Running Margaritaville & NRDD (National Running Day, Duh)

I’ve been absent from these blog parts, but not by choice. As I often do, I wrote some posts & saved the drafts for future publishing. But when I logged in next, they were GONE! All that genius, lost forever. Sorry, world.

So lemme ketcheweup…Buffett Day was a wild success, like always.

Some of the SFW highlights.

This is my abfab fave day of the entire year. I try to explain it to people who’ve never been, but I’m learning that it’s indescribable. No matter how much I sell it, people who reluctantly finally show up to a tailgate always look around wide-eyed and say, “I had no idea it was like this! I wish I knew! This is awesome!!!”

We see Capn’ Jack Sparrow every single year.

Everyone seems to assume it’s a bunch of geriatrics sitting in lawn chairs drinking green tequila drinks. Everyone shouldn’t assume so much.

I almost wore this same thing.

Every year it’s like a competition to out-do everyone else creatively-tropically.

Mermaids get thirsty too.

And everybody is so chill – no politics, no drama, no greed…everyone shares everything (especially bevvies).

Shotski!

Making friends around a neon octopus.

This year got a bit cray cray. They stopped enforcing the strict parking rules – so anyone and everyone was setting up canopies, boats, etc. wherever they darn well pleased.This really condensed the space and it felt like one big back yard. Love it!

Caught taking a pirate lady selfie. I need that leg chalice.

Another thing that’s changed over the years is my Buffett crew. We had a huge regular group (not talking bathroom habits). But over the years most of them have faded away. Kind of sad, but c’est la vie dansante.

Buffett4Life friends and a svelte merman.

But like in regular life, most of these people have been replaced with runner friends. I still miss my old crew, but not much I can do if they don’t even respond to invites. It’s all good, runners be crazy, yo!

Runner friend unicorn and a zebra lady.

Someone let us drive their land boat.

Free lap dances from “pretty mike”.

I welcomed several runner friends to the Parrothead phlock.

And for those of you paying attention, why yes, that is my Key West Half Marathon race tech tee under my ultimate party Hawaiian shirt.

Perfect shirt for a perfect day.

And here’s a pro tip: Many people just come for the party, but for those of us who like his music and enjoy the concerts, don’t buy tickets in advance. You can always get some for free/cheap at the tailgate from other parrotheads. My dad and I got tickets for $10.

Boom-shaka-laka.

And I’ll leave it at this – one of the newbies who showed up posted this on her facebook page:

“Soooo…yesterday was my first time at a Jimmy Buffett tailgate party, and it’s taken a good 24 hours for me to mentally recover from what I witnessed there. There were things I simply cannot unsee. And I can’t wait until next year to do it all over again!”

OK, back to running. I’m sure everyone did something for National Running Day. Me was no different. I met up for a local running store’s social run followed by free breakfast tacos!!!

Miles and Smiles!

I got to see a lot of old running friends. It was great! And I’ve got some more good running news, but you’ll have to wait for tomorrow for that…I try to keep these posts more visual than wordy, and I see my word count is growing. Till next time!

How bout you? Anything special for NRD? Can you tell we had fun this week? Are you intrigued or frightened of Buffett tailgates based on my pics?

-Scott

Beer Mile Race Recap – Someone Puked

The latest TNSR Beer Mile came and went. And I’m happy to report it went much better than my previous attempt.

Everyone is all smiles before the race…that would change.

I wouldn’t set a PR this day, but I still had a decent time, and I didn’t blow chunks – that’s always a win in the Beer Mile. Not everyone there could say the same thing. A few people in the pictures in this blog vomited. I won’t say who, but maybe you can take guesses.

At least one smiley clean shaven person in this pic puked.

If you’ve never done the Beer Mile, what happens is you pound a beer, sprint a quarter mile – then repeat until you drink 4 beers and run one mile total.

We were so official this year – bibs, timers, and we were provided with Mich Ultra beers.

What makes it tough is all the carbonation bubbling up in your belly. Well, that and 48 ounces of liquid sloshing around as you try to sprint 400’s. If you can’t get some burps out, then you’re in trouble. I’m happy to report that I burped each lap!!!

Someone in this pic may or may not have puked.

And even though I didn’t PR, I did come in 4th place overall – just missing out on the podium.

The official results.

Looking back, I think a couple things helped me out this year – Like I said, I worked really hard to make sure I burped. But also, I chose to drink warm beers instead of cold – tasted nasty, but had less carbonation. <taps head> “Not just a hat rack.”

Thanks for another great event, TNSR!

And after the race they had food grillin, music blastin & fun havin. I even made a 6 second video about it…

All in all a good time was had by all – even the folks who hurled.

Kanye was upset at his race results…or maybe because he puked.

Luckily these Beer Mile races don’t happen too often – they really do hurt. But I did have a great time and look forward to the next one!

How bout you? Would you ever want to do a Beer Mile? Have you ever? Any guesses as to the pukers?

-Scott

I Got a Fever & New Key West Half Marathon Pics/Video!

Sup mutha truckers? Hope everyone is staying warm wherever you be. I myself, have been quite out of it recently. 102 fever, yo. And let me say that a Thursday Night Fever isn’t as much fun as a Saturday Night one.

While I’ve been trying to recover, I got some good news – More Race Photos/Videos!

Last month I ran the Key West Half Marathon. It was Epic. You can read the recap HERE.

Anyway, they’ve been trickling out race photos to us as time goes by. Earlier they sent me this one…

Boom Shaka-laka!

The other day they posted a few more…

Runin Down Duval St.

The after party. Can you spot me?

The fams celebrating after the race.

And then…….The other day they posted a “drone” video they shot at the event. Now I am a TV producer, and I use one of these quadcopter cameras from time to time. They really do give a cool perspective on things.

They only posted it on Facebook, which was giving me issues about trying to post the video here. But I think I got it figured out. Please to enjoy the Key West Half Marathon from above…(see if you can spot my cameo)

That just reminds me how much fun that event was. And hopefully it will remind you that there’s warm days out there to be had!

How bout you? What should the prescription be for my fever? Do you ever find yourself in random race videos/photos? Who’s ready for spring?

-Scott

Free Race Photos! Woo to the Hoo!

I like the recent trend I’ve been seeing here and there of races giving you the photos for free! I’m sure it’s included somehow in the registration fee, but it’s much better than them asking for $30 a photo.

If you read my Hot Chocolate 15k Recap, then you know I ran the race, duh. But after I wrote it, they sent me the race photos they said they took of me. Here they are:

Before the race with run buds Julie and Mike!

During the race. Looks like I was feelin it.

Apparently I had time for a wardrobe change and facelift during the race.

And also gender reassignment surgery.

Oh look, there I am next to my yellow shirted clone.

Finally, at the finish line!

When you think about it, it’s just smart to give out the photos. Then the race photogs know that they’re getting paid instead of hoping to sell a few prints. And since they put a bug on the pics, it’s free advertising every time someone posts them to social media, or ahem, blogs using them.

Speaking of which, a photog associated with the Key West Half Marathon later saw my BLOG RACE RECAP and was kind enough to send me a photo he took of me! So cool!

Boom Shaka-laka!

This is like the 4th time in the past few months that the races have been sending out free photos. Gotta love it! The others that come to mind are the Dallas 13.1 I PR’d also sent Free Photos, as well as the Abby’s Run 5k where I won my age group! who posted All The Pics! Glad to be able to memorialize those races!

I hope this trend continues!

How bout you? Any free race photos lately? Do you even want your race pics? Ever had gender reassignment surgery?

-Scott

Final Key West Picture Purge – Run & Relax

Thanks for everyone’s great response to my recap of the Key West Half Marathon. It really was a great time! But like most good things, this racecation had to come to an end. Not before we got all touristy though…

Reppin Torchy’s Tacos in the Conch Republic.

In key West you walk. A lot. According to my pedometer app, we were averaging around 9 miles a day. How that’s possible on such a small island is beyond me. Anyway, because of that, I only went on one other run while there.

A quick 3 miler.

Then of course, I had to shower. Why not do it publicly.

Sadly, nobody paid.

Then we had to eat (and drink).

Sure, I’ll sit on the patio.

Blue Heaven. Buffett played a show from that water tower and Hemingway used to referee boxing matches here.

And hang out on the beach and play with animals.

My shirt fit in there.

Yes we pelican.

Iguana know what he’s doing in that tree.

And of course, hang out with the chickens.

Wonder why he crossed the road.

Like a boss!

And shop for a new outfit.

I think I can pull it off.

Eat some more.

You must take a pic at every meal.

And of course, get turnt up in da club…

What’s the age restriction in Sloppy Joe’s?

Capt. Tony’s was a regular spot.

In the men’s restroom – protected Buffett lyrics he wrote on the wall as to not forget them.

Get a little churchin.

That’s a pretty stain.

Eat by the sea again.

Yay, the electricity came back on!

Watch more sunsets.

I’m sewper kewl.

They’re on a boat!

So are they.

And drive back to Miami.

Bienvenidos a Miami.

Stop by Key Biscayne.

Look, an old lighthouse.

I was down there before.

Before finally flying home.

We flew over New Orleans, where I tried to leave a little luck for all my friends running the Rock n Roll NOLA 1/2 & 26.2 a couple days later.

French Quarter from above.

So there ya go kids. A crazy good time. Now back to life, back to reality. Luckily I brought some of the south Florida weather back with me to Texas. Time to run!

How bout you?

Key West Half Marathon Recap

It’s a two sided medal, it’s a wine stopper, it’s fun and functional.

Ahh, the Florida Keys. Who doesn’t love em? Key West in particular, has always been a magnet to the funky-fresh folks.

Closer to Havana than to Miami.

If you haven’t been, well, it’s kind of like a tropical and clean New Orleans. If you haven’t been to New Orleans, well, it’s kind of like an anything-goes sort of haven – full of good food, strong drink, history, openness, tolerance, and zero inhibitions. Both cities were home to pirates, poets, performers, and parties. Needless to say, I love it!!!

Two similar cities. Only separated by 630 miles.

In case you get lost.

And I’m glad to report that the Key West Half Marathon & 5k had the same feel to it that the island has – laid back, scenic, inclusive & fun! Peeps could even register under a “walker division” – can’t get more inclusive than that.

The fun feel starts at the race expo, which was held at a seaside bar and oyster joint…DUH!

Ain’t I purdy?

I was so excited at the expo, because it meant we got our race shirts! They are so over-the-top amazesauce!!!

The shirts….I heart them! And check out those bibs!

And if you’re so inclined, there are plenty of shops next door to load up on souvenirs.

Yeeeeah buoy!

From there, there were plenty of good joints on the island to get your carbo-load on.

My sis with our sushi grade raw tuna “nachos”

The eggs in the restaurants were very fresh.

The artwork in the eateries was very high brow, as my sis and her bae recognized.

My sis with some key lime pie, natch.

The whole pie.

And of course, there were good bevvies to wash it down with…

Key West beer, why not?

My sis and a Moscow Mule at Louie’s Backyard.

Hog’s breath is better than no breath at all. So they say.

Anyway, on to the race! It started at 7am over by the boat docks. Very laid back – no formal corrals, no pre-race formalities…

Can you spot me? Hint – white Ohio University shirt. Photo courtesy of http://www.fotobyfreas.com

I was a little worried going into the race. I was in good shape, but I’d been training in Dallas in 20-30 degree temps. Race morning it was in the 70’s with 90% humidity – 90%!!!!!!!!! OUCH!

But it was time to race, and hahaha, there wasn’t even a race starting horn – Someone must’ve said, “Go.” cause all the sudden, we were off!

I started my gps about a 1/4 mile into the race. My bad.

The course took us down famous Duval St., past the Southernmost Point marker, then an out and back along the beach.

Our friend Carrie caught me on the course. Throwin Dueces! Or maybe quotation marks cause I was feeling “great” in the humidity.

I crossed the 10k mark at 48:34, but it was all I could do to maintain that pace in that humidity. Shortly after, the wheels fell off. I was taking walk breaks to dump cold water on my head at each aid station.

Anyway, on the way back we went past the Hemingway house, the lighthouse, the A1A Mile Marker 0, and through Mallory Square (where everyone goes to watch the sunsets).

Photo I took of one of their famous sunsets.

The race eventually ended at the boat docks. But I was really hurting in the humidity. However, I sucked it up the last couple miles to finish at 1:50:00. A full 5 minutes slower than the Dallas Half last month.

At the finish, smiling on the inside. Photo courtesy from video from http://www.wildsideonline.com

I was hoping to break 1:40 at this race, but with the humidity, it wasn’t meant to be. I really did push hard though – so much so that I was very sore the next day.

That said, it was the same for everybody out there, and so I was still able to finish 27th in my age group and 201st overall (out of 3-4000 runners)!!!

See, I told you the race ended at the boat docks. Sweat much?

Even though I didn’t have the race I hoped for, I still had an absolute BLAST! It was so SCENIC! The volunteers were WONDERFUL! And the post race party was OFF THE CHAIN!

Before we could really get turnt up, I had some other friends and family finishing the race that I went back to root for!

Some friends.

Some family – my ma.

Sister’s bae.

My dad’s first half marathon!

My sis also ran, but I didn’t get a pic of her finishing. But we did get a selfie with the race announcer. This guy was THE.BEST.MC.EVAH! He was cracking us up with gems like, “This is the best day of our lives!” And I think he called me “dude” when I crossed the finish line.

Michael the Boston radio DJ. Solid dude. Perfect match for the Key West laid back attitude.

With everyone finished, it was time to party!!!

We had fun.

Da Key West crew.

The post race concert was Howard Livingston & the Mile Marker 24 Band. I’ve heard him before on Jimmy Buffett’s Radio Margaritaville. Such a great performer!!! He even made us margaritas with a modified boat-motor-blender at one point.

Howard on stage.

Did I mention all the beer was FREE?!?! That probably led to us making some new friends. Like when I photobombed some stranger’s selfie because Howard had jumped off stage to be in it!!!

Selfie stick, Howard Livingston, PirateBobcat Photobomb. Love this pic! Thanks to Elizabeth T.F. for sending it my way.

Hahahaha, the race photog actually got a pic of us taking a pic of ourselves.

From there it was on to Duval St. where we could proudly display our medals and shirts.

Da Key West Crew all cleaned up.

Yet another patio bar to celebrate on. I figured I’d wear loud shorts with my screaming shirt.

The patio drinks led to even more selfies. Well, that and narcissism.

Look, a coconut tree and a coconut head.

And I even tried my best to copy RunColbyRun and her high angle, partially-obstructed-face selfies, but I couldn’t master the master.

So sexy.

So to sum up, it was a blasty blast!!! If you are ever thinking of running the Key West Half Marathon, I say DO IT!!!!

And besides, you can’t run all the miles until you run the first one…

Mile Marker 0. Yes, I was in Birkenstocks.

Good times people, good times all around!

How bout you? Ever run Key West…or do you want to? What do you think of the swag? Ever go on a runcation?

-Scott

Unplanned Running Blogcation (Key West will do that to ya)

Hey y’all! I’m sorry to have been absent from these blog parts the past week. After my runs in Ft. Lauderdale, I was able to write a post about them on the drive down the Keys (I wasn’t driving, duh). And I had planned to keep posting while in the Southernmost City, but island life and island time can change a man.

Island boy.

As the famous philosopher, John Dewey wrote about living in Key West, “The climate here is too relaxing to be conductive to work.”

Dewey wasn’t screwy…His words are true-y.

Photo I took of one of their famous sunsets.

But I also know many great writers wrote some amazing stuff living in Key West – everyone form Hemingway to Frost to Tennessee Williams to Jimmy Buffett. Like them, the Keys also inspired my writing.

I’m working on my recap of the Key West Half Marathon. It will be ready for you on Monday. I’m sure it will be as good as For Whom the Bell Tolls, or at least on par with Cheeseburger in Paradise…But with more selfies.

How’s everyone been? Vacation ever slow your mind?

PS. Please check back Monday for my Key West Half Marathon recap!!!!

-Scott

Ft Lauderdale Warm-Up Runs

We made it to sunny Florida. Immediately after stepping off the plane, I defrosted. It’s nice and muggy here. So naturally, I went for a run to warm up even more.

I ran along A1A (Beachfront Avenue). Girls were hawt (wearin less than bikinis).

Then it was time to enjoy some boat drinks and ballads along the strip.

Next morning my seestah joined me for another beach run. Total for the two days: 11 sweaty miles. And we even got some hill work in by running over the giant draw bridge next to the cruise ship port.

And ha, after the runs my calves were bangin in the hotel light.

It’s nice to be in tanks/shorts again. Just two days ago in Dallas I was running in pants, gloves, hats & triple layered shirts. Hopefully I’ll acclimatize to the heat in time for the Key West Half Marathon on Sunday.
Until then, fins up!

On to the Keys, and racing time!
How bout you – Keepin warm? Sick of wearing pants? Ever run a tropical race?
-Scott

Key West Half Marathon or Bust!

Things have been hectic, per usual. This time it’s as I prepare for sunny Florida and the Key West Half Marathon.

Can’t wait to be 90 miles from Cuba again.

I gotta tell ya, it couldn’t come at a better time. The weather around North Texas has been, shall we say, less than stellar. Cold, Rainy, Windy. I’m over it. Hard to run in this garbage regularly without going mental.

What’s been staring me in the face on my 6am runs.

Despite the conditions, I’ve continued to stick to the plan – and by plan, I mean not skipping any runs/workouts. My last “long” run was this past weekend with WRRC. We went all over Dallas. Totaling over 15 miles, at a decent pace. Hopefully this means I’ll be in decent shape for the race!

So there ya go. Next stop: beaches, boats, bars, & ballads. I’ll try to keep up with the blog, but if not, you can always find me posting nonsense on my Instagram. Stay tuned for vacay/race updates!!!

How bout you? Getting your workouts in despite crummy weather? Anyone else heading to where the weather suits your clothes? Will anyone else be in Key West for the half marathon???

-Scott

Cold Running, Sliders, & Disappointing a Celebrity Chef

It’s been cold around North Texas. I know I shouldn’t complain, after all, it took us to January to finally get some uncomfortably cold weather. But Scotty no likey.

Took my gloves off to take the photo. Mistake.

WTFrick?!?

I hate the dreadmill even worse than the cold, so I put on layers and hit the road. Why? Can’t stop. Won’t stop! Just a little more than a week until the Key West Half Marathon!!!

Soon my friend, soon.

Anyways, other than that, let me catch you up on some of what else has been going on in my world. Here’s the randomness in pictures.

Took a pic with the Dirk mural.

Kids were fascinated by the balloon animal maker lady.

I took a sneaky selfie with Pepsi (her real name) and Sarah & TriKohl at the latter’s going away party.

Had lunch with my celebrity chef friend, Trevor Ball. Look for him on the Food Network again in the coming months.

Then promptly disappointed him by eating these Sliders. Had to, it was a gift, and it’s a taste of home (Ohio).

But quickly redeemed myself by eating these tacos.

Then took a pic of the lil girl’s teeth, which are coming in quite nicely!

So there ya go. It’s been cold, random, and fun round these parts. On to the weekend and more coldy cold miles to run…and more randomness, I’m sure. Wouldn’t have it any other way!

How bout you? Love or hate Sliders? You running in the cold or takin it to the treadmill? Any randomness going on with you?

-Scott