This Old Runner Writes About Running

My 4-Step Swimming Process

8/25/2019

I'm trying to cross-train as much as possible during this training cycle. So, I headed out to the pool. Do I just dive into the water and go? No. Here's my process:

Disclaimer: I’m promoting Gatorade Endurance as a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews.

Swimming is a 4-step process for me. Today, I swam laps, then spent serious time treading water and moving my arms. Treading water seemed to loosen my tight shoulder. It felt good to use different muscles in my shoulders, arms, and legs.

Sometimes it’s hard to remember to hydrate for water sports, but it’s so important. I drank @GatoradeEndurance Cherry thirst quencher today and loved the flavor. It was tasty, but not overpowering. I also used a Blackberry gel after about an hour. But, we already know I love all the gel flavors!

I’m training for First Watch Sarasota Half and 🏃‍♀️ the St Pete Run Fest Half on November 17. Both races use Gatorade Endurance on course, so I'm happy to be training with it. Just 8 weeks until Sarasota, and 12 weeks until St. Pete!

Click here for a discount code for First Watch Sarasota Half & Relay.

#GatoradeEndurance #GEnduranceBR #Ad #BibChat #BibRavePro #MyFuelMyJourney
#ShareYourStory #FormulatedForFarther #ThirstQuencher #RunnerFuel #RunSarasota
#RunStPete #RunTampa #RunFlorida #SarasotaBR #HalfTraining #BibRave #KeyWestHalfBR

This Fall, I'm Fueling My Journey with Gatorade Endurance

8/11/2019

I'm beyond excited about training for two goal races this Fall using Gatorade Endurance!

Both of my races, the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon and the St Pete Run Fest Half, serve Gatorade Endurance on course. So, using it for training is a perfect fit.

Gatorade Endurance supports runners of all shapes, sizes, ages, and attitudes. I learned this first-hand when they agreed to support my race goals with Endurance Formula products for my training. Hooray!

Keep reading to learn more about my goals.

Disclaimer: I’m promoting Gatorade Endurance as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews.

Gatorade Endurance and Encouragement

Gatorade Endurance sent me a personal note and this package of wonderful gels and thirst quencher powder! They're helping me train for two half marathons that represent milestone goals for me.

Gatorade Endurance sent me a personal note and this package of wonderful gels and thirst quencher powder! They're helping me train for two half marathon goals this Fall. (Photo Credit: ThisOldRunner)

My Milestone Races

I want to run a personal best in my last two half marathons before my birthday. My goal is to end my 50s with fast finishes, then race right into my next decade.

But here's the rub. Summer training in Florida is brutal. Heat. Humidity. Stormy downpours. Bright sunshine. I actually like Summer, but it's so stinking hot here.

If you don't hydrate and fuel properly you'll melt. The temps and humidity make it hard to train. Inconsistent training makes Fall PRs a challenge.

I love the half marathon distance. It takes training, discipline, and dedication to complete 13.1 miles. It's a meaningful endeavor. But how to stay motivated?

This year, I'm sharing my goals publicly to stay accountable. It's always good to have cheerleaders and witnesses!

Crossing the finish line at the Sarasota Half Marathon.

Goal: Beat my 2015 First Watch Sarasota time.

Posing with my medal after the St Pete Run Fest Half Marathon.

Goal: Beat my 2017 St Pete Run Fest finish time.

My Endurance Running Story

I never (ever) expected to be a runner. As a kid, I ran around the yard. In high school, I ran to catch my bus. At 20, I maybe ran the bases in intramural softball — twice.

Despite growing up in a family of athletes, I was a spectator when it came to sports. I watched my parents, siblings, husband, and children participate. But, I never felt the need to compete.

My motto was, “No thanks, I hate to sweat.”

Everything changed when I saw my daughter run her first half-marathon. I was spectating at the starting line, and was surprised (shocked?) to see that everyone there wasn’t a 20 year-old thin mint.

My motto was, "No thanks, I hate to sweat."

And those people didn’t just start the race — they finished it!

I was so moved by everyone’s determination, I cheered for people I didn’t know as they crossed the finish line. Tears filled my eyes when my daughter received her medal. It was amazing. Inspiring. Just, wow!

My daughter inspired me to attempt running a half marathon.

One of my faves is running with her. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

I began to wonder if, maybe — just maybe — I could run a half marathon. I started by walking.

I trained for 13 months before I finished my first half in February 2013. One medal, and I was all in.

Nine months later I ran/walked my second half. I’ve been running ever since.

Running has given me more than muscle tone. Running has improved my balance and agility. It provides an inner peace I didn’t realize I was missing.

The most important thing I’ve learned is to take my time and train smart. I’m patient with my progress. As a result, I’m healthy and moving.

P.S. I like to sweat, now!

I'm a Late Bloomer Athlete

When asked to describe my type of athlete, my first response is late bloomer. I'm happy about becoming an athlete later in life. When you start running at 52 no one expects you to run a 6-minute mile. Every achievement is a delight.

Since I'm an older runner, I pay extra attention to nutrition, rest, and recovery. I pace myself, and always respect the heat and humidity.

So far, patience has given me 7 years of injury-free running.

Why I'm Training with Gatorade Endurance

I'm using Gatorade Endurance for several important reasons:

Carbs plus potassium, sodium, and electrolytes in an easy to take and digest drink. These are vital when you train for hours. Hydration is everything in the heat.
Taste. I like Lemon/lime, Cherry, and Watermelon thirst quencher powder. Full disclosure: watermelon is my fave!
Energy Gel Flavors! Mango, Apple Pear, Blackberry, and Vanilla.
Gels that are fluid and easy to swallow on the run. These aren't sticky or super sweet. That means a lot to me in the middle of a training run or race.

I love that I'm training with the same fuel that's offered on course at my races. I don't have to worry about it on race day. I can focus on running.

Hand holding a Gatorade Endurance gel in mango flavor.

Mmmm! Mango! I fell in love with this flavor the first time I tried it. It's fluid and smooth and goes down easy while runnning. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Picture of Gatorade Endurance thirst quencher powder.

Gatorade Endurance loaded me up with lemon/lime, cherry, and watermelon flavors. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

When I set my mind on something, I try to follow this strategy:

1. Set a Goal.
2. Make a Plan.
3. Get to Work.
4. Stick to It.
5. Reach Goal.

So, I've set my goal (PR in two half marathons in a row) and made a training plan. It's time to do the work! The First Watch Sarasota Half is in 10 weeks. St. Pete Run Fest is in 14 weeks. Eeek!

Good luck if you're training for your own milestone races. Find me on Instagram and Twitter @ThisOldRunner. We can encourage each other.

See you at the starting line!

#GatoradeEndurance #ThirstQuencher #RunnerFuel #GEnduranceBR #BibRave #BibChat #BibRavePro #GEndurance #FuelMyJourney #MyFuelMyJourney #ShareYourStory #FormulatedForFarther #Ad #Fitness #FitnessInspiration #WeRunSocial #RunnersOfInsta #FitFluential #Motivation #GoalRaces #OlderRunner #RunningTowardsRetirement #MRTT #InstaRunner #RunStPete #RunTampa #RunSarasota #RunTampaBay

Rainy Day Monday: Week Two of Fall Half Marathon Training Begins

8/5/2019

I started Week Two of my Fall training schedule today. I'm focused on lots of hill repeats to build endurance. My 5K in Pennsylvania later this month will be a good benchmark.

About 1.5 miles into my hill repeats, I spotted a curtain of rain headed my way. I ducked under an oak to wait out the water. Five minutes later, I was back at my hill repeats and the sun was shinning. Oh, Florida!

My only regret was that I was so excited about breaking in a new pair of shoes, I didn't check the weather. Oh well, they'll dry. Besides, there's something wonderful about running in the rain, so I was happy.

Finished with 3+ miles and a check mark on my training plan.

(Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Fall Racing Plans

This season, I'm going to say my goals out loud so I have witnesses and accountability. I won't go on and on about my miles and times, but I'll discuss motivation, nutrition, fuel, and most of all: GOALS!

Goal Races

Half Marathons are my jam this season! I'm warming up with shorter races that fit into my schedule. But come October, it's full-time pursuit of half mara PRs before 2019 ends.

October 20, 2019 - First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon
November 17, 2019 - St Pete Run Fest Half Marathon

My next post will describe how I'm going to get to those PRs. Until then, stay hydrated everyone. It's super hot and humid out there!

Best wishes to my running friends who are training for the Chicago Marathon. It's brutal to be running double-digits in Florida right now!

2018 St. Pete Run Fest Expo and Finish Line

11/26/2018

Last year, I ran the Inaugural St Pete Run Fest half marathon. I loved it. The race was shiny and new, but the race directors were experienced pros.

After running the inaugural St. Pete Run Fest half marathon in 2017. (Photo: ThisOldRunner)

The race was minutes from my house. The course took runners all around town, including a loop through Tropicana Field. It was one of the best inaugural anythings I've run.

For 2018 I decided to sign up to volunteer at the finish line on Sunday morning. It was the first time I handed out medals at a race. I was looking forward to it.

Before Sunday, I joined the crew at the Best Damn Race booth on Saturday morning for the expo.

The Best Damn Race Booth at the Expo

I kinda love a good expo as much as a good race. It's fun to talk to runners. We compare notes and talk about their race goals. I got to show them all the great medals for the 2019 Best Damn Race Series.

It's fun to meet people in real life that I know from online or racing. Plus, at the Expo there are discount codes and extra goodies when you register there. The music, people, and excitement all takes place in beautiful downtown St. Pete on the waterfront. It's a fun weekend from start to finish line.

Best Damn Race Booth at the St Pete Run Fest Expo on November 17, 2018

Nick setting up online registration at the expo. Medals for the 2019 Best Damn Race series were revealed at the St Pete Run Fest Expo. (Photo: ThisOldRunner)

Save $5 on Any Best Damn Race with Code

If you weren't at the expo you can still SAVE $5 on any Best Damn Race in the 2019 series. Just enter my code THISOLDRUNNER at registration. Share the discount with your running friends so they save money, too!

Medals for the 2019 Best Damn Race Series

I'll do another post that showcases each medal and city in the series in 2019. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

St Pete Run Fest Expo outside next to the Dali Musem

The expo was on the lawn between the Dali Museum and Mahaffey Theater across from Albert Whitted Park. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

There were tons of vendors and lots of St Pete Run Fest merchandise available at the expo. There were lots of local races, too. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

I watched some of the 5K finishers on Saturday morning. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Finish line medals and water bottles for the 5K finishers. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Sunday's Finish Line Fun

I was back at the starting line at 5:30 Sunday morning. Our first task was to fill all the Tervis tumblers with water.

Sunday morning well before the race began. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Filling Tervis Tumblers and watching the sun rise. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

The Wells Fargo group working on their water table. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

A quick hello with fellow BibRave Pro, Kim. (Photo credit: Kim)

10K and Half finishers scored a custom Tervis Tumbler. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Sunday was warm, but there was good cloud cover. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Medal for the Trop 10K race featured a cut-out skyline. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Half marathon finisher medal. Yep, the wing moves. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)

Finish Line Fun

I loved this reverse finish line experience. Perhaps being a runner made it extra special. I worked the half marathon side of the finish line. It was fun to greet and congratulate the runners.

Some of the people who volunteered were squeamish about getting transfer sweat on them. That made me laugh. At the end, one volunteer asked everyone if they were hugged by a sweaty runner. Turns out everyone was.

Finish lines are emotional. I gave a hug to every runner who wanted or needed one. There were some tearful moments with runners I didn't know. I laughed, clapped, shouted, and cheered for everyone who crossed that line.

Here are my favorite things in no particular order:

Answering random questions before the race
Meeting and chatting with other volunteers
Watching the first place male and female finishers come in
Giving Nick his finisher medal
Seeing a lady who paced me in a half marathon
Helping a woman who hyperventilated after she crossed the finish
Pushing the stop button on a runner's watch because her fingers were swollen
Catching people so they didn't fall
Congratulating people who arrived very late due to a traffic jam, but still ran
Telling people, "Hello! We've been expecting you."
Giving my former coworker, Vicky her medal
Seeing Theresa bring her pace group in exactly on time
Hanging that medal around so many necks
Congratulating local runners I know by sight
All the high-fives and grins
Being there when the last runner finished. She was awesome!

If you get a chance, give back to your favorite race by volunteering. As I runner, I can tell you we love seeing a cheerful, encouraging face on course and at the finish line.

Kudos to everyone at St. Pete Run Fest for another successful race weekend!

St Pete Beach Classic is Part of the New Burg to Beach to Bayshore Challenge!

10/24/2018

Challenge Yourself with 3 Local Half Marathons

Want a challenge that shows you the best sights around Tampa Bay? Here you go! It's the Inaugural Burg to Beach to Bayshore Challenge! Run a half marathon at each of these three awesome events to complete the Challenge.

1. Burg

November 18, 2018
St Pete Run Fest Half Marathon
St. Pete, FL

2. Beach

January 20, 2019
St Pete Beach Classic Half Marathon
St. Pete Beach, FL

3. Bayshore

February 24, 2019
Gasparilla Distance Classic Half Marathon
Tampa, FL

How to: Burg to Beach to Bayshore Challenge

This Challenge is unique because it involves 3 different organizations. That means you must register for each separate half marathon. Pay special attention when signing up for the St Pete Beach Classic and Gasparilla Half Marathons.

When you register for the St. Pete Beach Classic Half and Gasparilla Half make sure you select "Burg2Beach2Bayshore Challenge" on your registration form. Once you're registered, run all three half marathons.

You'll receive your Challenge Medal and an Embroidered Tech Running Cap at the finish line of the Gasparilla Half Marathon!

Sign up early to get the best pricing. The St Pete Run Fest and St Pete Beach Classic races have price increases on November 1st. Gasparilla Distance Classic prices go up on January 12, 2019.

Better Hurry! The First Half is Nov. 18th

(Photo Credit: St Pete Run Fest)

The first event, the 3 Daughters Brewing St Pete Run Fest Half Marathon is almost here!

If you want to run the first ever Burg to Beach to Bayshore Challenge, you must run the half marathon on November 18th!

Here's Another Option: Enter to Win a St Pete Beach Classic 5K, 10K or Beach Race

Enter my giveaways on Instagram and you could get a FREE entry to the St Pete Beach Classic 5K or 10K or Beach Run. (Photo Credit: BB Action Photo)

3.8 m Beach Run (Photo Credit: BB Action Photo)

Relax in the sun before, during, and after you race.

Enter Giveaways on Instagram

I'm having 3 (YEP 3!) race giveaways for the St. Pete Beach Distance Classic. The giveaway prize is your choice of the 5K, 10K or Beach Run. The October giveaway will post late today (Oct. 24).

HOWEVER...if you want to run in the Burg to Beach to Bay Challenge, you can upgrade your free entry to the half by paying the difference in the registration fee.

Follow This Old Runner on Instagram so you can enter the giveaway contests. I'll give away an entry in October, another in November, and the last one in December. Hint: Race entries make excellent holiday gifts for your favorite runner!

#RunSPBClassic #SPBClassic #RunSPB #RunStPete #RunTampa #RunSarasota #RunTampaBay #RunLikeaPirate #B2B2B #StPeteRunFest #GasparillaDistanceClassic #GasparillaRun #PGDC19 #HealthySP #SPRF #ThisOldRunner #BibChat #StPeteBeach #TampaBay #DTSP #StPete #FloridaHalf #FloridaRunner #MRTT #RaceDiscount #RaceGiveaway

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