Run Tampa

Mud, Sweat and Beer at Warrior Dash

Yesterday and today, the Warrior Dash brought thousands of people, including many Run Tampa members, to the Triple Canopy Ranch in Lake Wales to crawl through mud, jump over hay bales, balance across planks, climb cargo nets, traverse a few hundred tires, mount chest high walls, duck under barbed wire, bolt over old cars, and leap over fire. In all there were 12 obstacles on the 3 mile course.

Everyone was assigned to one of the 13 waves that started at 30 minute intervals throughout the day. While waiting for your wave a band played, people danced, drank beer, gnawed on - what else - turkey legs, and marveled at the bizarre costumes and muddied physiques crossing the finish line. There was a show in every direction.

Did I mention we paid to have to do this? Really, it was the most fun I've had in a long while, and I have a lot of fun! 

What follows is a flash slide show. If your computer does not support flash, click here to see the slide show on Picasa.

 

Group Runs: Bayshore on Saturday and Croom on Sunday

This weekend, for the first time, we'll have two group runs, Saturday on the Bayshore and Sunday at Croom. If you're registered with this site, you should have received the newsletter with the details. Sunday's run will be any distance. Sunday's run will be a minimum of 8 miles. Something for everyone.Everybody in Tampa is familiar with the Bayshore, but I'm sure some people have never been to Croom. Check out the slide show below. It includes some pics of Sunday's Croom Zoom race as well as pics from the John Holmes Trail Race and Fun Run in October. Croom is in the Withlacoochee Forest about an hour north of Tampa. (Below is a flash slide show.)

Be the First to Identify this Trail and Win a Run Tampa Shirt

 

.  One hint: This park is located in Hillsborough County. Send your guesses to deb@debbievoiles.com

 

Last Saturday's Group Run on Upper Tampa Bay Trail & Next Saturday's Run at Lake Rogers Park

Excellent group run yesterday. We had 22 people (not all arrived in time for the photo, though). Some went a few miles; others went many more. When we started, it was pretty hot, but eventually, the heavens opened up and cooled us off. Glad we got to enjoy one more run on the trail before that section closes for a couple of months. If you usually run on that part of the trail, between Gardner and Manhattan, maybe you'll make plans to join us for our weekly trail runs in the weeks to come. Next weekend, on Saturday, August 28th, we will run at beautiful Lake Rogers Park in Odessa, on North Mobley Road. The trail at the park is a 2.1 mile lovely, shaded, off road loop. Go around once, twice, or as many loops as you'd like. There are three water kiosks along the loop. Park in the main parking lot, which is the second you come to as you travel west from Gunn.

Many runners are looking for longer mileage at this time of the year as they prepare for marathons in the fall; therefore, a group of us will park at Northwest Elementary on Hutchison and run to Lake Rogers Park in Odessa. We will plan to be at Lake Rogers Park when it opens at 7 a.m., so we'll meet at the school at 6:15 a.m. That'll be around 8 miles with one loop around the park or 10 miles for two loops, etc. Some people may even plan to meet earlier and do even more miles before heading for the park. Contact me if you want to arrange that. But people who don't want to go that far can join us at the park at 7 a.m, and we'll run the loop together.

Here is a map of the run from Northwest Elementary to the park.

The run from the school to the park is north on the sidewalk along Hutchison to west on North Mobley, across Gunn, then 1/2 mi. to the park. It's a great, scenic run, especially in the early morning.

Finding Flatwoods

Each time we meet for a Run Tampa Group Run at Flatwoods, it's a challenge to make sure everyone finds us. 
Probably most people in the running community have heard of Flatwoods Park. Some people would say it's in New Tampa; others would say it's near USF. Still others would say it's in Thonotosassa. Guess what? They would all be right!

Flatwoods Wilderness Park is a huge park with two entrances, one on Bruce B. Downs in New Tampa and one on Morris Bridge Road in Thonotosassa. Between the two entrances is a 7 mile paved loop, and there are entry roads extending to that loop, about a mile long, from each entrance.

Many runners are only familiar with the paved loop, but there are several miles of beautiful off road trails traversing the center of the loop.

For a bit of added confusion, you can also access the trails of Flatwoods from Trout Creek Park, which is also on Morris Bridge Road. If you're not confused now, you should be.

It's a challenge, but Flatwoods is well worth finding. Once people run on the off road trails there, they always return, sometimes every week.

By the way, Fletcher Avenue, the street that borders the north side of USF, turns into Morris Bridge Road about the time it passes beneath I-75, which is east of the Fletcher/56th Street intersection.

When the Run Tampa group runs at Flatwoods, we meet either at Trout Creek Park or the Morris Bridge entrance to Flatwoods. The reason is that it's much faster to get to the off road trails from these two destinations, and the off road trails are just beautiful, but equally important, they are also much cooler due to the shade.

The trails are marked, but, understandably, many people don't want to venture out and explore them alone. All the trails connect, but it helps to be with a group to learn the trail system.

One reason for the confusion is that there are several other parks that are part of the Wilderness Parks. These are Morris Bridge Park, which has two entrances on Morris Bridge Road, Four Rivers Park, and Trout Creek Park.

Map here.

If you do long runs, it's good to know that trails connect all these parks, making it possible to run a lovely 15 mile loop. A warning, though: At this time of year, many of the trails become quite wet, and, sometimes, even flooded. It's not uncommon for some of the trails to be closed due to standing or flowing water. At such times, the paved loop is a good alternative if you mind the water. Some people relish it, of course, so it that's you, you'll love it. These trails are usually dry at least 9 months of the year.

If you have tried to meet us for one of our Flatwoods runs and failed to find us, please try again, and put my phone number in your phone. Also, make sure you have the right day. We usually meet on Saturdays, but if there are several races on Saturday, we may meet on Sunday. Just check the schedule.

If you don't find us right off, please call me, Debbie Voiles (813-416-4638), even if it's 7 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday morning. You know I'm up, right? I'm already at the trail head and hoping you make it to join us. I always carry my phone as well. Please do call. Many people call me to say they are running late, they have questions, or they can't find the park.

I always put a big Run Tampa sign behind my car, a black Acura; so, if you are at the right place, you'll find us. If you get there after we've left, call me, and I'll give you directions. I don't mind stopping; I run back and forth, running with different people all morning, so stopping is not going to interfere.

One more comment: Sometimes people come late, and they head out and figure they'll find us because we'll be a large group. This may not work because I encourage everyone to run at their own comfortable speed. This means we spread out quite a lot. We usually have people running an 8 min. per mile pace on up to 13 minute per mile pace and some doing a walk/run.

I encourage this. I don't want anyone running uncomfortably fast to keep up with the front runners, and I don't want people trotting along at a slower than comfortable pace to stay with the group. It's important that people do the run they want to do at their desired pace.

Since we usually have walkers and always have some people doing an easy walk/run, anyone running any pace and any distance should be comfortable joining us. And, everyone tends to hang out for a bit at the parking lot when we return, giving everyone a chance to meet everyone else.  

By the way, there are two trail races in Flatwoods each year. They are both put on by Tampa Races. One is the Flatwoods Four Trail Race, which is on Valentine's Day in 2011, and the other is the Trout Creek 5k and 15k Trail Runs. The latter begins and ends in Trout Creek Park, but much of the race is in Flatwoods.

Notice of Trail Closure: Part of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail Will Be Closed

The segment of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail from Gardner Road north to Manhattan Drive will be closed from August 30th through October 29th. For safety reasons there will be no access during construction of Tampa Bay Water's Northwest Hillsborough Pipeline and Hillsborough County's trail maintenance.

The Parks Dept is working to get the word out ahead of time. Please share this information with other users of the trail.

Follow progress on Twitter: twitter.com/NWPipeline

Project details and map here: http://bit.ly/cQw13W

Group Runs at Flatwoods and Trout Creek

It was hot, really hot in Tampa on Saturday. I don't have to tell you that, right?

BUT do you know what? It was cooler, much cooler where we were running. At least it seemed like it. Part of that, a big part of that, was because we were running on off road trails - beautiful off road trails, I might add - but it was also because we were running together, talking, chatting, encouraging each other, making plans for more running, discussing future races, sharing running stories, and making new friends. There was a little good-natured kidding and a lot of good natured support. It was all good, very good. Maybe next week, you'll join us. Some of us will do the Independence Day Run in Lutz on July 3rd, and some of us will do one or both of the Dunedin Midnight Runs that night. Then, we'll regroup the next morning, the 4th, for an easy run at 8 a.m. at the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. Will you be there? We'll probably all have too much to eat at various BBQ's on the afternoon of the 4th, so why not burn off some calories that morning with us? 

Excellent Group Run on Bayshore This Morning and Plans for Croom Trail Run Tomorrow

Great group run this morning! I thought we might have a smaller crowd because so many people were out of town for the holiday weekend, but we had our largest group yet. Outstanding!

Here's my weekly wildlife report: We didn't see any manatees, but there was one dolphin (or shark) lingering in one spot for a long time. Everyone said it was a dolphin, but I've never seen one cruise along the surface that long. However, Alison said they do that when they're feeding, and I imagine she's right. Don't think they have sharks around there, anyway, do they? Not my field of expertise. Anyway, that's the only wildlife I spotted except a couple of pelicans and many happy canines jogging along with their owners.

Thanks for coming everyone, and I hope you'll be able to join us next weekend on SUNDAY, June 6th at Lake Rogers Park, 7 a.m. That will be completely off road. Three kiosks with ice water along the 2.1 mile loop. Can't wait to share this with you.

One more thing: Several of us are running at Croom tomorrow morning, Sunday. If you've never been to Croom, it is in the Withlacoochee National Forest and was named by the World Wildlife Fund as "One of the 10 Coolest Places You've Never Been." I have been, and I agree.

Check out this video

of the 2008 John Holmes 50k and 16 mi. race. Wendy and I are in there somewhere. This year's John Holmes 50k and 16 mi Fun Run are coming up October 9th. If you haven't done it, you've got the whole summer to prepare. Register now for motivation through the hot summer months.

I'll be going slow and easy tomorrow and doing the 14 mile loop, but Wendy is leaving earlier and doing 20. I'll be leaving Tampa at 5:45 and planning to meet her at 7. These are gorgeous trails; as Wendy says, you feel like an animal running through the woods.

Here are her comments: "For anyone who may be interested in trail running in Croom this Sunday, May 30. Meet at 5:30 a.m. or 7 a.m. My plan is to leave from Tucker Hill at 5:30, run about 5 miles and be back at Tucker Hill again at 7. At 7, I'll be doing the 14.4 mile loop. I'll leave a cooler of water midway on the 14.4 mile loop with extra water for everyone. Right now, I think there may only be 4 of us. I average about 14 minute miles on these trails. We can run together or there are maps at the trail head that are relatively easy to follow and the turns are marked but you have to pay close attention. It's a great trail and there are some hills. Let me know if you plan to join us :)"

You can send your email to me deb@runTampa.com or call me at 813-416-4638.

Hot, But Tolerable and Totally Worth It

Saturday's Group Run Report: You all know how hot it was Saturday morning, but, amazingly, it was easily tolerable for our group trail run on the Flatwoods trails. We parked at Trout Creek and then ran north on the levee before dropping down onto the wooded trail into Flatwoods.

We had walkers who went three or four miles, runners who went 12, 13, and 17 miles, and everything in between, including a 12 year old, running with his mom and thinking ahead to his first 5k. Good for you, Jeremy! It was all good. Loved meeting seven new people, too. Well, six new people, and reconnecting with a friend from high school days. That was awesome! So good to see you, Diane. Looking forward to next week!

Wildlife Sightings: A couple of us spotted black racer snakes. Linda had to pause and wait for one to move out of the way. One slithered across the trail in front of me while another remained coiled right next to the trail. At first I thought it was a discarded tire tube. I believe they are mating now; we always see many at this time of year. Wendy saw a baby deer and an owl. No sign of the huge deer I saw while running there Friday morning. It was the biggest deer I've ever seen. I didn't know deer could even get that big, but Andres tells me that particular deer is kind of famous out there, the king of the trails. Cool! I'm honored to have shared the trail with that beautiful animal for a few moments.

Bikers: Quite a few off road bikers out there by the time we finished, but they are always polite and careful. I think we share the trail well. I like that we all appreciate the beauty, take care of it - very seldom see trash out there - and take care to be safe. Bikers will almost always shout if you don't see them, and they yell out how many others are behind.I never mind jumping aside while they pass, and they always should, "Thank you!" or some encouraging words.

A Side Note. If you haven't read it, you might enjoy reading my post, "The Motivating Power of Words," about an incident a few months back when a biker called out encouraging words to me at Flatwoods.

The Trails: No standing water on the Main trail yesterday; however, Wendy did a bit of exploring on her 17 mile trek and discovered a more obscure trail named Cypress something that she described as "... muddy and boggy with fallen trees, and fantastic." We usually take the Main Trail through Morris Bridge Biking area, but she took side trips on Grandpa, Ridge, Gator Bait, Indian, and more. Those are great trails, some challenging areas due to palmetto roots criss-crossing the path and the occasional log, but that's great training for picking up your knees. It simulates a popular running drill.

And, of course, anytime you run on varying terrain, you're also training balance and working core. Thus, the benefits of running are magnified. When you get home, you're really tired, but wonderfully so :)

Next Weekend, we'll be at the Bayshore, May 29th. We'll meet at Patriot Park at the intersection of Bay to Bay and Bayshore. There is water there and parking, but no bathrooms. We'll run to Ballast Point Park. That's a lovely park with a pier and bathrooms, then back, and those wanting more miles can head in the other direction on Bayshore Blvd. We'll plan to leave at 7 a.m. Looking forward to it.

Then the next week our group run will be off road again on June 6th, SUNDAY, 7 a.m., at my very favorite trail, Lake Rogers Park, in Odessa, on North Mobley Road.

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

Running in the Woods

One day it's Labor Day, the next it's Thanksgiving - - - now another year has passed. When I was a child, time passed so slowly; now that I have the wisdom to appreciate it, well, you know.

This feeling makes me especially appreciative of the one place where time seems to slow down. When I am in the woods, running off road on a trail, I can forget the busy streets, the sound of cars and voices, my hectic schedule, that 'to do' list; I become more mellow with every mile.

I am always moved by the beauty of the woods, but I am saddened that so many people don't appreciate it; their eyes don't seem to catch it. They are too anxious to find the end of the trail and get back to their list. But like so much that matters in life, this run is about the trip not the end.

My eyes spy a delicate vine wound delicately around a spindly tree, each tendril exactly parallel to the next as if wound precisely by some deft hand, then on a gnarly tree root rising out of vivid foliage only to disappear into another patch a few feet away. A shiny, worn root reaches across the trail, looking so much like a slippery black racer that I have to do a double take. No, it's not a snake, not this time, just a root. But isn't nature amazing, camouflaging snakes to look so much like roots?

I spot a tiny, striking butterfly visiting an equally tiny flower. My iPhone/camera is out in a flash, but the butterfly has already moved on. I won't record him today. As I gaze at the leaves a few feet away, I am impressed that some of the leaves are dotted with mottled brown spots, in a pleasing collection of colors that look remarkably like that butterfly. I'd like to decorate a room in those colors. There's probably a paint card at Lowe's with that exact collection. There should be.

It's especially lovely here today because it's overcast and it's been raining. Every color is more intense because everything is wet. There's no sun to wash out the color. It's as if I'm looking through dark sunglasses that intensify every hue. Have you ever taken off your sunglasses and thought, gee that's not nearly so pretty as I thought? Well, today, it is that pretty, really.

A young palmetto leaf, pristine and new looking, has sprouted from one of the bold, rusty roots jabbing into the path before me. The color of the fan is so vivid; the green of every fold is made slightly different by the angle of the light striking it.

What's that? Ooooooh! I know that sticky, creepy feeling. It's a spider web - or part of one - better keep my eyes open. Don't want any surprises.

As I jog by, I look to my left down a path to the lake. The pine needles are browner than usual, the grass along the perimeter greener, and the lake bluer. Overwhelmed, I want to nudge someone and say, "Look at that! Look at the colors!" But I am alone. I wonder why this trail is not crowded with runners and hikers enjoying this show. I've got this all to myself. That should make me happy, but instead I'm sad that others can't appreciate it - or won't.

I understand that they are busy. There's family, work, so many stressful responsibilities, but I think if they would just come here, just hike once around, they would find the woods possess the same magical, soul comforting effect as yoga.

You dash into class during a window in your schedule. Yoga is an item on the list. But by the time the hour long class is over, you've forgotten you ever had a list, and that is why you go because that is what yoga does to you.

The woods do that to me.

I run up a hill, around a corner, past the clearing where the Boy Scouts camp, the 2.0 miles sign, almost back to the water kiosk that marks the start of the trail. Think I'll go round again.

Budget Axe: Possibility of Limited Park Hours, Park Closures, Ranger Layoffs

We've got a major situation to deal with. Due to budget shortfalls, Hillsborough County Commissioners are considering MAJOR changes to reduce operating costs at county parks. We all need to contact all the commissioners by phone or email immediately because this issue will be decided very soon.

These are some of the options they're considering:

• Laying off rangers; I'm told they are planning on laying off 54 this year and another 54 next year, which will be pretty much all the rangers
• Limiting park hours. A sign at the kiosk at Trout Creek Park on Fletcher says they are considering limiting the hours to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Closing parks some days during the week

If they follow through with any of these proposals, virtually all runners will be impacted. Personally, I think it makes MUCH more sense to close the parks some whole days rather than cut back on the hours. I enjoy running at Lake Rogers Park, and I have always considered the fact that it is only open from 8 to 6 to be a real problem for two reasons: one, it's impossible to get in a run there before work or after work with those hours. There's just not enough time after it opens or before it closes, and, two, it needs to open earlier or stay open later because most people want to run when it's cooler, right after sunup and right before sundown. To open even later and close even earlier would be ridiculous. I ran at Trout Creek Saturday - fortunately, it opens earlier. We had finished our 6 mile run before 8a.m. It would have been much too hot if the park had not opened until 9:00.

I will be very upset if they decide to restrict my access to county parks and I will remember that when election time rolls around. If you agree, please email or call the county commissioners, all of them. This issue will be decided VERY soon.
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactus.cfm

Running the Northwest Equestrian Trail

Today, a dozen of us visited the Northwest Equestrian Trail in the Odessa area to put in our last off road training run before the Alafia X-Country race next weekend. Alfredo, Vanessa and Jackie had explored it before, and they lead us on a great off road run. This trail has been used for a while by members of SWAMP Club (Southwest Assoc. of Mountainbike Pedalers) and, of course, horses. 

Runners and hikers are now welcome, but anyone using the trail is required to obtain a permit/pass from the rangers at nearby Lake Rogers Park. The gate at the Equestrian Park is, for the time being, kept locked.