Glow for a Cure

As a member of the Tampa Bay Bloggers, I have been invited to be a “Race Ambassador for the Cure” at the upcoming Komen Florida Suncoast GLOW run in St. Pete.

The 17th Annual Florida Suncoast Race for the Cure is back in St. Petersburg on October 3rd for a 6:00pm nighttime GLOW run!  The race starts in beautiful downtown St. Pete at Albert Whitted Park near the Salvador Dali Museum.

There are lots of different race options this year to GLOW PINK.

• 10K Competitive: The 10K competitive race will wind through the beautiful, waterfront streets of downtown St. Petersburg and Snell Isle. This event is timed and all participants will receive a runner goodie bag, timing chip & Race bib.
• 5K Competitive: The 5K competitive race will follow the same beautiful course as the 10K, just half the distance. This event is timed and all participants will receive a runner goodie bag, timing chip & Race bib.
• General Registration: You don’t have to run to have a good time at the Race! This registration is for those who want to do the non‐competitive 5K Run/Walk, the 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk or be Proud in the Crowd. All participants will receive a Race packet with a Race shirt & Race bib.
• Students for the Cure: A special student rate for students in middle school through college. You will need to enter your school name and student ID during registration. All Students for the Cure registrants will receive a race packet with a Race shirt & Race bib. This is a non‐competitive, non‐chip‐timed entry. To participate in one of the competitive categories, you must register in that category. There are no student rates for the competitive Race categories.
• Kids for the Cure: No matter the age, we need everyone’s help in the Fight Against Breast Cancer!! Kids for the Cure is available for all kids 10 years of age & under. We will have kids dashes and kids’ activities available on Race Day. Kids for the Cure Race packets will include a Race shirt & Race bib.
• Virtual: Can’t make it to the Race? You can Race in spirit instead! Virtual Race participants will be mailed a commemorative Race shirt. 

Click here for more information and registration.

Time to pay it forward with a free entry to the October 3rd Race for the Cure in St. Pete.  Use Rafflecopter below to enter the giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Robbie's Run 5K Recap 2015

This was the first year I participated in Robbie's Run on April 18.  At the time of the race, my thyroid was overactive and I was not yet on medication, so I knew it would be a tough 5K.  It had been a month since my last run because of the exhaustion and tremors that came with my overactive thyroid.

The race started at 8:00am with temperatures in the upper 70s. I was ready to run in my RunningSkirt and Strider shirt.

I met up with my awesome running group and our mandatory group picture. 

I planned to run this race on my own.  With my thyroid slowing me down, my usual running buddies would finish faster than me.  Even though I knew this would be a slower 5K, my goal was to finish around 30 minutes (my PR is 25:53).  I had a decent pace in the beginning but the longer I ran, the more fatigued and slower I became.  I was walking and drinking water around 1.5 miles, when Amber, a fellow Strider, passed me.  My new goal was to catch up with Amber.  She looked like she was doing great and I needed someone to keep me running.

Amber and I ran the rest of the race together, pushing each other to keep running on that hot and humid day. Shortly before the finish, Amber told me this was going to be a 5K PR for her.  What!  That was the determination I needed to keep going all the way to the finish.

We crossed the finish line and I thought I was going to fall down.  My hands and entire body were shaking with tremors.  I was beyond exhausted and I had only run 3.1 miles!  Afterwards, we had a delicious pancake breakfast, awards and raffle.  I won Boston Bill sunglasses!

My overactive thyroid really took a toll on me.  Looking back, I can see it in my pale face that I didn't look well.  Robbie's run was fun but now my racing was on hold until I got my thyroid under control.

Place: 98/224
Age Place: 15/17
Gender Place: 44/130
Avg Pace: 10:06
Gun Time: 31:20
Chip Time: 31:03

Gasparilla 15k Recap 2015

The Gasparilla 5K was my first race back in 2009, so even though this race is very crowded each year, I still run it.  The bling is pretty awesome too!

This was my second 15K race with Gasparilla 2014 being my first.  Last year I took my time because it was so hot and an automatic PR.  This year I planned to secure a faster time.

On race morning I met up with my running group for pictures and well wishes.

Me, my sister, my cousin

The morning was cool with temperatures in the mid 40s. The race started at 6:45 am and the sun wasn't quite up yet.  We ran along Bayshore Blvd near downtown Tampa.  I felt great and warmed up quickly as the sun rose.



I remembered that every year after the halfway turn around point, volunteers handed out Krispy Kreme donuts.  I never stopped in the past but this year I planned to stop for a donut snack.  As I approached the donut tables, I shuttered.  All thoughts went to... donuts and running in the Florida heat, don't mix well.  I passed on the melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness of Krispy Kreme donuts.

I still felt strong and was having a nice race.  At about mile 7, the 1:30 pace group caught up and passed me.  I was ok with that because I started before them and this was the first time they passed me.  My plan was to finish under 1:30 so I tagged along at the back of the pace group.  I didn't realize how much I needed that pace group until I had to keep up with them.  It was a good push to the finish and kept me on pace.

Another successful race finished with a 7+ minute PR!  And then I got to hang out with some pirates!  ARG

Div Place:  110/490
Gender Place:  626/3017
Overall Place: 1641/5257
Halfway Split time:  43:08
Average Pace:  9:09/mi
Chip time:  1:25:19

Best Damn Race 10k Recap 2015

I was back at the Best Damn Race, Safety Harbor, for the 10k this year.  Last year's half marathon was torture on this hilly course so I opted for the 10k instead.  This was only my second 10k ever with my first being in Oct 2012.  I planned to PR.

I was running consistently and training with interval and tempo runs weekly.  I was ready to ROCK the 10k!

Feb 7 was a crisp, cool morning with perfect running weather temps in the low 50s.  Once I got to Safety Harbor, I met up with my running buddy, Melanie.  With all things considered, like cool weather, previous interval and tempo run times, I thought we could finish the 10k in about 55 minutes.  My 10k PR was 59:39 so anything under that was good.  Melanie and I planned to try to stay together and pace each other throughout the 10k course.

We started out in the middle to back of the pack of runners so had to dodge to get around people.  The beginning of the course was beautiful, running along the water.  We navigated the ups and downs of the Safety Harbor streets, hearing the cheers from fellow Striders as we passed.

The 6.2 miles of the 10k seemed like nothing after my marathon and half marathons of the fall.  But, I was extremely happy that I wasn't running the Best Damn Race Half Marathon every time we passed a half course sign pointing us in the opposite direction with more hills!

Here we were heading into the final .2 mile stretch where we sprinted to the finish line almost causing a pass out or puke incident.


Photo by David

But we made it and finished!!

Free photo from Best Damn Race

 Melanie and I with new PRs and sparkly medals!

Post race picture with fellow Suncoast Striders

You got to ring the PR bell when you PRed at the Best Damn Race but I felt like the sign was made for me!  Instead of Chrissy Bell, call me PR Bell now.  Haha!

I loved the Best Damn Race's post-race food this year.  They had Dunkin Donuts' coffee, hot chocolate and heart donuts (filled with cookie dough or brownie batter); Jimmy John's sandwiches; and Pollo Tropical's black beans, rice and chicken.  Yummy!!!

This year, I had the BEST Damn Race with a 10k time of 55:15 and a PR of over 4 minutes!

Age Group Place:  16/119
Overall Place:  222/1047
Gun time:  56:24.0
Chip time:  55:15.9
Pace:  8:54/M

Gobbler 5K 2014 recap

This was the first year I ran a Thanksgiving Day race.  So close to home, the Gobbler 5K was the perfect option for me.

I had been wanting a nice flat course that I could PR for my 5K distance.  The Gobbler race took place in Starkey Park...where I run every Saturday morning.  Perfect!  I knew the park and flat running trails very well.

My PR to beat was 27:39 from 2 years ago.  I hadn't run a 5K in over a year and I knew I was faster.

Thanksgiving morning was a brisk 52 degrees...perfect running weather.  I met up with friends in my running group and we hung out until the start of the race.  My goal was a sub 27:00 5K to give me the PR.

We lined up in the start corral and someone asked if there was a mat at the start line.  I walked up to check and reported back that there was NOT a start mat.  No start mat meant that all timing chips started when the gun went off to signal the start of the race instead of when racers actually crossed the start line.  Racers that were a minute back in the start corral would already have an extra minute on their finish time before they even crossed the start line.  I was trying to PR so I moved up closer to the start line.

The race started and I felt great!  The temperature was cool and I was well fueled for a 5K.  We ran on the park road for about a mile, making our way to the trail.  I kept up a nice pace and loved seeing friends' faces as I ran.  We turned around at mile 2 to head back to the finish area.

My awesome race and pace continued to a Garmin finish time of 25:53!  My official chip time was 25:58 (because of no start mat).  Not only did I get a sub 27:00 but also a sub 26:00!  I was so happy with my new PR.

My new PR also won me a second place age group award!  Woot, Woot!  Never before had I won an age group award in a running race.  So excited!

This is a race I will definitely do again next Thanksgiving!

Age Div place: 2/38
Overall place: 103/617
Average pace: 8:31
Garmin time: 25:53
Gun/chip time: 25:58

A1A Marathon 2014 Recap

Fort Lauderdale is the farthest from home that I've traveled for a race.  The A1A Marathon wasn't even a blip on my race radar until my friend Denise, who was already registered for the marathon, encouraged our Disney training group to register.  I considered just registering for the half but decided to go for the full marathon (my 4th) because I would be trained after running the Disney Marathon in January.

Before the A1A Marathon, I ran a total of 3 times in 2014....Disney Marathon, recovery run the next week and Best Damn Race.  That's it folks, no other training runs.  I also ran A1A in brand new shoes that I had never run in before.  These are examples of how NOT to train and run a marathon.  Even though I did everything wrong, I still had a great race.

I ran in new shoes because after getting HUGE blisters on my toes at the Disney Marathon, and I'm talking blisters that span 3 toes on one foot and two toes on the other foot,  I was not running in those old shoes again.  So I bought new shoes but didn't have a chance to run in them.

Denise and I arrived in Fort Lauderdale Saturday afternoon to pick up our race packets and enjoy the expo.  The expo was fantastic, second only to Gasparilla.  We received an abundance of samples and freebies to take home.  Then it was off to dinner and the hotel.

Denise and I started off the marathon at a nice pace to warm up.  Shortly after we started, we ran over one draw bridge.  Other than that, the course was nice and flat. At about mile 4 1/2 we entered Birch State Park.  It was a beautiful park on the water with shade trees and picnic benches.  As we passed the 6 mile mark in the park, I decided it was time for my one and only bathroom break. I spotted and used a nice park bathroom instead of a horrid port-o-potty.  Denise did not need to stop so we parted ways.  She set a time goal of under 5 hours and my only goal was finishing the race.



Photo by Denise

I felt great so far in the race so after my potty break I picked up my pace, hoping to eventually catch up with Denise.  I kept on running, only to stop for water and fuel.  My only race disappointment was the fuel on the course.  I only brought one gel and they only offered Fuel Strip Fuel Chews.  While the Fuel Chews did help to fuel my energy depleted body, I couldn't eat them and run at the same time.  Yes, that was a personal problem but the whole running-breathing-chewing-swallowing, choked me up.  I had to either walk while I chewed the chews or put one in my cheek to let it slowly dissolve.  It worked but wasn't ideal for me.

By mile 15, I had not caught up to Denise or seen her on the course.  The turn around took us through a residential area where we didn't pass runners going in the opposite direction so I thought I probably missed her there.

I am a competitive person.  At this point in the race, I realized if I kept up my current pace, I could finish under 5 hours and might even beat my Disney 4:57 time and PR.  With a goal set, I had to git-r-done!

My wall....at mile 19.  I wondered why I was running another marathon.  I also asked myself why I was trying to PR.  I was there to support my friend, I didn't need to PR!  AND, because of my park bathroom jaunt, my Garmin was .30 miles ahead so my watch rang the next mile before I was actually there on the course.....it was torture.

The last 6.2 miles where hot and agonizing but with a goal in mind, I wasn't stopping.  The last water stop was .75 miles from the finish and the volunteer was shocked that I didn't want water.  He even told me this was the last water until the finish line.  I thought to myself, Yes I know but it's less than a mile and I have a PR to make, I don't need your stinkin water!

I finished and PRed by 8 minutes!  My shoes did a superb job with no blisters!



Photo by Denise

Age Group: 27/44
Overall Place: 423/632
10K split: 1:08:31
Half split: 2:22:03
30K split: 3:26:14
Average Pace: 11:04 min/mile
Total Time: 4:49:57

I looked around for Denise but couldn't find her so I sat on the beach wall and waited to see if she was still out on the course.  About 10 minutes later, she crossed the finish line!  Denise had a new PR too.



Photo by Denise

I really liked this race!  Other than the one draw bridge, the course was very flat.  The expo had lots of venders and goodies.  The finisher medals rocked!  I would definitely do this race again.

Iron Girl Sprint Triathlon Recap 2013

I participating in the 2013 Iron Girl Sprint Triathlon in Clermont, FL on September 29th.  This was my last tri of the season and I didn't trained for it.  Come to think of it, I didn't really train for Coteeman either.  Why do I keep signing up for triathlons?!

Denise, Jenny and I drove the hour and a half over to Clermont on Saturday afternoon to pickup our packets and check-in to our hotel.  We decided to stay the night instead of leaving at 3:00am the next morning to make the trip to Clermont.  I'm very glad we did because we were able to check our bikes in at transition, get a look at the lake and drive the bike course to get a feel for the hills.  And oh there were hills!

The next morning we were up, out and setup in transition with plenty of time.  I was very nervous about the lake swim because it would be my longest race swim at 1/2 mile. 

Jenny loaned us Polar shirts to stay warm.

I was in the third wave of swimmers.  We got in the water, waist deep, and waited for our start time.  Once it was go time, I ran in the water until it was deep enough to swim.  We had to swim out to a buoy, turn left and swim to a second buoy, then turn left again and swim toward shore.  I attempted the freestyle stroke that I was practicing over the summer but I was too overwhelmed with the rough water and other people swimming around me.  I'm a good recreational swimmer, most comfortable with the slow breast stroke so I switched to that and took my time.

Half way to the first buoy, my non-fogging goggles were so fogged that I couldn't see.  They never fog!  What happened?!  I had to hold on to a kayak to rinse them in the water. Afterwards, I realized that was my problem...I didn't wet my goggles before I put them on my head.



That's me with the purple cap.

I ran to transition feeling really good after my slow comfortable swim.  I tried to be fast in transition, not worrying about the grass on my feet before I put on my shoes.  Then I was off on the bike.

The bike course was great in the beginning with a couple of little, manageable hills.  The first major incline appeared where the sprint racers separated from the super sprint racers. After driving the course the day before, I vowed to try my hardest to make it up the steep inclines without getting off my bike to walk.  As I started up the incline, lots of racers were walking their bikes up the hill but I was passing them so I struggled on, with my feet clipped in.  The next portion of the course was filled with hills including one other steep incline.  I enjoyed the downs with a top speed of 29mph.  I managed all the hell hills, on my bike, and made it back to transition.



I can tell from my posture that I was tired and ready to be done with hills.

In transition, I caught up with Denise and we took off together on the last portion of the race.  Just 3 miles to run and we'd be done.  As soon as I started running, I felt tightness in my right shin all the way down into the top of my foot.  This was more than the usual bike-to-run, legs-don't-want-to-work feeling.  At the water stop, I took some time to stretch out my leg and foot.  This was also where our paved path turned to dirt...not my favorite thing to run on but my leg did feel better.  I managed my way to the finish line at an easy pace.

I survived the 2013 Iron Girl Tri sprint with a 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, and 3 mile run.  Now that it's done, I can say that I enjoyed it too!

Overall time - 1:42:42
Swim - 23:03
Transition 1 - 3:09
Bike - 46:43
Transition 2 - 1:11
Run - 28:36
Division Place: 26/41
Overall Place: 106/218


Disclaimer: I was given an Iron Girl Tri registration in exchange for event promotion and a review.  All opinions are my own.

Wig Out Water Obstacle 5K Recap

My friends and I tried out a water obstacle 5K called Wig Out Against Brain Tumors by Miles for hope.  There were water slides!  What a fun way to finish 3 miles!!  We were also encouraged to wear wigs so we went with a colorful theme.

 

This was not a timed race so we were there to have fun and look cute in the process!  We took pictures along the way as we completed the obstacles and had a wonderfully good time!

 



We did do some running between the obstacles.

It was a wet and wild kind of day!

In the second half of the race, we had to take our shoes off to experience the inflatable slides.

Here's one of the more challenging obstacles with Maribel scaling a wall.

After the race was over, we followed the lead of all the kids and rinsed off in the park's fountain.

Unfortunately, after all the fun sliding and running, there was no race food left.  Disappointing because we started an hour and a half before the last wave started.  My friends were able to get their free beer.

It's refreshing to do a race just for fun without worrying about time and PRs.

Do you enjoy a fun run?

This was my 13th race for 13 in 2013!  I did it...13 races done!