photocredit: bryttaneeeatonbeauty.com

BY: RACHEL SMITH

It’s a term used at many events and gatherings.  I hear it often, actually.  But today I thought I’d really dig into the definition and origin of the word SWAG.

You see, once upon a time, swag meant the stylish confidence or stature by which you held yourself.  A person had ‘swagger.’  This use of the word can be traced all the way back to the 1600s where it was used to refer to “handsome swag fellows.”

Somewhere in the 1960s it began to be used to describe promotional items.  According to Merriam-Webster’s files, early swag was everything from promotional records sent to radio stations to free slippers for airline passengers.  In short order, this particular meaning of swag broadened and soon referred to anything given to an attendee of an event as a promotion.

So what’s my point with all of this?  Well, for the 2nd Annual Tri Clear Lake event, there’s going to be some pretty amazing swag!  Which is awesome… because I figure if you’re going to swim, bike and run that far, you most definitely deserve some cool stuff!

The first 300 participants to get signed up will receive this trendy Blender Bottle.

Now… I, personally, have never seen anything like this.  But after a bit of research I found that the wire whisk is found only in this brand of Blender Bottle.  You just add your ingredients, drop in the Blender Ball, and shake it up.  The whisk whips around inside the bottle, mixing your drinks to a smooth consistency every time.

AWESOME!!!  Have you ever mixed up a protein shake and then grimaced in disgust every time you swallowed one of those little chunks?  Well… problem solved!!!

And folks, this is just one of the many swag items you get for being a part of Tri Clear Lake.  Plus there’s the finish line party.  I mean, who wouldn’t enjoy an ice cold beer while listening to live music in our beautiful City Park?  It’s the PERFECT way to spend a Saturday morning!

Get yourself signed up.  Or get a team together and do it as a relay.

And hurry… because it won’t be long before we hit that 300 mark at registration.  Then you’ll be destined to a lifetime of having little un-blended chunks of protein powder in your drinks.

And nobody wants that, right?  So here’s the handy-dandy link to sign up.  Be sure to share it with your friends!!!

https://www.active.com/clear-lake-ia/triathlon/races/tri-clear-lake-2018?int=