Wednesday, February 22, 2017

#WellnessWednesday - Volunteer with Race 13.1 to run for FREE

Races keep getting more and more expensive, especially if you wait until the last minute to register and miss all the early bird discounts.  Anytime that I come across an opportunity to run at a discounted rate or for FREE, I will send the information your way. 

The opportunity I want to tell you about today is through Race 13.1.  As of February 22nd, Race 13.1 has one race in West Virginia, five races in North Carolina, two races in Tennessee,  one in Ohio, one in Virginia, three races in Michigan, one in Arkansas, one in South Carolina, and one here in Missouri.  Each race offers unique swag, scenery, and medals to runners but none of those races could safely take place without the help of volunteers. 

Pasted below is more information about Race 13.1’s volunteer program.  They make it VERY easy to earn a free race by just volunteering a few hours one day or combining a Packet Pick-Up shift with a race day shift. 


In 2016, I volunteered as a Course Monitor for four hours and earned $80 in Race Bucks.  That would more than cover a 5k or a 10k at any of their locations and it would also cover a half marathon if I registered early enough.  All I did was cheer on the runners by both yelling for them and shaking a cowbell as they passed, kept cars away from the runners, and directed runners and their families towards the finish line.  Super easy!!!

To find the Race 13.1 location closest to you, click here.  When volunteer registration is available, you will see a Volunteer tab towards the top of the page near the registration tab.  A week or so after your volunteer shift, you will receive your Race Bucks which you can use at any Race 13.1 location (except the Greenbrier 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon, since that is considered a "Destination Race").  Race locations are not always repeated year to year, so be sure to watch the Races & Registration page to help you decide where you want to cash in your Race Bucks.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

#WellnessWednesday - A Much Needed Facelift

If you visited my blog to view the February 8th post, you will have noticed that willrunforamedal.com got a facelift!  

The blog went from crude to AMAZING in a few hours thanks to lovely Erin.  I first met Erin virtually, through one of my favorite running blogs, Road RunnerGirl.  If you scroll to the bottom of her blog, you will see this image:


Naturally, I clicked on the image to find out who Erin was.  The link takes you to Erin’s Blog: Love, Fun and Football.  I clicked around her blog and eventually came across her Design Services link for blogs.  The price seemed amazingly affordable, especially when you click on her Portfolio to see the work she has done.  Suddenly my blog seemed so crude and boring compared to the blogs that Erin had redesigned, so I decided to send her an email.  I picked out bits and pieces that I liked from the blogs shown in her portfolio and then included a few ideas of my own. 

Within a few days of my inquiry, Erin sent me an amazing draft.  I had a picture in my mind of what the blog could look like, but her drafts exceeded all of my expectations.  The colors were bolder than I had pictured, the graphics were better, and we added a little sparkle here and there.  With just a few tweaks, we were ready for the facelift to go live.  I was so excited to see the changes implemented, that I completely forgot to take a picture of the old template.  In any case, I am very happy with Erin’s work.  She was so easy to work with and looking back, the entire process was completed in just over three weeks.  

If you are looking to overhaul your blog, I recommend looking at other blogs for ideas first and then getting in touch with Erin.  I think you will be very pleased with her work.

Thanks again Erin!

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

#WellnessWednesday - How YOU can earn a FREE race in St. Louis

I am spending my first Sunday back in St. Louis as a married woman running the GO! half marathon for FREE in April!!! I am finally able to run a GO! half marathon for FREE because I have volunteered at GO! races for over 20 hours total.  It has taken me a couple years, but this year I was finally able to cash in my time for a FREE entry.

Here's how it currently works:
12 volunteer hours = a free 5k
15 volunteer hours = a free 10k
20 volunteer hours = a free half marathon
30 volunteer hours = a free marathon

Click here for more details about the program and to check your current balance.


Click here to sign up to volunteer at the 2017 GO! St. Louis Marathon and Family Fitness Weekend.  In addition to volunteer hours that never expire and can accumulate to a free race, you also get a free volunteer shirt!