Latest reviews by Joe G

(2016)
"My first half! "
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Hi Everyone!

Backlogging.. Wish I was writing/blogging back then for this one. This was my first half, will forever be near and dear to me!

In June '16, I did my first 10k race, went way better than I expected and had me hungry for more! Had me looking for a longer race, a place to train, and to go on an actual training plan!.

Once I found this race, I found a training program, and then I found my trail! If you follow me, you will hopefully see at least one pic a week from Pennypack Creek. I love it there! Wish it didn't take me so long to discover my love for trails, and it's only 15 minutes from where I live!

Below is the training program I found and have used several times. One of the reasons I wish i was blogging back then, I'm not sure if it was the constant humidity, or just that it was my first time going each long run's distance, but every long was a challenge!

To credit the images, it was pulled Coach Jenny Hadfield's training plans.

Pre-Race:

Expo: this was my first expo, it was pretty cool to see all the gear and race vendors! Only set back is not everyone can get back and forth to the city mult days in a row. It was exciting, not sure if I would choose expo over mailing option if it was available.

Parking: public transportation is strongly encouraged for expo and race day. Parking near the expo is tough to find. On race day, there is a pay lot a few blocks away. Please send me a message if you need the location. I would post it, but don't want it to go viral and get over packed.

Race day!

About 17000 runners, my biggest participant race to that date!

Like many Philly races, the race starts/ends by the museum. The first 3-4 miles are through the city, returns and heads past boathouse row. This is where I learn Philly isn't as flat as I thought. A minimal incline for a few miles. Seems minimal, but starts to add up. Turn around point is up a bridge, across the Schuylkill River and back. Issue with ending at the museum, one last hill!

Music: DJ to start. Live bands throughout, a couple marching bands. Music was cool, but expected a a few more bands along the way.

Aid: plenty of water/gatorade along the way. Water, pretzel, bananas after, and a few other vendors with free health snacks/drinks

Swag: Will forever rock the florescent tech tee with pride! The pic doesn't do it any justice, the color is very bright!

The flat medal of the Liberty Bell, has some thickness to it, it's a heavy medal!

Exhausted, but worth the 14 week training plan! My standard long run before this was 6 ish. I have continued to work on my long run base since then, wouldn't be be a marathon runner without it! Also discovered my love for trails!

For additional pics, check out my blog:
http://caffienefeen.blogspot.com/2016/09/rock-n-roll-philadelphia-2016-my-first.html

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(2016)
"#SuperHeroShowdown! "
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Hey everyone!

Backlogging a few race reviews, this one lead to big things for me!

Race is for a great cause, hence the superhero theme. The cause "raise awareness for Super T’s Mast Cell Foundation, Inc. a non-profit organization providing medical and living expenses to those living with the rare disease Mast Cell Activation Disorder"

Parking: the race start/ends by Norristown Area High School parking lot. There is plenty of parking, but if you are fast and complete the race early, you are unable to leave the parking lot until the race is over.

Pre race: there's a dj getting ever one amped up for the race. There's also a yoga instructor/warmup session, and several pre-race party tents.

Elevation/scenery: The majority of the race is through Norristown Farm Park. A paved walking trail. The view is nearby farms, parks, and a bit through the woods. I don't recall seeing an elevation profile before or after the race, but there are several hills! Just about every half mile or so, there's a hill challenge. No complaints, just wasn't aware beforehand.

Aid/ water: plenty of water stations throughout the course, snack bag post race with banana, soft pretzel, etc.

Swag/shirt:
The tee shirt is cotton, so soft! The front has a street sign indicating "caped crusader crossing". The back of the shirt has the race logo, charity name, and sponsors.

Medal: flat medal with the Superhero Showdown logo. Good vs bad fisticuffs!

Post race included a discount menu and a "free beer" at a nearby restaurant, Redstone Grill.

As I mentioned earlier, this race lead to big things for me! This was my first 10k race. I had been running 4 milers on a pretty consistent basis, with 5-6 milers on weekends, I think at the time, my longest run was 7 miles. I'm not sure if it's because my neighborhood really isn't conducive to much more than that, or self doubt. Not that I was "fast" for this race, but it I did better than I expected and it had me hungry for more!

This race had me looking to go further. A half marathon? But where would I train? This race helped me discover a trail that's only 15 minutes from where I live! I have never been a trail runner, but this got me there, I quickly fell in love with trails! Which also led me to my first half marathon 3-4 months later!

Good luck to everyone with your training!

for more pics, check out my blog:
http://caffienefeen.blogspot.com/2016/06/superhero-showdown-10k.html

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(2016)
"FoxTrot5K"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

The race starts/ends at a brewery, need I say more? Lol

Starts with a decline on the way out of a business district. A slight incline, straight away to a nearby residential area. A round a block and back towards the brewery. The decline from the business area didn't seem bad, but was a pretty decent incline just before the finish.

Festivities: it's at a brewery! 1 free beer included. Live bands. Lawn games, ie life size beer pong, can jam. Etc. Food avail.
Parking: plenty in the nearby business lots.
Aid: adequate water for a 5k. Water, pretzel, bananas afterward.
Swag: no t shirt included, but a cool pint glass.

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(2015)
"#Bacon5k!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

To forewarn you, this is not just a 5k, it contains a food challenge! Mid 5k, you must eat a half pound of bacon!
There is a non bacon challenge if you are interested, but the iron pigs and race are all about the bacon.

Scenery: majority of the race is parking lot. but if you love bacon and baseball, that is fine.

Pre race: able to walk around the stadium. A dj, mascot, vendors, a great baseball and bacon crowd. A couple runners dressed as bacon.

Race: starts fast/flat and then down a steep hill, turn around, and up that steep hill! Back and forth in the parking lot. Mid way in front of the stadium.

Pause, eat a half pound of bacon! Some crunchy, some a bit fatty, but all delicious. No water to help with the bacon challenge. Hands get greasy, could use napkins. There are a few employees watching to make sure no one cheats on the challenge, you must show your empty container before taking off.

Resume the race! Remainder of the race is down and around the parking lot. cramping up? No, that's just your arteries Lol. Down around the backside of the stadium, through the stadium, around the warning track. Finishes just before home plate.

Post race: party overlooking the baseball field.

Swag: t shirt that has bacon scratch n sniff! bacon mid race, and a beer after!
Elevation: there is a steep hill of about a 1/4 mi. Remainder of the race is slight up and downs.
Parking: it's a stadium, more than ample
Aid: adequate water for a 5k

for additional pics, check out my blog:

http://caffienefeen.blogspot.com/2015/09/race-review-bacon5k.html

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(2015)
"Railroad Run, Labor Day 4K!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Hi Everyone!

Doing some backlogging, all the way back to September 2015!

This was my first finisher’s medal! Railroad Run, Labor Day 4k!

My first 5k was just a couple weeks before this. I had been running for a couple years, and my co-worker had been twisting my arm to do a race. Well, signed up for another race a few weeks after this one, and figured while I’m at it I might as well sign up for this one.

The race is hosted by Gilmore|Henne community fund. John Gilmore/Chad Henne, local (Reading, Pa) high school football players that went on to the NFL. I was on the same team as a NFL player for a year! Their community fund focuses on “improving our community and the lives of children through the revitalization of parks and recreational facilities”

Elevation/Scenery: course is relatively flat. No noteworthy hills or inclines. The course starts at The Railroad House bar and grill. There’s about a half mile straight away from the starting line to a nearby neighborhood, zig-zag a few blocks through the neighborhood, back on the straight away to return.

Aid/water: at least one water station mid course. Water, banana, and pretzel post race.

Parking: the restaurant has ample parking for the race. If you arrive last minute the roads may be closed, you may have to walk a few blocks.

Expo: you may pick up your bib the day before and grab a drink.

Race Management: smooth process throughout, managed efficiently. I would recommend this race. It's for a good cause, it's a good time, you get your money's worth. Small race, approximately 200 people, you may even win a prize.

My race:
Let’s first go into what you shouldn’t do. The race is held on Labor Day. The day before the race, I attended a college buddy’s annual party. All sorts of summer BBQ food and several beverages were consumed. From there, drove (actually my dd drove, I did not drive) to my dad’s house, who lives close to where the race is held. We went out to dinner, another beverage consumed.

Race day: race didn’t start till 10 am, plenty of time for coffee, light, breakfast, and hydration. I was ready to go way before race time.

I needed to pick up my packet before the race, and saw the emails regarding street closures. So, of course I got there way too early.

During my previous race, I learned the hard way that race speed is different than training speed. It may be/feel fast, but need to pay attention to pacing so you’re not dragging at the end. Did a little better at pacing myself, but was still something to work on.

Looking at the below pic,couple more things to work on over time. Love fluorescent shirts, they don't do well in pics. I made this comment in another post, basketball shorts? Oh, and try to stop messing with your phone when there may be a finish line pic. lol

Shirt/Swag: The Tee shirt featuring their Railroad Run train and their G|H logo is very soft and comfy, still holding up after two years. The Railroad Run train and logo is also featured on the medal as well. Plus a “free beer” post-race.

Good luck to everyone with your training!

For additional pics, check out my blog:
http://caffienefeen.blogspot.com/2015/09/race-review-railroad-run-labor-day-4k.html

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