We’ve all seen them. We’ve all snickered a few times during a race. Sometimes they are just what we need to get us through the hardest portion of a race. What’s that?
The signs held by awesome race spectators on the side of the course. That’s today’s Tuesdays on the Run topic. Share your favorites (or ones that you hate LOL) with April, Patty and me today!
I’ll be the first to admit, I never pull out my camera during a race and I have the memory of a gnat while running, so I can very seldom remember the signs I see. But I LOVE signs! I don’t run with music, so anything that pulls me out of my own deep thoughts during a race (particularly one where I’m struggling), is good in my book. I know some people don’t find certain signs amusing, but if you are willing to get out there and stand with a sign, just to cheer on a runner (or runners), I appreciate your sign. Even if sometimes it takes me the next half mile to figure out what your sign meant. (Those are actually the best ones ’cause they keep my brain busy.)
Since I had no pictures, I asked my friends on Facebook to share some of their favorites:
(Source: Kim, who is crazy enough to be waiting
for me at the finish of my back to back marathons.
Maybe she could have a sign for me…)
(Source: Erin at See Mom Run Far)
(Source: my friend Chavet who is a crazy marathoner who finishes many races with a shot of Fireball)
(Source: My GBA girlfriend…)
(Source: Carla Birnberg, who we all know I adore)
(Source: my friend Greg ’cause we all know the potty location is a sign worth finding)
My personal favorites include:
- (at the midway point of a pouring down rain half marathon) – You did a great job! Now do it again!
- You run better than metro!
- If a marathon were easy, it’d be your mom! (HT to Jamoosh for reminding me of this one.)
- Smile if you just peed a little.
And a few from friends:
- From the Boston Marathon: Top 10 Reasons We’re Not Running The Marathon – Number 1 was: you’ll know why in 3 hours
- Suck it up, Buttercup
- The guy at mile 10 at RNR DC waving a crumpled mass of green poster board shouting “Who knew I needed a laminated sign today! “
- You’ve got great stamina! CALL ME! (also from GBA girlfriend)
- Poster at mile 21 (or thereabouts) of last year’s MCM that read “Accio Finish Line!” complete with drawing of the Tri-Wizard Cup
[Tweet “Race signs: Love ’em or hate ’em? Share your favorites with me… #TuesdaysontheRun #runchat #fitfluential”]
So, tell me…
Is there one sign you’ve seen that has stuck in your mind long after the race is over?
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Some of my favorites:
1. In Paul Ryan time, you’re already done.
2. You’ve trained longer than Kim Kardasshian’s marriage.
3. You run better than the Government!
The first two of those I like. I have to admit that as a former federal employee, the last one always makes me a bit crabby when I see it. ;o)
Love signs! Some are so creative!
@TwinsRun recently posted…50+ Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K Race Recaps
I know. I always forget them when it comes time to cheer others and I’m so not creative.
Love these! Anything that makes me smile during a race is awesome. Another fun one: “Go Random Runner, Go!
Coco (@Got2Run4Me) recently posted…The Bicycling Big Book Of Training
I like that one too, especially when they are yelling out things like “Hey, guy in shorts, you got this!” too LOL.
There was one sign I saw multiple times at the Chicago marathon: If this was easy, it would be called your mom. Sort of funny the first time, made me groan after the 6th time…
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Recovery is a many splendored thing…
Ha, that one never gets old for me. ;o)
I have runner’s brain too during a race so I don’t remember many signs. I know I laughed at them, but I don’t remember what they said.
Lesley recently posted…A Little Window Shopping
Good to know I’m not alone LOL.
I saw one this weekend: “If you think this is hard, try growing out your bangs”
Too funny!
Great signs!! I love the “worst parade ever” and “whine now, wine later” signs.
Amy @ Run with Perseverance recently posted…Tuesdays on the Run: My First Major Race of 2015 is…
Yes, those are favorites as well.
I, too, love the “If a marathon were easy it would be your mom.” I’ve only recently seen that one, so it’s still fresh to me. I love that “Marathon is Greek for ‘terrible decision making.'” That’s great.
Jenn @ RunWithSole recently posted…Tuesdays on the Run: Favorite Race Signs
Yeah, the terrible decision making made me laugh, ’cause that totally fits where I am in training right now.
Love these! I love clever signs. Reading signs was my favourite part of the New York Marathon. Some people are so funny!
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Catelli Healthy Harvest Ancient Grains Pasta & A Giveaway
I know. So many people are so much more creative than I am.
It’s funny you listed the mom sign because that was exactly the sign I made for the RNR Raleigh race last year! It’s a good one! I don’t run with my phone either so I just have memories of signs, no real pics!
Melanie recently posted…Weekly Rundown
Will you be at Raleigh this year? I’m thinking about coming down for the race…
Hehe thanks for mentioning my “you run better than Metro” sign. Still one of my favorite signs I’ve ever made! I’ve heard it’s started to pop up more often at races now!
Jess recently posted…Frederick Half Training Week Two
I wanted to borrow the picture, but ran out of time to contact you. It’s one of my favorites.
These were fun!! I think my favorite is “try not to suck.” I’m going to tell myself that when necessary!!
Kim recently posted…Sometimes a Race Ends up Not Being a Race
All good signs! I have gnat memory syndrome as well. I’ve seen and laughed at so many…but then can’t remember them later. And you are correct, sometimes it takes a while to figure out what they mean.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Favorite Signs (TotR)
I do remember seeing funny signs on courses but never stopped to take pics. Cute post
Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Smokey Mac n Cheese Stuffed Peppers w BBQ Tofu
THAT was the one I was trying to think of all night and couldn’t! I lost sleep trying to rack my brain…. If a marathon were easy it would be your mom! My favorite!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…What Happens in Vegas….and my favorite race signs!
My favourite was ‘It’s All Downhill From Here’ on a very hilly course.
Char recently posted…It’s Not Bigamy If You Just Propose
I like the Accio Finish Line one! I’m a Harry Potter nerd, so my favorite sign was one that said “Run like dementors are chasing you.” And the other was two guys holding signs that said “go faster” and the other guys said “that’s what she said”
Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder recently posted…Weekend Snapshots + Motivate Me Monday #5
LOVED LOVED LOVED THESE!!!!
my next one will read GO RANDOM STRANGER!!
CARLA recently posted…I loathe the phrase “binge watching.”
A friend’s 2yr old daughter held a sign for her Daddy running it read, “Worst Parade Ever”