This Old Runner Writes About Running

September 10th Flavor Run 5k to Benefit Girls On The Run of Greater Tampa Bay

8/25/2016

The Flavor Run in Tampa is September 20, 2016.

Photo from Girls on the Run.

You Save 25% and $5 is Donated to Girls On The Run When You Register to Run with the "GOTR" Code.

You can help raise money for Girls on the Run when you participate in the The Flavor Run ™ in Tampa on September 10, 2016 at 9 am. (More details here.)

Family Fun. Delicious Run.™
The Flavor Run™ is a family friendly 5K that supports local communities and businesses. It's a unique experience designed to engage all your senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing and taste. You'll experience Flavor Stations along the race route with colorful powders in strawberry, blueberry, watermelon, banana, grape, and orange flavors. Yum!

The Flavor Run™ is for all levels and ages of runners. Participants can run, walk or stroll. Children 6 years old and under participate for free; discounted youth tickets are available. Under 18 waiver required. Tickets are limited, so get yours early.

Virtual 5K Available if you can't make the race in person.

The Flavor Run 5k has Banana Finisher Medals in 2016.

The Flavor Run™ is going bananas with this 2016 finisher's medal.

Free St. Pete Beach Classic Race Registration for Runners Over 80 Years Old

8/15/2016

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I received an email from St. Pete Beach Classic yesterday with some exciting news for older runners.

Registration is FREE if you're 80 or more years old.

The St Pete Beach Classic is a weekend filled with races including a Beach Run, 5k, 10k, Duo and Half. If you run every race on the schedule, you've run a Marathon and receive an extra medal.

Here's what you have to do for free entry:

Download a SPB Classic paper registration form.
Complete the registration
Mail it in to us with a copy of your birth certificate,
photo ID, or Drivers License
Be sure to include your email address on the form for your registration confirmation.

Mail your completed registration form to:
SPB Classic, LLC
P.O. Box 66143
St. Pete Beach, FL 33736

If you're not 80 years old, then you can use online registration.

Just 5 months away!
The 2017 St. Pete Beach Classic is January 13, 14, 15, 2017 in beautiful, warm, sunny St. Pete Beach, Florida.

Read my review of the 2016 St. Pete Beach Classic Half.

Detail of 2016 SPB Classic Long Sleeve Tech Race Shirt.

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The Right Way to Dry Your Running Shoes After Running in the Rain

8/12/2016

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Since I've encouraged people to get out there and run in the rain, I feel I should tell you how to dry your shoes afterwards.

Please don't put your shoes in the dryer.

Things have changed since Old Runners were kids and the fastest way to get your wet canvas sneakers back on your feet was to throw them in the dryer. If you do that with your expensive running shoes you will break down the materials, and they won't last as long as they could.

Drying your grown up running shoes takes patience, but it is well worth it for the additional miles you'll run in them.

Learn the best way to dry your shoes after running in the rain.

Unlace your shoes and open them wide to begin drying.

Shake off the any moisture, unlace and open up those shoes.

If you can, remove the insert from your wet shoes.

Not all running shoes have a removable insert. If your shoes do, remove it for easy cleaning, and to speed up the drying process.

The shoe insert should be cleaned and hung up to dry.

Don't put the inserts back in your shoes until after they are completely dry.

Newspaper is the secret to drying your wet running shoes.

Gather up some newspaper. Regular newspaper works best — it absorbs moisture better than glossy paper (skip the shiny advertisement supplements). If you don't get a newspaper delivered, grab a bunch of weekly circulars from the grocery store. Keep a stash ready for use.

Newspaper stuffed into wet running shoes will absorb the moisture.

After you stuff newspaper in your wet shoes, check them every few hours. If necessary, remove wet newspaper and restuff the shoes with dry newspaper. If your shoes are damp, you may only need to do this once. If the shoes were soaked, repeat until the newspaper and shoes are dry. You can speed the process by placing your shoes in front of a fan, or in the sun if possible.

Repeat stuffing your wet shoes with newspapers until all the moisture is absorbed and the shoes and the newspaper feel dry.

Once your shoes are dry, replace your inserts.

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Stay Cool on Your Next Run with These Hot Weather Hacks

8/7/2016

We're halfway through Summer in Florida. It really doesn't cool down here until late September or October. So, there's plenty of time to try these tips to beat the heat on your next run.

Since you'll be a sweaty mess anyway, you won't mind water trickling down your head and neck, right?

I didn't think so! Here you go:

Wrap ice cubes in a bandana (or other lightweight material) and tie loosely around your neck. This does the same thing more expensive gel wraps do by cooling the pulse points around your neck. It also protects the back of your neck from sunburn. Another option is to tie it around the brim of your hat to keep your head cool.
Freeze a wet sponge and put it under your hat while you run. You should always wear a hat to protect your face from the sun, but you don't have to be a hot head. I also tried a washcloth, but I liked the sponge better.
Soak a cotton baseball cap in water and put it in the fridge overnight. Wear it when you run to keep your head cool. Cotton hats work better than tech hats for this because they hold more moisture.

I've been trying different ways to stay cool all summer. Some ideas have failed miserably, but these 3 hot weather hacks are keeping me happy. I hope they work for you, too.

Feel free to share your own tips in the comments.

Monday Morning Musings

8/1/2016

Pokemon Go

There are people tracking Pokemon around Crescent Lake lately. I've seen teenagers, parents with kids, and groups of pre-teen boys wandering aimlessly around the park with phones in front of their faces.

I heard that the idea behind Pokemon Go was to get kids to go outside and walk around. While the Pokemon hunters may be outside, I haven't seen any moving fast enough to burn calories.

This past Saturday I noticed a couple of serious 12 year-olds at the park during my morning run. The two boys held their phones at arms length as they meandered onto the path. They were pale indoor types, so I was happy to see Pokemon Go encouraged them to be outside in the fresh air and sunshine. But just a few minutes later, they were sitting under a tree where they remained for about 20 minutes.

The real exercise generated by Pokemon Go may be the extra steps runners and walkers take moving around the preoccupied people playing the game.

If you're a Pokemon fan and a runner, then Salty Running has advice for getting in a good run while playing Pokemon Go. Have fun!

#PokemonGo #SeenOnARun #StPetersburg #Florida #ThisOldRunner

Running in the Rain

It's summer here in Florida and that means you have to be ready for sudden torrential downpours.

It's been so stinking hot lately, that a pop up shower during a run is welcome relief. Plus, once it starts to rain, I usually have the trail to myself, which is fun. However, there are a few wise considerations that will help keep you safe while running in the rain.

Tips for Running in the Rain

Check the radar before you go. Rain is okay, lightning is not.
Wear bright colors so cars and people can see you.
Wear a hat or visor so you can see.
Put your electronics in a waterproof baggie.
Watch your footing. Be aware of puddles and slippery surfaces. Take smaller steps.
Wet clothes will chafe. Put a coat of vaseline on spots prone to chafing.
Wear old shoes, or shoes that are waterproof. I wear a pair with solid plastic uppers.
Dry your shoes out when you're done.
DON'T run in a thunderstorm. Lighting is dangerous!

#RunningInTheRain #SeenOnARun #StPetersburg #Florida #ThisOldRunner