THE BLOG

Are You There Race Directors? It's Me, Meg.

notes from meg Mar 10, 2021
Meg running in the Hickam Half Marathon.

I had the chance to catch up with ultramarathon icon Dean Karnazes earlier this week, and our conversation was a reminder of just how much running and endurance is ingrained in Treat PR.

When I relaunched Treat PR last year, I was wary of approaching race directors and continuing that tradition of telling the story of endurance events. I knew that there had been no challenge quite like 2020 for them before and that budgets were tight. I figured an email from me might be a distraction or disrespectful during this metaphorical marathon...like a sign that says “You’re almost there!” at mile 20.

My conversation with Dean reminded me of a couple of things and made me rethink this decision. 

First, the instant connection created by running is so powerful. Even as I, a middle-of-the-pack, 5:12 marathoner, talked to one of the most inspirational and legendary runners in the world, there was no question that Dean and I shared common ground and were chatting as equals. Running has that amazing power. 

Second, I may have let fear get in the way in a moment when race directors might have needed me most. I hadn’t been training, hadn’t seen a starting line in quite a while, and was questioning my own identity as a runner and endurance enthusiast. I was also worried about tough conversations around when to return to in-person events, knowing that my personal view that we should all stay safe and pivot to virtual racing until this pandemic is behind us might not be shared by potential clients.

Finally, a message to a fellow runner of encouragement and kindness – via a phone call, email, text, or tweet – is something amazing to send and to receive, regardless of pandemics and other world events that might be happening...and maybe even more so when they are!

So, here’s my call out into the universe: if you’re a race director who’s totally unsure how to stay engaged with your participants and tell your story during this once-in-a-lifetime moment, I’d love to hear from you. It’d be my pleasure to simply catch up and connect with you – and, of course, to offer my professional skills if desired. My shoes are laced. My Garmin is charged. I’ve got some hydration and nutrition to share. I’m ready. Let’s step up to that next starting line together.

Grab some time on my calendar here.

SUBSCRIBE FOR WEEKLY LIFE LESSONS

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, metus at rhoncus dapibus, habitasse vitae cubilia odio sed.

We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.