by Jess Evans
June 3, 2019
I have been an athlete for a long time, and often a big fish in a little pond. In fifth grade I ran my first race, a ½ mile run at the year end field day. I can’t remember if I got first or second, but I do remember there was a fourth grade girl I was aiming to beat. Rumor had it, she was really fast. The only thing I remember is throwing up at the end of the race after taking a drink of Gatorade. I never drank Gatorade again. I am clearly veering off subject here.
Through the years, I have done well in numerous races, receiving ribbons, medals, and trophies. After college, I had such a collection, I did not know what to do with them. So, I threw them in the trash can which was then taken to the landfill. Yes, my awards have helped with filling up a landfill somewhere. I should have realized I was going to become a race director and could recycle those things. I could have handed out my soccer trophies to the first, second, and third place teams in each category. What difference does it make that it was a young female kicking a soccer ball?
Since I started adventure racing, I have received some trophies, but most have been medals (finisher medals). A friend of mine revealed that he turned his medals into wind chimes. That is a brilliant idea! I tried something similar where my medals are hanging from a small basket in my yurt, where, if there was a wind, they would sound sort of like a wind chime. However, I was embarrassed a few months ago when my parents brought some of their friends into the yurt to show them this very awesome domicile. When they saw the medals, they were impressed and said I must be an amazing athlete. I quickly corrected them, “they are just finishing medals.” I am rethinking hanging them up for all to see.
Honestly, I prefer mugs, cups, and buffs to medals and trophies, because I can use them. However, medals, trophies, and ribbons are great for bringing back memories of my fun adventures.
