Tag Archives: 5K

Iron Girl 2015

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One of the many things I love about running and taking part in races is the camaraderie and togetherness of being a part of something fun and challenging. When you start running and you are surrounded by hundreds or thousands of other runners, you know that you are not alone. You are not the only one facing those many miles ahead of you. And there is power in that.

Even better than just any race or event, is one that focuses on women. And my favorite women’s event is Iron Girl.

 

 

Iron Girl offers a supportive, energetic and empowering                                               environment for females pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle.

I have had the pleasure of running the Iron Girl Half Marathon in Clearwater the last 2 years and will run it again this year. I am also excited to be able to offer you a discount for both the half marathon and 5K distance!

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Another reason I love this event is the course. The course follows the same route I train on over the Memorial Causeway to beautiful Clearwater Beach, south over Sand Key Bridge, through the park, and then back. This route just never gets old to me and I feel so lucky to live in such a beautiful area with this amazing view…

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Here is an overview of the courses for 2015.

2014 Clearwater Course Map

Last year I ran this race with my good friend Corinna and we’ll run it together again this year. I can’t wait to see what this year’s medal will look like.

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I hope to see you out there! Don’t forget to use my discount code CRAZYLIFE15 to save 10% on your registration.

Important Links:

Iron Girl Website

Twitter

Facebook

Will I see you at the Clearwater Iron Girl? Which event will you be running? 

**Iron Girl provided me with a complimentary entry for the Clearwater event. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Santa, an Elf, and the Best Damn Race

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Confession…. While running Space Coast Marathon, I decided I was not going to run for 2 weeks after. I pushed my body hard and it needed a break. The first couple of days after running those 26.2 miles, I couldn’t even think about running. My whole body was sore. If I had been in a position where someone was chasing me and I had to run to get away, I would have literally just curled up in a ball on the ground. Yes, that sore. But after a few days I felt better. I maybe thought about running a couple times, but mostly I stuck to the 2-week-off plan and enjoyed lazy mornings and the lack of super smelly running clothes.

Last week, I optimistically signed us up for two events. Santa’s Twilight 5K on Honeymoon Island, and a virtual half marathon for Best Damn Race Cape Coral. It sounded like a really fun thing to do and I felt like two weeks off would make for rested legs and nice running.

 

Santa’s Twilight 5K

This was our second year doing this event. Last year, hubby and I ran it with our friend Corinna. It would become – and still is – my 5K PR time (30:56) and I have dreamt of beating that time ever since. After talking to hubby to see how he felt about running it as fast as we could, we decided we would go for it.

Last year we wore red shirts and twinkling Santa hats. But this year, we had even more fun with it. Hubby dressed as Santa, complete with beard and Vegas glasses. I decided to be his little elf, complete with the cutest elf socks and my own pair of Vegas glasses. I added a sparkly scarf and braided my hair. Needless to say, I thought we were pretty darn adorable and I took advantage of our fun attire and got plenty of pictures.

 

 

We arrived at Honeymoon Island just in time to see the sun set. Like all the beaches here, the sunsets are beautiful. Mr. Photographer also asked to take our picture, so of course we obliged.

 

 

 

 

 

We started near the middle and took off running as soon as we broke free from the crowd. We followed the luminary-lighted path. Hubby automatically runs faster than me thanks to being taller, so I had to work to keep up with him but it helped me keep a nice pace. We took our first walk break at 1.50 miles. Shortly after we saw the Mile 2 sign which could not be right. We took off running again and took one more quick walk break and this was when we realized the course was short. Rounding the last turn to the finish line, we just kept going, pushing hard. Nothing we could do about it then. My Garmin told me we ran 2.54 miles in 27:06 minutes. I’m not going to lie, I was irritated because I ran hard to try and beat last year’s time. A short course is not the way to get a PR. Everyone’s times were off. But, we got this cute medal. Everyone should have a Santa medal.

 

 

The official time for me was 24:48 with an average pace of 7:59. If only I could claim that… I don’t even run that fast in my dreams.

But, I must admit these finish line photos help a little to make up for it. Santa Mike giving Santa Claus is priceless.

 

 

 

 

Best Damn Race Cape Coral Virtual Half Marathon

Dark and early the next morning, hubby and I met up with Corinna at our usual starting spot at the base of the Memorial Bridge to tackle 13.1 miles. I was slightly nervous about tackling the bridges again, after not running them for 3 weeks. But I also knew we weren’t trying to break any records with this run, we were just having fun and finishing 13.1 miles so we could earn the uber-awesome Best Damn Race Cape Coral medal….

 

 

I had to stop and get a picture of this pretty tree at City Hall when we passed by. I love Christmas tree with pretty lights and decorations.

 

 

It was fun to run with Corinna again and it gave us a chance to catch up. The three of us run really well together so the time passes quickly. We ran an out and back, the same route we did many time for our Sunday long runs. It was fun to be on this side of the marathon and run it.

We also got to see another beautiful sunrise…. They just never get old and I will never have too many pictures of scenes like this…

 

 

We tackled both bridges, both ways, so that made me happy. And we finished under 3 hours which was fantastic. Not my best half marathon, but not my worst either. And just like that, half marathon #11 was in the books!

 

 

      

 

It was a perfect way to finish off races for 2014. I can’t believe I ran 12 this year. What a great year for running!

 

Don’t forget, my discount code is still good for the upcoming Best Damn Race events in Jacksonville, Safety Harbor, and Orlando. Register today at Best Damn Race! Which events will I see you at?

 

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Friday Happiness & Giveaway Winner

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Life is so busy these days as they always are during the holiday season. So much going on and my blogging time has taken a back seat. But I wanted to take a few minutes to share some Friday happiness and announce the winner of my 26.2 Bangle Bracelet giveaway…

 

 

1. We delivered 10 bikes to Toys For Tots this morning for our beloved Jingle Bikes For Kids program hubby and I started in 2011. This was our third year and it will continue in 2015 as well. Here is the back story behind our cause, in memory of my dad. It feels to good to give back. We are thankful for the bikes donated to us this year.

 

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2. Our house at Christmas… I am a sucker for Christmas decorations. I love our tree and how mismatched the ornaments are – they all have special meaning. This year was the first since since bringing Blue home in 2011 that we have put the tree in the main living room. It’s been in the family room every other year to keep him from bothering it. The addition of the fireplace media center is a wonderful thing and adds to the coziness of it all.

 

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3.  We are running two races this weekend. This should be interesting since I have not run since Space Coast Marathon. The last few days I’ve finally not been sore and I feel like I can get out there again. All that’s left is my bruised big toe. I fear I am going to lose the nail… But alas, we are doing the Santa’s Twilight 5K tomorrow night on Honeymoon Island. On Sunday morning, we are running a virtual half marathon for Best Damn Race Cape Coral. I am looking forward to both very much!

 

            

 

 

4.  My niece Autumn! We had a girls day last weekend and it was too much fun. She’s 7 now and so much fun shopping and having silly conversations with. She makes great company and is so considerate. I so treasure our time together.

 

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5. And I have a winner for the 26.2 Bangle Bracelet from Milestones Sports Jewelry… I was so happy about the number of entries I received for this! I am very excited to announce that the random winner is…… Angelina from Run.Chew.Sparkle. Congrats Angelina! I will contact you via email!

 

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Stay tuned soon as I will be working more with Milestones Sports Jewelry and will soon have a discount code so you can save 10% off any item in their store!

A Father’s Day 5k

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Being the summer here in the Sunshine State, where the days are long, humid, and hot, there are not any races happening. But last week, hubby heard about the Richard’s Father’s Day Family Walk / Jog in Tampa. It was Sunday morning, when we would run anyway, so we decided to change it up and take part in this event.

This is event is put on by Richard Gonzmart and family in support of cancer research and awareness. The Gonzmart family is well known for the Columbia Restaurant and the new, soon to open Ulele in Tampa Heights.

 

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It was a very nice morning, right on the riverfront. It was a very casual 1 mile walk or 5k jog, although there were many runners. This event was not timed so it was very laid back.

 

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Hubby and I ran it in about 37 minutes and there was even a bridge! This was amusing to him since we all know I love to run bridges on Sunday morning. I had no idea we would still get a bridge in when we decided to do this run.

 

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After the run, it was time for breakfast, which was included. How awesome is that? I totally failed as a blogger and did not take a picture of my plate full of food, so use your imagination… Scrambled eggs(so fluffy!), home fries with a nice little kick to them, and sausage links. It really hit the spot. They also had fruit, pastries, granola bars, water, coffee, and juice.

It was a great way to start what ended up being a lazy Sunday, thinking about my dad and Father’s Day.

 

 

How did you spend your Father’s Day?

Let’s talk Best Damn Race!

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I know many of you who have participated in the Best Damn Race. Since 2013, this race has grown from a local event in Safety Harbor, to Orlando and now, Cape Coral. It is very exciting to be a part of this event and watch it grow each year. I am excited to be an Ambassador again for 2015 as well!

I myself have participated in each event to date and loved every one of them. I started out with the 5K in Safety Harbor in 2013 and then did the half marathon in both Safety Harbor and Orlando this year, earning shiny new PR’s at both.

 

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Here are just a handful of reasons you should participate in this event:

  • Best Damn t-shirt
  • Best Damn finisher medal
  • Best Damn Health & Fitness Expo
  • Best Damn goodie bags
  • Best Damn post-race party
  • Best Damn PR Bell!
  • Best Damn entry fee (structured based on number of entries!)
  • Free beer, food, and massages
  • Free race photos

 

Later this year, Best Damn Race will take over Cape Coral with a 5K, half marathon, and for the first time – a full marathon. If I had not already registered for the Space Coast Marathon as my first full, I would absolutely run this one.

The Cape Coral race is on Decembe4 14, 2014. All races began and end at the Cape Coral Marina and the course is flat. How is this for a start and finish line?

 

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You can find more information on the Cape Coral event here:

 

In more news, registration is now in full swing for the Safety Harbor and Orland events for 2015! Safety Harbor will be on February 7, 2015 and Orlando will be February 28, 2015. Both cities will once again offer the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and 5K + 10K Challenge.

You can find more information on these events here:

 

 

You can still register for all 3 events at less than regular prices, thanks to the unique registration process that best Damn Race offers. And as even more incentive, you can SAVE $5 OFF ANY RACE with my discount code NANCIC.

 

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I will be doing the half marathon in both Safety Harbor and Orlando in 2015, and hubby will be doing the 5K + 10K Challenge in Safety Harbor. I would love to see you at one of these events!

 

 

If you have participated in Best Damn Race, tell me what is your favorite thing about this event? Also let me know if you register for any of the upcoming events!

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