Latest reviews by Krista Lee

(2018)
"Skyline 10K"
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The Skyline 10K was an awesome race. I ran it last year so the route was still the same but it is a really flat route, there are some small inclines, and 2 real hills. The first hill is around mile 3 and it last for a complete mile. Unfortunately, the running space on the hill is narrow so that makes it a little challenging because there are walkers and runners. The last hill is around mile 5.50 and leads to the finish line. I have to be honest I walked the first hill (just because I didn't want the run it, and my headphones died, so I was also trying to figure that out.), I also walked some of the last hill not sure why I did that, because if I would have ran it, I could have possible been one of the top 3 finishers in my age group but no I was 5th. So, if you are looking for a race to PR this is a great race.

The water stations and the volunteer staff including officers and firefighters were great. The parking was to be expected in the Trinity Grove area so you really need to arrive early. I arrived at 7:15 a.m., so I didn't have a problem finding parking but it was very limited. I do think that they need more port-a-potties, because the lines are ridiculous.

The swag was great and the medal was awesome. Unfortunately, I didn't receive the socks because I registered late, so if you plan on running this race, register early. The finish line snack were also great fruit, snacks, and water. I heard talk of a celebratory beverage but I didn't locate it.

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(2018)
"Every Thing is Bigger in Texas"
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I think this was an awesome race. Very well organized. There was not an expo so packet pick up was held at different locations (fitness stores and fitness facilities), put they made up for it on race day because there were several booths that showcased different local races, insurance estimates, breast cancer awareness, wellness booth, Craig's Ranch fitness, and some products for purchase.

The parking was easy and very accessible to the race. They offered a sufficient amount of port-a-potties, and they also had the hand washing station which is rare at most races but definitely needed.

The 5k course was routed on the road for maybe a 1.5 miles then circled backed through the college parking lot. If this was your first 5k it added just enough inclines to push you to your limit. There was little to none crowd support.

This race is family friendly (no pets) but I was really overjoyed to see the amount of parents running with their kids.

Pancakes were offered by the Frisco Rotary Club after the race, and an additional sponsor provide hot wings, sliders, sub sandwiches and pastry balls. This was an added bonus.

I would definitely do this race again.

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(2018)
"ZOOMA Austin: Women Empowerment Weekend"
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It’s packet pick up time…. can’t run without that plus we need to see the “swag”. The expo was a small but impactful setting. All of the vendors were women and a select few were the originators of their product. As I moved through the expo I discovered a new gadget that caught my eye, a portable roller called the original Worm, which is a combination of therapeutic balls and a foam roller. This product was invented by Karen Atkins who was actually at the expo demonstrating her product. Now playing with worms outside of fishing is not my thing but this “worm” saved my life or should I say my calves because after running 20 flights of stairs on Wednesday I was hobbling around wondering how I would make it through the race the next day. So now all I can say is “This is the way I roll.”
The expo also featured a pasta buffet. Although it was an additional fee outside of your registration it was definitely well worth it. The worst thing for runners when attending an out of town event is figuring out where to “carb up” the night before the race. Problem solved! Remember when I said you left the stress at the front gate of the resort this would be considered one of those stress relievers.

Let’s not forget the “SWAG”, I would have to say this has been the best swag bag I have received. It included a dry fit shirt (fitted designed to show off those curves), a pair of feetures running socks (never received socks before) and a running cap with the race logo on the bib and the word “Run” across the front, all of this was found in a bright blue and yellow tote with the race logo down the side. Then to top it all off free raffle giveaways every 30 minutes. You could win a prize, and you could win a prize! (in my Oprah Winfrey give away voice)
The course was beautiful but challenging. The 5k runners ran primarily through the golf courses. The 10k course consisted of rolling hills (disrespectful hills, the kind that make you wonder “why”) for the first 3.5 miles then we headed to the golf course for the remaining miles and the half marathon runners had the pleasure of running the 10k loop twice. If I had to point out a negative then running a loop twice would be it for me. On the other hand some people would find the hills a negative but I like hills not that I’m a beast on hills but it keeps things interesting during the race.

On the first 3.5 miles of the race there was very little crowd support due to the area. The country scenery was beautiful and that made up for the lack of crowd support. Also, the other runners were very motivating and encouraging. As you pulled another hill someone might run up beside you and say things like “you got this,” “great job,” or “keep pushing” (wait a minute that’s normally me saying that, now I know from hearing these statements from others that it really does work).

While running through the golf course there were plenty of encouraging signs which made the run easier. I just love the signs, one of my favorite was “ When you hear PR you don’t think of “Public Relations,” I don’t know about you but I love to look at my results at the end of a race and see that I have just PR’ed. Crowd support at the finish line was amazing other runners cheered you in and the announcer called your name for the crowd and you to hear.
ZOOMA Austin, run and done ✔️. This was an experience I will never forget! There is a quote that says it all about this race, “The power of women gathering is immeasurable.” So, mark your race calendar, call your running crew and plan for the runcation/girls trip of a lifetime and join me next year at ZOOMA Austin!

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(2018)
"Rock Your Run"
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The slogan for Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas this year was “Rock Your Run” and me and my crew known as Triple Threat set out to do just that. There is no better run than one that is hosted in your hometown. Although it’s very exciting to travel to different places to run it’s always a party on the pavement at home because you see a lot of familiar faces and it’s also a time to catch up and see what’s going on around town in the running community.

For the past several years R’n’R Dallas has offered a total run weekend called The Remix which includes a 5k (3.10 miles) on Saturday and the half marathon (13.1 miles) on Sunday. The 5K is held at the Fair Park grounds in the southern sector of Dallas. This is where it all begins, you enter the grounds and see running partners, running clubs, running couples, and running crews all in a hudle and some even dressed exactly alike (which is the normal for my crew) or color coordinated. You might even find some staple R’n’R runners like the barefoot Elvis, who literally dresses like Elvis and runs barefoot. After the race is over you can enjoy your complimentary Ultra Michelob Beer to help you hydrate (at least I consider this a form of hydration) for Sunday’s race.

It’s race day and I’m about to conquer 13.1 miles because I’m only half crazy, ( actually I’ve been full (26.2) crazy and even Dopey (48.6) crazy), but today I’ll settle for 13.1 miles. The race starts in downtown Dallas just adjacent of the Omni Hotel (this is where all the runners go to use the potty or to avoid the port-a-potties). This year I was impressed to see all of the running partners. If you’re not a runner you may not know the advantages of a good running partner. Keep a close eye on my instagram @ontherunwithkrista, and blog as I explore this idea of running partners. But for now let’s get back on the pavement for the R’n’R Dallas.

The course runs first through Deep Ellum and downtown Dallas before we run on the overpass to reach the Trinity Groves area, which brings us to about mile 7. Now you might have thought running on a freeway overpass was the challenge of the race but you would be WRONG. At mile 7 or 8, I’m not really sure because I’m delirious by the time I reach this point, but It’s at this point you begin to climb the monster hill of the course. This hill seems to go up and up and up, for about a mile. The cool thing this year on the hill was the cowbell crew that was encouraging the runners while climbing the hill. This course has been in place for the last 3 years and I would just like to say that I have yet to be successful at running up this hill completely.

Once you leave the hill you run through the Bishop Arts District which is full of great little fun eateries and shops. I love this course for the variety of Dallas that it offers, and I must confess that after running this course each year my crew and I always run pass a spot that we want to patronize, this year the winner was Pier 247 because my girl LaRon loves crawfish. It was so important that we remembered where to find the live crawfish that she stepped off the pavement to take a photo, and yes we went to Pier 247 following the race.

Now with all of the great things that Rock’n’Roll offered from the Remix weekend (3 medals), the beautiful courses, the awesome bands and the amazing crowd support, I would have to say that I was disappointed in the Expo. The expo was lacking in the variety of vendors that are normally present. I use the expo to find about new products, and to purchase my usually products such as fuel, headbands, visors, socks, basically all things geared for running the upcoming races. Although, they offered a wide variety of Brooks products, and Rock’n’Roll gear, I still would like to see more of the other vendors.

So, if you live in the DFW area or you’re just looking for a great spot for a runcation, you should definitely put Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas on your run calendar for 2019. I hope to see you next year ready to “Rock Your Race”

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