Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon

Savannah Women's Half

Shamrock 4 Miler

Gasparilla Half Marathon

I took my time... before sitting down to update my blog for this weekend's races.  Two new PRs (both the 5K and the Half) after taking a solid month off from running.  I am stoked!

OFFICIAL TIME:  3:07:50

I walked less and it felt good.  The time off helped as well as a new job which effectively forces me to work out muscle groups that I would not otherwise have exercised.

Life is good.

The Expo was phenomenal, as always.  Publix never fails to disappoint as a race sponsor.  Tech shirts were new colors for 2015, the 5K was a powder blue short sleeve and the Half Marathon was a bright yellow long sleeve.  Definitely keepers.

The event shirts (not the race shirts) were provided by Under Armour this year (sold only at the Expo).  While I am glad to see the upgrade in quality, I did not personally like the overall selection - male or female.  The styles leaned well towards trendy rather than practicality and for myself, it is a commemorative purchase meant to be comfortable more-so than anything else.  As a point in case, all of the 2014 / 2015 shirts that were leftover from prior races were offered for sale after the close of this year's race (website only) sold out.  No. Stock. Left.  A new design (I Ran For The Booty) was added to the website just as the prior year's stock depleted.  When I left the Expo mid-afternoon Saturday the Under Armour products seemed to be novel but not a 'fan hit' (full racks everywhere).  I love the Pirate themes and the logos for Gasparilla, again, the UA leaned towards trendy styles more than Gasparilla gear. Says a lot about "what people want". And we know...

It's all about the shirt...

The course was, as before, a TOTALLY FLAT, very doable route.  One of the many reasons I repeatedly return for this series of races. This year 6,305 persons crossed the Half Marathon Finish Line with a recorded time. 

AWESOME SAUCE!

The only challenge this year (change is a constant with a race size that is continually growing in numbers) was the post race meals provided for runners. I missed it both days... so did others.  To keep the Finish line corral from overcrowding (a good idea) the post everything (except water/bananas) was moved to the Party area, a hefty walk with an early close time.  It was the closing time that got most of us.  

 The Expo was between the Finish and the Post Race area, allowing the assumption that runners could find post race items at the Expo.  Once realizing that was incorrect, it was a bit of a hike to the meal area.  This would have worked if the area had remained open until all runners / walkers had exited the field, detoured the Expo and actually arrived in the Post Race Area.  Better signage (directions and time) for this change would have helped as well, but the closing time was what got many of us.  I know the race organizers will get feedback for this so I'm trusting next year this aspect will go smoother.  The line for the Sunday post race meal was absolutely unreal! I found it but refused to stand in line for an hour or more for 'rice and beans' (which I do not doubt was excellent!), it just did not move well enough to accommodate the number of persons present. Again, I expect nothing but more positive change in the future.  Gasparilla does not disappoint!

Looking forward to next year!

I RUN FOR THE BOOTY!

Gasparilla 5K

I took my time... before sitting down to update my blog for this weekend's races.  Two new PRs (both the 5K and the Half) after taking a solid month off from running.  I am stoked!

OFFICIAL TIME:  39:01

I walked less than one mile during the 5K.  Felt good.  The time off helped as well as a new job which effectively forces me to work out muscle groups that I would not otherwise have exercised.

Life is good.

The Expo was phenomenal, as always.  Publix never fails to disappoint as a race sponsor.  Tech shirts were new colors for 2015, the 5K was a powder blue short sleeve and the Half Marathon was a bright yellow long sleeve.  Definitely keepers.

The event shirts (not the race shirts) were provided by Under Armour this year (sold only at the Expo).  While I am glad to see the upgrade in quality, I did not personally like the overall selection - male or female.  The styles leaned well towards trendy rather than practicality and for myself, it is a commemorative purchase meant to be comfortable more-so than anything else.  As a point in case, all of the 2014 / 2015 shirts that were leftover from prior races were offered for sale after the close of this year's race (website only) sold out.  No. Stock. Left.  A new design (I Ran For The Booty) was added to the website just as the prior year's stock depleted.  When I left the Expo mid-afternoon Saturday the Under Armour products seemed to be novel but not a 'fan hit' (full racks everywhere).  I love the Pirate themes and the logos for Gasparilla, again, the UA leaned towards trendy styles more than Gasparilla gear. Says a lot about "what people want". And we know...

It's all about the shirt...

The course was, as before, an out and back, TOTALLY FLAT, very doable route.  One of the many reasons I repeatedly return for this series of races. This year 14,122 persons crossed the 5K Finish Line with a recorded time. AWESOME SAUCE!

The only challenge this year (change is a constant with a race size that is continually growing in numbers) was the post race meals provided for runners. I missed it both days... so did others.  To keep the Finish line corral from overcrowding (a good idea) the post everything (except water/bananas) was moved to the Party area, a hefty walk on Saturday with an early close time.  It was the closing time that got most of us.  The Expo was between the Finish and the Post Race area, allowing the assumption that runners could find post race items at the Expo.  Once realizing that was incorrect, it was a bit of a hike to the meal area.  This would have worked if the area had remained open until all runners / walkers had exited the field, detoured the Expo and actually arrived in the Post Race Area.  Better signage for this change would have helped as well, but the closing time was what got many of us.  I know the race organizers will get feedback for this so I'm trusting next year this aspect will go smoother.  The line for the Sunday post race meal was absolutely unreal! I found it but refused to stand in line for an hour or more for 'rice and beans' (which I do not doubt was excellent), it just did not move well enough to accommodate the number of persons present. Again, I expect nothing but more positive change in the future.  Gasparilla does not disappoint!

Looking forward to next year!

I RUN FOR THE BOOTY!

CRC Trail Race

Course Route:

Course Elevation:

Finisher Certificate:

RESULTS:

This is the third year in a row that I've participated in the Charlotte Running Company Trail Race(s). They offer three distances - 4 mile, 9 mile, 13 mile - and this year I stepped up and did the 9 mile race.  What a challenge!

1091 persons registered

984 Finishers (107 no-show or DNF)

566 4 Mile Runners

160 9 Mile Runners

258 13 Mile Runners

It was 30° when I got up Saturday morning.  There was frost and ice throughout most of the course right up until the finish. Trail shoes aren't much help on icy terrain. I only fell once - that was because of a very sharp, very muddy 4 foot decline just before the Finish Line. Since the 9/13 mile racers start at 9AM I got to see many of the 4 mile runners as they passed me after their start at 9:30AM.  Lots of slips and slides.  The course is filled with rocks, steep climbs and some flat areas. Not too rough but enough of a challenge to exercise caution which is verified by finish times in all three distances.

This race has shown a continual increase in participation since its inception. Charlotte Running Company partnered with Start2Finish to organize the event and it is quite successful. They offer a "hoodie" for the race shirt and it's a local favorite. I can wear it at other races (even out of state) and will always get comments about the race itself and how others love their hoodies.  

I'll openly admit, I sign up mostly for the shirts.. no lie.  I waited until last minute this year to register (Thursday before race) and discovered lots of others did the same. So many so that the race organizers (Start2Finish) ran out of hoodies on Wednesday before the race.  Major applause to Start2Finish for following up and placing a second order of shirts for all that did not receive one at packet pick up, especially given the hoodies are collectibles and not inexpensive to reprint.  *applause* They sent out an email on Sunday to let runners know how to request their hoodie and where it can be picked up. If you registered late, check your email for the link.

I timed this course with both my watch (Garmin) and my cellphone (Runkeeper) hoping to not get timed out or battery-ed out (freezing temps drain batteries very quickly) and discovered three difference trail distances, which is not unusual at Whitewater due to the trees and landscaping. The timing was on target but the distance varied due to product. Not a big deal as the course was mapped out extremely well with signs and caution tape to keep everyone on course. 

GUN TIME:  3:00:22 (distance 9 miles)

GARMIN TIME:  2:59:48 (distance 9.18)

RUNKEEEPER TIME:  3:00:19 (distance 8.85)

This event is a local favorite for me personally, even though I am not a fan of rugged trail races. I will mention there are parking fees ($5) at Whitewater (USNWC). The trails are widely used throughout the year and the event host maintains their ecosystem in part from the parking fees. USNWC & Start2Finish (timing company) are what makes this an incredible event!  Looking forward to next year.

Rural Hill First Footin' 5 Miler

Love this race!  

Wonderful way to start off the New Year!  It is a traditional Scottish event located in Huntersville, with a 5 mile Trail Race (or a 1 Mile walk) included.  There is a lunch served on the grounds and lots of Scottish folklore to keep it entertaining. This was my second year running the trail race and I very much enjoyed myself! We weren't able to stay for the luncheon this year as I had an introductory CrossFit session in a neighboring city to attend. (CrossFit is not for me, BTW).

60 runners in total, fantastic Brooks technical short sleeved t-shirts, double loop course and good company!  Definitely on my list of repeats. Course is very doable with a minimal number of hills and fantastic scenery!

GUNTIME:  1:26:04