Race Review Bahamas Half Marathon

I’ve been sitting on this race review for a few weeks thanks to work (the noon to midnight shift really takes a toll on you!), but with the coldness of winter and the Polar Vortex that is the Midwest, I figured it was appropriate to think back on the Bahamas.

I went to Nassau with a friend of mine from residency, because let’s face it, it gets depressing over the winter in the PNW. One can only take the cold so much. I left Spokane on the Wednesday prior to the race. No trip is a trip without flight drama as our flight form SLC to ATL was delayed and we somehow got on a flight from SLC to KC and KC to ATL before making our flight (and grabbing lunch) to Nassau. We spent Thursday and Friday enjoying island life, taking in the rum distillery and the sites of downtown.

Made some pirate friends and saw a whole bunch of color I want to take home with me pic.twitter.com/00eUcNqnzT

— Christine G. (@CGinPNW) January 17, 2019

On Saturday, after running the Koman 5K, I showered enjoyed some beach time and lunch and then took a cab out to the expo at the Melia Resorts. The big issue I had with the expo was that the only time you could pick up your packet was from 3-7 pm. If you missed it, you were out of luck in a sense. The other issue is that it was at least 3-4 miles from downtown and not close to the start/finish or where anything else was.The expo itself was pretty simple, not a whole lot there. I was in and out in about 5 minutes.

All the murals…. #bahamas #vacation #color pic.twitter.com/WDk4UAl1Ky

— Christine G. (@CGinPNW) January 18, 2019

Race day itself started early. At 6 AM sharp. I stayed about a 5 minute walk from Junkanoo Beach, so it was fairly easy to get to. Everyone started together and relay participants were shuttled to their locations if they were points later in the race. Though it started early, it was already warm and humid. You started running towards town the first mile and then went over the bridges to Atlantis before coming right back over the opposite way. We headed towards Montegue Beach before heading back towards town and the start. After 6.5 miles and getting back towards the start, we headed towards the Fish Frye and Melia. You were right on the coast, so you got good ocean views the entire time. About 10 miles, the half marathon did a U turn and headed back towards town. The heat, humidity and early hills took its toll but I finished in 2:20 or so. There was at least water and gatorade every mile or so starting at mile 2, which was so needed. Post race, you got medals, food and water as well as some beach partying. The race itself only had roughly 375 half marathoners, so it’s a good smaller destination race.

Overall, good race, but be ready for some humidity and hills. One thing I’d look at is the expo location as it’s not close to anything. If you’re looking for a good winter get away, take a look at this!

 

 

 

Bibrave Race Review Rock n Roll New Orleans: the 5K

Disclaimer: I received free entry to Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro, however, ran the 5K as well and paid for it separately. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I survived a 4 day trip to New Orleans and lived to tell about it! I’m no stranger to Rock n Roll New Orleans, as I ran it 6 years ago while still in medical school. During that trip, a friend of mine from college was able to meet me for the weekend and we were able to catch up, though we couldn’t make it work this time around. I was more than thrilled to get back to New Orleans to race again and try for a new PR!

I flew in Thursday afternoon and took an Uber to my hotel in the French Quarter. Bonus was that I was able to use all points for it and not owe anything (extra points for only being 1/2 a mile from both starting lines!). I went for a quick run after checking in because flying all day makes the legs a little stiff and ugly. The nice thing about my hotel room was that it happened to be on the same floor as the fitness center (which also had some free weights). After showering, I went and explored the French Quarter before finding some dinner at a nice little restaurant. I was on the hungry side as I somehow didn’t get lunch with all my travels. I called it a night early since I had been up since 4 AM PST and was beat. 10 hrs of sleep later…

Friday Morning, after waking up, I headed off for breakfast and walked around the outlet mall that was close to the convention center. I ended up finding some good deals, but forgot about the 10% sales tax. Afterwards, I headed over to the expo and picked up my bibs. It was a bit congested since it was right at the opening of the expo, but the lines moved fairly quickly. If you were running the 5K Saturday and a race on Sunday, you were given a black wrist band to wear on Sunday to claim your remix medal. I picked up my shirts and explored the expo some. Didn’t purchase anything, but was able to do a demo of the Normatec Compression sleeves for 15 minutes. If you have a chance, give it a try. So worth it!

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Swag haul from @runrocknroll #nola! Forgot what I had put for the personalized bib, but I’ll take it! #bibchat #runchat #rnrnola #neworleans #runfarfast

A post shared by Christine (@cgrunstheworld) on Mar 2, 2018 at 12:51pm PST

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I feel like I should be a spokesperson for Normatec. They’re at the @runrocknroll #neworleans expo and are running free trials of it! Basically, if you have time, worth the line for a 15 minute demo! #bibchat #runchat #rnrnola

A post shared by Christine (@cgrunstheworld) on Mar 2, 2018 at 11:06am PST

I did some sight seeing Friday night, found some dinner and got caught up with some stuff before heading to bed. NOLA wouldn’t be NOLA without some excitement as there was knocking at my door at 330 AM. Some guys thought they were at their room and didn’t realize they were wrong until I had to get up and tell them and shoo them off. One of them ended up dropping their debit card which I had to take down to the front desk, as they were already gone.

The 5K was Saturday morning and started by Lafayette Square. It was a quick 1/2 mile max walk to get there and to be able to run in shorts and a tank top was beyond exciting (it hasn’t gotten above 40 minutes in Spokane for awhile). On race day, if you didn’t have a chance to make it to the expo to pick up your bib, there was bib pick up available. Additionally, there was gear check available. New this year were easier to see corral markers making lining up easier. Additionally, bib numbers (in the past the first 1-2 numbers correlated with corrals) don’t match up to your corral, so you have to pay attention to your bib. I ended up in the first corral, which meant getting out pretty quick.

We started at 8 AM, after the national anthem and hearing from Kathrine Switzer, who ended up running the 5K and the half marathon. The gun went off and we headed off into the streets of New Orleans. We went through the Business District before heading into the French Quarter. It was kind of  odd being in streets that are normally packed with people. We made it by the French Market, Jackson Square, Cafe DuMond, and the Cathedral. We looped back and finished about where we started at Lafayette Square. When you finished, you were handed a water, your medal and some food.

Overall, a decent warm up race. Only one water stop on course, but to be expected. Not much post race to do. There was a brass band playing, which kept the mood going. I hung around a little bit before heading back to the hotel to shower. Overall, good experience and race, just wish there were more going on afterwards.

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Sites from @runrocknroll New Orleans 5K today. Made it through the French Quarter unscathed! #bibchat #runchat #rnrnola

A post shared by Christine (@cgrunstheworld) on Mar 3, 2018 at 9:58am PST

The Hoopla over the Hapalua

Disclaimer: I received free entry to The Hapalua as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Right now the Eastern Washington can’t make up it’s mind about weather. We’re in some cycle of 40 degrees, some rain thrown in and then hey let’s get cold enough for some snow. Couple that with being in Chicago over the weekend for the F^3 Half Marathon (another post for another day) and running in 30* weather, means I’m ready for some sun, Vitamin D and warmth. Come first weekend in April, I’ll be in Hawaii for the second time in less than 18 months for a racecation and I can’t wait!Boards. I met up with some fellow Bibrave Pros that race and had a blast!

The Hapalua takes place April 8, 2018. I’m guessing some warmer weather will be happening this time around. I’m even more excited that it starts on Waikiki Beach (boom!). I’m also looking forward to Malasadas at the end. We had them at the end of the Honolulu Marathon and they’re to die for!

The course itself starts in front of the Duke statue and goes out Ala Moana Beach towards Honolulu Harbor and Aloha tower before coming back along the beach. Afterwards, you get a chance to go up and around Diamond Head and back down to the start/finish area.  Word of warning. It’ll be flat and fast a majority of the race until you get to Diamond Head. Then you get some hills, so you’ve been warned!

This trip is going to be a shorter trip for me as I’ll leave late that night (I found really cheap tickets to Holland from Seattle, what can I say). However, I would like to hike Diamond Head this time around. In 2016, I was trying to not beat myself up to badly before the marathon (the marathon beat me bad regardless). If you have a chance, go visit Pearl Harbor. I had a chance to visit and go out to the Arizona during the 75th Anniversary events back in 2016, and it’s something to see.

Local to Hawaii? Register for the King’s 10K as a training run. This happens on March 4th, so chop chop to get signed up! Looking for a Hawaiian get away in April? Sign up for the Hapalua and save 10% with BIBRAVEHAPALUA. Price goes up at the end of February for the Hapaula, so there’s still time!

Rock N Roll Las Vegas: Things to Know

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to Rock n Roll Las Vegas as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

We’re officially less than 2 weeks out from Rock n Roll Las Vegas! As exciting as that is, we also know that the city is still reeling from the tragic shooting earlier this month. On Friday Rock N Roll announced some changes after consulting with a whole host of people and ways to support the Vegas Victims Fund. Here’s what you need to know!

The Expo: Still at the Las Vegas Convention Center

Full and Half Marathon Start Line: Moving to New York-New York, Hotel and Casino

Full and Half Finish Line: Stays the same at the Mirage Hotel

5K/10K course: Stays the same!

Full and Half Course Map: stay tuned, things are still being finalized

Bands: first 2.5 miles of the course will be an on course tribute for the lives lost during the Vegas shooting

Wondering how you can help out?

1. Donate to the Las Vegas Victims’ Fund: Donate your distance ($5 for the 5K, $10 for the 10K, etc), or whatever you’re comfortable donating!
2. Volunteer Race Weekend: Head here for more info on Race Crew and medical opportunities!
3. Purchase a Vegas Strong T Shirt: Funds benefit the Las Vegas Victims Fund!

Image from runrocknroll.com

 

Image from runrocknroll.com

Race Review Das Frank Kush Footrace 10K

This past weekend, I escaped the coldness of Spokane and the PNW (we had trace snow going into Friday the 13th) and went to Phoenix for the Craft Classic Half Marathon (another blog post for another day). In all of my insaneness, I figured why not look for another race for Saturday. I ended up finding the Frank Kush 10K on Saturday. I got in early Friday afternoon, and initially went to pick up my Craft Classic bib at Road Runner Sports in Tempe. Turns out, the Frank Kush packet pick up was at the same place. After I grabbed some lunch, I got my bib for the 10K and headed to the hotel.

Saturday morning, I was up around 630 and headed down to breakfast at the hotel after I got changed. I left around 720 and was there and parked by 740. It started at Tempe “beach” which was less of a beach if I’ve ever seen one. If you couldn’t make it to packet pick up Friday, there was an option to get your bib and shirt race morning. To get to the start, you had to walk through Oktoberfest, and it was a little difficult to find if you weren’t familiar with the area.

The 10K started at 8 AM and the 5K started at 810 AM. The 10K course started along the lake (or river?) and went out about a mile and a half or so and came back 1/4 a mile or so. At that point, we met up with the 5K and went over a bridge to the other side of the lake and continued on our route. We stayed with the 5K runners for a bit and then we separated again. The 5K turned towards the finish and we kept going until we got to Priest Road. We turned on Priest and then again onto Rio Salado towards the finish. The finish was right inside the Beach park area where Oktoberfest was set up, however, it was easily seen.

Overall, the course was relatively flat. There were minor hills when we were going over bridges and such, but nothing to cry foul about. I ended up finishing in 55:50, about 10 seconds off a PR (grrrr). After the race, you got a beer mug and a free beer if you chose to get it (I’m not a beer fan and it was 9 AM). I hung around for a little bit and ended up leaving around 915 and met up with a fellow Bibrave Pro for breakfast. Afterwards, I ended up heading back to the hotel to shower and regroup for Craft Classic in the morning.