While I was out at the event to collect shoes for Dunk Your Kicks, I decided what the heck, I'm going to run the 5k. So I walked over to sign up. No line, really, very fast--took under 5 minutes. Several people changed distances as I was filling out the form to register, a quick matter of the registrar recording bib numbers and handing out a new distance sticker (bibs are color-coded by distance, to help volunteers point runners in the right direction).

Despite the warning that shirt sizes were running out (so go get yours now instead of at the end), there were plenty of both the cotton t-shirts and the tech shirts ($5 extra; since I have two tubs of tech shirts and my cotton ts are wearing thin, I went cotton). Cute design on the front, too. Those who registered by a certain deadline were guaranteed shirt sizes, and Brazen volunteers were there to hand out individual envelopes containing the right shirt. There were also plenty of shirts for the same-day registrants. Plenty of people were able to change sizes (these shirts run a little small--I got a large and it is going to be fitted), no problem. Right next to the shirts was bag check, always well-organized and rarely with a line to check in or out.

The 5k event seemed well-attended. (I confess I didn't arrive early enough to see the marathon start.) Unlike many trail/park races, the course for the 5k did not require any single-file running--nice for me, since I'm a fun-ner runner, not a faster one. Of course the scenery was gorgeous, with views of the hills and the lakes. I took a walk break to gawk at how amazingly beautiful Northern California is in early summer. We were lucky to get excellent early-morning weather, with the heat turning on just as we were finishing.

The 5k had a single aid station (shared by another distance) with water, electrolyte replenisher, and some snacks in little cups (I think pretzels and M&Ms--I didn't look carefully, since I didn't need anything). It was staffed by super cute kids and some adult minders :) The kids did a great job, and there was no waiting or traffic jam.

Speaking of kids, one thing I like about Brazen events is that they are family-friendly, and Western States was no exception. The 5k and 10k both had a decent number of kids running the event. Not just high-school-aged kids, but elementary school aged kids. (They got shirts in kid-sizes, too.) The 5k had multiple sets of parents and kids (or parent-kid), and I saw a few sets of kids running with other kids. Non-running kids were well-represented at the finish line, cheering on older siblings, parents, and grandparents. Several families had claimed the picnic tables a little further out from the main staging area, and were having brunch and holding signs.

Speaking of finishing, every Brazen finisher gets announced (to the extent the announcer can speak that fast) and a medal. No kidding. I ran a 5k and got a medal! I was not expecting this, but find it really cool--I know some people have an attitude about medals for a 5k, but I believe that ANY reminder that you ran an event can help buff your self-efficacy and get you out there to do it again. Just past the finish line medals, a well-stocked water station.

Since I was in no danger of placing or coming close to the course record (I'm there to have fun), I headed over to the pavilion with the post-race food. There are age-group awards going all the way down to kid-age brackets, and some kids were pleasantly surprised to get an age group award even if their bracket was small. (I was one kid who was one of two in his bracket--but he still pounded out a highly respectable time accompanying his mom in her race. How cool is that?) Brazen knows how to do post-race food. In addition to water and Ultima replenisher, I recall seeing the following items: bananas, oranges, popcorn, chocolate cake, vanilla cake, strawberries, other fruit (grapes?), Svenhard's bakery pastries, bagels (plus peanut butter and stuff to put on them), Mike & Ikes, M&Ms, Payday bars (cut into pieces, which I appreciated), and pretzels. I'm sure there was more stuff, but that's what I remember (not what I ate!). Oh, and like every Brazen race I've seen, a steady supply of well-frozen Its-It products (every flavor, plus this thing I'd never had called a Sundae Super, or something like that).

This is a great location for parking. Parking is included in your race fee (though I do encourage people to support the East Bay Regional Parks through membership and donations). There are two large lots, side by side, near the race staging area, a short walk from the start. There are also paved paths from the parking lot almost all the way up to the start, making it relatively-wheelchair friendly.

A gorgeous way to start my Saturday, I'm glad I decided to jump in at the last minute. Oh, and Brazen Racers donated TWO full boxes of shoes to Dunk Your Kicks benefiting Max Cure Foundation. Yup, it's a WIN for the day.

This is my third year with Rock 'n' Roll San Francisco. The only thing I'd really do differently is NOT run another half marathon the day before. (Okay, totally lying--I'd do Livermore again in a heartbeat.)

I'm thrilled with the design for this year's shirt and medal. The last year I did a ton of Rock 'n' Roll races was 2013, and the medals almost all had the same theme: round with something sticking out, or rectangle with something sticking out. Very boring. Also a lot of the 2013 shirts were yuck grey color. Not this year! The SF shirt was navy blue and had a sweet multi-color city outline design.

I missed most of the Expo because I was napping after the Livermore Half. I gave it 5 stars because I found some new and exciting vendors (I love Clinique. Don't judge.), and because Go Tape was there doing the taping. Go Tape is my favorite, and it sticks really well, so that was a bonus. Oh, also 5 stars because as usual, no lines for me!

Parking in SF is a challenge, but if you planned ahead it was super easy. Like last year, I pre-paid for a spot in a specific garage. Easy-peasy, no problems. Walked over to the finish line, boarded a coach to the start.

This race has hills. If you are looking for a flat, fast course, this is not it. The first climb starts not more than a mile or so in. With the exception of the bridge (which is curved, so you go up and then down twice) and the hill leading up to the bridge (which is long and steep), most of the hills were just a block and not too bad. Plenty of people walked them (including me).

The course shows off some of the nicest parts of the city, from the Ocean Beach area, across Fort Mason, past the Marina, and then down to Civic Center. Traffic disruptions are minimal, since Rock 'n' Roll series uses the "bus box" system to avoid having runners stop.

Because California is an over-regulated nanny-state, and because San Francisco is basically a 7 x 7 plot with residences crammed into every nook, there are not as many bands on course as you might expect at other races. Based on my experience with large events and the city, it's hard to get the required noise variation permits (because not everyone wants a rock band outside their window at 7:30 a.m.). To help with the tunes, Marathon Matt's pace team carries Bluetooth speakers to supply some music.

Selfie-stations included a 1960s-themed VW set up, complete with flower children and hippies, and an Instagram-style frame on the big hill with a view of the Golden Gate in the background.

Weather was amazing this year, with sun and clear skies. It is MUCH more fun to cross the bridge when you can actually see on all sides. Fog, while more San Francisco authentic, makes the bridge seem endless.

My only disappointment was that the concert ended pretty much right after I finished snapping a pic with the Quik bunny. I would have liked just a few more songs.

To see my Quik bunny photo, complete with my in-race mocha, go here: http://www.trainwithbain.com/rock-n-roll-san-francisco-threepeat/

Disclosure: I am a member of the 2015 Rock 'n' Blog team. While I don't think this has an impact on my race impressions and opinions, you might.

This was my first time running the Wild Horses race put on by Titanium Racing, but I knew it would be a good race because I previously ran the Tiburon half marathon. There was no Expo, and bib pick-up happened in two locations (one in Novato, and one in the East Bay for those of us who didn't want to make the long drive twice). Swag pickup happened pre-race (for the shirt and matching bag), and after the race there were goodie bags filled with snacks and drinks from the sponsors, including Whole Foods.

Like the other Titanium Racing series races, there was a small field. Small enough that there are no corrals, you just place yourself appropriately--and everyone did. (This is a huge blessing; for those who haven't done massive races like those at Disney, there is always someone desperate to be in a lower corral number who then ends up being an obstacle and a road hazard). The small field also meant that there was plenty of parking near and at the high school where the race started/ended.

The course was an out-and-back through neighborhoods and park-like settings in Novato. This year we had some overcast weather at the beginning, which was great--by the end it was sunny, and quite hot. While I didn't see any wild horses, I did see several domesticated ones who seemed to be enjoying the parade of people. Locals were amused as I photographed their livestock.

Aid stations were well-attended by friendly volunteers and had water and electrolytes. Multiple stations had gels (in multiple flavors). There were volunteers or staff at every potentially tricky turn, and the course was well-signed, so there was no excuse to get lost.

While the course was mostly flat, there were some hillier areas--nothing that made me gasp in awe at the degree of elevation, more like "gently rolling hills."

One thing I LOVED about this race: treatment of back-of-the-packers. I finished like third to last or second to last. The course ends with a "victory lap" around the school's track. There were staff (and a very energetic kid!) there to run the last finishers in. While the post-race snacks were a little picked over--the popcorn bowl was empty--there was still cold water, cold Nuun, and a goodie bag for each runner.

Overall, I enjoyed this race thoroughly. The course was pretty, the other runners were well-behaved, and the staff and volunteers were invested in making sure the runners had a good time.

For pictures, check out my blog review: http://www.trainwithbain.com/wild-horses-2015/

I chose to do this event because I wanted the Remix bling. As a bonus, I talked a friend of mine into walking it with me. (She doesn't run for medical reasons.) One of the things I like about the Rock 'n' Roll series is that they got feedback asking for more short-distance events, and this year they responded with more 5k events, an 8k in Seattle, and a little-kid-centric event in San Diego. I'm a half marathoner, so a 5k is--quite literally, in this case--a walk in the park. I do see the value of adding shorter distances though, since (1) it allows more people to participate in a big event (not everyone is ready to run distance, and not everyone wants to run distance) and (2) most people don't start off running a half marathon.

If you are a Dallas local, Fair Park is probably something you've seen, done, and repeated many times throughout your life. (My friend spent some of the event telling me stories about her visits as a kid, then with her kids.) If that's the case, you might find the course a bit boring. I'll admit the out-and-back section in the parking lot was dull, but I don't know the property well enough to suggest an alternate course. Since I'd never been there before, and we were taking our time, I stopped to admire the WPA-era architecture of the exhibit hall buildings, and read the plaques by the statues and art.

One thing this year's event did NOT have going for it: weather. It was cloudy and on the cool side. During the event it started to sprinkle a little bit, and eventually it rained. (Cold rain.)

For additional scoop on the expo and pictures of the 5k: http://www.trainwithbain.com/rocknroll-dallas-5k/

Disclosure: I am a member of the 2015 Rock 'n' Blog team. I don't believe that colored my opinions about the race, but you might, so I figured I should say so.

I chose to do this event because I wanted the Remix bling. As a bonus, I talked a friend of mine into walking it with me. (She doesn't run for medical reasons.) One of the things I like about the Rock 'n' Roll series is that they got feedback asking for more short-distance events, and this year they responded with more 5k events, an 8k in Seattle, and a little-kid-centric event in San Diego. I'm a half marathoner, so a 5k is--quite literally, in this case--a walk in the park. I do see the value of adding shorter distances though, since (1) it allows more people to participate in a big event (not everyone is ready to run distance, and not everyone wants to run distance) and (2) most people don't start off running a half marathon.

If you are a Dallas local, Fair Park is probably something you've seen, done, and repeated many times throughout your life. (My friend spent some of the event telling me stories about her visits as a kid, then with her kids.) If that's the case, you might find the course a bit boring. I'll admit the out-and-back section in the parking lot was dull, but I don't know the property well enough to suggest an alternate course. Since I'd never been there before, and we were taking our time, I stopped to admire the WPA-era architecture of the exhibit hall buildings, and read the plaques by the statues and art.

One thing this year's event did NOT have going for it: weather. It was cloudy and on the cool side. During the event it started to sprinkle a little bit, and eventually it rained. (Cold rain.)

For additional scoop on the expo and pictures of the 5k: http://www.trainwithbain.com/rocknroll-dallas-5k/