It's June in Florida. It's hot. It's humid. Everyone is a sweaty mess. That means it's time for the Best Damn Race Leftover 5K! AKA, Tampa Bay's last hurrah for racing season. Sure, there are some sweet beach 5Ks over the summer. But, most of us have to wait until September to run with a crowd again. I think that's why the BDR Leftover 5K is such a celebration. It's a goodbye for the summer. It's a late season test in heat and humidity. It's one last race while you're in peak condition. Whatever the reason, the BDR Leftover 5K is fun! First, depending on when you register you'll pay $9 to $25 dollars for a 5K. You can't beat that deal. Second, all the medals and shirts are from previous Best Damn Race events. So, if you've been eyeing that sugar skull medal from New Orleans, or missed out on the Manatee, you have a chance to score one. It's the only time you can run a 5K and take home a half marathon medal. The mystery of which shirt and medal you'll get adds to the excitement. You choose your shirt at packet pickup. The medals are laid out on tables near the finish line. Runner can peruse their options before the race begins. There are no guarantees — you have to reach the finish in time to snag your medal before someone else gets it. Maybe that will make you run faster? (Photos credit: Best Damn Race) Running in Safety HarborI love Safety Harbor. It's a charming, waterfront town on Tampa Bay. The locals are kind enough to let runners invade their streets a few early mornings each year — and believe me — we appreciate the hospitality! The race begins and ends at Safety Harbor Waterfront Park. The course takes runners north on Bayshore Drive, turns around and then heads south. The entire race has views. There are slight inclines, but nothing serious. The main challenge is the heat and humidity. The Leftover Race has Two WavesThe Best Damn Race Leftover 5K has two waves. Runners in Wave One must finish their 5K in 30 minutes or less. This is important because the runners in Wave Two will collide with runners who don't finish in the time limit. It's a safety issue. The two waves are a good idea. It gives faster runners a challenge. It probably leads to faster finish times for many runners. We naturally keep pace with those around us. So, if you're running with the faster crowd, you'll get a better time. Another benefit is fast runners don't have to maneuver around walkers and slower runners who self-seeded in front of the corral. You don't need to worry about getting the medal you want. There are two batches of medals that include bling from all the past races. There's plenty of bling for both waves. If you know fast runners, you can cheer them on while you wait for Wave Two. Or vice versa. Waterslide? Yes, Please.I love the waterslide at the Best Damn Race Leftover 5K. I've seen runners of all ages enjoy cooling off in the slide. What the heck, we're all dripping wet by the end of the race anyway. Mix & Match Your Best Damn Race LeftoversI chose the 2018 Best Damn Race New Orleans shirt, and the 2017 Safety Harbor 5K medal. I don't know why, but I always choose a 5K medal for this race. I'm happy with my race SWAG. It's fun to see what everyone picks. I saw groups of friends running in matching shirts. I wonder if they chose matching medals, too. Bottom line: You get a solid shirt, medal, and race experience in a charming setting for $25 or less. Plan Your 2019 Best Damn Race Schedule Now!Here's the lineup for the 2019 Season. Savanah is new this year. Just look at all those racecation options!
Use Discount Code THISOLDRUNNER to SAVEYou can use my code, "THISOLDRUNNER" to SAVE $5 on any distance race, in any city (except Savannah during the Registration Blitz). Use it for yourself and all your running friends. Go ahead and sign up now to get the best deal! I hope you'll try at least one of the Best Damn Races in 2019. Racing for a ReasonOne last note. You should know when you run the Best Damn Race Safety Harbor and the Leftover 5K the charity partner is Special Olympics Florida — Hillsborough County. I don't know about you, but I love running a race that supports a cause! Scene on a Run: So much fun to watch runners choose their medals at this race. One lady had a humongous half marathon medal around her neck. I said, "Wow, you got a good one." She replied, "It's big and shiny so it works for me." Grins all around. #BestDamnRace #BDRSafetyHarbor #BDRJacksonville #BDRJax #BDRSafetyHarbor #BDROrlando #BDRNOLA #BDRLeftover5K #ThisOldRunner #RunStPete #RunTampa #RunTampaBay #RunNOLA #RunSavannah #RunOrlando #RunJax #RunFlorida #StreakingwiththeCOOLKIDS #MedalMonday #BibRave #BibRavePro #BibChat #CouponCode #DiscountCode #PromoCode
Disclaimer: I received BibBoards to review 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! The first time I ran a race I worried a lot about what to wear:
I'd Operated Safety Pins Before. I Didn't Think Pinning My Bib was Going to be a Thing.My poorly pinned race bib irritated me for 13.1 miles! It was the first half marathon where I RAN the entire race. That bib was a big distraction. It flapped. It wrinkled. It moved around. It caught the wind like a parachute on a downhill slope. It made noise on every single step. What's the Big Deal if a Race Bib Makes Noise?A noisy bib is like a dripping faucet — a constant irritant. During a race, you don't want to think about anything except putting one foot in front of the other. Little things are annoying. (Especially in mile 10 to 13!) By the end of the race, my bib was a mess. The safety pins pulled the bib until each corner was permanently wedged in the circle end of the pin. When I took the bib off, there were pin pricks on my shirt. The corners tore. The bib was crinkled.
BibBoards Beat Pins and Saved My ShirtsAfter using #BibBoards, I'm done with safety pins on race bibs. Here's why:
That's Why I'll Keep Using BibBoardsThere you have it. That's my honest (overly detailed?) review of BibBoards. Bottom line? I really like them! Give them a try! Don't Forget! Code #BibChat for 20% Off!See you at the starting line. I'll be one of the runners wearing BibBoards! 😎 #BibBoards #SaveTheShirt #BibChat #BibRave #BibRavePro #RunSarasota #RunMIA #Run305 #BDR #BestDamnRace #RunStPete #RunTampa #RunBradenton #RunFlorida #RaceDiscounts #PromoCodes #RunnerCodes
I Loved My Best Damn RacesThe Safety Harbor edition of the #BestDamnRace was great fun! This was my second-ever attempt at running a Challenge — a 10K and 5K race one after another. The first challenge was in January, so why not try another in February? I'll write a full review later — I have lots of good things to report about the race. (Big bling, organized, wonderful race atmosphere, support and party, etc.) Until then, take a peek at a few photos below.
I'm a BibBoards FanGotta say — I am very happy with my #BibBoards. I snapped on my bib at home, and never worried about it again. It stayed in place in the 10K and again in the 5K race. It performed on race day exactly as promised! No pinching, poking, flapping or parachuting! I'll definitely use these from now on. Plus, I have to tell you I did catch a couple of people smiling at my smiling sunglasses emoji when they looked at my bib! What About the Challenge?The Best Damn Race Safety Harbor courses have some rolling hills. Hills are hard to find in Florida, so it's a good test. Plus, who doesn't love to run downhill? This challenge was a bit harder than the super flat course I ran in January. And, I'll admit I was a bit distracted at the start of the 10K. I buckled down about 3/4 of a mile in, and stayed on pace for the rest of the race. I finished my this 15K Challenge 3 minutes slower than the SPB Classic in January. But, I'm happy with my races. These races are part of training for a PR at the First Watch Sarasota Half on March 18th. I felt strong for all 9 miles. That makes me optimistic because I have 6 weeks to be ready to run strong for 13 miles. Save Money with Discount Codes for RunnersHere are the codes for races/gear mentioned in this post. Find more discounts here. —> First Watch Sarasota Half and Relay: $10 OFF the Half or Relay with code: SARASOTABIB18. This is a goal race for me this year. It's a beautiful race that takes you up and over the Ringling Bridge (twice!) and around beautiful Sarasota, Florida. —> Best Damn Race Orlando or New Orleans: If you haven't ever run in a #BestDamnRace you should try one. It's super organized, and has lots of wonderful perks for racers. Check out Orlando on March 3rd and New Orleans on March 25th. You can use my code: THISOLDRUNNER to save $5 on any race in either city. Orlando has a 5K, 10K, Challenge and Half Marathon. New Orleans has a 5K and Half. The discount codes expire 2 weeks prior to race. —> BibBoards #SaveTheShirt Bib Holders: You can SAVE 20% with code: #BIBCHAT at BibBoards.com. Choose from a variety of stock designs, or create your own by uploading artwork. You can preview the design before you order it. Disclaimer: I received BibBoards to review 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! #BibRavePro #BibChat #BestDamnRace #BDRSafetyHarbor #BDROrlando #BDRNola #RunTampa #RunStPete #RunBradenton #RunTampaBay #RunSarasota #RunOrlando #RunNOLA #DiscountCodes #RaceCodes #RacePromo #ThisOldRunner #FirstWatchSarasotaHalf
Disclaimer: I received BibBoards to review 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! Is there anything worse than putting a hole in a new shirt? Stabbing yourself in the stomach? Or finding rust stains from pins that weren't really stainless steel? If you're like me, and hurt yourself and your running clothes when you pin on a race bib, try Bib Boards at your next starting line. Stop Pricking Your Fingers on Race DayBibs Won't Flap, Tear or MoveBibBoards keep your bib secure during the race. It won't flap in the wind, or catch air like a parachute. It stays put. You won't be annoyed or distracted by it. I took my new #BibBoards for a couple of test runs. I pinned a bib to my shirt and ran around my neighborhood. I wore another shirt over it because it was cold, and I didn't want to worry my neighbors. Well, 7 miles later, including hill repeats, my bib was secure. I'm an official fan! I'll use BibBoards at my Best Damn Race Challenge race next weekend, and every race after that. Create Custom BibBoardsI chose the sunglasses smiley face emoji for my BibBoards, but they have lots of designs (mileage, mantras, emojis, etc.). You can create your own BibBoards. All you have to do is upload a logo or design to the website. Custom designs start at $2.95. When you pin on your bib everyone sees your graphic or saying where the safety pins used to be. I keep thinking of ideas — a pirate for the Gasparilla Distance Classic or a Dolphin for First Watch Sarasota Half. How about something techie for the Star Wars Half? Or my This Old Runner logo! What a great way to sponsor or promote an event. #SaveTheShirt + Save 20% with code #BibChatBibBoards' mission is to get rid of safety pins at the starting line. Think about that — no more rust marks, torn shirts, or pricked fingers. They call it a No Pin Revolution to #SaveTheShirt. If you want to save your shirts, use my code — #BibChat — to get 20% off your order at BibBoards.com. See you at the starting line. I'll be wearing my BibBoards! #NoPinRev #SaveTheShirt #BibBoards #RaceBibs #DiscountCode #PromoCode #BibRavePro #BibChat #RunChat #RaceChat #RunStPete #RunTampa #RunBradenton #RunFlorida #RunSarasota
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Hello!Upcoming Races:Feb. 24-25, 2024
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