I shouldn’t be surprised that my running-shirts collection is getting out of control (a race a week will do that). But every time I open my dresser drawer to add the latest testament to my lack of skills, I am still genuinely amazed at just how many I have accumulated over the past 12 months.
Back in March, I put together this gallery, but I have been lax in updating it, so here are a few more tees. I love how much they vary in size. I tip my hat to the race organizers who have figured out that “unisex” shirts, i.e., men’s, don’t really work for petite women, or any women, really.
I am in the midst of collecting the ones I can’t really use for donation to a local charity. But they will endure here …
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- 4K on the 4th. Concord, NH. July 1, 2012
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- Squantum 5. Squantum, MA. June 28.
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- Halfway 5K. Canton, MA. June 10, 2012
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- P.R.o.N.E. 5K. Boston, MA. June 2, 2012
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- Boston’s Run to Remember. Boston, MA. May 27, 2012
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- Semper Fred 5K. Fredericksburg. Va. May 20, 2012
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- Brian K. Betts 5K. Washington, D.C. May 19, 2012
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- Boston Marine Corps Honor Run. Carson Beach, Boston. May 5, 2012
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- Margaritas 5K. Exeter, NH. May 13, 2012
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- Melissa Fund Sun Run. New York City. April 22, 2012
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- B.A.A. 5K. Boston, MA. April 15, 2012
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- Beyond the Rainbow 5K. Newmarket, NH. April 7, 2012
Stride and Joy 
The rainbow tee is pretty cute, but others I wonder why the race even bothered! I often feel that way when a shirt is stuffed full of sponsorship logos but made from cheap cotton and uses only men’s sizing. 😦
Yep. Couldn’t agree more. I appreciate the effort, but a men’s small does not a women’s shirt make! I still love the idea of the shirts though, even though they sometimes fail in the execution.
Oh, and the rainbow one is definitely my pick of that bunch. 🙂
That is quite the collection! I also love the rainbow tee and the Margarita one 🙂
Thanks! Yep, those two are winners. But I’m getting to the point where I’m not going to take the shirt at all if it’s not right. I can’t believe I’m saying that. 🙂
Maybe you could upcycle them into a quilt – like a running quilt of memories.
It’s a good idea! I can imagine doing that with some of the more special shirts. I stumbled upon this blogger was clearly grappling with the same shirts conundrum. She had some great tips. http://katierunsthis.com/2011/08/02/race-t-shirt-recycle/
Unfortunately, the majority of my race shirts have turned into bedtime shirts since men’s sizes are not going to cut it on my 4’11” frame!! I wish they’d provide shirts specifically for women and maybe even technical tees to boot…..
Yep, most of mine have been relegated to bedtime, but even then, there are only so many bed shirts a person needs!! I agree with you wholeheartedly on the women’s-specific shirts and the tech tees. I guess it’s just too cost prohibitive for the smaller events, but for something like the Run to Remember …
Oh well, I just have to keep reminding myself, it’s not all about the shirt. 😉
The last race I did I told the race director…..honestly I don’t know why you do tech tee shirts in white….what women wants to sweat in them and have the entire world see right through them? Fell on deaf ears…..after all it took him 10 minutes to fight with me over what my last name is! We’ve (women) come a long way….however there is still room for improvement. I am with you linkeech…..I like cotton as I am going to have a running quilt made.
Sucks that your plea fell on deaf ears! But I’m not really surprised.
I always thought tech was better, but if the tech doesn’t fit, it’s no more useful to me than cotton. And you’re right, at least I can make a quilt out of cotton! Something to think about for sure. I am amused by how much time I spend pondering these things!
Hey there! I’m not sure how I stumbled upon your blog, but I love it! I’m a runner living in Quincy as well (you should run with our – very casual – running club! meetup.com/QuincyRunningDawgs).
I also ran the Run to Remember this past weekend, and as I was waiting for my t-shirt I thought to myself “why am I bothering to wait in this line? I’ll never wear this shirt!” but I did, and I even asked for a size I might be able to wear. It’s already in the donation pile, I didn’t even bother to try it on. Usually I ask for the XL and pass it off to my boyfriend (who never runs races, but looks like a champ with all the race shirts I’ve given him!).
Hi! Thanks so much for passing on the run group info! I’m so happy you found me. Yep, that shirt is unlikely to ever see the light of day again. I might wear it a couple times around the house, because I feel bad if I don’t give them all a little love! 🙂
The “unisex” shirts are a huge pet peeve of mine, especially since women routinely make up half or more of the field at any given event! I have so many race shirts that will never see the light of day again because the shoulder seams are halfway to my elbows. That shirt from the Melissa Fund run looks really good on you though!
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