Today we're revisiting a post from a few years ago since every year around this time I turn my favorite race medals into Christmas tree ornaments. The SOS Triathlon medal above is one of my favorites since it was so much skin and sweat went into earning it. New additions this year include Laurel's Challenge Atlantic City medal which is so big that we're afraid it might make the tree tip.
December 2011: I only have a few ornaments—these irresistibly adorable bikes I found at a pop-up Christmas shop a few years ago and a handful of glass orbs from a market in Kona that I bought long before I even dreamed of racing there. So, when I started designing my tree last weekend, I quickly realized that the decorations were going to look sparse if I didn't get creative. That's when it dawned on me: what about that box of finisher medals that's been in my closet (the ones I know I should pitch, but just can't part with)? After an hour of crafting and reminiscing about the sweat and tears that went into each medal, I had a fully decorated Christmas tree. It’s pure Athlete Style. --Bec
