13th Annual Bolt Run - Race Recap

Last month, we participated in the 13th Annual Bolt Run.  Yes I'm super behind with my race recaps.  I guess it's better late than never.  The race was on St. Patrick's Day weekend so the race shirt was green.  I purchased some fun socks for Krysti and I to wear during the race.  Rick picked up our race packets early so I was able to get everything ready the night before.

The race is hosted by the Tampa Bay Lightning, our awesome local hockey team, and it started at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.  The Forum is only about 20 minutes from our home but I was glad to have arrived a little early because some of the parking lots were not yet open.  We were doing the 5 mile race which started earlier than the 5k.  We went to the plaza area where we were meeting my friend Keith who was completing the 5k.  Soon it was time to head to the start line.  

The course started at the Forum, looped around to Channelside drive and then headed down Bayshore, which is a  popular running spot for locals.  It was a scenic route with an out and back on Bayshore. The 5k followed the same route just had an earlier turn around.  This was fun because I was able to see some of my friends running the 5k later in the race.

I didn't have a goal for this race and just wanted to finish with a decent time.  At the end of the first mile, my RunKeeper app said I had completed the mile is less than 13 minutes which is super great for me.  However, I was still at the back of the pack.  I got the feeling that the runners in this race were super fast on a familiar to them course. Rick is much faster and had a goal to finish in under 45 minutes.  I saw him whiz by me as he was already headed back to the finish line. 

As I said, the route was scenic with most of the course on Bayshore Blvd over looking Tampa Bay.  The guy in the next picture was behind Rick and it's my understanding he finished the entire race carrying that tire. 

After the turnaround, I could see the 5k runners at their turnaround ahead.  I started to look for my friend Keith.  Not long after, I found him going towards the 5k turnaround.  My favorite part about local races is all the friends you run into during and after the race.

I knew we were close to the finish line so I just pushed through.  Soon enough, we were going back across the small bridge that leads back to downtown and towards the finish line.  At the finish line, I saw my friends, Kelly and Angela who were waiting for Brandi to cross the finish line.  I waited with them to see Brandi, Krysti (sorry no picture) and Keith cross the finish line.

While waiting at the finish line, Rick found us and I learned he had met his under 45 minute goal! Way to go!

Our official results

OA   Name               Bib# Sex Age     Guntime   Chiptime  Pace 

169 Rick Partridge      1887  M  43        44:34     44:04   8:55 

473 Hildarys Partridge  1886  F  40      1:09:55   1:09:25  13:59 

487 Krysti Jimenez      1317  F  17      1:14:49   1:14:20  14:58 

I was super proud of all of our finisher's time but specially Krysti's.  She had not been training the way Rick and I had been. 

The after race food offerings included pizza, bagels, bananas, and beer. We hung around for a little bit to enjoy the food and take in the atmosphere.  The after race expo was very small with just a few vendors there.  There really wasn't much to do after the race so we headed home.  

The registration fee included a ticket to that Monday night's Lightning game which was a ton of fun!

This was a good local race with a scenic familiar course but we are not sure we will do it again next year.  There really wasn't anything bad about the race and the Lightning ticket is a great perk.

Best Damn Race - Safety Harbor - Race Recap

I'm a little behind on the blog. It's been a busy month of February with racing, preparing for the races and just life in general.  I'm going to try and catch up by the end of the week.

On Saturday, February 1st, my husband and I participated in the Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor, FL.  I had heard great things about this race series and it did not disappoint.  The 3 miles fit into my training plan for my first half later in the month so it was perfect timing.

We had picked up our packets and race bibs the Thursday prior to the race at the Fit Niche store in Hyde Park Tampa.  It was conveniently on our way home after work.  They were also one of the sponsors for the race so they had some discounts being offered during the packet pick up.  We looked around quickly but did not buy anything.

The race started at 9am so we left the house around 7am that morning.  It's about an hour or so from our home to Safety Harbor.  We arrived to the area early but had a very difficult time finding parking.  The 5k race was the last of the three races that morning and parking in the race area and surrounding residential area was difficult.  We finally found a spot several blocks to the race start and walked quickly to the start line.  The half marathon runners were finishing as we walked up and the area was full of spectators.  Great vibe to get us pumped up for our race.  

We went straight to the start line but had about 20 minutes to wait.  Hubby went in search of a restroom or porta potty but he said the lines were really long and he was afraid to miss the start of the race.  So we just waited patiently and set up the RunKeeper application and music.

Lots of people at the start line.  We stayed towards the back because my pace is so slow.  Hubby is much faster and could move up but he stays with me until we start.

Before we knew it, we were off.  It was a little crowded at the start of the race but thinned out pretty quickly.  Hubby took off to run his race since he was looking for a PR this morning. 

                                      

The race started down Bayshore Drive and then turned into a residential area.  Before I knew it, I was coming to the first water stop and then the first mile marker.  My RunKeeper app said I had my fastest mile to date and I was excited at the possibility of a PR.

This guy was not only pushing a stroller with his son in it bu also carried that tire the entire race. 

Mile 2 was an out and back down Philippe Parkway.  I was able to see Hubby on his way back as I went out.  I knew he was at least 1/2 mile ahead of me. I continued my pace a little jealous of those on the other side heading back.

 This course was pretty flat and scenic.  I was able to just concentrate on my pace and enjoy my music and sights.  I was still doing a great time and I was still hoping for a PR.  I had to finish in under 41 minutes and some quick math confirmed it was possible. 

Along the course there were also some great signs.  These are two one of my favorites.

   

 As soon as I saw the Mile 3 marker, I knew I could get a PR.  I pushed as much as I could the the finish line and was so excited when I cross it and knew I had done it. 

I took the water from the volunteer and rushed to find the Hubby.  I could not wait to tell him and find out how he had done.  It turns out we had both reached our goals.  I went in search of the PR bell.

We then went to get food and of course the free beer.  We hung out for a little bit to enjoy the festivities and the lovely view.  

This is a wonderful race! We can't wait to do it again. In fact, we then signed up for the Best Damn Race in Orlando that took place on March 1, 2014.  This group puts on a wonderful event!  The course is beautiful and runner friendly, there is great food and beer after the race, and the atmosphere is fun.  I would highly recommend taking part in the Best Damn Race and can't wait to do it again in 2015.

Our results were posted right away.  This was my first chip timed race and it was cool to see official results.  I was in the bottom third of all the results but that just means there is plenty of room for improvement.

 Name                      City                Bib No   Age  Gend  Age Group  ChipTime    Gun Time            Pace 
Hildarys Partridge     Brandon FL    5096      40      F       40-44         41:30.7       42:27.2            13:23/M

Vanessa Welch Reindeer Run

Yesterday, my family and I participated in the Vanessa Welch Reindeer Run.  This was a fun 3 mile run around Sea World Orlando.  The race fee was only $25 and there was a $10 off discount for those 17 and under or 65 and over.  The beneficiary for the race was the Florida Hospital for Children: Hematology & Oncology Program.  They also had Marines there collecting Toys for Tots.

The race itself was tons of fun through a wonderful course that started in the Sea World parking lot and then ran through the park that was completely decorated for Christmas.

They separated the runners who were scheduled to start at 7:15am from the walkers who were to start at 7:30am.  In the runners area, they also had pace signs for the runners to line up according to their pace. Packet pick up was quick and easy on site.  You just had to find your name on the board to find your bib number and then the packet pickup were separated by the bib number.

We decided to just walk the race and enjoy it so we hung out in the walkers coral waiting for the start.  We couldn't hear what was going on at the start line but about 7:20 the runners started.  A few minutes later we were lead to the start line where there was a group singing carols.

A quick countdown and we were off.  As we made our way around the Sea World parking lot around where the finish line was, we saw the male winner finishing.  His finish time was 15:07.  Wow that's fast and he looked like he was just strolling on a Saturday morning.  There were some great costumes in this race.  These were hanging out in the parking lot.

Once we entered the park, there were loads of decorations and a few photo opportunities.

In addition to the Christmas decorations, we even got to see some dolphins playing with a ball.

More decorations along the way

There was one water stop at the 1.5 mile.  The course is pretty flat except for the one area around Bayside Stadium.  Soon we were crossing the finish line.

There was water at the finish line.  In the post race area there were bananas, cookies and hot chocolate.  We grabbed bananas but didn't partake in the cookies or hot chocolate.  They were having kid races and costume contest the in that area as well.  We left to go back to the hotel to have breakfast so we didn't see these activities. 

My family and I really enjoyed this event and hope to make it a holiday tradition.  The race is well run, the course is beautiful and it's all for a great cause.  Plus you get this great long sleeve t-shirt