race director’s worst nightmare. Luckily I don’t actually care that much about the shirt, so you won’t hear me complaining when the race I love has a shirt I hate.
What about you? What do you want in a shirt? Do you ever get ones you like?



I’m pretty sure that color green looks awful on everyone..lol. That’s just a bad color! Your quilt looks great. I believe if I got all my running shirt made into a quilt I would dress better on a regular basis!!!!
I NEVER wear a race t-shirt. I am so picky about color, material and fit. Lots of times I don’t even pick them up… and if it happens to be a men’s cut ? Shame on the race organizers !
Karen @ Fit in France recently posted…Marathon training & my job : so much in common
I used to really love my race shirts but now I have them in a huge bin under my bed. I picked out the ones that I’ll eventually use in a quilt but I haven’t made the time for that quite yet.
Christine @ Two Runners Travel recently posted…Weekly Workout Roundup: Feb 15th
Could we just have some race tanks already?? I swear I never wear any of the short sleeve ones. Ever. The quilt is a great idea. It would free up so much dresser space.
Marcia recently posted…Race Shirts I Love, and Not So Much
Wow turning your shirts into a quilt is such a great idea! Once I have a larger race shirt collection, I’m definitely going to steal that idea!
Michelle @ LivelyChicken recently posted…What’s your motivation to run?
I don’t understand why more races don’t at least give you a tank top option. I would pay extra every time!
Smitha @ Running with SD Mom recently posted…My daughter has Epilepsy and a 5K announcement #WelcomeToWinning
I work out in my race tees a LOT. Usually strength training or yoga, not running, LOL! But I like to run in some of them too — usually from a race I either did well or had a really good experience; it just reminds me that I can push myself or that I overcame something to do well.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Fit Fashion Finds
If I get enough shirts, I’ll send them in for the quilt. I only wear a couple, and even then it’s not to work out. Sometimes I’ll wear the ones I like when I’m traveling because I do want to be comfortable.
Lesley recently posted…TOTR: Race Shirts
I love your quilt! It looks so nice. I couldn’t help but chuckle about the shirt with the small neck…how does that even happen?! The ZOOMA shirt is super cute, love that shade of blue!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…ZOOMA Run Love 10K Race Recap
Cute quilt! That’s a great use of shirts when you don’t wear them.
Jessica S recently posted…TotR: Race Shirts
Genius. Turn a race shirt into a half zip. Genius! And I love your quilt. 🙂
Rachel recently posted…Half Marathon Training: Week 1
I haaaaaaate race shirts! I like women’s fit, and v-neck is awesome, but I don’t like technical fabric. I think I’m the only person who would prefer cotton shirts! I never, ever, wear them to run in, so I’d rather have a shirt that I can bum around in on the weekend or whatever. Also? A normal color. NOT lime green or safety yellow. I save them up and donate to Girls on the Run.
Alison recently posted…Sweetheart 5k
I never wear race t shirts and I also turned mine into a quilt which I love!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Spaghetti Squash Bake
I feel the exact same way you do about race shirts. It needs to be a woman’s shirt, for one. As well as technical or it automatically becomes a sleeping shirt. And I love v-necks too.
Jenn @ RunWithSole recently posted…LA Marathon Race Recap
That quilt is awesome! I never knew you could convert shirts to a half-zip! That’s a great idea. Do you do that yourself?
Sonia recently posted…Race Shirts: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
I had no idea there were so many of us that don’t wear race shirts! I have my favorites and a lot that didn’t work out but if they fit and I like them I’ll wear them. #noshame 🙂 Thanks Erika for the link up and this great topic!
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin recently posted…My Favorite Race Shirts
I’m with you that it has to be a women’s cut. I also would love more tank tops. But they also have to be the right cut, I got one that is so boxy it’s ridiculous. I live in a warmer climate so I don’t wear the long sleeve shirts as much, but if I do get those I like them to have long enough sleeves. A few I have fit right in the body but the sleeves are too short lol.
I’m with you. I hate most of my shirts – they have to gender-specific, tech material, a nice color and not have an obnoxious logo.
Most of my uglies have been made into a blanket or given away.
Darlene recently posted…Tuesdays on the Run: Race Shirts
Your quilt turned out great! I tend to hang on to shirts for ages, even if I don’t wear them. I need to go through and purge!
Leana recently posted…What Makes the Perfect Race Shirt?
I definitely want a women’s cut and prefer raglan sleeves. Those are rare so I really get excited when I get one of those! I did the quilt thing too. It’s such a great way to preserve the memories and get rid of all those shirts.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Race Shirts
I don’t think I’ve ever worn a race shirt except for the ones that I bought in Paris. But the ones that you get for running the race? Nope! I turned mine into a quilt too!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Friday Favorites
I do not care too much about the shirt either. This year I am going to save them and make a quilt. I like yours. Which company did you use for it?
Zenaida Arroyo recently posted…Race shirts: Favorites and the ones we love to hate
I think more of us need to get involved in organizing races, and start demanding women cut tank tops.. that are not awful colors! or at least answering the race surveys!
I seem to be in the minority and I’m happy with that. I LOVE my race shirts. All of them. And I don’t mind men’s cut shirts – I don’t care for v-neck shirts, and women’s cut shirts often don’t fit right because I’m so broad shouldered. My cotton shirts get worn all the time – they’re my everyday shirts (if I’m not in my Army uniform). The tech shirts get worn for my training runs. Right now my long sleeve tech shirts are actually in my everyday long sleeve shirt pile, but I do wear them to run in once in a while. I do plan on making some quilts with my cotton shirts some day because I have sooooooooo many of them. I have them in boxes labeled by duty station, and I’ll probably make a quilt for each duty station or combine 2. And a separate one for all the races I did while deployed to Iraq.