Run Tampa

Run Tampa Event Slideshows

St. Pete Rock n' Roll Half Marathon 2012

 

 

Run Tampa rocked the St. Pete Beach Classic

 

Jacksonville Bank Marathon & Half

Run Tampa loved the Jax Marathon, and apparently it loved us back because many members of our group scored new PR's. Double click on the slide show to see it full size.

Tough Mudder, 2011, OMG!

The first ever Tough Mudder Central Florida is history, but the memories will last a lifetime. There's no describing this mother of all mud/obstacle races. Imagine 12 miles with 25 obstacles, lots of mud, fire, cargo nets, electrical shock, walls to climb, ice water, logs to carry, barbed wire, a mean half pip to climb, more walls to scale, and much, much more. Congrats to Team We Like It Dirty! It was great fun chasing you around today. I can't say you made it look easy. Actually, it looked pretty hard and crazy dirty!

Join us at the Stadium Green Iguana Thursday night at 7:30 to hear all about it. Hoping that the whole team will be there. Gotta start making plans for next year. 

I'll have a Run Tampa team for the race next year (Dec 2 and 3).

Click on the slide show below to see it full size. 

Women's Half Marathon, 2011

Wow! Congratulations, everyone! The slide show below may take a few moments to load. Double click on the slide show to see it in a larger mode. 

10 Tips to Ensure a Great Half Marathon

As we enter the Tampa Bay Area half marathon season, thousands of local runners are preparing for half marathons. The first ones of the season are this weekend with the Frankenfooter Half in New Port Richey tomorrow and the Halloween Halfathon at Ft. Desoto on Sunday. Then, in the weeks to come we've got the Blue Moon Half, Wildhorse Half, Women's Half Marathon, Alafia Trail Half, PAL Half, Brandon Half and Holiday Halfathon. After the holidays, we'll have the St. Pete Beach Half, Florida Challenge Half, Clearwater Halfathon, Rock n Roll Half, Gasparilla Half, Sarasota Half, Florida Beach Halfathon and Irongirl Half. That's 17 half marathons in the bay area. If you don't mind driving an hour, there's also the Croom Zoom and Dade City Half and many more if you drive a bit farther.

While half marathons do not require nearly as much preparation as marathons, they do require much more serious training than the 5k races. Here are some tips to help you succeed. If you ask me which is most important, I'd have to say building an appropriate base. I think when people struggle with a half marathon, it is more often than not because they did not put in a sufficient number of miles in preparation. In that case, it's certainly possible to finish, but the last few miles may not be pleasant. I say, always find a good training plan and stick to it.

Here are a ten tips that will help you make your half marathon a memorable race.

1. First and most importantly, hopefully you built your base up to a minimum of 25 miles at least a couple of months prior to the race. If you didn't, well, there will be lots of other half marathons in the next few months. Plan to do it right next time.

2. Pratice negative split runs in training. Begin with shorter distances at first and then work towards doing it with longer and longer distances. Even when you're doing your easy long miles, you can still make sure the back half is faster.

3. Warm-up, yes, even before a half. Many people will say, well, it's a half; I won't be going fast, so I don't need to warm-up. I'm not telling you to do anything intense, but a half mile walk/run warm-up to loosen up will improve your race. Of course, if you've done several half marathons and are looking for a PR, you'll want to do more than a walk/run to warm-up.

4. Make sure you know the course and have trained for it. If it will have bridges or hills, make sure you've been training on those. And, do not fall into the trap of thinking that running on a treadmill on an incline will suffice. You can't go downhill on most treadmills, and training for the downhill is just as important as training for the uphill. Make sure you know what energy drinks will be available on the course and where. You probably do not need to wear a fuel belt; that's just extra weight and another source of aggravation and chaffing.

5. If it is your first half marathon and you're thinking you won't be able to finish the whole thing, running, then take some walk breaks early on. Don't run until you can't run any more and then start walking; you're likely to end up walking much more if you use that tactic.Better to do the whole thing with a specific pattern of walking and running. Your time will be much better, and, equally important, you'll feel much better during the last half of the race.

6. Make sure you fuel your body properly. How much you need in the way of water and electrolyte replacement will be determined by your own body, how much you sweat, and how prepared you are for this distance. Experiment with nutrition on your training runs long before the big day. If you're going to carry your own goos - or something like that - make sure you carry at least one more than you think you'll need, just in case you drop one.

7. Be careful to avoid starting out too quickly. Pay attention to where you are at the start. If the race has corals, that's great. Be sure to stage yourself with other people who will be going about your same pace. You do not want to get swept along with faster runners. That can ruin your race.

8. Smile for the cameras. No matter how tired you are, you'll regret it if all your pictures make you look as tired as you felt. And, remember not to look down at your watch as you cross the finish line. If you're up to it, throw your arms up in a victory cheer as you cross the line. That makes a great picture :)

9. Always wear running clothes that are your favorites, comfort-wise. If it will be cold at the start, wear a throwaway. You never want to be stuck having to carry an expensive running jacket around your waist for miles.

10. Get plenty of  R E S T  the week before the race. Rest is critical to running well and recovering completely during your whole training period, but be especially cognizant of getting enough sleep the week of the race. Don't do anything intense. If you've been taking spinning classes, that's great, but stop any spinning or strength training for one week before your race. This can make a huge benefit. Not boot camp, either.

Join Run Tampa's Women's Half Marathon Team

There's still time to join the Run Tampa Women's Half Marathon Team. Even if you're already registered, you can let me know (deb@runtampa.com), and I'll get your name switched to the team. 

I'm planning for us to all meet for brunch the day before the race before we head over to packet pickup. Should be great fun! Call with questions 813-416-4638.

Here is the logo for our shirts. The shirts are a deeper pink than this, though:

 

Everybody gets their own shirt at Target. They have sleeveless and short sleeve moisture-wicking running shirts in deep pink, and they are very reasonably priced. This way everyone gets the style they prefer and can try it on as well. Then you just need to get it to me by Saturday, October 29th. Then I'll have them screen printed, which I will pay for. You do not have to be a member of the club or the coaching group to be on the team, and there is no extra cost. 

You can drop off the shirt at my house in the Carrollwood area. Or just call me and we'll work something out. 

It's so much more fun to participate in an event like this with a group!

Run Tampa Coaching Comes to South Tampa

Beginning September 6th, all three Run Tampa Coaching Groups will begin in South Tampa at Joe Abrams Center at Ballast Point Park. Some of our training will take place right there in the park, but most of the actual running will be on the Bayshore.

Group times will be 6:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The fee is $45 payable to the City of Tampa. Includes membership in Run Tampa Club and moisture-wicking technical shirt.

Make this your Back to School Resolution. Resolve to do your first 5k, get into better shape, run more, or run better this school year! Train with Run Tampa before work or after you drop off the kids at school.

Three levels:

Run Tampa Become a Runner: For people who've always wanted to run, but thought they couldn't or just didn't have the motivation until now. This class starts with a very easy, low intensity and builds very gradually. Click here for complete details.

Run Tampa Half Marathon Training Group: Train for your half marathon with us. It's so much more fun with a group! First time half marathoners will focus on building endurance and people who've already completed one or more will work on endurance and speed. An appropriate schedule for your level and goal race is provided.

Run Tampa Coaching Group: Beginning through veteran runners work on speed, endurance, and injury prevention. Speed work, tempo runs, and drills. Beginning runners concentrate on building endurance while more experienced runners work more on speed.

Call RRCA Certified Running Coach Debbie Voiles at 813-416-4638 or email deb@runtampa.com to hold a space in one of the South Tampa groups.

If you're interested in similar classes at Al Lopez Park, those classes are ongoing; you can start any time. The Al Lopez Park classes meet Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings at 6 p.m.

All runners are encouraged to attend the free weekend Run Tampa group run. Group run schedule here.

Become a Runner Program

Half Marathon Training Program at Al Lopez Park

Most Run Tampa members are deep into half marathon and marathon training. Join Run Tampa's Half Marathon Training Program and take your training to a new level!

• 6 p.m.

• Meet other people training for half marathons and enjoy training with the group

• Weekend long run at varying locations (Trout Creek Park, Flatwoods Park, Upper Tampa Bay Trail, Bayshore, Clearwater Causeway, on and off road options)

• Includes Run Tampa shirt

• Program fee: $45 per month, payable to the City of Tampa

• Training for your first half? Great! It will be so much easier when you train with us. Running more miles is much easier when you are distracted by a great group and and you have an organized workout designed by an experienced coach. Veteran of many half marathons? Great! We will work on speed, endurance, form and injury prevention

• Includes membership in the Run Tampa Club including all member benefits (15% discount at Feet First and 10% discount at Green Iguana), plus monthly drawings at Green Iguana Party on the second Thursday of each month. Monthly drawing includes a gift from Feet First valued at $100

We meet by the flagpole in front of the Cordelia Hunt Rec Center.

When we get together, you'll meet many other people training for the same half marathon as you, and that will make training that much more fun. Look at all the half marathons coming in the next few montghs:

Jan. 15th - St. Pete Beach Classic

Jan 15th - Croom Zoom (trail race)

Jan 22nd - Clearwater Halfathon

Feb 5th - Melbourne & Beaches Half

Feb. 12th - Rock n Roll Half 

March 4th - Gasparilla Distance Classic Half

March 11th - Sarasota Half Marathon

March 18th - Florida Beach Halfathon

April 9th - Fools Run Half (trail race)

April 22nd - Iron Girl Half

Call with questions. Debbie Voiles 813.416.4638.

Run Tampa's First Travel Race Will be the Jax Bank Marathon and Half

While we suffer through the hot summer months, here's something cooler to think about:

The first Run Tampa Travel Race will be the Jacksonville Bank Marathon, Half and 5k on December 18th. It's a nice, medium-sized flat, fast race, which starts at the Bolles School and finishes in the stadium. This race has an excellent reputation, and since I've done it, I can vouch for that.

I already know of several Run Tampa people doing it as their first full, and I'm sure there will be some doing it as their first half. Register now and gtive direction to all your training between now and then.

More details to come.

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Join us tomorrow, Saturday, at Trout Creek at 7 a.m. for a lovely trail run. Mother Nature is calling your name. If you haven't done any trail running, you will be amazed at how much cooler it is on the trails, even at that time of the morning. Details were in the weekly newsletter. If you're not receiving it, register in the blue box. That always provides directions to the group runs and all the particulars.

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Join the Run Tampa Women's Half Marathon Team. Register by May 31st and use the coupon code

TEAMSAVEFL (case sensitive) to register as a team member and receive $10 off half marathon registration. This offer expires on May 31, 2011.  Registration prices increase on May 31 as well.  If you use the team code before the deadline and registration increase, you will save $15!

Go to Active.com to register. Click the 'Team' category, and then click Run Tampa in the drop-down menu. Let's have the biggest team. All speeds are invited, even if it's your first half, that's fine. The bigger the group, the better.

Women's Half Marathon & 5k

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of running in the Inaugural Women's Half Marathon in St. Petersburg. Dawna Stone, founder, publisher, and president of Women's Running magazine, really knows how to put on an event. Over 4,000 women participated and a few brave - or very smart - men.

Christa Benton, 25, of St. Petersburg, one of the best known local runners, led the whole way and won the event easily in 1:20:02.

One of the things I liked about this course was that it doubled back on itself in a few places, making it possible for runners to get a quick glimpse of the leaders as they whizzed by.

We started at Albert Whitted Airport. Then the course took us along beautiful waterfront areas. We ran out around The Pier, over the bridge to Coffee Pot Bayou, around Mirror Lake, and eventually into Tropicana Field where we circled the bases before exiting and returning to finish where we began.

The weather was warm but lovely. Most of us had arrived before sunrise, and were rewarded by a spectacular sunrise, just the first of many breathtaking vistas.

Every finisher received a unique medal which had a charm dangling in the center. The charm could be removed to be worn on a bracelet or necklace.

One thing would have made the day better; that would have been if my daughter Wendy could have been running with me, but, she was in Riverview doing the Alafia X-Country Half Marathon, another outstanding race, and one that I have done the past few years. Next year I sure hope they aren't on the same day again because I would want to do both races.

Click the icon in the column to the right to see all the photos, and read the St. Petersburg Times story here.

Popularity of Halfs Continues to Grow

Since 2003, the half marathon has continued to be the most popular race distance, and in 2006 and 2007 the number of participants grew by 10 percent each year according to Running USA’s State of the Sport Report Part III. That would account for the increase in the number of half marathon events. The number of halfs increased 14.5 percent between 2006 and 2007.

Challenging Race, Beautiful Place

As the Florida Trail Challenge Half Marathon approached, being the weather wimp that I am, I mostly worried about the temperature on race morning. Since we’d had temps in the upper twenties only a couple of days before, I was relieved when Steve Jerve predicted a low of 53 and a high in the seventies.

I carefully planned my race attire Saturday night, then cast the planned outfit aside on race morning, deciding on shorts and a short sleeved running tee with a long sleeve ‘throwaway’ outer layer and, on my head, my lucky Boston cap, a black Under Armor cap I found on the ground during the 2008 Boston Marathon.

Florida Trail Challenge Half Here I Come

I'll be running the Florida Trail Challenge Half Marathon in Alafia this weekend. I know it'll be cold, but everything is relative. At least the ground won't be frozen, and I can be certain there will be no snow. Not so bad, really. And since I've run there before, I know it will be beautiful, challenging, but beautiful, at least if I ever feel like it is safe to take my eyes off the trail to look around.

The Deep Freeze Half

I just read an article about The Deep Freeze Half Marathon outside of Chicago this weekend. A group of stay-at-home-moms and business women decided that in order to stay in shape during their cold winter, they would run in the Naples Half Marathon, the one in Florida last weekend, but it just became too complicated to arrange, so they decided to put on their own race. They have been running together two mornings a week at 5:30 a.m. all winter. I like this part: they designed the race course so that it passes by all of their houses. Nice idea.

I don't know about you, but when I woke up this morning and saw it was only 39 degrees outside, I didn't want to get out of bed. I  guess we really have it pretty good, though, compared with people up north.

Click here to read the article about the Deep Freeze Half Marathon.