I ran this race through BibRave.

2019 marks the third consecutive year that I've run one of the races at the Philadelphia Allstate Hot Chocolate series. I kicked off my 40th year in 2017, 2018 was my friend Ana's first 5k ever, and this year I ran solo. But I was never alone, I had friends all along the way.

What I love about this race is the appeal for local runners and newer runners, at that. Because it has such terrific swag and yummy treats at the finish, it has an appeal that can't be denied. Not only did I see adult friends, I also saw a lot of my kid runners from Healthy Kids Running Series.

I opted to have my race packet mailed to me. Along with the super soft jacket, there was also my bib, and a card saying that as a 3 year legacy runner, I was going to get even MORE swag! What? It's true - I just had to bring the card along with me and I was able to pick up a 3 year legacy medal, pin, and hat. So cool!

The course itself is standard Philly running. We chose to take the train in from New Jersey rather than deal with parking and walking from 15th/16th and Locust to Eakins Oval.

We got there just before 7am, had time to get a picture with fellow BibRave Pros, and then jump into the corral. I was placed in D but started in E because I saw some friends. The 5k race began at 7:15, I crossed the start exactly 10 minutes later at 7:25.

Running along the Schuylkill river is nice enough, although a bit on the boring side. The other side of the road is 1-76.

There was water and Nuun on the course, along with one chocolate station. I chose to skip the chocolate and indulge at the finish line. After I crossed the finish I circled back and cheered for my friends finishing the 5k. We grabbed our chocolate treats (and my extra swag!) and then cheered for the 15k finishers.

One thing that was disappointing was the photographers. Hot Chocolate always has free pictures for runners (yay!) but this year I didn't get that many and the ones that I'm in, I'm behind people. There are a few of me running but they're blurry. Whomp!

The morning was perfect for running though and as always, the race was a lot of fun!

More pictures and thoughts here: http://www.scootadoot.org/2019/04/10/race-recap-2019-allstate-hot-chocolate-philadelphia-5k/

The Novo Nordisk New Jersey Marathon weekend has been on my list of ones to do for awhile. I'm a Jersey girl, born and raised, and I've heard great buzz about this race. While I would have rather run the half marathon, the scheduling worked out better for the 5k so that's the race I opted for.

Registration through Athlinks was super simple. The 5k and kids races were on Saturday; the half and full marathon on Sunday. Because I was doing the 5k, I was able to do day-of bib and shirt pickup. Therefore I didn't see the expo but it helped save travel time all around which was a plus. A childhood friend also signed up for the 5k, so we traveled to the race site together and ran the race together as well.

The race management suggested getting there early for parking purposes and we arrived a couple of hours before the 9am start time. We were actually the first ones in the parking lot. It gave us plenty of time to relax, eat our breakfast, and then pick up the bibs and Diadora shirts. The shirt is cute in the front but has a mesh back that threw me off a bit. I don't know if I'll wear it anywhere but at home.

Like I mentioned, we had plenty of time prior to the start of the race so we wandered back to our car (about a half mile away) to put our shirts away and stay shielded from the wind. It was a beautiful, sunny day but the wind was intense which was a bummer because we knew that running was going to be a challenge.

As the start time drew closer, the parking lot filled and we walked back to the start.

After a young lady sang the Star Spangled Banner, we were off on our 3.1 mile journey. The course was flat and wound along the ocean boardwalk, onto the streets, near a park, through a neighborhood, and back to the boardwalk once again.

There were two water stops along the way. Police presence and volunteers were throughout the course.

The wind was pretty brutal and by the third mile, we were fighting against it. Thankfully, the finish line was in sight and we finished strong and received our BEAUTIFUL record shaped medals. They even spin, which is so much fun!

In the finish line chute there were water bottles and snacks, which were great. There was also a small race village set up with a few vendors. We spent a few minutes visit booths and then watched the kids run their mile and a half race before heading back to the car.

Great race, maybe next time I'll do the half!

More pictures and words here: http://www.scootadoot.org/2019/05/01/race-recap-the-novo-nordisk-new-jersey-marathon-5k/

I had the opportunity to run the 305 half marathon as a BibRave Pro.

When my fellow BibRave Pro and my friend for years, Ashley, mentioned that she was interested in signing up for this race, I immediately started making plans to join her. My parents live about an hour outside of Miami and I knew that a break from the cold New Jersey winter would be just what I needed at the beginning of March. We knew right away that our plan for this race was to get a PR... in fun. I'm happy to report that it did not disappoint.

I registered in January through Athlinks and it was quick and easy!

There was no expo but there were a few opportunities for bib pickup prior to the Sunday morning race in Miami Beach and Miami. They also allowed for race morning pickup and since we were driving from a distance, that's what we opted for. We woke up early allowing us plenty of time.

We found a parking garage a block away from where we needed to be. After turning into the lot we saw that it was a steep $50 for 5 hours. Yikes! Any additional time meant an additional $50! (We actually arrived back right at the 5 hour mark and the machine tried to charge us but thankfully the attendant fixed it.)

Shirt and bib pickup was quick and easy. The start and finish village were right next to each other and there were plenty of portapotties. There was a coffee bar in the start village and just beyond that area was the beach.

Shirt sizing is my nemesis so if you're like me and have sizing issues too, the shirts are men and women's cut and they were Sport-Tek brand this year. I ended up getting a shirt that's too large but oh well, you win some, you lose some! The shirts were a bright turquoise with purple lettering - very Miami!

The course was a big loop through Miami Beach and Miami. The corrals we well marked with the paces and there were pacers placed throughout the corrals as well. They had the music pumping, a fun light up guy on stilts and after a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem (seriously, one of the best I've ever heard) we were off and running just after 6:15.

The sun started to rise and it got hot quickly. Thankfully there was a breeze and well spaced aid stations throughout the course. While we were running we realized that some of the 5k runners somehow started running early with the half marathon runners - whoops! They stopped at the aid station near mile 3... not sure how they got back to the start.

For those thinking that this course is entirely at sea-level (like me, I don't always read the race guides like I should), think again! The causeways over the water are pretty steep on both incline and decline and there were about four of these throughout the race. However the sights were gorgeous and there was actually a rainbow that draped over the entire course for the first 5 miles!

No crowds to speak of but the volunteers and police were supportive. There were also about 4 DJs along the route. Ash and I didn't bring music but we were jamming to the beats as we went by them. We also ran right near where the cruise ships were docked, it really was a scenic event!

We finished the race with a BibRave shout out from the announcer and grabbed cold water and towels. There were free pictures from the course and finish and I love them all!

There was an issue with the medals not arriving on time, which we learned about 2 nights prior to race morning. I appreciate that they kept runners informed of how things transpired. We were given a temporary medal and a Starbucks gift card from UPS. The actual medals are going to be shipped to each runner within the next few weeks. Mistakes happen and I appreciate that they made every effort to make it as close to right as possible.

The finish area had a great assortment of snacks, choice of Bloody Mary or beer, and other fun stuff! Everyone was in good spirits and it was exactly how a Florida race should end! Ashley and I took a few minutes to walk over to the beach, take a few pictures, and then headed out.

For more thoughts/pictures, visit: http://www.scootadoot.org/2019/03/08/race-recap-miamis-305-half-marathon/

I love the Atlantic City Race Series races. I usually participate in at least one race during their spring and fall series and I enjoyed doing their inaugural Bungalow Beach Run this year too.

I originally registered for the Atlantic City 10k back in 2017, right after registration opened. The 10k distance is one that I love and I got my personal best at this race in 2016 so I was looking forward to returning again. However after my 13 year old son decided that he wanted to run the 5k, I decided to switch distances.

The price for the 5k and 10k is the same so it's really just a matter of which distance you'd rather do. We'd opted for race morning pick up and were quickly able to switch distances and get our shirts, bags, and bibs.

Parking at the casinos in Atlantic City can be pricey, especially on weekends. Thankfully the race includes a parking voucher, making the cost on $5.

Atlantic City races don't have corrals so lining up beforehand is always a crap-shoot. I looked for people who looked like they'd run around the same pace as my son and sent him up ahead. I asked the people I was standing near what pace they expected to keep to find my spot. The 5k and 10k runners start together. After the singing of the National Anthem, we were off.

The out and back was comfortable for me because I've done so many training runs along this boardwalk. My time was a consistent 12 minute mile, not my best or worst.

My son looked strong when I saw him while I was on the out and he was on the back but he said that he got a cramp soon after we saw each other. He still finished strong and sprinted to the finish.

We joined the finisher's party and grabbed the most delicious bagels (holy moly, they were so good!), snacks, goodies from vendors, and a free beer at 10am.

Well, I grabbed beer at 10am. Kiddo got Gatorade. He missed placing in his age group by one spot but I reminded him it's all about who shows up. There's always next time and this is a race we'll be returning to again!

This race was on my bucket list for awhile after hearing about friends experiences from 2013 onward. A few friends and I decided to make 2018 our year at Bird-in-Hand.

The race is a fundraiser for the community and while the cost is a bit pricey, it includes a lot of bang for your buck. We visited the expo Friday afternoon and the weather was decent. We got our bibs, shirts, and bags with goodies which included whoopie pies, animal crackers, and pretzels. Parking for the expo and race is in a field, so be prepared for that.

The entire weekend is touted as a community event in Bird-in-Hand with a hot air balloon festival, picnic, and the race happening. Friday night there’s a 5k and kids race with the half marathon happening on Saturday morning at 7:30 in the am.

Communication from the race organizers was primarily via witty email. The race does have social media accounts but there’s not much interaction on those.

Perusing the weather app the night before we were pleased to see that it it looked like it was going to be cooler and maybe the tiniest bit misty. Like, barely even noticeable.

Therefore we were somewhat surprised when we opened the door of our hotel room on Saturday morning to find a pretty steady stream of rain come down.

No more hot air balloons for us. Whomp whomp.

My friend had a meniscus tear earlier this summer so we knew going into this race that we were going to just have as much fun as possible. Pictures, selfies, mullet crew style - party in the back! With a 4 hour course limit, we knew that we'd be able to finish within the time frame and have fun while doing it so that was our plan from the get-go.

The course was absolutely beautiful. Hilly, as we expected, but gorgeous. The water stops were manned by Amish children and they were plentiful. Originally we were planning on wearing hydration vests but with the cooler temps we decided to forgo them. It worked out really well.

In between miles 9 and 10 we were treated to a scoop of mango Rita's Water Ice, which was incredible, even on a not hot day. Soon after that we turned off the main road for a little off-roading experience.

In the last mile there was an area which was matted down grass and mud. It was really uncomfortable because you couldn't firmly plant your feet. If you did, you might get stuck in the mud; it was better to just tread lightly on the grassy area.

It was flat but to be honest, I would take the paved hills over that area any day.

Sadly, even though we finished within the allotted time, the race photographer was not there to catch our spectacular finish. While I most likely wouldn't have purchased pictures, I still found it to be a bummer.

There was a recovery area and my friend with the hurt knee headed there for a massage while the rest of us went to the tent for the community picnic. The food 100% hit the spot!