Guest post at runningrelays.com

Up until this August, I ran the blog runningrelays.com.  It was a marvelous project, and I had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people, including race directors and relay fanatics.  But the blog was quickly taking over my life and I didn't want to commit the resources it needed to really make it something special, so I handed it over to a gal who has plenty of relay experience. However, I still enjoy writing about relays, so I put together this guest post that should appear there soon.

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You might think that, as a runner, my favorite part of relays would be the miles on the road.  Pushing myself to run faster than ever so as to not let my team down. Working hard and having the sore legs on Sunday to prove it. But you know what? As much as I love the running, that isn't my favorite part.

No, what I love is seeing all the creative ways that people deck out their vans and their persons, running in crazy costumes that range from the silly to the divine.  The costume contest at the Cascade Lakes Relay is my favorite part of the race - some of those teams spend more time on that one costume than they do on their training.  Developing and honing a team theme is surprisingly rewarding for me.

Buried somewhere deep in side me must be a trapped designer - of interiors, fashion, events.  This alternate persona doesn't get to come out and play much, but give me a great relay team theme, and it just can't help itself.  I've got ideas coming out of my ears.  So you can imagine how excited I was to check out some mood boards for interior design and realize that the same could be done for relay teams.

My hope is to bring you new mood boards on a regular basis.  If you have a team theme you'd like some brainstorming help with, please feel free to email me at teri@runningrelays.com.

So without further ado, here is my first team mood board.

The Rockstar theme.

Team names in this genre: Dexy's Midnight Runners, Buns & Roses, Steve Miller's Band, Tramps Like Us, No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn, Elvis Has Left the Van, Born to Run
Think favorite songs, bands, lyrics...

1. Inflatable guitars

If you're gonna be a rockstar, you need an instrument.  Inflatable guitars are an obvious choice. How else will you totally rock out when you stop to support your runner?

2. Light up sunglasses

Yeah, you can wear your sunglasses at night, Corey Hart.  They even react to sounds of passing cars.

3. Disco ball Christmas lights

Are these not the coolest lights ever?  Why have just one disco ball when you can fill your entire van with them? Not sure how to hook Christmas lights up in your van? Here's a guide.

4. Big hair

I mean, you can't be a butt rock band without a mullet.  And forget punk without a smokin' mohawk.  Shop after Halloween sales to save on killer wigs.

5. Guitar shaped blinkie lights

Many of the relays are now requiring you to wear blinking lights on your back at night.  You could go the traditional red blinkie light route, or you could be totally rockin' and wear a red guitar.

6. Tattoos

You can't be a rocker without some tattoos.  These ones even glow in the dark.

7. Black tech shirts

To pull a look together, matching team shirts are the way to go.  Purchase enough for your team from a local running store (they will usually give you a discount - be sure to ask), design a cool rocking logo and have them screen printed locally.  My team purchased tech shirts and had them custom printed on a small run for $33 each.  Road Runner Sports gave us an awesome discount on our shirts.

8. Awards

Complete your relay experience with team awards - Best Air Guitar Player, Most Welcome Singing at 2 am, Parties Most Like a Rockstar...it can be a fun way to wrap up a weekend.

So there you have it - the Rockstar relay theme mood board.  Have any more ideas about how to rock it relay style?