Race Review: Walt Disney World Half Marathon 2017

written by runnergirl training

The 2017 Walt Disney World half marathon was cancelled the night before by runDisney officials. The weather was supposed to call for lightening and rain. 

Race Review: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 10k Race

written by runnergirl training

runDisney Walt Disney World 10k race is a blast! The whole proceeds begins long before you ever enter your race day corral. This is a 6.2 mile race that is part of the large Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.

Disney Cruise Line Castaway Cay 5k Race Review

written by runnergirl training

The Castaway Cay 5k race is amazing! It is the 5k race on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Disney Cruise Line has several cruises that visit the island from Florida and Galveston, Texas ports.

Race Report: The Music Run 5k

 

written by runnergirl training

The Music Run is a 5k race that was held in Dallas, Texas on March 12, 2016. The Music Run plays various styles of music along the course. The specific songs were voted online prior to the race. It was an early evening race and along the course were illuminated markers when the music style changed. I snapped pics on my iPhone while running so please excuse the quality!

This was my first time to run this race, however I have raced many races from 5k’s to marathons. One of my first impressions of the gathering race participants was the young demographic. Everyone primarily seemed in their 20’s. Most races I have raced have a variety of ages from kids to elderly participants.

My next impression of the race was the staggered start. All participants were waiting to run in a race chute but only a certain number were allowed at a time. There were not pacing groups or anyone lined up by pace. It was simply a squishing effect of first come, first serve while approaching the starting line.

The race began and the staggered start allowed waves of runners onto the course. The course itself did not feel well planned. It included uneven pavement parking lots and roads around the fair grounds. As the sun set seeing the road became increasingly difficult. Myself as well as other runners twisted ankles in potholes.

I was unhappy there were not mile markers on the course. At first, I thought the point where each music style changed marked the miles but there were too many of them. A huge pet peeve of mine when racing is to not have mile markers. If you are a runner who wants to track your pace then mile markers are essential. My fitness tracker is notoriously off regarding mileage (thanks, Apple) and running phone apps are not always accurate either.

After twisting an ankle in a pothole, tripping a few other times due to the lack of light on the course and then no mile markers I was in a less than thrilled mood. However in the spirit of enjoying a race I paid for and was half way through, I decided to look for positive aspects about the race. The only thing I could think of was they had several speakers along the course so music was always heard. That was a unique aspect about the race.

I hit the finish line with a decent-for-me 5k time. Another disappointing factor though was that the finish line was not illuminated except for one nearby parking lot light. It would have been nice to have lights on it while runners go around a corner and are looking for it. I was glad I stepped outside of my race comfort zone and tried something new. However, there are far better races in my opinion. Any race is not worth the risk of injury. I will stick to races where safety is a clear priority.

I received zero compensation by The Music Run. My opinions are my own after paying & participating on my own accord.

Race Review: Dallas Oncor Mayor's 5k Race 2015

written by runnergirl training

 

The Dallas Oncor Mayor’s 5k Race is a run that precedes the Dallas Marathon by one day and is part of the race weekend festivities. For runners who have run the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot you will recognize the familiar course.  There are a few gradual inclines (read baby hills) in the downtown area as the race begins. After the race makes the turn around point runners catch a great view of the Dallas skyline.

The race was not overly crowded as the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot has become in recent years. This race draws a significant population from elementary schools and therefor has children haphazardly bobbing in and out of the running throng. If you are a runner looking to PR keep in mind this race has more children than any other race I have participated in the Dallas area. I encourage kids to be active as much as the next person, however serious runners may see this race aspect as a potential drawback. If you are looking for a race to do with your kids though this is the ideal one for you!

All in all this is a decent race. I personally would probably pass due to the maneuverability through crowds of kids stopping, starting, moving chaotically is too distracting for me. But it is less crowded than the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot so it gets a plus for that reason!

Dallas Marathon Race Review

written by runnergirl training


I ran the Dallas Marathon on December 9, 2012. It was my third Dallas Marathon, formally called the Dallas White Rock Marathon.

I had been training for months for the race. I used the Hal Higdon Intermediate 2 marathon program. My goal time was 4:30.

I have been in school full time for nursing school prerequisites and taking care of my mom with stage 4 brain melanoma. Around my obligations this semester I was maintaining a training volume of 70-90 miles per week. I was adding onto the Hal Higdon program, it did not require that weekly mileage. Running is my escape and way to stay sane through all of the stress. 

The race course changed this year and acquired a lot more hills in the front half. The back half retained a lot of the previous race course.

During the race I hydrated with Gatorade, Gatorade Energy Chews, Clif Bar Shot Bloks and water. I drank 6 ounces or ate 2 chews about every 15-20 minutes. I used the portable restroom around mile 17.

I started out with the 4:15 pace group from miles 1-3. Then I joined the 4:30 pace group from miles 4-14. Midway through mile 14 the damage from the hills affected my muscles I was unable to keep my pace and started walking until mile 15. From mile 15 until the end my legs (quads & hamstrings) felt like Icy Hot was on them and had sharp painful cramps. I was able to hobble run and drafted behind a few runners to reach that finish line!

At the end of the race I visited the medical area at the Dallas Convention Center. I was such pain that I could not stop walking or moving my legs because the pain was too intense to stop. The nurses and doctor laid me on a cot and massaged my legs for an hour. I was finally able to stand up with their assistance and left with my family.

I was unable to walk for the next 2 days after the race. I have never experienced such intense and painful muscle cramps and spasms. I have consulted with several sports medicine gurus and my conclusion is the cramps results from the excessive hills in the first half of the race and the high humidity.

I have been a runner since 1997. Racing has been a passion of mine since 2000. I am always learning new aspects of the sport and ways to improve! Thank you for joining me in my race reflections!

Dallas Turkey Trot 2011 Race Report

These were my pre-race & race snacks. Gatorade Prime gel/juice, Clif Bar ShotBloks, Gatorade Fit Prime Chews, Kind bar, Recharge electrolyte packet, & Gatorade Recovery drink.

There were over 35,000+ participants. Elbow to elbow with people as we lined up, far behind the starting line. Those are my pink CEP SportsCompression.com compression socks. 

It was a foggy & chilly morning!

The starting line is far off in the distance. It took 30 minutes to get to the starting line, after the start of the race.

Finally, at the starting line!

This sign was a welcomed sight. The majority of the strollers, dogs, small children, and people walking & texting all went one way & I went the other. The first 3 miles were elbow to elbow with casual walkers, dogs, & strollers. I ran the majority of the first 3 miles on the sidewalk, dodging parking meters, trees, dogs, & strollers. It literally was a circus.

The area around Reunion Arena is fun with hills & turns. It was nice to finally speed up & have space!

Across the bridge over the Trinity River.

The turn around.

Back across the mile long bridge, into downtown Dallas.

Here's the finish line at Dallas city hall. Yay!

Pro's:
Digital/disposable chip timing. No long chip lines before the race. No stopping at the finish line to rip off the chip from the shoe.

Con's:
10,000 more participants than when I last ran this race in 2009.
A lot of dogs, strollers, small children, casual walkers, & people texting.
So many participants that it took 30 minutes to reach the starting line.
The first 3 miles were overly clogged with the slower participants (dogs, strollers, casual walkers & texters).
People push & shove to get through the clogged miles.
Unsafe to be pushed & dodge items on sidewalks to move past the clogs.

I have run this race for 8 years. It has always been one of my favorite. After this year's experience, I will not run it again. The unsafe conditions make it treacherous & unable for serious racers to perform well. If you want a casual family outing, this is the race for you.