- Medal Monday prolongs the post-race euphoria through the gesture of proudly displaying one’s medal.
- Sharing one’s accomplishment encourages others to challenge and challenge themselves in turn.
- It also helps to counter post-race melancholy and find new stimulation for future goals.
As Gaia sings in the hit song Chiamo io chiami tu it’s always Monday, but for some it might be a Monday a little different than usual. For the thousands of runners who raced yesterday in Milan, or elsewhere, it’s a Medal Monday. What does it mean? Medal Monday is a widespread custom among those who participate in running races that has the scopes of prolonging the state of euphoria due to the achievement of a goal for which one has worked hard.
But what does it actually involve?
The Monday after a race, runners proudly show off their medals, typically by posting a celebratory photo on social media. Especially abroad, particularly across the ocean after iconic races like the New York City Marathon, it’s common to wear the medal all day on Monday, displaying it for everyone to see. This simple gesture can be enough to make you feel like a true hero: passersby will shower you with compliments, while others might stop you in amazement to ask for insights about the race, listening with wide-eyed admiration as if you had won the marathon yourself.
If you try to do a search on social by filtering the content shared with the hashtag #MedalMonday you will easily get an idea of how widespread and heartfelt this ritual is. The common denominator among all the photos you’ll come across will be the smiles of happiness and joy immortalized along with the medals, sported around the neck or clasped in the hands of those who have earned them. More than just cold, lifeless pieces of metal, these medals are true symbols filled with meaning.
A form of inspiration for others
Some might interpret this as a self-celebration, a way to seek recognition. But looking at it from another perspective, this act can actually inspire others. The contagious energy of Medal Monday might motivate someone to follow the same path, pushing them to challenge themselves. Sharing one’s story and journey could encourage others to take on their own challenges, whether it’s their first race or a long-awaited comeback.
A way to cope with post race blues
last but not least, after months of preparation culminating in race day, many runners experience what’s known as runner’s blues, a feeling of sadness or nostalgia in the days following a race. Embracing the tradition of Medal Monday is a way to extend the positive post-race feelings while taking time to reflect and start looking forward to new and exciting goals.