This Old Runner Writes About Running

Review is Up! 2019 First Watch Sarasota Half

10/24/2019

You can find the review by clicking the photo or using the RACES pulldown menu.

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

When Your Half Marathon Becomes a 10K — And You're Totally Okay with It

I've been working towards a goal of a half marathon PR. My first try was scheduled for the First Watch Sarasota Half on October 20.

Due to weather and safety challenges, the race management cancelled the half. However, half runners were invited to run a 10K race for free instead. So, I did!

Read my review of First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon that became a 10K bridge run. While I didn't get a half mara PR, I did get an awesome challenge and race experience.

It was a solid training run that increases my chances for a PR in November. It's all good if you ask me!

#SarasotaBR #RunSarasota #RunTheRingling #BibChat #BibRavePro

Race Review is Posted for the 2019 Copperhead 5K at the Valspar Championship

3/19/2019

Hop on over to the race review page to learn why the Copperhead 5K is such a fun event. It takes place inside the Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort in Palm Harbor.

This kick off event for the Valspar Championship landed on St. Patrick's Day this year. That led to some additional greens. The Veterans Alternative non-profit is this Copperhead Charities beneficiary.

Festive runners gather before the race. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Racing to the finish line after a tour of the Snake Pit. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

#Copperhead5K #ValsparChampionship #Innisbrook #InnisbrookSpaResort

Review of the 2019 St Pete Beach Classic

1/22/2019

Lots of Race Options at the SPB Classic

St Pete Beach Classic 2019 Medals for 10K 5K Challenge

(Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Here's the bling I brought home after running the 2019 St Pete Beach Classic Duo on Saturday, January 19th. The Duo includes a 10K race at 7 am followed by a 5K race at 9 am. There's time in between to chat and relax. Plus, there's a cute Kids Dash that's fun to watch before the 5K.

Other race options include a Saturday night 3.8 mile Beach Fun Run, and Sunday's half marathon. If you're up to the challenge, run every single race to earn the Marathon Challenge medal. That's 4 races in two days that total 26.2 miles.

Check out my complete SPB Classic review here. If you haven't tried this race, consider it. It's a fun getaway weekend whether you live near or far.

The races take place over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend each January. Next year's race dates are January 18 and 19, 2020.

Race Recap: 2016 St Pete Beach Classic Half Marathon

1/18/2016

My Dad (a former track coach) advised me to hang on the shoulder of the leader for the entire race. Well, I couldn't do that since the winner ran the half in 1:18, but I took Dad's advice to heart, and hung on the shoulder of the 2:30 pacer.

This blog is my race recap. Detailed review here --> St Pete Beach Classic

The race began on time. Less than a quarter mile in, the sky opened and drenched us for a soggy minute. There was a collective moan from the runners as everyone realized we were about to run 13 miles with wet feet.

I was one of twelve runners with the 2:30 pacer (Carolyn), for the first few miles. Carolyn was amazing. It turned out she's a running coach. She kept us on pace the entire time — hills and no hills, wind and no wind. I was very impressed as each mile ticked off and we were still on pace.

That's the first time I ran in the thick of a pace group. Usually, I'm further back and keep them in sight. Coach Carolyn kept us engaged. She asked us questions, and gave us tips as our group ran mile after mile.

At mile 5, we lost 3 people from our group. A couple more runners dropped back at mile 8 when we faced very strong head winds. I learned later that the wind gusts were 30-35 mph.

The 7 people remaining in our group literally ran in a straight line trying to break the wind as we made our way through mile 9.

I suddenly got a Charley Horse in my left calf as we reached mile 10. My muscle screamed at me, so I slowed to a walk. Coach Carolyn turned and encouraged me to wait and walk through the aid station. I nodded. I wished that I could.

I watched as my pace group move ahead without me. Soon they were farther and farther away. It was sad to say goodbye to them. They were fun.

I massaged my calf muscle; even tried to roll it out each time I saw an appropriate railing. I decided to walk to mile 11 and then if my calf felt better, I would run the last couple of miles. I knew my PR had slipped away, but I wasn't ready to give up.

Angry Bird toy found after the SPB Classic Half Marathon

I found this in the parking lot after the race. Why so mad, Bird? No PR today?

The worst part of the last couple of miles wasn't the pain in my leg. Nope, the most painful part was the sympathetic expressions and encouragement I received from volunteers and spectators when I was in walk mode. They clapped and called encouraging things to me as I walked by them. I wanted to explain "Charley Horse" as I passed each one, but I didn't.

I was afraid I had done something awful to my calf muscle and didn't want to make it worse. So, I walked more, and ran less, for the final mile. I did managed to run the last few yards and across the finish line.

At the finish they gave me a bright shiny medal, a Heineken beer, a muffin and a banana, and I felt much better!

Questions? Feel free to comment or email me. #spbclassic

2015 Honeymoon Island Half Marathon

11/7/2015

Race Recap: Hard to Tell It's November

It was 75º at 4:30 a.m. The forecast said it would be clear and sunny all morning. Sunrise was at 6:46 a.m. When the race started at 7:21 a.m. it felt like 88-90º.

This was the 2nd running of the Honeymoon Island Half Marathon in Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin. The race was promoted as some paved trails and other trails. There was a half and a 10k. My plan was to run relaxed and steady; find and keep a pacer; listen to music; enjoy the view.

This is my race recap. Detailed race review —> Honeymoon Half

I arrived an hour early. Parking was easy. I walked around to see the set up. Base camp was a huge parking lot. I spotted 7 port-o-lets and a couple of permanent park buildings with restrooms. What I did not see anywhere was shade. There was a stage at the far end of the parking lot that looked like a semi-permanent fixture.

Runners walk across the parking lot at the 2015 Honeymoon Island Half Marathon.

Runners who had positioned themselves at the starting line had to walk to the opposite side of the parking lot to the stage for announcements and the Star Spangled Banner. A few minutes later, everyone walked back across the parking lot to the starting line.

There wasn't much shade, natural or man made, on the course or in the post race festivities area.

The race began in the huge parking lot (hot asphalt) ran on trails through the park, moved out of the park across the causeway bridge to Dunedin, turned around and came back. 10K runners ran the course once, half marathoners ran it twice.

I ran a 10 minute pace the first mile, then realized that was too fast. It was too darn hot. I fell into a 12 minute pace. I ran most of the race behind a woman with a very long brunette braid who maintained a perfect 12 minute pace. I was awed by her consistency, AND, the amount of sweat pouring off the back of her legs. No doubt the person behind me also had a sweaty view. It was 93º for most of the race. The skies were clear and the race course was in full sun most of the time.

I did enjoy running to and from Dunedin over the causeway. There were lovely views of the water, and lots of people walking, biking and fishing. Runners stayed on the sidewalk going over the bridge. It was tight on the bridge when there were people running in both directions. Otherwise, it felt good to be close to the water.

The Dunedin Causeway.

Honeymoon Island looking towards the parking lot.

As I neared the 10K mark I decided to call it a day. I couldn’t imagine another hour out in the hot sun. During announcements we were told if we decided to run a 10k instead of the half, just let them know at the finish line and we'd still get our official times. (That never happened, but I had my own tracking app.)

I finished, received my medal and found a bottle of warm water. Volunteers at the finish line, and throughout the race seemed to be high school students getting their required volunteer hours done. They looked bored, hot, and uninterested in the race. I don’t blame them since the conditions were brutal.

I walked across the parking lot to see if there was anything cold to drink, or something to eat. Nope.

Post Race Festivities were in Full Sun.

More than an hour after the start, there was no food, no cold drinks, no shade.

Why the Race was Disappointing

I’m going to say this race was disappointing for a few reasons:

93º in November on a course with little to no shade. Race Directors can't control the weather, but they can respond to it. That didn't happen here.
Poor quality aid stations; warm water, or no water.
Nothing cold to drink at the finish. When I walked over to the beer truck, volunteers were pouring warm foam into glasses. I asked for a beer, was told “sure” and then nothing. I walked to the beach and came back after 5-10 minutes. I really wanted something cold to drink. Still no beer.
No food at the finish. No bananas or granola bars. They were just beginning to cook some sort of breakfast pancakes more than an hour after the race started. Remember, there was a 10K as well as a half marathon. That usually means finishers before the hour mark.
Most people/volunteers I saw in the post race area were working on wedding decorations. Part of the event was an attempt to win a Guinness Book of World Records for most wedding attendants. The race director and her fiancée were to be married after the race with all the runners as attendants. It was a nice idea — two runners getting married after a half marathon on Honeymoon Island — but the wedding seemed to take priority over runner safety. It added chaos and confusion.
Sweatshirts were promised at registration, but weren’t delivered. Not that anyone needed a sweatshirt that day.
I went to my car to get some shade and A/C and made a few phone calls. I knew I couldn’t leave the island yet because the course traveled through the parking lot. When it seemed clear, I tried to leave, but couldn’t. There was a horrible traffic jam of cars stuck bumper to bumper waiting to leave the island.
It felt like an amateur event that wasn't worth the registration fee.

September 2016 Update:
3rd Annual Honeymoon Half

The 3rd Annual Honeymoon Island Half marathon is November 5, 2016. There will be 3 races: half marathon, 10k and 5k.

The 2016 race course will be in downtown Dunedin instead of on the island. I don't know if there will be cold water, or shade, or better organization — but at least runners will be near downtown businesses and have options for post race recovery. I hope to hear the 3rd year is the charm for the Honeymoon Island Half. Learn more about the 2016 Honeymoon Half 10k and 5k.

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