Latest reviews by Karen Brady

(2021)
"2021 UBHM Returns with a New Course"
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The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon (UBHM) returned in person this year with a new course and high energy! I have always enjoyed this race...but I wasn't sad to see the hills of Cherokee Park go away this year. The course this year ducked over the Big 4 Bridge and into Indiana for a few miles before returning you to Louisville to run through the city, onto a greenway, and then to the waterfront of the Ohio River, before you finish at Party Central (aka: Fourth Street Live)!

The Good: Packet pick-up is a breeze. Held at Slugger Field in a large, open space. There was a merchandise tent and bourbon samples, as always. The energy at the aid stations was amazing. Especially at the last one. They made me feel like a rockstar with 1.5 miles to go. Free race photos (YAY!). And that after party with the beer, bourbon, pizza, burgoo, and live music. I can't eat or drink any of that due to being Celiac...but this race had gluten-free snacks at the finish line that weren't just a banana...so that was nice (and it's rare that happens). Nothing beats the atmosphere of this race and post-race.

The Not So Good: No race shirt. You did get a UBHM buff, that they encouraged you to wear in the start corral (or a mask), but you had to purchase a t-shirt this year. The course was flat new, but I'm over running races in Louisville and ducking over into Indiana via the bridge. I get why they have to do it (COVID), but...eh. I train on that path, I don't want to always race it. I missed running through downtown Louisville. I didn't miss the hills in Cherokee Park...but that part of the race is always so beautiful. The last 3-ish miles on the Waterfront were a bit wonky. Some girls in front of me almost took a wrong turn at a spot that you could go straight or turn...they noticed little arrows on the pathway and figured it out...but there was no one there to direct anyone. The waterfront section was windy and, at times, on some loose gravel. There were LOTS of turns through there too. AND...I won an age group award, but had errands to run so didn't hang out at the afterparty to get it...and this year it wasn't a bourbon themed award, it was a gift certificate to the merchandise booth. That's fine. I was complaining about no t-shirt. Except I am STILL waiting on the company to contact me back about collecting my award. UBHM forwarded my email...so they did their part. It's a bit of a disappointment. I do love a medal or award rather than a gift certificate that I may or may not actually receive.

Overall, I love this race and whenever I can I often use it as an indicator of where I am heading into my fall marathon. This was no different and the route mimicked my upcoming marathon better than the original route. For a fun atmosphere and a great afterparty....this is the race for you.

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(2020)
"Virtual AllState Hot Chocolate 15K/5K Indianapolis"
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If there is anything I can say about doing the AllState Hot Chocolate Indy Virtual 15K this past weekend…it’s that it didn’t go as I had planned. Seems to be a theme for 2020, eh?

To be fair…this had nothing to do with the race itself. Mostly…with the date the race was on. And when I signed up for it…it wasn’t an issue at all.

But you know…this year has kept us guessing. While on a run just under 2 weeks before the race date, I fell on a dark morning run when my foot hit a rock I didn’t see…and I sprained my ankle. Grade 2 sprain. I was put in a brace and everything…but I was told I could start easing back some activity if the ankle felt okay.

It was a guessing game, but I did manage a few short, easy runs leading up to that Saturday morning when I would do the virtual race. 20 minutes. 30 minutes. 45 minutes. That was all I had time for. I didn’t fuss over or worry over pace…I just needed to see how the ankle was doing in the short time I had to build it up.

On the morning of the race, I also decided to attack the race in a different way, because I knew the ankle was healing. So…I broke it up into three 5Ks. The first 5K I did early that morning. It went well…and I really just focused on my stride and made sure that I wasn’t compensating or pushing too much. I met up with my roommate for the 2nd 5K that morning. She was doing a virtual 5K for another event so we knocked out those miles together. And, finally, I rounded out the race with my final 5K…which I decided to do on a bit more challenging course…which would end at the top of a hill…and be about a mile walk back to my apartment for the cool down.

Honestly, it went better than it should have. I made sure I put my health and safety first. And I really think breaking it up into the three separate 5Ks that day was the smartest and healthiest way for me to approach the 15K distance. And, I never pass up a chance to run with someone, no matter their pace. And I think my roomie appreciated me for most of the run (although I get chatty and don’t stop talking…but she should know that about me already!). I played her a finish line song as we ran to the finish of that portion of the race.

The AllState Hot Chocolate 15K/5K races are SO much fun. I have run it in person (in Columbus, OH) before. And I have now run it virtually twice. I love that the race provides celebratory chocolate pieces and…of course…the coveted finish line hot chocolate.

It was almost 70 degrees the morning I ran…so that hot chocolate is being saved for another morning, but I sure did pose with that amazing jacket and donned my medal…and eat a piece of chocolate to celebrate.

The AllState Hot Chocolate 15K Indianapolis race may have been virtual…but it was virtually a lot of fun. All of these races are virtual this year…so why not sign up and have your own little hot chocolate party?

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(2019)
"Glass City Marathon - A must run marathon!!"
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If you are looking for flat and fast marathons...if you need the state of Ohio to be crossed off your list...if you are looking for a good BQ race...look no further than the Glass City Marathon. I took a chance on this race, and it paid off. The expo is small, but has a lot of good stuff inside. The swag bag is amazing. They offer a 5K that you can use as a shakeout the day before the half and full marathon kicks off (I did this, btw). The race itself is beautiful and well supported. People who are cheering on the sides of the road will shout out your name. This is also a great first marathon destination because they give their first time marathoners a VIP experience for sure. Plenty of water stops, fuel (they handed out Honey Stinger gels), and lots of love on the entire course. And nothing beats the feeling of crossing that finish line inside the University of Toledo's football stadium.

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(2018)
"We don't turkey trot...we have a foot feast!"
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This is a Thanksgiving morning tradition for me. The race starts at 9 am, SHARP. And this is the race I most look forward to every year. There are some challenging hills on this course, especially in the first 3 miles...but you get a nice downhill heading into mile 4 and it's relatively flat as you come in for the big finish. There isn't much going on at the expo, but the people there are helpful, friendly, and informative. The weather varies every year, but plan for it mostly to be cold. And it's a great way to kick off Thanksgiving. If you're in the top 500 finishers that year, your name is put on the back of the shirt the following year. It's a nice treat for sure!

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(2018)
"This city is just FUN"
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I ran the Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon last year and had registered for it again this year...then at the last minute decided that I would bump up to the Marathon distance, since I was still in marathon shape coming off of Chicago. If you want a great marathon, RUN THIS ONE!! Honestly, it's just fun. It can get a little backed up and bottle-necked at points on the course, and most of it is urban landscaping...but, man...everyone would cheer loudly and proudly for everyone as they came through. I loved running the half. But I REALLY love running the full!

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