Picture I took Over My Head While Running In The 2013 Krispy Kreme Challenge

About two years ago I discovered the joys of running. I’m not really a hardcore runner, but I have slowly worked my way up from running my first 5K back in 2010 to completing my very first half marathon, The Tobacco Road Half, just last month. Along the way I have come to recognize the amazing running culture here in the Triangle. Not only are there tons of great local races, but there are also a number of fantastic run clubs that add a great socializing aspect to running that makes the whole experience even more fun and rewarding.

These informal run clubs are comprised of runners of all levels that meet each week to run, hangout, and maybe drink a beer or two. They are very casual, free to join (just show up) and are a great way to keep your weekly runs interesting and meet new people. Many of the clubs meet at local breweries or pubs so after the run it is easy for people regroup for a drink and compare notes about upcoming races.

Runners Meeting At Big Boss Brewery Before Their Weekly Run

I live in Raleigh so the run club I frequent most is the Big Boss Brewery Run Club. It meets each Tuesday at 7pm at Big Boss Brewery. There are four official routes (3.1, 4, 5 or 6 miles) that offer a combination of greenway and road running depending on the distance you choose. Afterwards, runners meet back at the brewery to enjoy some local beer and there is often a food truck on the scene as well. It isn’t uncommon to see people running with a baby jogger or a leashed dog in tow. All in all it is very inclusive and a great time!

Additional Triangle Run Clubs
I love the Bog Boss Run Club, but there are several other awesome run clubs throughout the Triangle. You can find a great list of Triangle Area Socila Run Clubs organized along the right hand side the Beer & Racing Blog here. While you’re there, check out Jon’s recap of his recent races. I find them very helpful when researching potential races to enter.

Relaxing Post Run!

Popular Upcoming Triangle Races
As I mentioned, there are also a number of awesome races held in the Triangle each year. I’ve focused the list below on longer distance races  like half and full Marathons. However, many of these  events also include smaller 5k’s and fun runs as well. Here is a quick rundown of some popular races coming up in 2013

-Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon (April 7th)

-Run Raleigh Half Marathon (April 14th)

-Tar-Heel 10 Miler (April 20th)

-NC Road Runner’s Club Invitational Half Marathon (May 19th)

-Midtown Race Series – Lookout Capital Half Marathon (June 1st)

-Midtown Race Series – Johnson Lexus Half Marathon (September 21st)

-Bull City Race Fest Half Marathon (October 20th)

-City of Oaks Marathon & Half Marathon (November 3rd)

Raleigh will also host the Rock-n-Roll Marathon for the first time on April 13, 2014. Registration for this race opens today (April 1st) with a special $30 discount today only.

Good Luck to all of you with races coming up and happy running!

I remember now why I said after I ran City of Oaks half marathon a couple of years ago that I would never run another half marathon in Raleigh.

This race fell on my 18 mile day for Flying Pig training, so I got up extra early, popped out 3 miles on the treadmill, then continued on with my morning routine pre-race rituals.

My friend Pam (this was her first half) and her man came to pick me up a little bit before 7 as we made our way to the RBC center to meet our friend Michelle and her now Fiancée as well as our friend Regan at the start line.

The gun went off about 20 minutes late because of parking issues and bathroom issues (not enough porta potties / lines were too long in the RBC center for the bathrooms)

We took off doing our 4:1 intervals for a loop around the RBC center and then the course followed a lot of the same roads as I remembered from City of Oaks. I thought that that race was hilly, this race was just plain miserable.

The first half wasn’t so bad and there was even a nice downhill from miles 6-7 back to the RBC center where we then took off for Umstead State Park (noted for its hills) around mile 8.

Here’s where things got kind of hairy…

looking at the race website, I saw that there was going to be water stops every couple of miles. Thus, I did not bring my camelbak with me for hydration. This was fine and dandy until we hit mile 6 and there WAS no water stations. There was also no water station at mile 8, and not even at mile 10. It wasn’t until we got to mile 11 that there was water. It had started to get hot at this point and the hills started to get higher and more prevalent.

Regan, Michelle and her Fiancée took off a little bit ahead of us, and Pam and I held back. We even walked up a couple of the bigger hills with no shame. Finally we hit a nice down hill at mile 12 that took us once more back to the RBC center to the finish line.

Thank goodness Pam and Regan had extra water on their belts, I would have seriously suffered! (thanks girls!)

I have never been more happy to see the finish line in my life! I am glad that this was only a training run for me, but I cannot say how disappointed I was in the race organization, lack of porta- potties and the poor planning in water stops. This race was in its 5th year running! One would think that they would have all of their kinks worked out by now.

Anyway, we all finished strong and mostly together. Around 2:44 and some change

I would definitely not run this race again. The one thing that got me was reading the Facebook posts the next day. Both my friend Pam and I had commented how disappointed we were in the race, in a very constructive way. The people who run the Facebook account not only responded with a very nasty reply, but then proceeded to DELETE our comments and theirs completely! I could not get over that!

Has anyone ever had that happen to them?!

Now we know better for next time.

Today’s going to be a GREAT day! Packed schedule; workout, training, teaching, training, assessment, class, teaching, teaching, and finally home for a Thai-inspired dinner! When I know I’ll be running around likeachickenwithitsheadcutoff all day, I really like to begin the craziness with a sweat session; it puts me in a better mood, gives me more energy, and I’ve taken care of myself which is extremely important. I think people neglect to put themselves first when they have a busy schedule; I don’t feel it’s being selfish, rather, it’s self-investing in a healthier and happier state of mind .

Another treadmill workout for the books! As much as I’d rather run outside, running on the treadmill is a great way to incorporate speed training into my routines, especially for some upcoming races! When running outside, the scenery, listening to music, nature, and maintaining a consistent pace are precedent over speed and intensity; on the treadmill, a steady pace is way too boring so opting for intervals where the speed and/or incline are constantly changing makes the session fly by.

• 0-5 mins. warm-up (6.0-6.5 mph)
• 5-8 mins. 7.0 mph
• 8-9 mins. 8.0 mph
• 9-12 mins. 7.5 mph
• 12-13 mins.  8.5 mph
• 13-16 mins. 7.2 mph
• 16-17 mins. 8.8 mph
• 17-20 mins. 7.6 mph
• 20-23 mins. 7.8 mph
• 23-24 mins. 8.8 mph
• 24-27 mins. 7.5 mph
• 27-30 mins. 7.2 mph
• 30-31 mins. 8.0 mph
• 31-34 mins. 7.6 mph
• 34-35 mins. 8.2 mph
• 35-40 mins. 7.0 mph

Only a couple more days left in February-where does time go?!