custom marathon bib, baby

As I picked up my marathon number this morning, I couldn't help but feel a little sad.  One of the coolest things about the Portland Marathon is that if you sign up early enough, you can have your name printed on your bib so that spectators can cheer for you.  It's incredibly energizing to hear strangers screaming your name as you go by.

My decision to run Portland was a late one - a spur of the moment, fly by the seat of your pants type deal that I hatched after running a great 17 miler with my awesome running buddy, who has been signed up for Portland since last December. 

Boy, did that empty space look, well...empty.

Not to worry, I thought - I'll just get a sharpie at home and put @runnerteri or something like that.  Thus appeased, we proceeded to check out the rest of the expo.

Wouldn't you know it, but two legends of marathon happened to be upstairs - Frank Shorter and Jeff Galloway.  Now Frank Shorter is one badass dude - in the 1972 Olympics, he ran the 10k and earned 5th place, and then turned around and WON A GOLD MEDAL in the marathon.  That's my kind of crazy! 

So yes, I about died when he not only signed my bib but made a custom design on it.

Legend Frank Shorter signing my bib

Best marathon bib ever!!