One of the great things about running races is getting to go to the Expo to purchase merchandise. Even though this ends up being such an expense, I always leave thinking I needed everything I've purchased or of course justify it by saying "well it's not like I'll be able to buy this anywhere else" ( referring to the stuff that has race logos on it).
Some expos can be a bit overwhelming and you find yourself hours later still there debating over which shirt or product you want to purchase (well at least I do).
The most overwhelming expo I have ever been to has to be the Boston Marathon. It was pretty much in the entire Convention center not just a room.
I am always debating on what to get when I'm at expos, but I knew exactly what I wanted to get at this expo, the jacket of course (which was very expensive) but can you really put a price on a Boston jacket you may never get a chance to get again? Well I didn't care how much it cost I was getting it.
After making such a big purchase I was debating on this coffee mug. But thought "well do I really need another darn coffee mug in my cupboard?". And not only that it was like $15.00 ( for yet another mug I didn't need). So needless to say I opted out. That evening I contemplated about going back the next day and buying it because, like the jacket, I'm not going to be able to ever get it again the future and in the grand scheme of things am I really going to remember not having the $15.00 or not having the mug? I went back the next day and of course they were sold out. There went my chance.
Several months later my sister and I were contacted by
Gone For Run to test out some of their products. One of the cool things that
Gone For a Run does is screen print your race bibs on certain items. I knew right away which item I was going to choose. I was going to get my Boston race bib screened onto a coffee mug! Not only would I get my bib on the one side of the mug, I got to have my name, time, and date on the other side. How cool is that?
Before the race started I wrote my name on my bib with green magic marker. I love how that is now a permanent part of my mug!
I have used this pretty much every morning since I got the thing and I love it. It washes up nicely and is even dish washer friendly.
Gone For a Run can screen print your race bibs on other things such as coasters, pillows, cups, medal displays, etc. Do you have another personal graphic you would like to use instead of a race bib? No problem. You can put that on a product too.
I think this is an excellent idea and will be sure to use this service again. it really takes the stress out of getting to expos early and scouting out the items I want before they are sold out. I know that I can have just as good of an item personally made for me ( and it might have a little more meaning behind it). This is actually a good idea to do for any kind of vacation souvenirs. Why buy some over priced trinket when you could have one personally made? ~L
Do you ever contemplate on purchases at expos (or anywhere)? What is your deciding factor whether you buy it or not?
