Posts Tagged With: shirt

Key West Half Marathon Recap

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

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.

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 600 miles.

Two similar cities. Only separated by 630 miles.

In case you get lost.

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?

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!

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!

Yeeeeah buoy!

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

Sushi grade raw tuna "nachos"

My sis with our sushi grade raw tuna “nachos”

The eggs in the restaurants were very fresh.

The eggs in the restaurants were very fresh.

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

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

My sis with some key lime pie, natch.

My sis with some key lime pie, natch.

The whole pie.

The whole pie.

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

Key West beer, why not?

Key West beer, why not?

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

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

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

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?

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!

IMG_2804But 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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 friends.

Some family - my ma.

Some family – my ma.

Sister's bae.

Sister’s bae.

My dad's first half marathon!

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.

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.

We had fun.

Da Key West crew.

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.

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, Photobomb.

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.

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.

Da Key West Crew all cleaned up.

Yet another patio bar to celebrate on.

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.

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 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.

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

Categories: Concerts, expo, fitfluetial, Fuel (food), Life Times, marathon, Race Recaps, run, Running, travel | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 80 Comments

New Year, New Race – Key West Half Marathon!

I’m pretty excited for this race!!! On Jan. 18 I’ll be running the Key West Half Marathon! It’s going to be a blast! You should join me if you can!

That's my sis and her friend in the tutus!!!

That’s my sis and her friend in the tutus!!!

Here’s why I’m excited (in no particular order)…

1. It’s in Key West, Florida! Home to pirates, poets, & vagabonds. I’ve only been there once, and that was for 24 hours only, but I loved the laid back, anything goes, fun times vibes. I can’t wait to go back!

From my only visit.

From my only visit.

2. I spoke with the race director and she told me her main goal is for this to be a fun race with a fun after-party. I love that!

3. My sister ran this race last year and said it was an absolute blast! And Runner’s World just called it like the top destination 13.1 in USA!

4. Look at these race shirts. So over the top. I can’t wait to wear mine!

The dudes' shirt.

The dudes’ shirt.

The dudettes' shirts.

The dudettes’ shirts.

5. Look at these medals. They are conch shells with an actual wine stopper at the bottom. Colorful and practical!

Last year's medal.

Last year’s medal.

6. My mom, dad, sis, & some friends will be running it too! It’s my dad’s first half. Should be a good first one!

7. It’s a running race. And running is my favorite!

Wheeeeee!

Wheeeeee!

Anyways, I’ll be writing more about this as I prepare for this race. But in the mean time, if you want to register, better hurry up, it’s on way to selling out! http://www.keywesthalfmarathon.com/

And get this, if you can’t make it to Key West, well you can run a virtual race and still get all the cool swag.

You can virtually join the race virtually.

You can virtually join the race virtually.

Here’s the link for the virtual race: http://www.keywesthalfmarathon.com/virtual-race/

So there you go, kids! Good times ahead!

How bout you? Want to join us? How over the top awesome are those shirts? Holla at me if you’ll be joining in person or virtually!

-Scott

Categories: fitfluetial, marathon, run, Running, travel | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Free Race Photos, The Emmy’s, & Destination Run

So some more good news to go with the nearly 5 minute PR in a Half Marathon that I ran over the weekend…today they gave us our race photos…FOR FREE! That is rare and most welcome!

Look, a decent race photo! Feet in the air and all.

Look, a decent race photo! Feet in the air and all. Shirt looks like it needs ironing.

Not as good, but hey, it's free.

Not as good, but hey, it’s free. At least my shirt is less wrinkly.

OK, this one is awkward. I think I tried to smile, but only half my mouth agreed to do so.

OK, this one is awkward. I think I tried to smile, but only half my mouth agreed to do so – either that or I had a mild stroke.

And get this, they also had a short video of me finishing. You can watch it HERE.

Anyway, after the race, I didn’t have much time to celebrate because I had to get to the airport for a flight to Houston. Took a quick video flying over Dallas…

I was off to H-Town for the Emmy Awards Gala. This year we were nominated for two.

Here's looking at you, kid. Hey wait, how did a baby goat get in here?

Here’s looking at you, kid. Hey wait, how did a baby goat get in here?

Anyway, we didn’t win any this year. But that’s more motivation to step up our game! We’ll be back next year!

The next morning I was tired and sore from the previous day. But I looked out the hotel window and saw the Houston Half Marathon going on. Despite the 93% humidity, I decided to lace up my runnin’ shoes and go run along the course for a bit to shake out my legs and to support the racers. I always love running in new places.

IMG_2386

I actually went 4 miles, but my GPS had issues amongst the skyscrapers.

What a crazy few days. Such a whrilwind. But would we want it any other way?

How bout you? How would you describe your race photos? Run an any new cities recently? Tell me something!

-Scott

Categories: fitfluetial, Life Times, marathon, Race Recaps, run, Running, Video Work | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Head for the Cure 5k Review

Sorry for the delay in this review, I’m sure you were holding your breath.  Exhale, it’s here.  This 5k was alright.  There were more people than I expected – over 1000.  The weather was unseasonably cool, though a tad windy, but not too bad.  The course was relatively flat, save a few hills just after mile one.  The course was fairly scenic too, as the last half of the course meandered on a paved trail through the Oak  Point Nature Preserve.  I’d never been there before, and the part of it we ran through was nice.  I’ll have to explore that park some more on future runs.

Takin it to da bridge!

Takin it to da bridge!

As you can see in the photo, I wore my Flying Pirate 1/2 Marathon shirt.  I was so happy to do so – you see, my flight home from that race resulted in my luggage being lost…for nearly a MONTH!  I finally was able to retrieve it the night before the race, and reunited with some of my fav running clothes, along with my new shirt, I was joyed to put them on for this race!

Hoping the shirt would give me wings too.

Hoping the shirt would give me wings too.

Anykitandkaboodle, the combo of the weather, the course, some secret inspiration, having my gear back, and having done some track work, I was able to turn in a decent finish.  I came across at 22:12 – little over 7 minute miles.  I was 4th in my age group and 29th or 30th overall.  This gives me hope, because it’s 20 seconds faster than my last 5k a month ago, and I had been sick the week leading up to this race.  I guess being sick was like a taper?  Taper for a 5k – I wonder if I can sell people on that idea?  Haha!

 

I don't normally run with my arms crossed - I was reaching to stop my stopwatch at the finish line.

I don’t normally run with my arms crossed – I was reaching to stop my stopwatch at the finish line.

The race is called Head for the Cure because it raises funds for brain cancer research.  I guess it affects more people than I thought because there were lots of signs on the course and people wearing shirts dedicated to who they were running for.  I hope it was considered a success for them.

Anyway, not much more to say…just another 5k.  Yes, that does rhyme.  Until next time, enjoy some extra photos from the race.  Peacey peace!

hc3 hc5 hc6 hc7 hc8 hc9

 

 

 

Categories: Race Recaps | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.