“Good” Goody Bag

When you sign up for a race you usually get a Goody Bag.  Some Goody Bags are not so good. Happily, this year’s Niagara Falls Marathon Goody Bag made me happy.

Here’s what you’ll find in a Goody Bag:

Pamphlets about upcoming races are interesting to runners.  You can dream about far off places you’d like to travel to.  Then you start to conceive a plan to convince your spouse that a destination race is an excellent idea for the whole family.  So far, Montreal is starting to look like a possibility that The Major would be interested in.  I’m still thinking of a way to bring up the idea of Hawaii.

You can usually count on finding some “nutrition” in the form of a goo or bar.  When you run long distances you need to have more than just water.  Gatorade and Powerade are examples of “liquid nutrition”.  Some people eat goo shots, which are like fat, square jelly beans.  In ultra marathons or  long distance biking, athletes eat protein bars.

Coupons are popular items found in Goody Bags.  Many races are run in the spring or fall, so runners are looking for good deals.  The weather is about to change to the next season and you may need to pick up some new running gear.

I would say a “bad” Goody Bags consists of only coupons and fliers for local podiatrists and chiropractors.  You’ll find that when you are running a smaller race.  Smaller races don’t have the big sponsors, which is understandable.  You also aren’t paying the big entry fees, so you can’t expect too much loot.

An glaring example of a disappointing Goody Bag is when Hershey is a sponsor of the Disney Marathon and there is nary a Hershey’s Kiss, a mini Hershey Bar or a coupon for a free Hershey Bar. In 2010, the Disney Marathon advertised that at mile 25 runners would find a table of candy for runners.  I assume the table had Hershey products, but I wouldn’t know. All I can tell you is that when I arrived at mile 25 I found a table of raisins.  All I could think was, “Nature’s candy, my Aunt Fanny!”  I ran 25 miles to get a Hershey Bar and I didn’t get one.  I doubt I’ll ever be able to let that one go.  Maybe if the Hershey corporation sent me a box of candy I might be willing to let this one slip by.

The best part of a “good” Goody Bag includes something unique. I love nail files.  I love the little ruler/magnifying glass I got in the Hospice Dash Goody Bag.  KT tape (an athletic wrap for aching muscles) was an excellent find in the Disney Goody Bag since I needed to tape up my arch due to plantar fasciitis.

Chapstick is always good.  I have received several from the Philadelphia Marathon.  I haven’t run that race, but I’ve received Philadelphia Marathon chapstick in virtually every Goody Bag.  I like it when you get a bottle of water or a Gatorade in the bag too.  Simple, but completely useful.

I got a mesh day bag from the Disney Marathon.  I neglected to pick up anything for Subway Dude while I was in Florida for the race, so I gave him the day bag.  I half expected him to toss it on the floor of his bedroom where I could sneakily take it back.  Instead, he uses it for marching band gear.  This makes me happy.

Here’s what I found in the Niagara Falls Half Marathon Goody Bag:

A poncho! Perfect for wearing at the start of a race if it's cold or rainy. Thankfully, I'll be saving it to use at another race.

If I'm feeling generous I may share with my loved ones. If not, they are all MINE! Good thing my kids don't read the blog.

I'm the only one at Kay Nou who likes whole wheat pasta.

All kinds of goodies here.

Race shirts can be hit or miss. This one is a hit! Soft, long sleeved shirt that's not a weird color.

–Running Girl