This Old Runner Writes About Running

Week 2: Hot Chocolate 15K Training and Watercolor Sketchbooking

10/12/2021

Week Two is done. That means the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K in Tampa on Dec. 19 is less than 10 weeks away!

I’m having so much fun being accountable via my sketchbook. Translating my runs into watercolors is super soothing.

This week's workouts were tough, but satisfying. I’m finding lots of parallels between running and learning to watercolor. I feel like I'm off to a good start — but have lots of work to do!

Sketching My Future Hot Chocolate Race SWAG

Watercolor Sketch for Week 2 of Hot Chocolate Jacket and Medal

There was a #HC15K in Indy over the weekend. I saw runners in their new jackets, and they look good! The medals are awesome, too. I'm looking forward to earning mine. (Image credit: ThisOldRunner)

Disclaimer: I received a free Hot Chocolate 15K race entry as a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro ambassador, and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

Scene On A Run Watercolor Sketches

Watercolor sketch of Halloween decorations.

The neighborhood continues to get creepier by the day as Halloween approaches! So many spiders this year! (Image credit: ThisOldRunner)

Watercolor sketch of brick alley in St. Petersburg, Florida.

I love the brick streets and alleys in St. Pete, so I decided to try painting one. (Image credit: ThisOldRunner)

Celebrating a Great Mantra Labs Mail Day

Watercolor sketch of MANTRA LABS hydration powders.

Just received a package of MANTRA LABS supplements to test and review. It's perfect timing for this training cycle! And, I have a Discount Code: Use "Mantrah25" at Checkout to Get 25% Off Your Order at GoMantraLabs.com. (Image credit: ThisOldRunner)

Updated Mileage and Shoe Tracker for Week 2

I totaled my miles for week 2, and kept track of which shoes I ran in for my shoe tracker page.

Watercolor sketchbook for Hot Chocolate Race training. Mileage page.

Slight increase in mileage for week 2. (Image credit: ThisOldRunner)

Watercolor sketchbook for Hot Chocolate Race training. Shoe tracker page.

Still tracking those miles for each pair of shoes. (Image credit: ThisOldRunner)

Find links to more #HC15K sketchbook pages here.

Get a Bonus BUFF in Your Hot Chocolate Race Goodie Bag When You Use My Promo Code

Want to run #Tampa @HotChocolate15K or 5K on December 19? Register soon for the best price.

Don't forget to use my promo code "HC21" to get a FREE custom #HotChocolate Buff added to your goodie bag. More sweet swag for you!

Register Here 👉http://bit.ly/HCTampa

Use promo code "HC21" to score this branded BUFF. (Image credit: Hot Chocolate 15K)

#SceneOnARun #SeenOnARun #HCTampaBR #HC15K #HC5K #BibChat #Watercolor #Aquarelle #WatercolorJournal #Sketchbook #UrbanSketchers #CreativeJournal #ArtJournal #MantraFamily #MantraBR #Inspiration #MotivationMonday #InstaRunner #SpookySzn #HalloweenDecorations #WeRunSocial #OptOutside #RunTampa #RunStPete #EverySingleStreet #EverySinglePerson #HoorayRunning

Discounts & Deals on Fall Races

8/5/2021

Looking for Fall race discounts? Keep reading! Below are promo codes for cash discounts and extra swag for Tampa Bay area races. If you're looking for a discount on nationwide races, visit my race discount page.

If you plan to race in October, you still have 10-12 weeks to get ready. Check the following deals to find a race that appeals to you. Happy Running, All!

DC Virtual Runs Now Through November

Picture of WonderWoman Batman and Superman Koozies.

FREE Koozie with Code. (Image: Ventures Endurance)

Superhero Koozie Codes

Any beverage is going to taste better in a super hero koozie.

Use the codes below to score one when you sign up to run these DC Virtual Runs:

7/1 to 11/30/2021
DC Batman Virtual Run
1 mile, 5K or 10K. Use "DCBatmanPromo" for a free DC Batman Run koozie

7/1 to 11/30/2021
DC Superman Virtual Run
1 mile, 5K or 10K. Code "DCSupermanPromo" for a free DC Superman Run koozie

7/1 to 11/30/2021
DC Wonder Woman Virtual Run presented by Echelon 1 mile, 5K or 10K. Use code "DCWonderWomanPromo" for a free DC Wonder Woman Run koozie

Discounts on Live Races Near St. Pete / Tampa

Below are some local favorites. They're excellent destinations for Runcations, too.

September - Best Damn Race Orlando

SAVE 10% with Code "ThisOldRunner"

Front and back of Best Damn Race Orlando Half Marathon Medal for 2021.

Best Damn Race Orlando Half Medal. (Image: BDR)

9/25/21 - In-person
Best Damn Race Orlando
5K, 10K Half, Challenge, Orlando, FL
Use “THISOLDRUNNER" for 10% OFF any event! #BDR2021 #BestDamnRace

5K, 10K, Half & Challenge Medals (Image: BDR)

October - Best Damn Race Safety Harbor Weekend

SAVE 10% with Code "ThisOldRunner"

10/16-17/21 - In-person
Best Damn Race Safety Harbor, FL
5K, 10K Half, Double, Triple Challenge. Use code “THISOLDRUNNER" for 10% off any event!

Front and back views of Best Damn Race Safety Harbor Half Marathon Medal.

Best Damn Race Safety Harbor Half Medal (Image: BDR)

Front view of all the Best Damn Race Safety Harbor Medals in 2021 includes a Double and Triple Challenge.

BDR Safety Harbor: 5K, 10K, Double Challenge, Triple Challenge and Half Marathon Medals. (Image: BDR)

(Images: St Pete Run Fest)

November - St. Pete Run Fest Weekend

SAVE 5% with Code "CandyL21"

11/12-14/21 - In-person
St Pete Run Fest St. Petersburg, FL

There's a Youth Run, 5K and 10K on Saturday, followed by the Half on Sunday.

Run 1, 2 or 3 races to complete a SPRF Race Challenge.

Use "CandyL21" for 5% off any race.

December - Hot Chocolate 15K/5K Tampa

FREE Branded #HotChocolate Buff with Code "HC21"

12/19/2021 - In-person
Hot Chocolate 15K/5K - Tampa
Use my code: "HC21" when you register for a virtual or in person Hot Chocolate Race this Fall and you'll get this limited edition Hot Chocolate branded Buff!

Read more about the rest of this year's sweet Hot Chocolate 15K/5K SWAG on my blog. I hope you'll join me at the Hot Chocolate Tampa 15K on December 19 on Tampa's scenic waterfront.

Image of girl wearing FREE Hot Chocolate BUFF.

Use "HC21" to score a Bonus Buff in your Hot Chocolate Race Goodie Bag. (Image: HC15K)

Run a Hot Chocolate 5K or 10K in Tampa, FL on December 19, 2021

#BDR2021 #BestDamnRace #SPRF #RunStPete #RunTampa #StPeteRunFest #HC15K #HC5K #HotChocolateRaces #HCTampaBR #SupermanRunBR #BatmanRunBr #SpaceJamRunBR #FallRaces #WonderWomanRunBR #BibChat #BibRavePro #HoorayRunning #ThisOldRunner #RaceDiscounts #PromoCodes

2021 Limited Edition Shark Week Sunnies by Knockaround + New Customer Discount

5/13/2021

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

This year the Discovery Channel's annual salute to shark life is August 9-16, 2021. Make sure you're ready to kick off Summer and Shark Week with a new pair of shark-inspired shades!

Each year Knockaround joins the Discovery Channel Shark Week celebration by creating special edition Shark Week sunglasses. Keep reading for details on the year 7 model!

Your new sunnies do more than make you look good. They're going to help the oceans look good, too. Knockaround donates $5 from EVERY SALE of Shark Week Sunnies to Oceana.org to help restore the world's oceans.

Image of limited edition Shark Week sunglasses with Discovery Channel and Knockaround logos.

Knockaround Donates $5 From EVERY Sale of Shark Week Sunnies to Ocean.org to Help Restore the World's Oceans

Close up of Shark Week 2021 sunglasses by Knockaround and Discovery Channel.

Rear and side view of Shark Week 2021 sunglasses.

Beautifully decorated Shark Week box for sunglasses by Knockaround.

Shark Week sunglasses soft protective pouch doubles as a lens cleaner. Great white shark and logos are printed on the front and back of the pouch.

Check out the Great White on the Knockaround Box and Protective Pouch. The pouch doubles as a lens cleaner. All Discovery Shark Week x Knockaround Sunglasses Images credit: Knockaround and Discovery.

New at Knockaround for 2021 Shark Week

Kids Shark Week Sunnies

Photo of young girl wearing Kid Size Shark Week Sunglasses.

Psst! The NEW CUSTOMER discount code below works on Shark Week Sunglasses + Gear!

Shark Week Tanks & Tees

Photo of couple wearing Shark Week sunglasses and Shark Week Shirts by Knockaround.

If you're a NEW CUSTOMER you can use the discount code below to get Shark Week gear, too.

New Customers Get 20% Off Sitewide with Code

Don't want shark sunnies? That's okay! You have lots of choices at Knockaround.

May I suggest the Torrey Pines Sport? They're a great choice for summer activities. They have an embedded rubber nose pad that prevents slipping, sliding and bouncing. Isn't that what all runners are looking for in a pair of sunglasses?

Check out the Knockaround Best Sellers or design your own Custom Premiums. The options are endless! But the discount code isn't. The new customers code "NEWSHADES20" expires May 26.

NEW CUSTOMERS PROMO CODE!
Use Promo Code "NEWSHADES20" to SAVE 20% on Anything on the Knockaround Site: Shark Week Sunnies and Apparel, Custom and Limited Edition Sunglasses, Blue Light Blockers, and Accessories. Offer Expires 5/26/21.

#Knockaround #KnockFan #KnockFriday #DiscountCode #NewCustomers #SharkWeek #Discovery #SharkWeekSunnies #PromoCode #SharkWeekSale #SharkWeekApparel #KidsSunglasses #ThisOldRunner #GearDiscount #SummerRunning #SummerSunnies #SportSunnies #RunningKnocks