Port to Park 5K Recap

Port to Park 5K Series

Location: Port Richey Waterfront Park, Florida

Date: Friday, May 11^th, 2012

Participants: 61

The Port to Park 5K Series is a little different than 5Ks I’ve done in the past. It’s a small, family-friendly, local event that is run in the evening at 7pm over the course of three evenings. Also happening just before the 5K is a diaper dash and kids 1-miler.

A series like this is a great example of why it’s fantastic to goLocal. While probably one of the cheaper sports to get into, running can start to get expensive the more events you sign up for. Event fees and travel costs add up. By staying local, you cut out most of the travel cost. And many smaller events are very affordable. Port to Park for instance was $25 per race, but only $35 ($45 late registration) if you sign up for the full series of 3 races, each a month apart. It doesn’t get much better than that!

For the most part, you give up all the bells and whistles for the lower entry fee – no overflowing goodie bags, no blinged out finisher medals, no expos or vendor tents, etc. However, I was pleasantly surprised that my $45 entry fee included a pretty nice tech shirt! The winners and category winners got medals (the rest of us got leis), as well as some odd categories like mid-packer, fastest stroller jogger, an dead last!

The course was mostly bike trail and road, but at the start and finish there was some running around the park in the gravel and grass. But it was an average course with police support at the crossing and two passes through a water station. The park is easy to get to, has ample parking, and real bathrooms (bonus!). Upon returning, there was music, fruit, beans and rice, a hula contest and limbo contest for the kids. The only snag was that they ran out of water afterwards.

Participating in a low key 5K keeps you tuned up and motivated without any pressure. The Friday evening timing was perfect for my husband and I so that we could still do our longer Saturday workouts.

So one down, two to go! Next time you’re searching for a race, goLocal!

Gasparilla 5K 2012 Recap

Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K

Location: Tampa, Florida

Date: Saturday, March 3^rd, 2012

Participants: Total – 11,924; Men - 4,858; Women – 7,066

Gasparilla in Tampa brings to mind pirate ship invasions, kid’s parades, night parades, day parades, costumes, drinking and beads, lots of drinking and beads. But for thousands of runners, it also means it’s time to lace up and head out to Bayshore Blvd. for one of the area’s largest race weekends.

This year’s Gasparilla races included a 5K, 15K, 5+3K, and Half Marathon, as well as an Expo. To answer the nagging question now, the odd ball 5+3K is so named after the race sponsor, 5/3 Bank (Fifth Third Bank). While many runners pick just one event, the ambitious can take on one of three challenges where various combinations of races are run. The toughest challenge is the Michelob Ultra Challenge, requiring runners to finish all 4 races during the weekend.

On a whim, I decided to join some friends and participate in the 5K - my first Gasparilla race. Navigating downtown Tampa is always challenging for me, but luckily this time I was a passenger in a vehicle with prearranged parking - win! So we didn’t have a problem getting to the area.

Race registration is in the Tampa Convention Center, which is also the location of the race Expo. Upon entering from the ground floor, it’s not readily apparent where you’re supposed to go. The Convention Center is used for many activities and that I could see, at least two other events were taking place that day causing some confusion. Luckily, I read the race information (something I’m learning a lot of people just seem to skip over). The Expo was held upstairs, the East Hall if I recall correctly, and registration was at the back of the hall past the vendors.

Race day registration for me was cheap ($35), easy and fast. Bring cash to speed the process - I was able to skip lines where everyone else was paying with a credit card. In less than 10 minutes I was registered, paid and had my shirt and bib. My friends who preregistered had to wait in much longer lines (about 15-20 min) and then had to go to a separate line to get shirts. Also, make sure you get the right color bib for your corral - speak up if they hand you the wrong color (find the pace info for corrals in your packet). I was told that “they aren’t really paying attention to corrals”, but I assure you I was checked before entry. In the chaos of the streets however, some people did slip in to corrals they should not have been in.

Finding bag check was also difficult as it was not marked. Again, luckily I had read my packet to know it was “room 24”, however there was a massive line into one small door where people were both trying to drop off (5Kers) and pick up (15Kers) at the same time. Chaos. Eventually someone figured out that we could form two lines. Simple signs really could go a long way here.

Whether it be the large number of participants, the layout of the city streets or both, navigating your way to the start lines is quite difficult. A map is provided in the packet, but good luck interpreting it when you actually make it into the streets. I wasted time trying to get up to my corral not realizing I was actually in the last corral! Once I got out to the side area though, there are so many spectators in the way, you can hardly get through. My best advice, look for your color flag and use any means necessary to get there. Body surfing is acceptable.

The race route: The upside - it is beautiful scenery on the water. The downside - it’s an out-and-back, in the baking Florida sun. I’m from here, I run in the sun all summer long, but rarely for a full 3 mile stretch with no shade in sight. By mile 3, I was dying like a worm on hot asphalt - no PR here. Be prepared for heat and pace yourself accordingly. There is a water stop and a few sprinklers you can run through. I can’t imagine doing the challenge and having to run essentially this same route multiple times in two days - it would get boring fast. Once is enough.

After the race, you’re provided with as much bottled water as you can carry, bananas, energy shots, smoothies, fruit cups, and hot black bean soup (not sure who wanted this on a blistering FL day though…). You also have a free beer ticket on your bib that you can redeem at the after party on the water.

While I read via Twitter that the Expo was a madhouse on Friday night, Saturday afternoon (after I raced) it wasn’t very busy. I could fairly easily navigate to vendors where there were a lot of freebies and samples to be had!

So it sounds like this race was all together crazy. While not the most organized, it’s not impossible, you just need a little patience and to read your packet! I would definitely do it again, and here’s why: For only $35 bucks, it’s a fun day to get out and stretch your legs in the local community with a chip-timed race. You get a usable tech shirt, a really nice medal (I love good bling!), lots of freebies at the expo, and a beautiful day to goRun in the Florida sunshine!



Monsters Take Over Downtown Winter Garden - RUN!

Ever heard or said, “I’d only run if someone was chasing me!”? Well kids, have I got the run for you! Rock On Adventures’ Monster Bash Dash will supply you with just that motivation. Not only will someone be chasing you…it’ll be monsters! The event is a 5K evening/night run where you’ll have to protect your “life” (flag football flags) to survive the monster-infested woods.

Yesterday, my husband and I had an awesome opportunity to be volunteers to help promote this unique event during the Bike Fest in beautiful and quaint downtown Winter Garden. After seeing the call for volunteers on Facebook, I asked Brady what he thought about spending our day made up like monsters and promoting the run. There were some nice perks offered, but as you might have guessed from some of my previous posts, dressing up in public with the intent of drawing attention to myself was a frightening proposition. Time to step out of the comfort zone! That’s what goBE is all about right? So we went.

Downtown Winter Garden appears to be a thriving main street atmosphere. Cafes, boutiques, bookstores, bike stores and more line the brick paver street. Clearly a family-friendly, dog-friendly, bike-friendly place – when can I move? A fountain and gazebo sit in the center median and there is also a small water feature area to the side where kids can play. Yesterday, along with the Bike Fest, the Saturday market was going on. So there were plenty of people to stare…uh, scare.

Rock On Adventures set up in front of the Tri & Run of West Orange store (Friendly staff here. Support local shops!). Kill to birds with one stone – I had a little time to test out some minimalist shoes I’ve been wanting and walked away with the Brooks PureFlow, yay! The fantastically talented, Nick Wolfe did all of the volunteers’ make up and then spent the day doing free face painting for kids (and some adults!). It was a total hit! Little monsters, and a few cute animals too, were running around all over town. Check out Evil Twin FX to have your mind blown by the body painting he does!

Walking through the market, we surely got some stares. I made one child cry on accident! Leave it to me – sheesh. Most people were very quite intrigued about the run being at night and particularly that monsters would be chasing them.

In all, it was a beautiful and fun day to be out promoting this event. I love that it’s a local group who is giving back to the local community. The event benefits their Y and Meals on Wheels. Brady and I had fun as monsters for the day and getting out of our comfort zone to goWild!

Come join us, Team Horrors d’oeuvres, on May 26^th. Will you survive?*

*Note: this is a perfect training opportunity for survival skills needed in the coming zombie apocalypse.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Bar

This past weekend, I once again donned my homemade sparkly green headband in celebration of St. Paddy’s Day and participated in Flanagan’s 5K in downtown Dunedin. I don’t believe I have ever attended as many St. Paddy’s events as this year. I’m not usually one to “get in the spirit”, but I’m working on getting over my fear of looking silly and finding it quite enjoyable!

The race was a small, fairly unorganized event. My husband, participated in his first duathlon put on by the same group. So we figured, while I was there supporting him, might as well run! Afterwards, we’d check out the street party, have a little Irish food, and maybe find a green beer at the bar with friends.

I went in completely unfocused. My breakfast timing was off. I didn’t mentally or physically prepare. No other women seemed to be wearing only their sports bra - I’m the oddball! I had to go back to the car several times for forgotten items. Waiting too long to get in the port-o-potty line left me with the only option of finding a bush in front of my car - is poison ivy 3 leaves or 5? The lady announcing the race start could scarcely be heard. My Garmin watch didn’t find satellites in time for the start.

Well whatever, I heard “GO”, so I’m just going to goRun. I followed the group, ignoring the now useless data from my GPS watch. My husband and a friend were farther back at the starting line than me. Soon I realized they weren’t overtaking me even though they are much faster. How fast was I going? Who cares, just run and enjoy. I found a few interesting people to pace behind - a man with beautiful tattoos, a man with terrible tattoos, a kid about 13 with bouncy blonde hair, a brother motivating his young sister - and I let my mind wander and enjoy the beautiful day. Before I know it, I’ve turned and I’m heading back.

Towards the last 1/2 mile, I begin to feel tired, hot and winded, and I’ve been passed by a woman who appears to be around 75 - my mind isn’t taking that so well. And then my husband showed up at my side. Just the motivation I needed to keep pushing and cross the finish line together. But what’s more - it was a PR! And by 2min and 10sec better than my previous best. How did that happen? I was just trying to get to the bar and the after party.

After the initial excitement wore off, I began to really wonder “how did that happen?” How did I PR at a gun time, fun race that I didn’t prepare well for and didn’t focus on? What’s the take away here? Being unprepared would normally have me in a fit of anxiety, but not today. Perhaps running without data is more freeing than I realize. Perhaps it’s because I was relaxed and unstressed. My body and mind didn’t waste energy on worrying and was able to channel it into my run. While I certainly wouldn’t advocate shunning preparation and planning, I’ll remember this day and try to not sweat every detail.

Unexpected things can happen (like PRs!) when you let go, relax and just goRun.