Medals

I know we have a medals thread going but this is more a specific discussion, Do you value medals? does it have to be Half Marathons and above that matter more to you?

I love my medals - even my very first fun run 5k medals made out of tin.

The medals dont represent finishing a race, but all the hard work, training and dedicaton in the build up. They also serve as a very solid reminder of the day itself... and my kids think they are on a par with Olympic golds too!

10k medals mean just as much as longer distance medals - particularly the ones which represent a PB

Yes, I value medals ... but you'd expect me to say that!

Same reasons as Kicked-It - each one represents the miles in training, not just the day itself. It's good to have some kind of memento from an event and I suppose a medal is as good as anything else. They're also practical. I've done over 100 races in the past 10 years and if they'd all handed out a mug or horse brass or T-shirt or mantelpiece ornament I wouldn't have room for them all in the house.

Some I value more than others - the first (Reading Half Marathon 2000), the biggest and heaviest (Indian Queens Half Marathon 2008), and also the full marathons gongs because they stand for the most hard work. But I like them all!

Also, when I was a kid I hated PE and was useless at everything. On sports day I was the one cringeing in the corner of the field. I can't say I've been left psychologically scarred by that, but to be able to turn up to a race, trundle round and finish usually about half or a third of the way down the field makes me feel good. The gong is a small reminder of a morning well spent, usually in a nice place and in good company.

Seren, wyt'in dyn haearn nawr? da iawn i ti

Most of mine are in a box. I value them, they all mean something but so do the t shirts and coffee mugs. I did a race for many years that gave out an engraved wine glass, bastards stopped and started giving out a silly shot glass before I could get a set of 6 .

I have been "allowed" 1 shelf to put some of my athletics memorabilia on. I came home once with a huge trophy, a team cup for a half marathon and was told ...." if you think that's going in our lounge ............. "

Mine are lined up in race order , hanging from hooks along the shelf above my PC - so as I sit here I can see them all!

My youngest wore them all on the walk to school one day, (I took them back off her at the school gates!), and I was proud as punch that she wanted to show them off.

The Lollipop lady asked her what they were for:

"They're my Dads" she said

"Oooh lovely, and what did you win them for Dad?"

"Valour in battle" I replied ...

I've been regretting that smartarse reply ever since as the poor old dear now thinks I'm an Iraq war hero

Muttley Jnr feigns lack of interest. Being a teenager he has of course been everywhere, done everything and seen everything, so what's a medal for just taking part, huh?

But I did once overhear him boasting about his Dad being a marathon runner to a mate. Unfortunately his mate's Dad is a professional triathlete so he lost that "my old man's fitter than yours" argument!

Some are hung on the wall. marathons and notable halfs.

The rest are worn by the dogs for a few days (Spice really likes bling) until Mrs.MF gets fed up with the clanking then they get consigned to the dustbin.

Love 'em.    For all the reasons above especially as, like Muttley, I was not the sporty type at school- last one chosen etc etc.

My minigoons are really proud of them.

Had a visiting friend over from abroad recently who I hadn't seen since I started running and minigoon 1 went and got them all and showed them to her and knew what each one was for.

Unlike Muttley, I don't think I'll get 100 before I'm 50, even with MANY years to go.

Not sure about the Christmas tree though, mine all hang off the bed post.

I keep all of mine..some real nice ones. Some good memories..  

Have also got T-shirts, mugs, glass paperweights, Brass horseshoes..