This Old Runner Writes About Running

Check Out My Cinco de Miler SWAG

5/12/2020

It was a fun surprise when my Cinco de Miler race SWAG arrived on Mother's Day. I ran the 5 mile virtual race on May 2, and got all my goodies a week later.

The Cinco de Miler Race Shirt is Top Quality

I love, love, love the shirt! Its soft, tech material that's a little thicker than shirts we get at Florida races. I'm so glad it is! It will be perfect for northern excursions, and Florida winters.

There are sliming green side panels on both sides of the shirt. The length of the sleeves and the shirt were just right. I'm super happy with the fit and feel of it.

The Cinco de Miler race shirt has a logo on the sleeve and a sugar skull illustration on the front. The tech material is so comfy! (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Disclaimer: I received a race entry 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 Finisher's Medal Doubles as a Bottle Opener

The race medal is a winner, too. It's solid quality and a fun design. The sugar skull will look impressive hanging on a display from the colorful lanyard.

But, you have options. There's a magnet on the back, and the sugar skull mouth doubles as a bottle opener. You can stick the medal on a fridge or other metallic surface and use it for opening Cervezas!

There medal has a festive lanyard. The sugar skull medal doubles as a bottle opener. (Photo Credit: This Old Runner)

There's a magnet on the back of the medal. Stick it to the fridge and for a handy bottle opener. (Photo Credit: This Old Runner)

Read My Cinco de Miler Race Recap

Curious about running a virtual race? Read my race recap to see how I added a scavenger hunt to add interest.

You can register to run Cinco de Miler virtual option until they run out of SWAG. I recommend it if you want some excellent SWAG and a nudge to get out the door and run!

#CINCOBR #BibChat #VirtualRace #Chicago #KeepYourDistance #WeRunSocial #RunFlorida #RunAnywhere #RunStPete #InstaRunner #BibRavePro #OptOutside #HoorayRunning #ThisOldRunner #SocialDistancing #SaferAtHome #StayHome #RunWhereYouAre #Virtual5Miler #BibRavePro #CHI #CincodeMayo @BibRave

Race Recap: Cinco de Miler Virtual 5-Miler

5/5/2020

Cinco de Mayo seems like the right time to write up my Cinco de Miler race recap. Here goes!

How I Ran and Enjoyed My Virtual 5 Mile Race

There's an electric mood at the starting line of every in-person road and trail race. Each runner has a head full of thoughts and anticipation. It's hard to capture that kind of excitement in a virtual race.

Lining up alone at the "starting line" is very different from an in-person race. I noticed one bonus right away: no pre-race jitters.

Here's what I did to help me get out the door and really enjoy my Cinco de Miler on May 2.

Talked About My Race
Made a Plan
Added My Own Twist
Held Myself Accountable
Celebrated the Finish

Disclaimer: I received a race entry 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!

Talk About Your Race

By the time May 2 arrived, my household knew I was going to run a virtual race. I talked about training. I posted on socials about the race and the cool SWAG.

I made my race a public event with my family and my social media running friends. It made the race feel more like a real event instead of a training run. It helped me focus and stay excited.

Make a Plan

Plan your race route ahead of time. In these lockdown days, it's important to find a place where you can run AND maintain #SocialDistancing.

Measure your route for distance. Plan or build in your water stops. I carried my water so I didn't have to think about it.

Add Your Own Twist

I chose my route a week before my race. The day before, I decided to add a scavenger hunt to my event.

I planned on looking for things while running that counted off each of the 5 miles of my Cinco de Miler. Hunting for the right number of items made my race interesting.

Cinco de Miler graphic for Mile 1 includes a sunflower drawn on the sidewalk with chalk.

This sunflower chalk art was brand new! I saw it on my way up the hill, turned around and came back for a Mile One photo. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Cinco de Miler graphic for mile two has a photo of two Muscovy Ducks in the grass.

I've been avoiding the lake lately. The loop around the water has been crowded since #SaferAtHome began. But, I was lucky to see these two ducks across the road from the lake during Mile Two. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Cinco de Miler graphic for mile 3 has a photo of 3 Agapantha blooms in a garden.

It was easy to work these blooms into Mile Three. Purple Agapanthas are one of my favorite flowers. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Cinco de Miler graphic for mile 4 is a picture of 4 Adirondack chairs in a row.

These 4 sweet seats were in cool dappled shade during Mile Four of my race. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Hold Yourself Accountable

I think running a race (real or virtual) is one of the best ways to hold yourself accountable. It gives you a chance to:

Make a Plan
Track Your Training and Activity
Meet Micro-Goals Along the Way
Celebrate Your Accomplishments

I love the feeling of completing a mission — any mission! It can be a training run, a step count, pace goal, calorie burn, mileage or the Cinco de Miler.

Celebrate Your Accomplishment

Cinco de Miler graphic for mile 5 shows a smiling runner holding up 5 fingers for 5 miles.

And that's 5 miles! I finished my race close to home, which was nice. My husband joined me to celebrate the finish with a cold Cerveza. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Image of Cinco de Miler long sleeve tech shirt and sugar skull race medal.

Check the 2020 Cinco de Miler tech shirt and sugar skull medal! (Photo credit: Ram Racing)

Cinco de Miler SWAG

Every virtual race is different. Most offer SWAG to acknowledge and reward your achievement.

I've always loved the Cinco de Miler race shirts and medals. Since the race was offered virtually this year, anyone in the Continental US can earn the fun shirt and medal.

I'll post another photo when my gear arrives. I have a feeling I may come in First Place!

BTW, the folks at Ram Racing are working hard to ship the goodie bags to all the participants.

You Can Still Register and Run the Cinco de Miler Virtual 5-Miler. Registration is Open Until SWAG is Gone. Click Here to Register!

It's Fiesta Friday! Time to Register for the Cinco De Miler Virtual Race on 5/2

4/24/2020

Another Great Reason to Run This Virtual 5-Miler

It feels like Fiesta Friday here, how about you?! I'm now registered and ready to run Cinco de Miler as a virtual race. It's one of my favorite distances — 5 miles.

Another reason I'm happy to run the Cinco de Miler on May 2 is that EVERY registration equals a $5 Donation to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Fund. This fund was set up to provide essential help for both individuals and families in the Chicago area during the COVID crisis.

I don't live in Chicago, but I'll talk nonstop about any race that's part of its larger community the way Ram Races is. That's how I choose most of the races I run. Most race directors and orgs are community-minded, so it isn't hard to find good events like this one.

Cinco de Miler is donating $5 for every race registration to help support their Chicago neighbors.

Disclaimer: I received a race entry 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!

Every Cinco de Miler Runner Gets a Shirt + Medal

Besides a good cause, I'm a sucker for a great race shirt. I've been eyeing the Cinco de Miler for years because of the cool shirts and medals. I could never get myself to Chicago in early May, so I'm thrilled for the chance to run it virtually and score this SWAG!

Image of long sleeve race shirt and medal for finishers of the Cinco de Miler race on May 2.

Use My Code for a Bonus Chicago Trucker Hat

You know I've got a code for some BONUS SWAG, right? Here you go! Use code BRCINCO20 when you register, and you'll get an extra CHI trucker hat in your race packet.

Ram Races/Cinco de Miler will mail your race packet the week of the race. More details here.

Use the code: BRCINCO20 when you register to score a bonus Chicago Trucker!

New Motivation: I'm Running the Virtual Cinco de Miler to Celebrate May!

4/15/2020

When all the #socialdistancing lockdown began, I had 5 in-person races scheduled from mid-March through May. All those races were cancelled, postponed, deferred or switched to virtual.

I wanted (NEEDED!) a way to keep training for when my in-person race events resume.

Cue virtual events and step challenges! They're a great way to keep runners and race companies in motion. That's why I just registered for another one: the Ram Racing Cinco de Miler on May 2!

Usually, it's a five-mile race and celebration in Chicago each May. I've never been able to run this race in person, so it's a silver lining for me that it's going virtual this year.

Disclaimer: I received a race entry 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!

What is the Cinco de Miler Virtual Run?

It's a 5 mile race you can walk, stroll, jog or run. Go the distance whenever and wherever you want. Push a stroller or run with your pup. Run on a treadmill or around your neighborhood.

Follow the rules of safe #socialdistancing, and have fun with your race! Everyone is encouraged to run on the original race day, May 2, but if that doesn't fit your schedule, run when you can.

Results are on the honor system. The the most accurate tracking is with a watch or smartphone app that uses GPS tracking.

Once you're done, you can log your time in your EnMotive account and download a finishers certificate. You can download your finisher's certificate beginning on May 2, 2020.

Cinco de Miler SWAG Bag

Cinco de Miler has some of the best SWAG around. Check out the long sleeve race shirt and medal. (Photo credit: Ram Racing)

Ram Racing will ship the SWAG to you.

The 2020 Cinco de Miler Virtual Run SWAG includes a long sleeve tech tee with the calavera skull on the front. The race name is on a sleeve.

The race medal is a 5" gold calavera skull finisher’s medal that mimics the day-of-the-dead sugar skulls.

The medal's mouth is a bottle opener. Remove the ribbon, and use it as a magnet!

Your medal arrives with your shirt, race bib, and extra fun surprise goodies!

Since it's a virtual run, there's no shirt swap available. Study the sizing chart to select your shirt size.

Race SWAG packets will ship the week of 4/27/2020. The Cinco de Miler Virtual Run is only open to US addresses within the contiguous United States. At this time, Ram Racing can't ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.

FREE Trucker Hat with Promo Code: BRCINCO20

Use promo code: "BRCINCO20" when you register and you'll get a BONUS Chicago trucker hat in your race packet.

Use promo code: BRCINCO20 to add this Chicago trucker hat to your SWAG bag! (Photo credit: Ram Racing)

#CincoBR #CincodeMiler #CincodeMayo #RamRacing #BibChat #BibRavePro #VirtualRace #Virtual5Miler #VirtualRaces #CHIraces #HoorayRunning #ThisOldRunner #SRTT #OptOutside #SocialDistancing #SaferAtHome #COVIDraces