Went into Philly this morning to pick up my race packet from the expo for tomorrow's half marathon. Got to see John "the Penguin" Bingham speak, which I always enjoy.
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| John "the Penguin" Bingham |
He's made a name for himself by representing the back of the pack and encouraging people to take up running no matter how slowly they do it. He wrote a column for Runner's World for many years and now writes for Competitor. In addition to being a talented writer, he is a great public speaker. I listened to his talk at last year's race as well.
Unfortunately Kara Goucher and Frank Shorter weren't speaking until later in the day, so I had to miss them.
Brooks took up half of the expo space with an old timey-syle carnival, complete with an automated fortune teller, a caboose of curiosities, and a vaudeville show featuring the Human Jesus Lizard.
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| God bless the people in charge of Brooks marketing |
I've decided Brooks has won me over for life.
Running is big business these days, if the popularity of Rock 'n' Roll events is anything to go by, not to mention the size of this expo. When one tires of guest speakers or the tomfoolery of the good people of Brooks, one can browse dozens of booths giving out free samples, promoting future races, or selling all manner of merchandise. Sports drinks guaranteed to deliver more electrolytes, headphones guaranteed never to shake loose from your ears, books and magazines, athletes everywhere, all drawn to this cavernous space and its overgrown spectacle by the most elemental activity in human existence.
And then I saw this:
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