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The 2020 EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler is going virtual, bringing the ultimate Pittsburgh experience to runners everywhere.  Registration is still open for this iconic Pittsburgh race. It's virtual in 2020, so everyone can run. Choose Your Course: Run Wherever You AreYou can run this 10-miler anywhere in the world. If you're local to Pittsburgh, P3R has mapped the course for you! Follow turn-by-turn directions through the Steel City below.  Local runners can race 10 miles around Pittsburgh using this map. (Photo credit: EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler) Pittsburgh Celebration BoxThanks to the generosity of race sponsor EQT, this virtual race packs on the Pittsburgh perks. All virtual participants get a unique Pittsburgh Celebration Box filled with Pittsburgh goodies, your finisher's medal, and quarter-zip tech race shirt. The Pittsburgh Celebration Box is a one-of-a-kind box for EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler runners. It's shipped to you so you can celebrate this Pittsburgh race when and where it works for you. (Due to the higher cost for international shipping, registrants who live outside the United States will receive an invoice for $10 for shipping fees.) The box contents retail for more than $100. Virtual runners get it with their $50 race registration! Here’s what's in the "That's So Pittsburgh" box:
One Out of Every 100 Pittsburgh Celebration Boxes has a Black & Golden Ticket for a FREE Pair of Brooks Running Shoes! Check your box carefully! Here's a peek at the EQT Pittsburgh Celebration Box. Every virtual runner gets one with their $50 registration. (Photo credit: EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler)
#PGH10Miler #RUNwithP3R #4RUN2 #RunnerOfSteel #EQTPittsburgh #SteelCityRunner #RunPittsburgh #Virtual10Miler #WeRunSocial #10Miler #PittsburghCelebrationBox #KeepMoving #BestDamnRace #BrighterDaysAhead #BibChat #RunStPete #RunFlorida #RunPA #MovePittsburgh #Run412 #OptOutside #FLRunner #ThisOldRunner #HoorayRunning #BibRavePro #EverySingleStreet #RunEveryStreet #RunYourTown e #VirtualRace #EverySinglePerson #ThatsSoPittsburgh  Best Damn Race starting line in Safety Harbor, Florida. The Best Damn Race has race events scheduled for Safety Harbor, Orlando, and New Orleans in February and March 2021. I'm wishing and hoping that we get to run IRL then! BDR understands that everyone is nervous and hopeful about in-person races. That's why they announced a money-back guarantee if COVID keeps us away from the starting line. Keep reading for all the details! 2021 Best Damn Race Options If Any Event is Cancelled Due to COVID-19Best Damn race understands that deferring a race or going virtual doesn't work for everyone. That's why they added a full refund option (minus the processing fee) for 2021 events cancelled by COVID. The best way to support a race organization is to defer your race or run it virtually; but if that isn't possible BDR gives you an extra option. That's very cool. If a 2021 BDR event is cancelled due to COVID-19 you can:
If the event happens, you still have the option to:
SAVE 10% on ANY BDR Race with "ThisOldRunner"Now that you know you won't lose any money, how about saving some? SAVE 10% with my Discount Code "ThisOldRunner" when you register for ANY 2021 race in Safety Harbor, Orlando, or New Orleans! The confirmed race dates and times are listed below. 2021 Best Damn Race Events
First Up: 2021 BDR Safety Harbor MedalsLook at these fun medals for the first event of the 2021 season! I love the personality in the creatures! I've decided to give myself a huge challenge for BDR Safety Harbor. I'm running the Triple Challenge!! (Eeekk!) I plan to run all the races for my first in-person race next year!
 Half Marathon Medal
Register Risk-Free Today for a 2021 Best Damn RaceI Chose the #AFMarathon Fly! Fight! Win! ChallengeMy #FlyFightWin Virtual Air Force Challenge included a 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon. Since this was a virtual race, participants could choose to run their races when and where they wanted any time in September. I decided to run all three races on the original race weekend. I wanted to challenge myself, and create a race weekend vibe as much as possible. It was fun! The Air Force Marathon has special significance to me. I wanted to honor my favorite Air Force Peeps. There are a bunch of them, and my efforts celebrated every single one of them! I'm so proud and thankful for them all. Air Force Marathon 2020 Virtual 5KMy first race was the 5K. I ran mine in beautiful downtown St. Pete along the waterfront.  Flat lay for my 5K. Comfy shoes, shirt, hat and a Gatorade Endurance energy gel. (Photo credit: This Old Runner) Disclaimer: I received registration for the Air Force Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews My route was in and around Albert Whitted Airport, so the planes in the background felt appropriate for an Air Force race. It was a gorgeous morning with blue skies, white puffy clouds, and lots of humidity! I think running wherever you like is one of the best parts of a virtual race.
Air Force Marathon 2020 Virtual 10KMy second race was the 10K. I decided to run around my favorite lake because it has a 1.25 mile loop. It would be easy to run 6 circles around the lake. I was also hopeful there would be a nice breeze off the water. (There was!)  Running the paved loop around Crescent Lake in St. Pete. (Photo credit: This Old Runner) It was another humid run, but went smoothly. I felt strong and oh so optimistic about my half marathon! By the way, I want to mention fueling and hydration. I carried water on all my races and planned out where I could refill my bottle. That's a big deal when you're on your own for a virtual race. I carry water + electrolytes when run long distances in the Florida heat.
Air Force Marathon 2020 Virtual Half MarathonI was a bit nervous about the half marathon. But, I was determined. It always helps me when I run for someone other than myself. This race was to honor my Dad, nieces and nephew who all serve or served in the USAF. There was no way I wasn't going to finish all the miles for these people I love. So, off I went on Day 3 for Race 3.  I Channeled #EverySingleStreet for My HalfI like to add a twist to my virtual races to keep them interesting. Sometimes I turn the race into a Scavenger Hunt. For the 2020 Air Force Half Marathon I decided to run #EverySingleStreet Rickey Gates Style. I live in a great big city, so I broke it down into neighborhoods. I chose two neighborhoods I never run in for my half marathon route. Below are a just a few of the new things I saw. I recommend adding your own twist to any virtual race. It makes it easier to stay engaged. Run in a new-to-you place or challenge yourself somehow to add another layer to your experience.
 SWAG, More SWAG and a Virtual ExpoEven though the 2020 Air Force Marathon was virtual, there was plenty of SWAG! I earned a medal for each race, PLUS a Challenge Medal featuring the HH-60G PAVE HAWK. The challenge medal has moving helicopter blades. All participants receive a race shirt. 2020 Fly! Fight! Win! Challengers also get a quarter zip! There was a Virtual Expo for runners and the public. Everyone can shop the expo from September 1 through September 30 to take advantage of discounts and great products. There was a LIVE Facebook Stream on Saturday, September 19. It was a great way to feel part of the larger race community. If you missed the live event, watch the AFMarathon Race Day here.
 Runners can submit their race results online to see how they stack up against their virtual competition. Final ThoughtsI really enjoyed this challenge. Race management did a great job of keeping everyone engaged throughout the training period. They sent regular emails and newsletters. They also liked and commented on social media posts. I love when a race organization interacts with me! The virtual expo and live stream on race day were great extras. Add that to all the SWAG that mails to runners in early October, and I'd def call this event a winner. Sure, the Air Force has a special place in my heart, but even if it didn't I'd run this event again! Thanks to the Air Force Marathon for making this a special event in a very weird year. #KeepMoving #BestDamnRace #BrighterDaysAhead #BibChat #RunStPete #RunFlorida #RunPA #WeRunSocial #MovePittsburgh #Run412 #OptOutside #FLRunner #ThisOldRunner #HoorayRunning #BibRavePro #EverySingleStreet #RunEveryStreet #RunYourTown #BDRChallenge #VirtualRace #BDRFloridaChallenge #EverySinglePerson #AFMaraBR #FlyAFM #AirForceMarathon #AFMara #USAF
Everyone around here is all in on weather talk. I can't find anyone who doesn't mention how hot it is outside. That's because it's full blast in-your-face Summer heat time in Florida. I don't mind the heat, but when the temps reach "feels like" numbers above 100 degrees it's time to rethink workouts. Recently, I traded in my long runs for garden projects. You may wonder, if I'm still outside in the heat, how is gardening better than running? The difference is I can take plenty of breaks, go inside, and sit down and rest as needed. So, cross-training projects became my workouts the past couple of weeks. Cross-Training Project #1: Dig a TrenchI dug a trench. I pulled our circa 1960 axe out of the shed and swung it for hours. When I was done I had a hole that was 6 feet long and 3 feet deep. Why did I dig a trench? Because my neighbor has bamboo. It's along the fence line next to one of my border gardens. The bamboo likes to sneak underground and pop up on my side of the fence. I looked out my kitchen window one day and saw a huge 4-5 foot bamboo stalk in the middle of my plumbago border. Yikes! Closer examination revealed there were 5 more stalks. I did research and learned that the best remedy was to dig a trench so new shoots were seen right away. Now, if a shoot comes out I can cut it off before it crosses the trench. It should only happen a couple of times a year. Fingers are crossed. The trench digging was in a shaded area, but it was a sweat fest. It took me a couple of days to complete. I added safety trellises at each end of the ditch so no one falls into it. Cross-Training Project #2: Create a Butterfly Garden
While I was digging my bamboo trench I decided I wanted to add another butterfly garden bed to our yard. Putting in a garden is an excellent upper body workout. I created a 10 x 15 foot garden. You can see it in the photos above and below. I dug up existing turf, worked the soil, and laid a short walkway and rock border. Then, I installed 50 butterfly-attracting and host plants. Now, when I look across the side yard I see more beautiful flowers and butterflies. This garden, like the trench, produced a sweat-fest. But, I feel stronger and more tolerant of the heat than I did a couple of weeks earlier. I consider yard work a major contributor to my fitness.
 This location gets morning sun, partial shade, and late afternoon sun. (All photos credit: This Old Runner)  There are 5 butterfly bushes (Buddleia) that will grow tall and bushy along the back of the garden, and in front of the firewood pile. And yes, that's another avocado tree; still working on my avocado farm dream!  It took about 30 minutes for the Monarch butterflies to find the Milkweed. Soon we saw black swallowtails, tiny white peacocks, and giant swallowtails fluttering around the new garden. Now, It's Time to Run Again!I'm happy to report that my first run after my cross-training week felt great! Next up is some virtual RACING for my Air Force Marathon Fly! Fight! Win! Half Marathon Challenge next week! #FaceMask #ExtremeFitBR #KeepMoving #BestDamnRace #BrighterDaysAhead #BibChat #RunStPete #RunFlorida #RunPA #WeRunSocial #MovePittsburgh #Run412 #OptOutside #FLRunner #ThisOldRunner #HoorayRunning #BibRavePro #EverySingleStreet #RunEveryStreet #RunYourTown #VirtualRace #BDRFloridaChallenge #EverySinglePerson #AFMaraBR #FlyAFM #USAF #AirForceMarathon #AFMarathonChallenge
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through the links you won't pay a penny more, but we'll be compensated.  Grab a Great Pair (or 2) of Shades This WeekendThat's right! EVERYTHING is 25% off at Knockaround until 11:59 pm on Monday, Sept. 7. That includes custom glasses, limited editions and special collaborations. Those cool Deep End shades I mentioned the other day are on sale, too! Go get yours! They ship for FREE when you order this weekend. #WinWin Below are a few examples of the deals Knockaround has right now:
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2021 BDR Schedule: Feb. 6-7: Safety Harbor Feb. 28: Orlando Mar. 6: New Orleans TBD: Savannah BestDamnRace.com Upcoming
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