The Tuesday's on the Run topic this week is Post Race treats. I suppose you could talk about treats as in snacks, but we are going to talk about treats as in what we are "treating" ourselves to after a race. Some races offer some great "treats" after the race and we think this totally adds to the race experience.
 |
| Getting post race massages after the April Fools and Disney races. |
1.One of the best post race "treats" are when races offer massages. The first year I did the April Fools race on the boardwalk they were giving out FREE massages at the finish line. There was nothing more relaxing than a post race massage while looking out over the ocean.
Every time we run at Disney we opt to get a massage right there at the finish line too. Of course these massages will charge you but at only $1 per minutes, who can pass it up!
2. When you run a race where your post race food "treat" consist of more than a banana or bagel, you know you've found a good race! We love races that offer "real" food! The Wicked 10K in VA Beach (and other J & A races) offer warm soups in bread bowls. We've also got sandwiches and other post race "picnic" type food at the Run for the Dream race.
 |
| The VIP Post race party was held at Rockfish on the boardwalk |
3. If you are lucky enough to experience a VIP race experience you will get a catered meal at a restaurant (like we did at RnR Va Beach), or a meal at the post race tent like the one at Big Sur. Other VIP events include post race parties. Some of these parties are open to all runners, at an additional cost. Some of the events are just meals, and others events like the one I was invited to at Big Sur will include a meal, drink vouchers, large screens that will show pictures from the race earlier that day, speakers ( usually the race director), and raffles for goodies.
4. Speaking of RnR VA Beach, What makes this race so special is the post race "treat" of a free concert! After the race all runners are invited to the headlining act. We've seen Train twice, Third Eye Blind once, and a bunch of smaller bands.
5. The post race "treat" I have been most impressed with was the free tickets to Busch Gardens after the Run for the Dream race in Williamsburg, VA. I have said before how generous this race was. We not only got free park tickets, but we also got a meal voucher for inside the park, free transportation, and a 2 day pass for Colonial Williamsburg.
What is the best post race "treat' you've been treated to?
I like a good post race beer! The best one I've ever had was at a local 10 miler where they served Lagunitas. My favorite one was at the Chicago marathon, where they served Goose Island 312. It just tastes so good after a long hard run!
ReplyDeleteI always ended up giving my beer tickets to other runners. Perhaps I will try a post race cold one next time!
DeleteOoh, I may have to check out that Williamsburg race next year. And one of these days, I won't be rushing after a race and will be able to enjoy the post race treats!
ReplyDeleteI hate having to rush out after the race. I actually find it more relaxing to stick around, cheer for the other runners, and check out any post race celebrations.
DeleteWow, Run For the Dream really gives great post race treats. A ticket to Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg is amazing. I may have to do that race just for the swag. I think the best post race party I have experienced was at the Asheville Half last year. They had a band and amazing food and it was in a beautiful park in the downtown area (can't remember the name)
ReplyDeleteThe Run For The Dream was the same Race Christine did in Williamsburg. Besides the heat, it was a really good race!
DeleteClearly I need to sign up for more races in Virginia because they sound very generous with their post race treats
ReplyDeleteActually, they are...lol
DeleteWow, I have clearly been going to the wrong races! I think they had massages at Boston, but I just wanted to find my family and get home. The most I've gotten post race is a bottle of water/gatorade and some snacks. It usually doesn't even phase me because I can't eat right after I race, I just want a drink and to get home.
ReplyDeletePerhaps there was a massage tent after Boston but all the post race stuff was missed when I ran it because of the tragedy that happened soon after I crossed the finish line. -L
DeleteTrue confession time- I had my first post-race massage after this year's Disney Princess Half Marathon. My pal made me! What a grand indulgence; it was the best $10 I ever spent. No longer will I say, "I'm not worthy!"
ReplyDeleteYES Did, You ARE Worthy! A post race massage at Disney is always a must for us!
DeleteI didn't realize that J&A races have soups in the food tents post race. Do they usually have this at Shamrock? If so, I know what I'll be running for during the race in a couple of weeks!
ReplyDeleteYes, There will be soup in a bread bow at Shamrock! It will be well deserved to if it continues to be as cold as it has been for that race.
DeleteI ran the Glow Run (nightime race) here last year and they had the best spread of food afterwards that I'd ever seen. It was fantastic.
ReplyDeleteOh, love a good spread of food after a race. We are not always that hungry after running but it is nice to have options other than a banana!
DeleteOh wow, that Williamsburg Race sounds amazing with all the extras it offers! I might have to look into that one.
ReplyDeleteI may have to add that race to my list again some year!
DeleteFree tickets? That's fantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteNow if only Disney would offer Free Park tickets!
DeleteI did the race retreat for my first Disney half and the hot eggs and bacon afterwards was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThat does sound good. Especially if it was cold out.
DeleteMassages are definitely a great post-race treat (sometimes I'll even "treat" myself to an hour-long massage after longer races!). At the Hershey Half marathon, you get 2 tickets to visit Hershey Park! There's also lots of free chocolate offered, of course, so it's one of my favorite races :)
ReplyDeleteOh that is good to know. A Hershey race is on my list for sure! I wonder if they give them out for the 10K too?
DeleteI loved the food at the Shamrock half! The wine at Zooma was good too!
ReplyDeleteYea, J&A Races surely don't skimp on the post race treats!
DeleteClearly I need to sign up for more races.
ReplyDeleteJen@jpabstfitness
You will find the some races offer more "post race treats" than others. Some will just give you a banana and call it a day. Which is often the case at smaller races.
Delete#5 sounds awesome! I was just reading that for the Hershey Half Narathon you get tickets to the park. I love non-food treats like that!
ReplyDeletethe williamsburg one sounds awesome-what great extras! My favorite post race party is the Great Race in Agoura Hills-they have so much food and it's so relaxed. it was rated the best post race party in the country by runner's world!
ReplyDeleteKiawah has a ton of food, you;d think it was VIP, but it is for everyone.
ReplyDeleteFREE post race massages or PT analysis is wonderful! I've had those several times. Mimosas were a nice treat at the Nashville Women's half and champagne at Divas. In my experience, most races have something unique.
ReplyDeleteYa'll are so creative! I love this take on the topic! I love a post-race massage. I didn't know the Wicked 10k did warm soup... I've been wanting to run that for years now and you've just given me another reason to make a race-cation and run it! Thanks for linking up with us today!
ReplyDeleteA free massage after a race sounds great. I love all the RnR races as they usually have great concerts, though I don't always stay. In the ultra community, they usually have a feast of some sort after the race. It can subs, BBQ, whatever, but it's a spread and I think that's a pretty nice treat after a long, hard race.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually get massages at races cuz the lines are often too long but one of the times I did, I met my Sports Chiro, Dr Miracle, who has been an invaluable resource for all of my running niggles and injuries.
ReplyDeleteWow, free park tickets are awesome! Love post-race massages, too!
ReplyDeleteI've only used the post race massage once, it was fabulous. The only problem was it eventually ended and I did not want to get up and have to walk away. That hurt worse than sitting for a while after a marathon, LOL For some reason after that I never got one again:)
ReplyDeleteThose are all great perks, I love it when races offer a little extra at the finish. I especially love the ones that hand out the finisher t-shirts after you finish the race:)
The best perk ever was at the Rehoboth Beach Marathon in Delaware. They had this full on catered meal for all the runners, seriously anything from pizza, to mash potato's stuffing, mac and cheese, hot dogs, enchilatas etc. a huge variety to fit any runners taste. Oh and they had ice cold soda and Pepsi!!!
Usually I can't stand to eat after a marathon for several hours and I generally skip all post race food and wait until my stomach is ready to eat. But I couldn't resist and decided to eat anyway, it only took my tummy a few minutes to realize, yes she is going to feed me, LOL Ya I did go with the mac and cheese and potatoes and gravy stuffing combo with Pepsi, and it was great! LOL
The post race massage was awesome after Ragnar last year. Pizza is my post race fave and chocolate. Chocolate pizza?!
ReplyDeleteI haven't done many races, but I really loved the post run part at the Colour Run. It was so much fun and there was much more paint thrown everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI love a post race massage! I treated the hubby and I both to one in January after my first half and it was heavenly!!!!! Follow it up with a nice chilled wine glass and I am one happy runner!
ReplyDeleteFree tickets??!!! Wow that's a score!
ReplyDelete