What should I wear to run the Chicago Marathon?
When I spectated at the Chicago Marathon last year, I didn’t see any of the friends I was cheering for. There were just so many people running, and even when you know what someone looks like, people start to blend together.
I’ve been wondering if there is something I can wear that will make me stand out so Steven can see me. And of course, we plan to discuss where he’ll be spectating from, and on which side of the street, when I might be passing by, and blah de blah.
I have a lot of brightly colored running tops. My brightly colored green top made me stand out at the 2009 Wisconsin (Half) Marathon… but I think there were less than 2000 runners! That won’t work at Chicago. Nevertheless, I did purchase an obnoxiously yellow long-sleeved top, just in case.
If anything makes me stand out while wearing that bright yellow top, it will be my nips. Ha.
Of course, it is ridiculously early to be planning what I will wear (even though I’ve been thinking about it for a long time) because WHO KNOWS what the weather will bring on 10/10/10!
How far in advance do you plan your race outfits? Is your race outfit important or not important to you? What would YOU do to stand out? Any advice for me?
There will be 45,000 runners. I will take whatever advice I can get. And nothing is too ridiculous for me. For a long time, I thought I would run this race in a costume. Maybe next time!
A warning: if you lay all of your running tops out on your dresser to take a picture of them, your cat WILL lay on them and pretend he is going to hack up a hairball.
You’re such a tease, Data.
Themocracy
HA! Love Data! 🙂
Could you wear a bright patterned headband to set you off even more?
🙂
I just won a headband from another blogger (http://makingofarunner.blogspot.com/ )! I was thinking of wearing that 🙂
You cracked me up with the nip comment… lol
And I think it’s fun to plan the race outfit- it only shows how excited you are and that this is a really big deal to you. So it’s always been important to me on milestone races!
I would basically say something bright- I’m a fan of pink. So many people tend to wear black long sleeve coverups, so I think you’d be good…
Btw, I’ll be down there cheering everyone on! My cousin’s running it and so hopefully I’ll be hanging out at a few different spots watching you all run by! 🙂
I am a fan of pink too! You could probably tell from the pic 🙂
My bib number is 16784. I will post my actual race outfit closer to the date so you can try to see me. Emphasis on the try! You’ll have to let me know where you will be!
I try to wear a bright colored shirt to stand out (and I found that my number stood out more so I was tagged in more photos) but I’ve never run with 44,999 other people before. When I just did my first half, I wore an orange tank top that I’d been training in even though it was a lot cooler the morning of the race than during my training. I was determined to wear clothes that I had trained in since I was used to them. Lets not mention the under arm chaffing that my chosen shirt caused! ouch!
I like your array of colors in your running gear though!
Thanks!
Orange is my second option. It’s my fave color!
I always worry about what to wear. Not necessarily how I will look (although that is something I do think about) but I worry about if I will be too hot or cold. I have never run outside in cold weather so I am going to need to figure that out this fall/winter. I normally run on a treadmill, but my daughter wants to run outside with me and I am really excited about that.
Oh cool! Are you going to try for another 5K together? Maybe Hot Chocolate this year?
It may take you a few colder runs to figure out what to wear. I usually dress a lot warmer than it is, because I get hot. It’s all about layers though! Pile it on so you can take it off if you overheat 🙂
Oh cool! Are you going to try for another 5K together? Maybe Hot Chocolate this year?
It may take you a few colder runs to figure out what to wear. I usually dress a lot warmer than it is, because I get hot. It’s all about layers though! Pile it on so you can take it off if you overheat 🙂
As long as you are comfortable I way go for broke and stand out! I can’t believe that it is just a few weeks away!
My cat does not tend to lie on my clothes like Data, he prefers to lounge on the middle of my bed when I am changing the sheets and no, tucking him in does not encourage him to leave.
Ha! When I was making the bed last Thursday Data stayed under the fitted sheet, then got on his back and poked all four of his legs up. I had fun teasing him 🙂
Since there are 45,000 runners it is tough to stand out! My tips are wear what you are comfortable in and tell everyone who is spectating what color or outfit you are wearing. Put your name on your shirt as well. I’ve seen some people write their name or have some marking on their arm. Also, decide where Steven or whoever will be watching for you AND what side of the street. This will help you both because then you know what side to be running on/look for him.
I am totally planning to put my name on my shirt!
You are out of town this year for the race, right?
Data is AWESOME.
After running the RnR half with ~25,000, I have to say that it’s nearly as important for your support crew to stand out. I was right in front of John and until I waved in his face, he didn’t see me! But I found that it was lots easier for me to look for him than vice versa…
You have an AWESOME shirt collection. I need to work on that – I have NO IDEA what I’m wearing yet short of my tried and true capris.
I was thinking of asking Steven to wear something distinctive. I wonder what though. Maybe he will make me a sign and carry a balloon.
Thanks 🙂
And you still have time to decide what to wear!
I think Data is going for the gray top. I say, the brighter the better! That’s my non-runner opinion anyways.
It may not be an option for you, but I always put lime green faux hair in my daughter’s ponytails so that I don’t lose her in a race…..she likes to ditch me. I can always see her bouncing up ahead through the crowd.
That is a GREAT idea! I could braid ribbon through my hair or something! 🙂
I love the idea of wearing a bright top! I was just wondering the same thing for my marathon as my whole fam is coming down to watch. How in the heck will they find me among 40,000 people and half of us are wearing the same purple Leukemia & Lymphoma Society shirt? If you get any other good tips let me know! 🙂
Are you going to wear one of your Birdie Bands? That should help! And maybe something else bright in your hair!
Is “spectating” actually a verb? 😉 You can always wear a feather headress… though I imagine that would probably get really uncomfortable really fast!
<3 <3
Well, according to a few online dictionaries, it’s a word 🙂
Feathers aren’t a bad idea!
I love the photo of all your tops!
I don’t usually plan my race outfit until a few days before. I have to obsessively check the weather for awhile first before I make a decision.
Jason thinks I should wear one of those flags on a pole you put on the back of bikes. I think he’s crazy.
Thanks! That is what I did yesterday while Steven was lying in bed 😉
I just told Steven on Saturday “Pretty soon I can start obsessively checking the 10-Day Forecast!” He was like “Oh great…”
I like Jason’s idea. FOR HIM! Ha!
That’s hilarious about Data! My cat does the same thing!
I think the MOST important thing is comfort for the race. Wear whatever you’re thinking about before the race to make sure it won’t rub you the wrong way. But then, let us know what you’re wearing so we can find you!
I will definitely let you guys know what I will have on! 🙂
I think about the race outfit beforehand so that I can be sure it won’t move and/or chafe! I’d recommend either the bright yellow or orange – it seems that not too many people wear the bright orange and it’s a little easier to pick out.
Oh my gosh, I am so boring! 😉 I own a lot of black running clothes….some white, and a few dark colored shirts. I guess I don’t think too much about standing out – I always try to blend in – ha!
Wow your race is on 10/10/10, one of the teachers I work with is getting married on 10/10/10. Wear the bright yellow/green we can usually find you in that outfit.
Wow, the way you wrote that, it almost sounded like you were coming for the race.
🙁
Bright bright bright! Go for it! I planned my 5K outfit from the get go. Hahaha! I’m all about the fashion.
maybe some bullseyes painted on the shirt around your nips, for extra attention? 😉
I’m not sure if others have mentioned this, but instead of having Steven find you, it may be easier for you to spot him during the race! Have him carry a balloon… but not just a standard, round balloon… something that really stands out! For example, I have carried an Elmo balloon (yea, I felt silly!) while spectating one of my husbands races. It was SO easy for him to find me (granted, i also gave him an idea of where I would be standing).
We did talk about that! I wonder if he would actually do it though. Hmm.
I noticed when my hubby wears green he stands out. Avoid white, blue, red, and black cuz lots of people wear those colors. Lots of pinkies too. I’d say to go with the headband or something on your hat that will show up from a distance. Tie a helium balloon to the back of your hat (a long string will keep it out of pics). Maybe it will help you run (or drive you crazy – LOL!). Are you going to have your cell phone with you? If so, have hubby’s cell on auto dial and just push the button so it will call him at a predetermined mileage (so you don’t have to try and talk). That way when he gets the “hang-up” he’ll know what mile you are at and to start watching. BTW – A Champion Scoop Back sports bra will take care of the nip issue.
I was thinking of calling at certain points (I will have my phone). And I thought about the balloon… but know I will go crazy. I will have to try a hat.
Is that bra padded? That’s what I need.
Lots of comments on this one! 🙂
There are two sides to this. First, Bobbi is totally right. Make sure your spectator crew stands out. Goto party city and get a cheap bundle of helium balloons for them to carry – whatever is on sale. You’ll be able to see them from a quarter of a mile out. Also, know what side of the road they will be on at the particular miles. Between those two, you’ll be able to scream / shout enough so that they’ll be able to see you.
RE: Your stuff. Per my wife, there are TONS of whites and blues…. and reds and yellows stick out the best. What are the training groups wearing this year? when I ran it orange was their color so that color was everywhere. Also, don’t forget that TNT always wears purple.
Maybe you could wear the yellow one and draw arrows towards your…protrusions. That’d get lots of the wrong kind of attention I’d bet. But, IS there a wrong kind?
Are you guys going to help me convince Steven and whoever is with him to carry balloons? I do think that is a great idea.
I need to figure out what the charity groups are wearing. How do you ever know?! I may have to stick with that yellow, even though it looks awful on me.
Ha. I don’t mind any kind of attention 😉
i like the pic of your tops too! and your cat on top of them!
i’m not positive what im wearing yet (and i don’t think it’s too early to start thinking about it!). my suggestion is to wear something that’s comfy, that you’ve done a pretty long run in. nothing new, but you knew that already. maybe i’ll recognize you if we make sure to tell each other what we’re wearing!
Thanks 🙂
I’ll totally let you know what I am wearing! Are you meeting up with Carla at all? I told her I would run the start with her 🙂
I have to talk to Nilsa and see where she is spectating from so I can watch for her!
Whoa, that is quite a rainbow of technical shirts!
I actually don’t like to buy race outfits because (1) I get put off by a lot of runners who think that they DESERVE a new race outfit and (2) I’m cheap and (3) I don’t like to buy something new, only to stab it to death with safety pins. (I always end up pulling and tugging at my number by accident, and I feel like it puts little tears in my brand new shirt.)
This all being said, I like your new green top, and I probably WILL buy myself something for my next race. (I think I’ve done my last four races in something old.)
As for getting people to see you in Chicago? The strategy that worked best for me and my friend Robin was knowing approximately where the person would stand and then deciding ahead of time which side of the street to run on. That way, you know when to start looking for your family/friends, and they know to focus on one side of the huge mass of runners.
I have a slight addiction with running clothes. Steven’s parents gave me a giftcard this summer and I stocked up! 🙂 Most of the stuff I have is sleeveless though. Oops. It’s not really sleeveless weather right now.
I hate putting pins in something new too. And hate getting new shoes dirty. 😉 Wearing new clothes just makes me nervous in general!
How did you decide which side to run on? Did you stay near the right?
Definately go with a brighter shirt – there is a sea of white and black shirts out there, so those are harder to “work the eyes through.” I always wear a visor as well, so my family knows to look for that (which can stick out in a sea of no-hatters, especially for scanning purposes). This year, I will likely tie a bright ribbon or “puff” in my hair as well. Also make sure to run on the outside (near the curbs) of the crowds, so that its easier to see your family and for them to see you. As was mentioned earlier, its a good idea to talk about “sides” before the race.
Related to that, for the last eight years, me and my sister have either run or spectated each other. We have some pretty good spots to set up the spectating seats that I can share with you (mostly ones that include large raised medians in the middle of the streets, and streets that are part of a loop so they can see you twice – like the ones at Division/LaSalle and Division/Wells). Let me know if you want some ideas.
Even if you wear sleeveless (which I might as well) but are worried about the cold, especially before the race, you can always wear a “throwaway” while you wait to cross the start line (can take up to 30 minutes after the gun goes off). A throwaway is a long sleep shirt that you would probably otherwise throw away that you can keep yourself warm in and discarded when needed. You can even run in it for a mile or so until you warm up, and then throw it to the curb. The marathon people have groups that collect discarded clothes and donate them.
Ooo, do share the good spots for spectating! 🙂
I was thinking of getting some throwaway clothes. I saw in the manual they sent that they are giving all of those clothes to charity or something.
Aw Data is so cute! Pets are so hilarious- they know where they shouldn’t be and just claim it as their space anyway.
I’m racing on 10/10 too and plan on wearing my charity shirt. Hopefully it won’t be cold, since it’s short sleeves!
That is the brightest yellow possible! Good choice. And Data obviously approves. 🙂
I usually lay out my gear the night before a race, but then it can be a complete quick change based on weather. If it is really “iffy,” I’ll throw an alternate layer or entire outfit in the car. Please say I’m not the only one undressing in my Corolla in a field near the start line 🙂
I think that long-sleeve green would make you pretty visible, but it’s more a matter of knowing where you anticipate being when that helps with spotting!
Ha ha. I have definitely brought back up outfits before. And I have changed in my car… but not at a race 🙂
Can I be a spoilsport?
Wear what is most comfortable for you, 26 miles is far and you need to think about any sort of discomfort from a top is going to be amplified x 100 at mile 21. Really. Think chafing, rubbing… etc. etc.
I usually make plans with people, say I’ll be standing there between miles 10 and 11. Or at the corner of Bronson and the Canal… that way we’re both looking.
Bahahahaha! Your pic and caption of Data made me LOL. You should make it into a LOLcat! 🙂
No question about it… the bright green wins, for both this reader and obviously Data.
I love all your tops! Data as always, You rock!