SIX Summer Race Series Options in the Bay Area: Pick One and Get Out There

If you have perused the Race Calendar on this web site lately, you will notice that we have six, yes, six different race series to choose from this summer. In Tampa Take the First Step Club will kick off its four race summer series at Al Lopez Park Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., the Picnic Island Adventure Runs began in May, and the E.L. Bing series in Thonotosassa began last weekend. The next event in that series is on July 11th, and the next Picnic Island Race is July 10th. In the Riverview area the Hit the Trails Summer Series begins June 19th. Then, there are two series across the bay, the Sunsets at Pier 60 series in Clearwater and the St. Pete Beach Summer Series.
The beauty of a series is that it's a great opportunity to check your improvement, knowing that each race in a series will be the same - at least usually. It's an excellent motivator during this steamy time of year. We all, no doubt, run slower in the heat, but since all of these races occur during the very warm months, it's still a good way to work on your speed. While none of the times are likely to be as fast as they could be in cooler temps, each race is more or less comparable to the last and the next, providing a good way to measure improvement.
With six series, runners can surely find one that fits their needs. Another unusual fact is that five of series of races occur in the evening when it's cooler; at least we hope it will be cooler. Yes, there is the specter of rain, but as long as it doesn't lightning, the rain tends to cool things off.
According to their website, the Fishhawk series is off road on forested trails. I'm looking forward to checking out those trails. The Picnic Island series takes you over hill and dale, over some barriers, under some others, and through water - at least that's what it was like last time I did one. I don't have the full details on the Clearwater and St. Pete race series, but I'm sure some or all of each is on the beach.
While the heat is a challenge, if you acclimate to it and hydrate properly, running right through the sweltering summer is possible. Why not throw in a bit of competition by adding at least one of these series to your calendar?
And what better way to kick off a weekend than by racing and then going to a local watering hole to cool down, eat, drink, refresh, and hang out with other runners.