This Old Runner
  • Blog
  • Race Discounts
    • What's BibRave?
  • Brand Discounts
  • Races
    • 2021 Races >
      • REVIEW: 2021 Tampa Hot Chocolate 15K 5K
      • Hot Chocolate 15K Watercolor Journal
    • 2019 Races >
      • 2019 First Watch Sarasota Half
      • 2019 Legoland Brick Dash 5K
      • 2019 World Refugee Day 5K
      • 2019 Pittsburgh Half Marathon
      • 2019 Rugged Maniac Dade City
      • 2019 Copperhead 5K at the Valspar Championship
      • 2019 Best Damn Race
      • 2019 St Pete Beach Classic Duo
    • 2018 Races >
      • 2018 First Watch Sarasota Half
    • 2017 Races >
      • 2017 Madeira Beach Sunset Series
      • 2017 Best Damn Race Leftover 5k
      • 2017 May Day 10K
      • 2017 5K on the Runway
      • 2017 Valspar Par 4 Miler
      • 2017 Sarasota Music Half
      • 2017 SPB Beach Classic
      • 2017 Kettle Krush 5K
    • 2016 Races >
      • 2016 Caladesi Island 10 Miler
      • 2016 Ronnie's Run 10 Miler
      • 2016 Weedon Island Preserve 8K
      • 2016 Fort DeSoto 15K
      • 2016 One Step Closer 10k
      • 2016 Hippie Dash 5k
      • 2016 May Day 10K
      • 2016 FL Beach Half
      • 2016 SPB Beach Classic
    • 2015 Races >
      • 2015 May Day 10k
      • 2015 Weedon Island Preserve 8K
      • 2015 Fort DeSoto 15K
      • 2015 Honeymoon Island Half
  • Places
    • --> Seen On A Run
    • Azalea Park
    • Crescent Lake Park
    • Weedon Island Preserve
    • Demens Landing
    • Riviera Bay Park
    • Walter Fuller Park
  • My Story
    • Contact
    • Reviews and Sponsored Posts

This Old Runner Writes

 

Race Recap: 2015 Inaugural Ft DeSoto 15K

10/6/2015

 
It was easy to rise early for the first race of the season. I left the house about 5:40 am and traveled to Fort DeSoto. Took I-275 to 54th Ave. South to the Pinellas Bayway South (75c toll) to Fort DeSoto. The Race Directors prepay the park's entry fee ($5) for all runners, so cars don't have to stop at the entry gate.

This is my race recap. Detailed race review —> Inaugural Ft DeSoto 15K

Picture
Fort DeSoto Park is south of St. Petersburg, in Tierra Verde, Florida.

I was parked and out of my car by 6:10 am. Lots of time to use the port-o-lets, warm up and survey the crowd. There were plenty of port-o-lets at the end of the parking lot, lit by huge spotlights on generators. Runners gathered near the starting line, or warmed up by jogging around the parking lot. It was dark, so you had to watch for cars and people. Volunteers did a great job directing traffic.

The announcer at the starting line played music and updated everyone on what to expect. While we awaited the start of the race there was a light sprinkling of rain, which brought the temperature down a couple of degrees to 73º. Next, there was a hearty rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, a countdown and the race began.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

There was a beautiful cloudy sunrise and a rainbow as we started the race. The only downside was that a rainbow requires rain. Runners in both the 15K and the 5K were drenched in a downpour of big fat juicy drops. And then, of course, wet socks.
Picture
Picture
There was equal opportunity drenching in both the 5K and 15K races.

I added this race to my schedule because I enjoy the venue and like the race directors. I also wanted to see just how fit I was after 3 months of doing easy workouts in the summer heat.

At the start of the race, I found a couple running at an appealing pace. I ran with them for 6.75 miles. The pace felt good, steady but not too hard.

After a couple of miles, my Gatorade chews slipped out of my belt. Thankfully, an energetic girl running behind me noticed. She sprinted up to me, gave me the chews, then ran back to her group. I was happy to eat those energy chews at mile 5 and 7!

After mile 7, I left my pacers and ran intervals. I still felt strong, but not constant running strong.

Picture
Picture
The beautiful sunrise was a nice distraction from the fact that we were soaking wet.

I felt a blister wanting to appear during mile 9. I tried to adjust my foot to avoid it. If it had been a half marathon, I definitely would have had a full blown blister.
 
My Nike+ app tracked 9.4 miles. I was pleased with my 11:50 pace; 1:52:50 time. Not too bad for This Old Runner's first race of the season.
 
After receiving my medal, I grabbed a beer, banana and water, which I consumed while watching the 5K awards presentation. Then, I made my way home, a sweaty, wet happy mess.

I foam rolled really well the night before the race, and again the night after the race. I had a few tight spots that were easily worked out. I think the foam rolling and an ice bath contributed to an easy recovery. I felt good 24 and 48 hours after the race.
Picture
Picture
The race course is on flat paved trails and roads throughout the park.

I’m glad the race photos were free. My race photos never look good. How could they? I'm soaked with sweat (or rain and sweat in this case) and have just run for a really long time. Even so, I love to see the photos. I appreciate the photos by Game Face Media included with this event. Free race photos seems to be new trend in our area, and I really like that.

Official race results were posted online at CoolRunning by 3 pm Sunday afternoon. There were 414 finishers in the 15K results, and 283 in the 5K results.
Picture
The beach, shelters, and trails go on and on at Fort DeSoto.

Gifts during this race:

Chats on the course, water, oranges, shade, rain, solitude, music, breezes, rainbow, sunrise, birds, trail, running, energy chews, shaded post race celebration, good food, beer, hydration, and cheerful volunteers at all the aid stations, fun finisher medal!


Comments are closed.

    RSS Feed

    Copyright ThisOldRunner.com

    Disclosure: Some posts may contain affiliate links. If you buy through those links you won't pay a penny more, but we may get a small commission.

    Hello!

    This Old Runner profile photo
    This is where you'll find me writing instead of running.

    BibRave Pro logo with lion
    Click the BibRave logo to save money on your favorite races and gear. #BibRavePro

    Upcoming Races:


    March 13, 2023 
    Pittsburgh Marathon 
    Tour de Course 

    Pittsburgh Marathon Virtual Tour of the Course
    Join us for an 8-week virtual Tour de Course! Run or walk challenges each week until Pittsburgh Marathon Race Weekend! #PittsburghMara #MovePittsburgh #VirtualPittsburgh

    July 4, 2023
    St Pete Pier Run

    Logo for 2023 St Pete Pier Run
    Registration is open. The St Pete Pier Run returns on July 4, 2023! #StPetePierRun #4Miles #July4Race

    Nov 10-12, 2023
    St Pete Run Fest Weekend

    Logo for 2023 St Pete Run Fest Half Marathon
    REGISTRATION IS OPEN! I'm running the Half, but there are lots of races. Choose a 5K, 10K, Half or run them all as a challenge! #StPeteRunFest #RunStPete #dtsp #Half

    Dec 9-10, 2023
    Garden of Life Palm Beaches Marathon

    Picture
    DISCOUNT CODE COMING SOON! Garden of Life Palm Beaches Marathon Weekend includes a 5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon on the beautiful West Palm Beaches of Florida in December! VIRTUAL OPTIONS and Challenges. #PalmBeaches #PBMarathonBR #GardenofLife #BibChat

    Feb. 24-25, 2024
    Gasparilla Distance Classic

    Picture
    Registration is open! Plan ahead and register now for the best price. This race is worth every penny! #GDC #GasparillaDistanceClassic

    Lookin' for Something?


Meet This Old Runner  |  Contact Us  |  Read the Blog 
Race Reviews  |  Places to Run ​
Race Discounts  |  Brand Discounts
​Request Product Review
DISCLAIMER: I'm not a running coach. I don't even play one on the Internet. Please ask your doctor or professional for advice specific to your body. 
DISCLOSURE: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you buy something via one of the links you won’t pay a penny more, but we may get a small commission. ​


Copyright 2016-2023 This Old Runner. All Rights Reserved.
​
  • Blog
  • Race Discounts
    • What's BibRave?
  • Brand Discounts
  • Races
    • 2021 Races >
      • REVIEW: 2021 Tampa Hot Chocolate 15K 5K
      • Hot Chocolate 15K Watercolor Journal
    • 2019 Races >
      • 2019 First Watch Sarasota Half
      • 2019 Legoland Brick Dash 5K
      • 2019 World Refugee Day 5K
      • 2019 Pittsburgh Half Marathon
      • 2019 Rugged Maniac Dade City
      • 2019 Copperhead 5K at the Valspar Championship
      • 2019 Best Damn Race
      • 2019 St Pete Beach Classic Duo
    • 2018 Races >
      • 2018 First Watch Sarasota Half
    • 2017 Races >
      • 2017 Madeira Beach Sunset Series
      • 2017 Best Damn Race Leftover 5k
      • 2017 May Day 10K
      • 2017 5K on the Runway
      • 2017 Valspar Par 4 Miler
      • 2017 Sarasota Music Half
      • 2017 SPB Beach Classic
      • 2017 Kettle Krush 5K
    • 2016 Races >
      • 2016 Caladesi Island 10 Miler
      • 2016 Ronnie's Run 10 Miler
      • 2016 Weedon Island Preserve 8K
      • 2016 Fort DeSoto 15K
      • 2016 One Step Closer 10k
      • 2016 Hippie Dash 5k
      • 2016 May Day 10K
      • 2016 FL Beach Half
      • 2016 SPB Beach Classic
    • 2015 Races >
      • 2015 May Day 10k
      • 2015 Weedon Island Preserve 8K
      • 2015 Fort DeSoto 15K
      • 2015 Honeymoon Island Half
  • Places
    • --> Seen On A Run
    • Azalea Park
    • Crescent Lake Park
    • Weedon Island Preserve
    • Demens Landing
    • Riviera Bay Park
    • Walter Fuller Park
  • My Story
    • Contact
    • Reviews and Sponsored Posts