Run Tampa

Robinson Preserve 5k

The day before the Robinson Preserve 5k, the weather report was a little worrisome, but Mother Nature smiled on us, and at race time the weather was absolutely spectacular, and 900 runners were on hand to take advantage of it.

This race lived up to its billing and then some. Let's see. Can you imagine running over water and through mangroves on a picturesque trail which includes six wooden bridges? Can you imagine a post race party with white tablecloths on the tables? Can you imagine potted flowers and candles on every table under a huge white tent - imagine like for an outdoor wedding reception - in case of rain?

And can you imagine catered pasta and salad? Beer? Yeah, that too. Oh, and delectable deserts from a well known local bakery. Yes, they had all that. Oh, and the usual bagels, bananas, oranges, etc., of course. And did I mention tiles as awards and chip timing. Yes, this was some race.

Oh, and did I mention there was prize money? Yes, that too. 

Congratulations and thanks to Race Director Doug Schiller, Fit2Run, great sponsors, and many volunteers.

It was only the second annual Robinson Preserve 5k, but the turnout was fantastic, about twice what it was last year, and I predict when word gets around, the numbers will continue to grow. Put it on your radar for next year and register early, I will.

About Robinson Preserve:
William Robinson and his son Parks Robinson owners of Fit2Run donated 6.4 million dollars worth of land, and the Manatee County purchased the rest to create this 497 acre preserve. There are 6 miles of kayak and canoeing trails, 12 acres of openwater, 56 acres of marshland, 20 acres of uplands, 2 docks, a 500 foot long boardwalk, 6 bridges, 10 miles of coastal, 7 milesof shell walking/jogging trails, 2 miles of paved trails for the handicapped, fishing piers, bird observation locations, live nesting Eagles, even a 56 foot observation tower.

CLICK  TO SEE ALL THE PHOTOS I took.  And thanks to my friend Hilda for taking some of the pics. There aren't many, though. It's a bit difficult to get good photos after dark, and this time I was busy running this race. I can't resist a great race in a beautiful place.

Robinson Preserve Twilight 5k & 1 mi, Bradenton, This Friday!

Okay, this is one race I think I have to do. I raced last weekend and  raced the week before, but gosh, look at the photo. That venue is just irresistible. I have to do it. And it's an evening race, 6:30 p.m.

Race Director, Doug Schiller says, “If you haven’t experienced this amazingly beautiful property, you’ll surely want to now. And, if you have, well, you’re probably already registered for the race.”  

Could there be a better way to begin a weekend?

 

• 5k Chip timed and participants receive a New Balance tech shirt

• Enjoy a GREAT post race party and silent auction, DJ, dinner, beverages and more

• The 5k route is over shell packed trails, six bridges, winding around mangroves, vistas of Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, and 100’s of species of birds then finishes on a paved path

• Kids’ races 3 to 12 years receive official race t-shirt, bib, packet, and finisher’s medal

• Cash awards to the M/F top finishers and award tiles to all winners in their respective groups

29th Annual Strawberry Classic 2010

I don't know which was more striking, the vivid blue sky and yellow race shirts or all the smiling faces. No matter how you look at it the 29th Annual Strawberry Classic was a huge success. Kudos to Tampa Bay Runners.

See the photo album in the column to the right or click here to access all 149 photos in a Picasa album.

Weekend Recap: Several Races in Beautiful Places

Several races this past weekend, which is typical at this time of year. I couldn't get to all of them, but I did run the Trout Creek 15k and took photos at the Tour de Village 5k and 1 mi. Here is a quick recap.

Tour de Village 5k and 1 mi: Great race, all off road and right in the middle of Carrollwood Village. Most people would never guess that there was enough open off road space, especially a lovely wooded area, in the middle of Carrollwood Village, but, in fact, that is the case. Click here for results. Click the photo album at the right to see 25 of the best photos or click here to see a Picasa album that includes all 103 photos.Click here for results.

  Trout Creek 15k and 5k Trail Runs, Thonotosassa
Despite lots of rain last week, Tampa Races still managed to pull this one off, although 3' deepfast moving water necessitated changing the race course. The weather yesterday morning, however, was absolutely pristine. As I crested the berm at the beginning of the race, I was moved by the site of the intense blue sky, all the runners around me, and the paths before me. Click here for results. Since I was running, I don't have many pictures, but I did get a couple.

Armadillo Run 5k and 10k in Oldsmar:
This race is quite a popular one. I haven't done it in a few years, but it is an annual tradition for many runners. Click here for results.

Shamrock Classic 5k in Brandon:
I have not done this one, but one day I will. Click here for results.

Global 5k Cross Country Run, Brandon

Zephyrhills Founders Day 5k

Ignorance is not bliss - Dr. Daniel Amen, author of Change Your Brain Change Your Body.

Better Running: Rest More, Run More

The two most common training errors seem to be too few miles and too little rest. The two may seem mutually exclusive but they are not at all.

Rest is critical because the body only gets stronger when it recovers from being stressed, and in this case, I mean being stressed by being pushed to physical exertion that is more than it is accustomed to doing. So, if you don't get enough rest, your body can't possibly become as strong as it could have.

No, rest doesn't have to mean a day without physical activity or even without running. It simply means a day without a stressful or intense workout of any kind. Many people make the mistake of running at a high intensity effort day after day, or they take a day off from running but participate in an intense swimming workout, spinning class, or boot camp.

These other activities are excellent and worthwhile, but your body is not resting/recovering on a day when you do that.

Take a look at your workout journal. Are you giving your body time to recover?

The other issue is running more. Yes, you might need to run more. The runners who run the most - and by that I mean put in the most miles - experience fewer injuries. All the drills, speed work, weight training, hill work, and stretching in the world cannot make up for an insufficient base. Make sure you begin each macro cycle by building a good base, and then maintain those miles throughout most of the season.

Without a good running base, your taper will not be effective. It can't be. Remember, the whole concept of a taper is to drastically reduce your mileage. If you haven't established much of a base, you won't have much of a taper because there cannot be a drastic reduction in mileage. Therefore, it won't have the effect it could have had.

For a detailed explanation of how to properly build your base and how to apply the hard/easy principle, listen to Mojor for Running Podcast #4 and #5.

Now, there are some experts who promote a three-day-a-week marathon training program. I am sure this can work, but I think it can only work with lots of cross training. And, one ting I don't like about that program is that it requires you to make all of those days hard training days. Seems to me that that would be tiring and tiresome. I would not want to think that every time I go out to run, it's going to be intense. Sometimes, this kind of a program is necessitated by a busy schedule or by an injury. In such situations, this program would be a good alternative to the ideal training regimen.

Running most days of the week and applying the hard/easy training principle will make it possible for you to get in lots of miles AND adequately recover from those miles, thereby optimizing and maximizing your results.

Publix Gasparilla Weekend 2010

Another great Gasparilla Weekend has come and gone, and true to form, it was an amazing weekend of racing. I understand the 5k was a bit soggy, but if the comments I read on the Gasparilla FB page are any indication, spirits were still plenty high. What's a little rain when you've got all those glorious endorphins surging through your veins, anyway?

Race Director Susan Harmeling reported a record number of participants this year, at around 25,000, and that's no surprise. Running seems to be continually gaining popularity, and this event has a great reputation in the running community. I never miss it.

With a 5k, 5k walk and stroller roll, 15k, marathon and half marathon, the weekend offered something for everyone. Sadly, it was the last year for the marathon, however.

Congratulations to all the winners, to all who finished, to Race Director Susan Harmeling, the City of Tampa, sponsors, and volunteers.

Check this photo slide show on TBO.com and Bill Ward's article here for more details.