Look what arrived last night! My 2012 race book is here!
I’m a sentimental collector. Call it the former scrapbooker in me, but I save almost every little memento I can get my hands on, including race bibs. A few years ago my race bib collection got a little out of control. I pretty much pinned my bibs to my giant cork board as soon as I got home and forgot about them. It was unorganized chaos.
Then one day, during an organizational cleaning streak, I decided to do something about it. I went back to my scrapbooking roots and digitally created a “race book” via the iPhoto photo book program that came with my MacBook. The first race book was a success and, three years later, remains a yearly tradition (see: 2009, 2010, and 2011 race books).
I still use iPhoto to create my yearly race books because it’s just so easy to use. All my photos are already in iPhoto so it’s as simple as dragging and dropping them to a selected page layout. I can work on the book without a WiFI connection and when I’m done all I have to do is hit “Buy Book” and it’s on its way. There are other great photo book programs out there (Shutterfly, Snapfish, Walgreens, etc), but if you have a MacBook, iPhoto is the way to go.
Unfortunately my cork board has drifted back to resembling a state of chaos in the last few years. Only this time I like to think it’s more of a state of organized chaos rather than unorganized.
I did keep up the habit of lining the race bibs neatly in a row on the bottom cork board – that’s a start.
This morning I took the bibs down and prepped them for the book (I have a bad habit of leaving the safety pins connected to the bibs after races).
Each race book covers all of my races from the dedicated year, highlighting my favorite photos from each race on one side.
And leaving a page intentionally blank on the other, where the race bib is placed using double sided tape.
I also like to include the date, name of the race, and official time on the bottom of the photo page.
By the way, how gigantic are the Rock ‘n’ Roll race bibs? They’re HUGE.
I think the Women’s Half Marathon bib is my favorite. Larger name + small number = greater chance of having your name called on the course. Yay, encouragement!
Each race book is a walk down memory lane and a good reminder of what we can accomplish when we set our minds to it.
I love going back through the years and reflecting on them.
- 2009 was the year of firsts (first marathon, first triathlon, etc.). I was still a newbie falling in love with the sport and figuring out my way in the running world.
- 2010 was the first year of speed. I trained hard for my first sub-4:00hr marathon, thanks to a new appreciation and understanding of speed work.
- 2011 was the year of my first Half Ironman and it felt like all of my training revolved around that one race that year.
- 2012 was the year of fun. Derek proposed at the first race of the year (Ragnar Relay), I trained hard and PRed two big races (Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Pete Half Marathon and Flying Pig Marathon), and I spent the rest of the year rediscovering myself and having fun trying new things (running my first naked 5k and doing a Pretty Muddy run with girlfriends)
Another year of running is officially in the books. Time to start figuring out what 2013 will bring! (hint: a full Ironman!)
If you were to describe your 2012 racing schedule in one word, what would that word be?
{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
Love your race books! 🙂
Krissy @ Shiawase Life recently posted..Tune in Tuesday: Wreck-it Ralph music 🙂
Meghann, I LOVE THIS idea!!! I have all my bibs in a folder, except for the Rock n Roll one from Sunday which is staring at me as we speak, because I cannot find said folder. What a genius idea.
Megan – I Run For Wine recently posted..SportHooks Giveaway! Hang your medals in style
Weird, I tried to leave a comment but it wouldn’t take. I LOVE this idea Meghann!! I keep all my bibs too, they are all in a folder, except my RnR from this weekend because I can’t locate said folder at the moment. This is genius! How was Flying Pig? I have an obsession with Pigs and really want to do that one.
Megan – I Run For Wine recently posted..SportHooks Giveaway! Hang your medals in style
I loved Flying Pig! I wouldn’t run it as a half marathon (it’s basically a straight uphill half), but it was great for the full since you spend the second half mainly coasting down hill. 🙂
I really disliked the Flying Pig course!! It was HELL! lol If you want a challenging uphill course then maybe you will like it!
Good to know!! I do not like going up hill. Not at all. I call the overpasses at Disney hills. Somehow someway, I need to get some hill training in because Napa to Sonoma is on my radar for 2014.
Megan – I Run For Wine recently posted..NutttZo Banana Chocolate Smoothie
I need to do this! The current state of disaster is my bibs and medals hanging around my mirror…and after 20+ races last year alone…that is a lot of clutter! yours look great.
My 2012 racing schedule = stacked. I raced most weekends in the fall including 6 halfs over 8 weeks. And loved it all 🙂
Gianna recently posted..Let’s Talk 2013 Plans and Goals…
very nice!
mine would be “endurance” bc i did my first 50 miler and a 50k and 2 marathons while training, then raced a marathon later in the year. my biggest mileage year ever! dialing it back for 2013 🙂
Kashi @ Cape Island Runners recently posted..My sister, myself
My 2010 was a lot like that, only I stopped at the 50k (so much fun, I need to run one again!). Congrats on the 50 miler!
I love this idea! I haven’t run any races yet, but I will definitely keep this project in mind when I do start. 🙂
Allison @ With Faith & Grace recently posted..Lent for the 21st Century
That is a very cool book to make for yourself. Great way to keep all of the information together. In a few years you can do a decade recap. 🙂
I still think you should come run the Hartford Marathon with us! 🙂
Ash Bear recently posted..Intuitive Eating Tips for Work and Travel
Love your race book idea! I haven’t run enough races yet for my bib collection to get too out of control, but this seems like a much easier way of “scrapbooking” than actually doing the full-blown cut and paste scrapbook thing.
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted..Why I’m Giving Up Sweets for Lent…Again
Agreed. I haven’t gone back to old fashion scrapbooking since they came out with digital photo books. Best invention ever in my opinion.
Insane. Haha I ran my first two half marathons and my first full marathon in 2012!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats recently posted..Law School: The Decision
My word for my 2012 race year would be…disappointing. Sad, but true.
I love your race books! I don’t think I have the patience for putting something like that together, although I do make a Shutterfly calendar for my mom every year for Christmas. That’s enough to put me over the edge. But I was never a scrapbooker. I need a scrapbooking friend that I can use wisely. 🙂
Paula @ Eat: Watch: Run recently posted..{Almost} Paleo Pancakes
I make a calendar for my mom every Christmas, too. I was a huge scrapbooker in high school and college so I have a lot those must-save-and-take-photos-of-everything traits, I think that’s what makes me a good blogger – ha! Back then it would take me MONTHS to finish a scrapbook, after that doing them online is a walk in the park.
I’m curious if there are many pictures from the naked 5k, haha!
I love this idea! I never take photos at races. I tend to go to races alone, I don’t have too many friends who are runners, so I end up going, running, and coming home. I like it, but I just don’t end up with a ton of pictures, so I just save the bibs. I’d love to eventually do this, but I need to start racing more, first!
Kristy @ Kristy’s Health Revolution recently posted..The Best Valentine’s Date Night
This.is.AMAZING. Very very good idea. So far I have only been running 1 race/year but this is a very good motivation to run more ha!
PeachyLau recently posted..Love is in the…Cactus?
This is SUCH a great idea! I am so impressed. Uber impressed 🙂
Annette @FitnessPerks recently posted..Bodyweight Training
I love the idea of putting a book together like that! It looks great!
Katie @ Balanced RD recently posted..Healthified Twice Baked Potatoes
Where is the naked race page? LOL I love this idea sooo much!!
Mrs. Swan recently posted..3 day juice fast- START
Lol I was going to say the same thing! 😉
Hi Meghann, I loved the idea so much that I just blogged about it. Hope it is OK with you. You can find the article here:
http://peachylau.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/meghanns-excellent-idea-2/
PeachyLau recently posted..Meghann’s excellent idea
That’s pretty amazing! I wish I had started doing that. I have a bib keeper with my name on it, but haven’t put all them in there yet. I’m going to have to remember to start….”remembering” my races 🙂
The books are a great idea and especially leaving the page for the bibs. My race junk finally got a little more organized this year when my husband built a shelf and medal hanger. 2012 is a bit of a step back for me, at least for the first half!!
abbi recently posted..Runners Seminar with Bart Yasso
2012 was the year of being pregnant. Now that it’s over, 2013 is rebuilding!
Victoria recently posted..Postpartum Progress: Two Months
Love this idea!! Jealous of your medals…soon for me!
That’s a really cute idea! I didn’t know you could set up and buy books through iPhoto like that – I’m going to check if I can do that here in Oz…
miss posy recently posted..28 candles
Separated.
I ran my last half in February 2012 and realized how burnt out I was. While I do run once or twice a week I am taking an extended break from training.
Christine @ BookishlyB recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday- All You Need is Love
I never save my bibs but this made me want to! This is sooo cute. Love it.
Karen @ Runner Girl Eats recently posted..Happy Fat Tuesday!
This is the best idea, I love it! Check out all your race bling too, that is impressive.
SUCH a great idea!! I have also seen doing this for kids with their school projects and artwork.
Angela recently posted..Friday Favorites
Your race memory books are such a great idea. I never would have thought about leaving the blank space for the bib, but that’s an excellent place to keep them. My 2012 racing season would best be described by the word “rollercoaster.”
Beth @ Running with the Sunrise recently posted..Busy weekend
What an awesome idea, thank you! More importantly, I’ve had my Mac for almost a year and didn’t even know I could create photo books in iPhoto. Duh!
I had no idea that you could make photo books with iPhoto! I always usually shutterfly, will definitely try it though! Your race book looks awesome! I have a binder with page protectors that I use for my race bibs and photos from the race. Same basic format as yours…just not digital =)
I don’t have a lot of pictures from races, but I always keep my race bibs and little mementos from the day. I’d like to take pictures but I always remember after the fact!
I love this idea! I should think about doing something for my progress getting back into shape. I just had a baby and I’m finally starting to workout again! It’d be a fun first year baby book too! Thanks for sharing!
These are SO adorable!
Kate recently posted..Snow Day Friday!
Wow! They look so great. I wish I were that organized. I always intend to be…… Hmmmm, I wonder if I even have all of my bibs for 2012? Yikes. I need to first get organized then make books! Thanks for the idea!!
Sarah F recently posted..{Guest Post} getting it done
I love your race book! So fun! I don’t race much, so my racebook would be about 2 pages if I dedicated one page to each race that I did in a year!
Becky @ runfundone recently posted..Sprint Triathlon Training Plan
I have to get my races in when I can. I only had two last year and one the year before. But this year I had a great start. I already have one. Fun would be my word. I always have a lot of fun. 🙂
Liz recently posted..FD242 – Old Shoes..Keep um or Toss um…But Thems Good Kicks
Such a neat idea!!!! You have a TON of medals. Love that!
[email protected] recently posted..Happy Gavin-Tines Day
Awww, I love this! What a great idea! I’m a former scrapbooker (well, I’d still DO it but I don’t have time. I scrapbooked when I was laid off from my FT job for a year) Anyway..
So yeah, now I make photobooks. Of my vacations though, not races, since I don’t *do* races. I love how you kept the design consistent year-to-year so your books look like a part of a series! See, that’s something I should work on — all my books look completely different!
I love that you’ve continued to keep up with this tradition. I am certain that your 2013 book will be the best!
So crafty!! I have my bibs stored in a manila folder (with the pins still attached haha!) – Definitely want to look into doing this. My first couple of races are pretty spotty for pictures since I really had no clue what I was doing! But after that I have plenty to make up for it!
beka @ rebecca roams recently posted..Rock N’ Roll St. Pete Expo+Race Recap
What an awesome idea!! I am going to have to try this.
I fall in love with this idea every time you write about it. Alas, I could never be that organized/motivated. I am terrible about taking photos.
My racing in 2012? Targeted. I ran 2 marathons (one in January, 1 in December) a few half-marathons and a 5K, but mostly I was focused on my marathon training.
Monica C. recently posted..Xanga, I Just Can’t Quit You
This is such an awesome idea! I’m running my first half next month [and a few more later this year] so 2013 would be a great year for me to start something like this 🙂
Allison @ Life’s a Bowl recently posted..Sooo… What? // Salted Caramel Pancakes
LOVE it! I found an extra scrap book in my closet and having been saving my race bibs for it. I’m starting to think it might be a good idea to just make one on the computer – sounds more my style and save the blank page like you did. 😉
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted..Movin’ Shoes Frosty 5k
Love this idea! At first I thought you meant you scanned your race bibs, then realized your idea allowed for the keeping of them.
So when I went on snapfish and other websites and they ask what size book i would like to make. What size would you recommend so that it can fit a race bib
My books are 11″ x 8/5″