I’ll be the first to admit…sometimes I’m in the races just for the bling. That’s right folk, the medals. I relish the moment I cross the finish line, barely able to breathe and your body is telling you, “AT LAST!” Then some 16-year-old volunteer murmurs a half-hearted, “Congratulations,” and then they knight you. Ok, ok, it’s not a knighting per se and the Queen isn’t recognizing any special accomplishment, but they do drape a thick ribbon around your neck with a specialized medal that commemorates that day and that run.
The bling is one of the reasons that I am doing the California Dreamin’ racing series this year. The series consists of the San Francisco marathon, the Long Beach marathon, and the Surf City marathon. Complete all three within two years and you’ve earned an extra sweet medal and jacket, and an extra bonus: you can do the half marathons and still qualify (which is what I’m doing).

This shall be mine!
I remember seeing a picture of Danica with the California Dreamin’ medal and jacket last year and I knew instantly, I want that medal!
I ran the San Francisco half marathon last year and have already registered for Long Beach and Surf City half marathons this year! I’m so excited to run some great races with some great friends…oh and let’s not forget…score some sweet bling.

The best part of the San Francisco marathon: running over the Golden Gate Bridge (even with the fog).
Who else has done the California Dreamin’ series? Is the bling really all it’s cracked up to be? And what about the jacket? Do you ever wear it again? While you ponder these thoughts, enjoy some overly talented kid strum a rendition of the one and only: California Dreamin’
Girlie! I didn’t know you had a blog!!
I am so doing the California Dreamin’ Series, too! I love the bling, LOVE IT! I have gotten the race jacket from the Boston 2 Big Sur and I wear it, it’s a fleece jacket that is cozy but a little big – it was a unisex small š I don’t care though, it is it’s own type of bling – now I’m collecting jackets!
Great post and spot on! I never knew how much having a medal would make such a difference to me! And thanks for posting a pic of what you do with medals. I’m trying to figure out what to do with all of mine.
Of course! Glad I could help. I want to see what you end up doing with yours so be sure to share a pic!
I am a creeper and found your blog! haha Loved getting to hang with you this past weekend š I NEED this medal as well, which is why I am torchering myself and running LB the weekend after Chicago. I was with D when she got the jacket and medal…jealously instantly crept into my race whore body!
I’m the biggest creeper there is! No shame in creepin’. And yes, this year we will get some sweet bling together. Holla!
Medals are VERY important! Until this year I just stuck all my medals in a tin box thing but I bought a rod and hung up the ones from just this year. I’ll try to post a photo later.
Not sure if you are a Disney person, but they have the BEST medals! And they have extra ones, too, if you do multiples of their races.
I’m down for any race with great medals! Yes, please post pics! And I want to get a better rack, but I guess a belt rack will do for now.