THE TROPHY COLLECTION

            When a formerly sedentary person begins running road races, it occasionally generates more condemnation than praise. People who participate in sports by waving large foam-rubber hands with upraised index fingers at stadium events regard you as crazy. Weekend athletes who keep in shape playing volleyball or tennis now and then scoff at you for entering a race you couldn't possibly win. Around-the-block joggers smugly advise that strenuous exercise for more than 20 minutes every other day is harmful. Friends and relatives express concern about your imminent heart attack and wonder why you can't act your age. Why not try golf or bowling, they suggest.

            Such criticism can be countered in a variety of ways, but the most effective method is to have a trophy collection. Impressed joggers and non-racing runners express genuine interest and your status rises much higher than the level attained by your race T-shirts. Non-runners react mildly, but after viewing the collection all scoffing and snide remarks stop. Word of your racing prowess spreads. (A note of caution: don't try to impress racing friends. They know exactly where you stand. Instead, develop a self-deprecating humor and crack jokes about the circumstances under which the awards were obtained. They'll laugh and exchange similar anecdotes.)

            A minimal trophy display requires about 15-20 obvious awards. Interspersed with the awards are marathon finisher's certificates, finisher's medallions, fun-run ribbons and various other items given out to all runners at some races (Sue Krenn 15K mugs, for example). These latter items function as a "Hamburger Helper" and with skillful arrangement can make a modest trophy collection appear considerably more impressive.

            Buying or borrowing trophies constitutes a severe breach of etiquette. No, awards must be attained the old fashioned way; they must be earned. If you're an elite athlete or race in a division with a sparse field, the task is not so great and adequate storage may become a problem. But, say, if you're a mid- to late-forties male who runs about a 40-41 minute 10K, wile and perseverance are in order. Discussed below are some helpful methods garnered over a five-year period of racing, collecting and observing.

            San Diego is a runner's mecca. The level of competition is very high and the possibility of obtaining trophies is substantially reduced. Still, there are ways. Seek out obscure races, for example. Even in San Diego, some races are very poorly announced and consequently sport weak fields. Some races are not intended for the general public, but nobody seems to notice a lone poacher. The Sri Chimnoy races offer good competition with small fields and generous awards. Try the races in the surrounding districts. They are often less well promoted and the added travel cuts the field, especially when they coincide with big San Diego races. Unfortunately, these methods are only occasionally successful as a lot of "scavengers" are seeking out the same thing.

            If you awaken before dawn on a race day and it is raining, don't go back to sleep; count the storm as a blessing! Races are rarely canceled because of weather, but foul conditions can cut attendance by half to two-thirds and the chances of an award are greatly enhanced.

            Try racing in Orange County. It's only an extra hour away. The races seem much the same as those in San Diego, but the level of competition isn't nearly as high and many of the races have five-year divisions which further dilutes the talent. In addition, many of the races are mixed 5/10K events. The 5Ks function somewhat as the San Diego fun runs, except they are genuine races complete with divisions and awards. Most of the tougher competitors enter the 10Ks. If you like the looks of the awards, opt for the 5K.

            Finally, although each of these methods may be helpful in itself, try to double up as many as possible. For example, hit an obscure race on a foul weather day. If you're really serious about the issue, keep track of obscure Orange County 5/10K events with 5-year divisions and when a rainy day coincides with one, go for it!

September 1986

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