This Old Runner Writes About Running

Discount for Hot Chocolate 15K & 5K Tampa

11/20/2019

Have you ever run the Hot Chocolate 15K or 5K? It's a race series that travels across the continent rewarding racers with a fun theme and lots of chocolate. They serve some of the creamiest hot chocolate I've tasted.

This year the race returns to Tampa on December 15. Keep reading to see the swag and while you're here, grab my discount code to SAVE $5 Off your TAMPA registration.

SAVE $5 or Score a Hat with Discount Codes

I just got this code that gives you $5 off your registration: DHARATKFBO (case sensitive).

Try to use it before the prices for both races go up on December 1st!

This discount code only works for the TAMPA races. If you want an extra perk for another city, use the city-specific codes on my race discounts page. That code gets you a HC15K/5K running hat.

If you're in Tampa and want a running hat instead of $5 off, use code BRHCTAMPA19.

Check Out the HC15K / 5K Swag and Bling

Hot Chocolate Race SWAG: Mens and Womens zip front hoodies.

Sweet SWAG! All racers receive a warm and cozy zip-front HC15K/5K jacket. (Photo credit: HC15K)

15K and 5K medals for the Hot Chocolate races are shaped like a chocolate bar and a cup of hot chocolate.

Runners in both the 5K and 15K receive finisher medals this season! (Photo credit: HC15K)

Chocolate On Course and at the Finish Line

Hot Chocolate Race finishers cup includes chocolate fondue and dippables.

This year the HC15K/5K finisher cups are made of biodegradable materials. (Photo Credit: HC15K)

New this season: Hot Chocolate Races are going GREEN. The finisher mugs and cups are made of biodegradable materials. It's a good first step for this race series.

FYI: You can drink and eat this delicious dark chocolate if you worry about gluten and nut allergies.

The recipe is gluten-free and has no compounds. It's also nut-free.

There are three "sweet stations" on the 15K course. If you need a chocolate fix during the race, you can get it on the run.

Enjoy a Festive Run Along Bayshore Boulevard

Check out my favorite photo from last year: Olaf Racers! There were lots of runners dressed up in holiday gear. The race course takes you all along Bayshore Boulevard with views of Tampa Bay and beautiful homes decorated for the season. This race always puts me in a holiday mood.

Last year I ran behind these snow women! Love all the creative costumes out on the course. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Map of the Tampa Hot Chocolate Race Courses. The course travels along Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa, FL.

The course is an out-and-back along Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa. There are great views of the Bay. (Credit: HC15K)

Discount on the 2020 Best Damn Races in Safety Harbor, Savannah, Orlando, NOLA

11/9/2019

SAVE 10% on Any Best Damn Race in Any City During 2020 with code: "ThisOldRunner"

The Best Damn Race series focuses on great locations and courses. Each event has two or more races and welcomes runners of all abilities. The #BDR post race parties have excellent food and fun to celebrate your racing accomplishment!

Disclaimer: I’m an ambassador for the Best Damn Race. I'm promoting the races because they're awesome

February 1-2 Weekend in Safety Harbor, FL

Challenge Medals for the 2020 Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor, FL

These are the double and triple challenge medals and the 5K medal. Not shown: 10K medal. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Half Marathon Medal for the 2020 Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor, FL

This is the 2020 Half Marathon medal. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Saturday: 5K, 10K + Double Challenge
Sunday: Half Marathon + Triple Challenge

The Safety Harbor Best Damn Races start and finish on the beautiful downtown waterfront.

Register for a BDR Challenge in Safety Harbor, and all you'll need is shoes and shorts! That's 'cause you score BDR socks, shirts, and a hat or visor when you run the Double or Triple Challenge.

5K, 10K or the Half racers get a beautiful race, shirt, finisher medal, and a fantastic post-race party on the waterfront.

Saturday, February 15 in Savannah, GA

5K medal for the 2020 Best Damn Race in Savannah

The Savannah 5K medal has a fountain with glow in the dark water. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Half marathon medal for 2020 Best Damn Race in Savannah

The Savannah Half Marathon medal features the Lafayette Square fountain. The water glows in the dark. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

5K and Half Marathon
Come race around the scenic squares in Savannah. The Best Damn Race Savannah half and 5K both begin and end at Forsyth Park.

See the NOLA historic sites, then celebrate afterwards at the Best Damn Race party.

See the fountain on the medal? That water glows in the dark! Don't forget: First 2,000 Registered Runners Get BDR Socks!

Saturday, February 29 in Orlando, FL

10K medal for the 2020 Best Damn Race in Orlando

This is the Orlando 10K medal with a sliding swan. The 5K (not shown) has a moving roller coaster car. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Half marathon medal for the 2020 Best Damn Race in Orlando

This is the Orlando Half Marathon medal. The ferris wheel spins! (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

5K, 10K, Double Challenge, Half Marathon
It's leap year, and what better way to celebrate an extra day than running a race?
If you're one of the early birds for Best Damn Race Orlando you'll score Orlando socks.

Everything begins and ends at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. Celebrate after the race with an excellent post race party.

Sunday, March 22 in New Orleans, LA

5K medal for the 2020 Best Damn Race in NOLA

This year's NOLA sugar skull medals are three-dimensional and have eyes that glow in the dark! (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Half medal for the 2020 Best Damn Race in NOLA

The big NOLA sugar skull half marathon medals are three-dimensional with glow-in-the-dark eyes eyes! (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

5K and Half Marathon
Come experience New Orleans on foot. Run through NOLA and earn this 3D sugar skull medal. The eyes glow in the dark! First 2,500 Registered Runners Get NOLA Socks.

There are two Best Damn Race New Orleans events. The 5K and half marathon begin and end in the French Quarter

Best Damn Race city-specific socks for runners in Safety Harbor, NOLA, Savannah and Orlando.

Register early at BestDamnRace.com to get your new pair of city-specific socks!

Use the discount code: "ThisOldRunner" when you and your running friends register to SAVE 10% off your races.

#BestDamnRace #BDR #SafetyHarbor #RunBDR #BDRSafetyHarbor #RunTampa #RunStPete #RunSarasota #RunBradenton #FloridaRunner #BDRSavannah #BDROrlando #BDRNOLA #LetsGeaux

Fast Recap: Fort DeSoto 15K

10/2/2019

September heat and humidity are always a challenge here. Sunday was a cloudless, sunny day with 85% humidity. We had a slight breeze at the start, and a better breeze during the last mile.

The Fort DeSoto Park paved trail is nice, but has very little shade. That was okay, since my goal was to test my hydration and fueling plan in tough conditions.

I'm a real fan of the Gatorade Endurance products I'm using this year. I've had no stomach troubles, and they're easy to take while running. I used energy gels and thirst quencher during this race.

I started too fast, but calmed down and ran slow and steady after mile 2. I ran one mile with a pacing group which was fun. Most of the time I ran my own race with one eye on my BPM. It was super hot and I wanted to stay safe. 'Cause I'm not This Young Runner.

View of the Skyway Bridge from Fort DeSoto Park.

I didn't think to take pictures until I saw the Skyway Bridge at the 15K turnaround. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Fort DeSoto finisher medal for Sunday, September 29, 2019

All racers received this sweet medal. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

We ran on the road for a short distance at the 15K turnaround. The race began in the parking lot, then followed the paved trail for an out and back course. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

How Many Miles in Your 15K?

Somehow, I always run too far at Ft. DeSoto. I'm not sure if it's my GPS or if I swerve a lot. I tried to run tangents, but whatever. My race totaled 9.41 miles instead of 9.3.

I managed a slow, steady run and felt good afterwards.

At the finish line there was cold water, an iced towel, and the big medal. I dunked that towel in every bin of ice water I saw. It felt so good!

Grabbed a beer and a banana right away. The race offered baked goods and pasta, but I didn't eat those. I took chocolate milk for the ride home. I stayed for some awards, but had to leave soon after the race.

I came in 4th again in my age group. One of these years I'll be old enough or fast enough to get in that top 3. Overall, I feel like this race was a good way to get in this week's long run.

Orange Mud transition wrap in royal blue and matching Oofos recovery sandals.

Thank goodness for recovery sandals and my transition wrap. I used these as soon as I got to my car after the race. You can use my code: “BIBRAVEWRAP” for 15% off all Orange Mud gear. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Orange Mud transition wrap used as a car seat cover.

This was the first time I used my Orange Mud transition wrap. It was sweat-free seating that kept my upholstery clean. The microfiber is so soft. Feels much better than a regular towel on the seat. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Disclaimer: I'm promoting Orange Mud as a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews

What's Next on the Racing Schedule?

The Brick Dash 5K is on October 12 near Orlando.

Well, thanks for asking!

I have one more race before the First Watch Sarasota Half on October 20. It's the Legoland Brick Dash 5K in Orlando. This is a run/walk with my husband for fun. All the proceeds benefit Merlin's Magic Wand which helps kids around the world.

We want to see the park, which includes the old Cypress Gardens property.

Receiving a medal made of Legos sounds pretty cool, too!

Best Damn Race Reveals 2020 Medals for Orlando and New Orleans Races

9/25/2019

The Best Damn Race Orlando and NOLA medal sneak peeks are here! You can see the Safety Harbor medals and perks in my earlier post.

Keep reading to see the bling you earn by running in Orlando on February 29, and New Orleans on March 22, 2020. And there's a discount code for you at the end of the post!

Disclaimer: I’m an ambassador for the Best Damn Race. I'm promoting the races 'cause they're awesome.

Run a Best Damn Race 5K, 10K, Challenge or Half in Orlando on February 29, 2020

Saturday, February 29, 2020
Races: 5K, 10K, 5K + 10K Challenge, and Half Marathon
It's leap year, and what better way to celebrate an extra day than running a race?

If you're one of the early birds for Best Damn Race Orlando you'll score some socks.

Everything begins and ends at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando.

Come enjoy a run through the city at a beautiful time of year. Celebrate your race with an excellent post race party.

First 3,500 Registered Runners Get These BDR Orlando Socks!

Run a Best Damn Race 5K or Half in New Orleans on March 22, 2020

Sunday, March 22, 2020
Races: 5K and Half Marathon
First 2,500 Registered Runners Get NOLA Socks

Come experience New Orleans on foot. Run through NOLA and earn this 3D sugar skull medal that glows in the dark!

Best Damn Race New Orleans offers two events. The 5K and half marathon begin and end in the French Quarter

First 2,500 Registered Runners Get Special BDR NOLA Socks!

SOON: Sneak Peek at the Savannah Medals

Saturday, February 15, 2020
5K and Half Marathon
Race around the scenic squares in Savannah.

I'll post the Best Damn Race Savannah Medals here soon. And yep, you get socks with that!
First 2,000 Registered Runners Get BDR Socks

The Best Damn Race Savannah half and 5K both begin and end at Forsyth Park.

See the NOLA historic sites, then celebrate afterwards at the Best Damn Race party.

First 2,000 Registered Runners Get BDR Savannah Socks!

Use Discount Code "ThisOldRunner" to SAVE 10% on ANY Best Damn Race in Any City!

Use my discount code: "ThisOldRunner" when you register to run in Safety Harbor, Orlando, Savannah, and New Orleans and you'll SAVE 10% on your race! Feel free to share the discount code with friends and family!

Special Discount for Hidrate Spark 3

9/22/2019

I have a short-term discount code for the Hidrate Spark 3 Smart Water Bottle for you! You can SAVE $5 when you order your Hidrate Spark 3 before September 30 at 11:59 CT.

SAVE $5 on Hidrate Spark 3 with "RUNNER5"

The price on the bottles goes up soon, so go grab one! Check out the video below to learn more about this smart water bottle. You can sync the app to your phone or exercise tracker. How cool is that?!

SAVE $5 with Code "RUNNER5" When You Order By Sept 30!

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