This Old Runner Writes About Running

Hippie Dash 5K is a Groovy Kind of Run!

5/21/2018

Ran a hot and humid 5K in downtown Gulfport, FL on Saturday. And I loved it!

A Very Sparkly #MedalMonday

3/19/2018

I've run the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon 3 times, and loved it every time. Even with 100% humidity yesterday, I really enjoyed the race.

Check out my review of the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay on BibRave.com. I do an in-depth write up here. I have lots of good things to report.

In the meantime, take a look at the super sparkly bling below. Every finisher — half, relay and 10K took one home. If you want in on the fun next year, get ready to register on Tuesday, March 20th at Noon when blitz pricing begins!

Disclaimer: I received a First Watch Sarasota Half 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!

2019 Early Bird Pricing for #RunSarasota

Registration for the 2019 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Relay & 10K opens Tuesday, March 20, at Noon EDT. Sign up early for the best price!

Half Marathon
$45 – First 200 registrants

Relay
$75 – First 40 registrants

10K
$40 – First 20 registrants

Picture of Sarasota Half Marathon Medal and This Old Runner.

The 2018 First Watch Sarasota Medal was inspired by the blue waters of Sarasota Bay where you can see lots of dolphins.

#RunSarasota #FirstWatchSarasotaHalfMarathon #RunStPete #RunTampa #RunBradenton #RunNaples #BibRavePro #BibChat #SpringBreakRace #RunFlorida

Best Damn Race #MedalMonday

2/5/2018

I Loved My Best Damn Races

Picture of three Best Damn Race finisher medals.

Best Damn Race 5K, 10K & Challenge Medals from Week 6 of #RunSarasota Training. (Credit: This Old Runner.)

The 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.

5K starting line at Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor.

The starting line was in front of the Safety Harbor Resort on a brick road under giant oak trees. (Photo credit: This Old Runner.)

Packet pickup on race morning at Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor, FL.

Race day packet pick up was available starting at 5:30 a.m. It looked like a lot of 5K runners opted to pick up on Saturday morning for the 9 a.m. race. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race.)

Best Damn Race expo on Friday afternoon.

The expo was on Friday from noon to 6, and again on race day. There was a nice variety of goods and services available at the expo. It was fun to peruse the tents and talk to the vendors. Lots of deals! (Photo credit: This Old Runner.)

Directional signs for runners at the Best Damn Race in downtown Safety Harbor, FL

Directional signs made it easy to find everything during the expo and on race day. (Photo credit: This Old Runner.)

Food tent for runners at the Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor, FL

Pizza, wraps, fresh fruit, muffins, candy bars, chips — so many choices in the food tent! (Photo credit: Best Damn Race.)

Goodie bag for challenge runners at Best Damn Race Safety Harbor.

The Best Damn goodie bag included delicious snacks, pain relief and lotion in a reuseable tote bag. Grabbed a couple of tatoos, too. (Photo credit: This Old Runner.)

I snapped these cheerful BibBoards on at home before leaving for the race. (Photo credit: This Old Runner.)

Hours later, my bib was still in place after two races and the post race party. (Photo credit: This Old Runner.)

I'm a BibBoards Fan

Gotta 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 Runners

Here 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

#MedalMonday for the St Pete Beach Classic Waste Connections, Inc. Duo Challenge

1/15/2018

Trio of Turtle Medals!

I ran my very first Challenge on Saturday at the St. Pete Beach Classic Waste Connections, Inc. Duo. (That's a mouthful of miles!)

It was better than I expected. The 10K race began at 7:00 am, followed by the 5K race at 9:00 am. Both races were on out and back courses in the town of St. Pete Beach, Florida.

I'll have a full race recap soon. In the meantime, take a peek at this trio of turtles.

3 Finisher Medals from the St Pete Beach Classic Duo Challenge.

This fun race challenge came at the perfect time. I used it as my long run in my #RunSarasota half marathon training plan. I maintained a consistent pace in both races, and am thrilled with the results. I love when I can get full support (and medals) during a training run! Thanks #SPBClassic for another great event!

#SPBClassic #SPBClassicDuo #RunStPeteBeach #RunStPete #RunSarasota #RunTampa #MedalMonday #10K #5K #Challenge

A Question for #MedalMonday

4/24/2017

How and Where Do You Display Your Bling?

I hung a new medal on a hook in my closet this weekend. It made me wonder: how do other runners display their bling? Are they public or private displays? Shown at home or work? Hung on a specialty rack or a curtain rod? Tossed in a drawer? Do any runners wear their medal all day? The next day? Do experienced runners even care about medals after years of running?

I suspect if I ran a major marathon, like Boston or London, I would wear my medal for a week — maybe longer.

Usually though, I take a photo to send to family, then hang my bling on a hook in the bedroom walk in closet. My husband and I are the only people who see my race collection.

Medals from half marathons, 15K, 10K, 8K, 4K and 5K races.

Where do you display your bling? My race medals are on hooks in my clothes closet.

I believe that although everyone in a race gets the prize, it means something different for each runner. My medals recall very specific personal efforts and experiences. Most importantly, they remind me that I am healthier and happier when I am running.

And, of course, I'll admit I love that medals are shiny, pretty and unique pieces of art!

#RaceMedals #MedalMonday #Half #15K #10K #8K #5K #4K #Medals #Running #RunStPete #RunTampaBay #RunTampa #RoadRaces #ThisOldRunner #InstaRunners #StPete #Tampa #Clearwater #Bradenton #Sarasota #Pinellas #Manatee #SunShinesHere #RunChat #BibChat #RaceRaves