Yesterday I
discovered I actually enjoy race expos when I'm not actually running! Not having the stress of picking up a number and rushing through so you're not on your feet for too long kind of ruins the moment a bit. It's even better when you meet up with friends! The lovely Ms. Joesahfeen was in town on business, so I was lucky enough to hang out with her, too.
This year, The Expo is being held in The Penn Plaza Pavilion,
401 Seventh Avenue at West 33rd Street (right next to Hotel
Pennsylvania across from Madison Square Garden). Lots and lots of room for vendors! If you're looking for something specific, its probably there. The building is laid out a little funny, so make sure
you look around the corner, there might be some other vendors hiding!
Luckily, I did not have cash
on me because there were quite a few products that were very tempting
(coughSparklySoulcough$10greenheadbandscough)!
New feature this year: women's sizing! What?!
And
of course, my favorite part of any NYRR expo: their chapstick! OMG.
That alone was enough to get me to the Herald Square area after work ;)
It's Pink Grapefruit and my go-to for long runs. It's always in the race
belt. They also had a Team for Kids branded one which is Pomegranate
& Pear flavored. Yum!
If
you're going to the expo, remember to pick up your Run the City
Pass (also at the NYRR
booth and pictured above with the chapstick) there are a ton of businesses in the neighborhood (and all over the
city for that matter) giving runners discounts! Most are located in Lower
Manhattan (where the finish line is) and will help support the Hurricane Sandy recovery effort. I will definitely be
checking out an establishment or two for post- volunteering brunch and
fun!
Make sure to take a photo with your bib on the awesome background before you head out, too!
Friday, March 15: 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 16: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 16: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
So excited to find your blog. I just started jogging, not very well and will read your earlier posts for tips. Have a Shamrock And Roll 5 k on Sunday then signed for races every few months until the 1/2 in October. I walk jogged it last year. How did you find the first group you joined?
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Lucy! Congrats on your first 5k and good luck with training for your Half. Which one will you be running? What do you mean by "group"?
DeleteYou mentioned a team in your first blog entry when training for the Fred Le something race. Picked up my bag today. Unfortunately it snowed 3 inches last night. Hoping it is dry tomorrow. I can't wait for spring !
DeleteOh! I trained with TNT (Team in Training), the charity organization for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for my 1st half. Charity running is an awesome way to join a group, or if you have a running store or Lululemon, Athleta near you, almost all of them have running groups you could join, too!
DeleteI hear you about the snow, although I will be wishing for a break at the end of August training. Enjoy it now!
Um, color me jealous over pink grapefruit chapstick!! And I don't know that I could have passed up a green Sparkly Soul headband. Ha! Yay for a not stressful expo.
ReplyDeleteRight?! It's a genius idea. I've noticed a trend in the fancy flavored lip balms and I'm not complaining!
DeleteThe only thing that saved me was I didn't have cash :( . . but I am going to the movies right by there in a few. . . . hmmmm . . .
I've never attended an expo for a race I wasn't running, but it sounds like a great idea - especially if you're looking to buy some discounted gear. I need that grapefruit chapstick!
ReplyDeleteI had never been either (excluding the few I went to with my BFF before I was a runner) and it did feel a tad weird. But who can pass up an expo if you're in the neighborhood anyway? I suggest doing it. It was fun!
DeleteLooks like fun! Do I need to make a mental note to find the NYRR Chapstick when I'm there for NYCM? ;)
ReplyDeleteYES! Although, honestly, I don't remember getting chapstick at the expo this year. . but then again I don't think I was caring at that point. . ha.
Delete