#RunChatHunt #RunChat

A bit late on this post, but then again I wasn't blogging last month either.

This past June, @TheRunChat held a photo scavenger  hunt. Below are a few of my #RunChatHunt photos. A few of them I no longer have the originals but able to grab the collages from posts..

• Sports stadium: haven't run by any since the #Phillies5k in April. Rest of my photos are during the June contest. 
  
• Yard sale: didn't run by any, but did pass one on the way to the trail. 
  
• Sunrise/sunset: don't recall if I did any runs before work, if I did, no photo. :( 
• Bridges: always knew my trail had some bridges, but never bothered to count. This includes run over, under, and by, 10 bridges in just over 5 miles! 
  
• Animal on trail, usually see a deer every once in a while, first day of #RunChatHunt! 
  
• I have seen the tail end of a snake on the trail before, but first time seeing one completely out there. It turned around when I paused to take its pic (from a safe distance of course. Lol) 
  
• Next day saw this turtle, probably came from the marsh that's down the small cliff
  
• Speed limit sign: nothing exciting about this, grabbed during a neighborhood run. 
  
• Public art: Merrymount Park, Quincy Ma. From a weekend trip to Boston. 
  
• Local restaurant: I do pass one or two on the outside loop from my neighborhood, but I slacked on this one.
• Playground: 2nd block of my neighborhood run.
  
• Body of water: no shore runs this past June. Only water photos were the creek along the trail. 
  
• #RunChatHunt was fun. I would have taken the animal pictures anyway. For the longest time, my runs pretty much only consisted of neighborhood runs or a few treadmills. Since discovering my love for trails, I try to make a point to enjoy nature a bit more. It's easy to get in a zone, whether concentrating on running, listening to music, or just plain daydreaming about other obligations it's still easy to forget to take in your surroundings. This was a nice reminder to enjoy nature's beauty. 

Caffienefeen

If you don't actually know me and are wondering about the typos in Caffienefeen, it goes all the way back to the late 90's. When joining AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)! Took few typos to find a name that wasn't already taken. 

#RWRunStreak

2016. I started the year streaking.  My previous streak was 25, was so close to matching it. But on Jan 23rd, 2016, we had a blizzard. By daylight, it was already to the point of not going out for a while. Came down hard throughout the day. I don't remember when it stopped, or when the plows started cleanup. All I know was I was 7 episodes into Breaking Bad.. first time watching and got hooked.

Jan 24th 2016. I will always remember how mad I was that the streak came to an end and I was starting over.

Not going to recap every day since, but still going strong! 527 as of today.

I may not take days off, but I do do (i said do do) taper runs here and there.

I don't do tread mills unless I'm in a hotel somewhere with limited outdoor options. Rest is all outdoors, through the elements. Blizzards, torrential rain, heat waves, etc, won't let them stop me again. If I ever stop it will be due to loss of a leg, Lol

I found a group on Facebook, #RWRunStreak, I highly recommend! Very supportive!

Race Review: #Levante5k

This brewery had been on my to do list for a bit. They hosted a 5k, win-win! In general, isnt breweries hosting races the perfect combo?! Lol

Pre race: there is a 5k relay before the 5k race. Get there early, but park a few businesses down to stay out of the way.

Race: loop course x3. Loop starts with a few .2/.3's going around the nearby businesses. One of the turns seems a bit narrow during the first loop before the congestion breaks up, but not bad during lap 2/3. After going around the businesses, there is a straight away decline of about .5. Turn around and up that incline! It's got some steepness to it! You get to do that 3x! After the hill levels out, around the brewery to complete the lap. Repeat.

Post race: party at the brewery! Great beer and selection. There was a food truck, but that didn't arrive for at least another hour.
I don't require games at a brewery, but there wasn't any. Unlike a few other brewery races.

Swag: brewery pint glass and 1 beer of choice! (excludes imperials). I do like the option of choice, but I could see how it would move more smoothly if the one free beer was pre determined/ poured ahead. There was 4 ppl pouring, the line was a but slow. If you're hanging out after the free beer, it does get more manageable.

Elevation: decent incline for about 1/4, but feels like .5, loop course so it's x3.

Scenery: none, it's a business district.

Parking: 30 or so spots by the brewery. Brewery is in a business district with plenty of spots for overflow. There is a relay race before the 5k, encourage relay runners to park outside of the 5k course. There was a few cars trying to drive through the 5k.

Aid:I don't require water mid 5k. But someone pointed out there wasn't any? There wasnt. There was an ambulance on site just in case.

Please review any/all races you can on http://BibRave.com ! Your opinions help other runners decide what races to run! #BibChat Follow me on BibRave: Joe G

Race Review: My first #BroadStreetRun

My first #BroadStreetRun: was a bit nervous about the number of participants, 43k?! Heard the course was fast/flat/decline, ok with the distance (somewhat), biggest concern was crowds/personal space.

Additional back story: this morning thought to myself, this time last yr, wouldn't even think about doing this. Did a 10k last summer that lead me on my way to much bigger things.

Parking: more than ample parking, they have stadium parking lots. But you will need to take the train from parking to the starting line. Be at the stadiums early, the street lights towards parking were backed up. At 6:10 took 20 min to get from Citizens Bank Park to a parking space. The train was packed to the brim. Glad no one had B O, yet. Plenty of time for another port o pottie check when you get to your corral.

Race/elevation/scenery: ppl told me this was a flat/fast course, the majority of the course is either flat or a slight decline. There are a couple tenths of incline, but nothing to worry about. No nature scenery, all city. To begin the course you can see city hall. Oh, it's not that far. Doesn't seem to get any closer, even disappears for a few. There are awesome crowds, signs, dj's long the way. Was sure to slap high five with the Temple owl. We eventually get to city hall, just past the half way point. I hear former gov Ed Rendell was there, didn't stop for a selfie. Course narrows down around city hall, takes a few to open back up. Start to see signs for Phillies, almost by the stadiums, not really. As you do get to the stadiums, the Eagles drum line and Swoop are there, hi five Swoop! Race ends at the Navy Yard, entrance is sure to tell you your not done yet, another 1/4 to go. That was a long 1/4!

Aid: plenty of water along the course. Cops and medics the entire way. Aid stations at the finishing area. Big snack bag after completion of the race. 

Swag: 
The bling! Medal featuring City Hall. The medal also doubles as a bottle opener!

 

T-shirt included, upcharge to change it from cotton to tech. Image of a person running made up of all the Philly neighborhoods we've run though! 

My only complaint: finisher area, thousands of ppl, no cell or wifi reception, couldn't contact someone I knew was done. Took over an hr to find them.

Overall, would definitely do this again! 43k ppts registered (well managed), tons of great spectators, fast course, so much excitement!

Please review any/all races you can on http://BibRave.com ! Your opinions help other runners decide what races to run! #BibChat Follow me on BibRave: Joe G

Race Review: #Phillies5k

Hi fellow Runners!

Backlogging some races, did this race in 2016/2017, pics are from both yrs, not backlogging this race twice.

To forewarn you, the race itself is not that exciting (plenty of excitement pre and post race), it does feel good to be back at the stadium after a long off-season!

If you like Phillies baseball, this is one week before the season starts, and game tickets are included! Best bang for your buck! (If you like baseball). 

(Statue of Michael Jack Schmidt)

Before the race starts, there are mascots making their rounds, a live band, and a few former players on stage.

The race is lead by the Phanatic on his four wheeler, the race goes around Citizens Bank Park, around the backside of Lincoln Financial Field, and down into the Navy Yard. (Actual scenery is just the major streets by the stadiums). There are a few spots of soldiers cheering you on in the Navy Yard, which was pretty cool. A slight incline after the Navy Yard, then down Broad St, and right down the final straight away. After being handled your medal, banana, soft pretzel, you get to walk the warning track from right field to around home plate!

Swag: tech hoodie. Hope it holds up better than last yr's Tee. The logo from last yr's shirt is scratching off.

Medal: 2017 was the liberty bell, 2016 was a baseball cap. Both medals have magnets on the back side

Post race includes one "free" beer over at Xfinitylive!

Definitely recommend this race if you are a Phillies fan!

Race and Charity information can be found here.

Please review any/all races you can on http://BibRave.com ! Your opinions help other runners decide what races to run! #BibChat Follow me on BibRave: Joe G

Race Review: #LoveRunPhilly

Hi Fellow Runners!


Philadelphia Love Run half marathon, aka #LoveRunPhilly. March 26, 2017

Overall:

Background: This was my 2nd official half, 3rd 13.1. Third time through the half training program thus far. Still making some progress. After the Rocky Run in the fall, was quick to look for a race to train through winter for. I wasn't blogging or reviewing races yet, but there were some snowy long runs in there! This was definitely the perfect goal to get through winter for! Already signed up for 2018!

Training plan that I have been using for halfs. To credit the images, they were pulled Coach Jenny Hadfield's training plans.

TShirt/Swag: sweet color, tech looks/ feels webbed. Nice! Cool medal, and coffee mug as well. I've come to learn I am protective of my mug if anyone tries to use it! lol.. The pic of me wearing the shirt below is definitely not in Philly (but is my fav pic in it, Colorado, have to represent while on vaca!)

Aid: plenty of water, gatorade, aid stations throughout. Bananas, pretzels, Nesquik, etc afterwards. Can't remember if there was a free beer, I wasn't carrying my ID at the time.

Elevation/Scenery: advertised as "Flattest course yet" Race starts at the museum, first 5 miles go through the city, once back at the museum the course goes along the river across from boathouse row. There were a couple significant hills. Steep hill that goes up to a bridge, I still had energy and made the mistake of rushing it, well, should of looked into this, learned about another hill in Philly, "Strawberry Mansion" A good challenge for sure, definitely should of paced through the first hill! Once down from there is back along river to the museum.

Expo: i was unable to attend, opted to have my packet mailed.

Parking: public transportation is encouraged. pay lots nearby

Race management: everything was managed with efficiency.

Definitely recommend this race!

Signup for 2018 can be found below:
Love Run Philly signup

Please review any/all races you can on http://BibRave.com ! Your opinions help other runners decide what races to run! #BibChat Follow me on BibRave: Joe G