It all started driving from Boston to Wells. Beautiful scenic views and the weather was getting more beautiful by the minute. We had a great time exploring Newburyport, Portsmouth and Kittery, and the food was incredible 🦞

Morning of:
The race starts at the northern tip of a peninsula with spectacular views of Wells Harbor.
Race was scheduled to start at 7am at the Eastern Shore parking lot. With shuttle buses taking you there. This part did not go smoothly and race got delayed by 45 minutes.
It was a 20 minute drive from our hotel to the local Junior high where we were supposed to park. As soon as we got down the freeway to get to the parking area we hit traffic. At first we thought it was an accident but no, the traffic was all the runners trying to get there. Some people started parking in the side of the road and started walking and / or running to the pick up area. The three of us (all BibRave Pros) decided to stick together and drive. When we finally got to the JH the police told us that parking was full, the we needed to turn around and find parking at the local high school. We could see the lines of people waiting for the shuttle bus and they were huge lines. We drove to the HS found parking and we walked / ran to our assigned pick up area which was like a mile away. Finally got to the shuttle which it was a fun little drive to the start line.

Start line: Things happened fast when we got there. It was not easy to get to the drop off area and they were starting the race. Looked and felt a somewhat chaotic. We were trying to find the drop off, people scrambling to use the restroom (not enough porta potties). We were literally the last ones to start the race.

Course:
It was everything I was looking forward to. Beautiful course, beautiful coastal views with the nice ocean breeze. Also with amazing views of marshes that are part of the Wells Reserve and Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.
One thing that we all wished we knew before hand was some very nice hills along the course. We had at least 3 long and steep (for a houstonian) and the last one was on mile 12, ouch. I was keeping with the pace I wanted for my goal and when I saw the hill I completely doubted myself.

Finish line:
My Garmin was pretty good aligned with the mile marks along the course, but after we hit the 13 mile mark we ran another almost half a mile to cross the finish line. It felt like it was never ending. Finally crossed the finish line, and crushed my goal. Race ended at the Wells Harbor Community Park. It was fun, great energy, beautiful views and nice party.

Time to head back: Was not easy, first we had to wait a while to get the bags (we’re not delivered promptly). Also, the lines to get in a shuttle to go back to the parking were very long. We decided to walk back (approximately 2.5 miles) After the run that was the last thing I wanted to do. And there was a nice hill to climb. This past was actually my least favorite and I was not having a great time.

This race is great, lots of positive aspects. Views, weather, ocean views, great energy. But it definitely needs improvement in managing parking, shuttles, porta potions availability, water stations and drop off.

Overall: I did enjoyed the run itself. Like a mentioned before it is a beautiful place and the running experience was great.

Expo: Held at the Miami Convention Center. Easy to find parking and a short walk to the expo. I had the VIP add on to my registration so it was super easy to get my bib and my swag. And talking about swag, I loved it. As a VIP we received a cool insulated cross body bag, sunscreen, snacks and an awesome bucket hat.
During the expo we visited different booths, and explore new and fun gear, and got several samples of drinks and snacks. This Miami Expo is one of the best I have been too, you can easily spend several hours there.

Race Day: We stayed at a hotel that was about a mile to starting line. Race was scheduled to start at 6am, with 73° weather and the humidity making it feel warmer, I’m glad it was still dark and the breeze was nice. You definitely want to make it to the start line with plenty of time. With a VIP pass I had, I got assigned to corral B which was at the very front; we had to maneuver and ran through a large crowd to be able to make it on time.

Race started, super fun and the energy was amazing. The course started easy, I quickly found myself running through an incline, I’m glad it was pretty early on. Then it was super fun to run next to the cruises at the bay. But quickly after that huge crowds of very fast runners started dodging me. Starting the race in corral B had its advantages and disadvantages. Yes we started early, it was dark for a good 45 minutes, cooler. But when the other corrals started with faster runners, it got crowded and I felt overwhelmed, I was worry someone was going to run into me and I would fall, so I was trying to be really careful with my surroundings. Still I think I prefer that over running the whole race under the sun as it got pretty warm. But now I know for next time so it doesn’t take me by surprise.

At the 10k mark they had a fun challenge to race funds for a foundation. For every burpee they would donate $1. I stopped and completed 10 burpees, which made me feel good about being part of a cause but as soon I started running again I realized that was not a smart decision. My hamstrings quickly stared cramping and my legs left so heavy.

I continued the run but I did struggle. Still the views of the ocean and the sun coming out made every thing better, just beautiful.
At mile 9 my left knee started to hurt (IT band issue) so at every mile after that I stopped to stretch, made things better and I was able to cross the finish line. I did not get a PR but I finished which was my goal.

Finish line: Got my amazing medal, gorgeous and with a beautiful ribbon designed by a local artist.

There is a walk you have to go through to be able to get to snacks and that can be a little overwhelming because it is crowded.
Tables with bananas, granola and portion meals were available. They got catering from a local vendor and they had 4 options for meals, including a vegan option.
At the VIP area, they included a full breakfast and meals plus Cuban coffee and more. Legs massages were available. Having our own private restrooms is big plus.

The after party: Well super fun, music and dancing with thousands of people. With the ocean as a background, it was just perfect!
Can’t wait for next year.

Super and Fun race. I signed for this race because I thought it would be super fun to dress up and to run inside Six Flags.

In total there were 4 BibRave Pros running the 5k. The morning of the race San Antonio decided to get super cold so I was not very excited about that. I got there with fellow BibRavePro Juan, and it was freezing. We met with Venessa and Jenny.
Picked up out swag which consisted of a really nice running shirt and wrist bands, and got our bib numbers.
Before the race it was pretty entertaining with super hero contest which I participated in , I had a great time.
It was a beautiful day and the sunrise was spectacular. All of the sudden with excitement you don’t feel as cold anymore, the excitement was contagious.

Race started we went around the parking lot for like almost a mile and we enter the park. I really enjoyed that part. I had never been so it was a great experience. With beautiful Christmas decorations and with the DC theme kept me going, motivated and entertained.
Then the big challenge started. We started running on this intense hill, at some point it the course got a little confusing and had to ask for correct directions. Climbed that hill and finally I felt warmed up. The views were spectacular and Seeing the roller coasters throughout the park was fun.
Finish line came into view and all of the sudden it was done. For my medal and snacks and took some fun pictures.
Overall I had such a great time.

This year I wanted to be my year. After years of wanting to be a runner, and lots of training, I started to finally run without pain two years ago, so I decided to sign up for my first half.
Why this race specifically? Well my husband ran it last year and he said he had an amazing time. This race was scheduled for October 8th which it was perfect for a runcation to celebrate my birthday.
The Urban Bourbon Half takes place in Louisville, Kentucky which is known to be the home for the world’s great bourbon.  And the race is know for having the best after party.
Made it to Louisville, woohoo! We decided to go sightseeing, walked around the beautiful downtown, visited some fun stores, we enjoyed the beautiful weather.
We made it to @urbanbourbonhalf expo at the Louisville Slugger Field, it was super fun and well organized. I got to finally meet these fellow #BibRavePro ladies in person that were running the half as well. Had some bourbon that they had for tasting and picked up my bib and a super nice long sleeve shirt.
I can do this, I can do this…
Morning of the race I felt confident, we stayed downtown so start line was a short walk. It was cold, 40°, but I had plenty of layers to keep me warm. Race started at 8 sharp and loved running towards the sunrise, it was beautiful and the warmth of the sun coming out is what I needed.
The course was beautiful, we crossed the impressive bridge that connects Kentucky and Indiana, ran around Jeffersonville for a mile or two and came back to Louisville to enter the beautiful trail. Surrounded by beautiful trees and creeks. Then we continued the course by the river and towards the finish line.
Just a little over 2 years ago I wasn’t even running a mile. I seriously can not tell you how incredible this is for me. When I saw the finish line I was ecstatic. I thought "I actually did it and I’m a half marathoner now". Impossible is NOTHING!
I was fighting back tears when I crossed the finish line. But quickly got distracted by the Panera bagels, I was very hungry and the cinnamon bagel was what I needed.
My results:
13.11 miles
2:16
10:27/ mi
Place: 112th of 294 (41-50)
Let me tell you I have not been to many races but I can tell you that the after race bash of the Urban Bourbon Half is the best! With live music, delicious soup to keep you going and all the bourbon tasting, it was absolutely fantastic. I ate, I danced and I celebrated like I should have. I did go for the race but stayed for all the bourbon.
I thought people that ran half marathons were a different species (including my husband) and I admired their endurance, commitment and perseverance, and I wanted to be one of them soooo bad. Look at me now!!
What’s next Let’s Go!

I did it!
By far the best race experience I’ve had @statesmancap10k was spectacular. I had so much fun, everything was absolutely amazing!

The weather was perfect, the views were beautiful, and the entertainment was incredible.

There were 21,700 runners, they don’t call it the biggest 10k of Texas for nothing.

The race was so well organized, for the magnitude of this race we were able to find parking fairly quickly and very close. We got to the race 40 minutes before the first wave of runners took off and I was able to see them go, it was very impressive.

My turn came up 30 minutes after and to start with we had a mariachi group welcoming us. The course was challenging but I was able to run the whole 6.33 miles without stopping, didn’t feel the need for a break. I got in the zone, the music was fantastic with all the live bands, I felt strong so I kept going. I completed the race in 1h 3m, my best one yet and got a new PR!

Definitely is a race that I will go back every year, reasons why:
•Course is fun, beautiful, I love that you go on a circle and you don’t have to run any parts more than once, so it not boring.
•They had live music throughout the course
•The support is amazing, every weekend leading to the race they had the sunrise tour, which consisted about different 10k routes to train, to get together as a community.
•Also, coaches available to help
•They have prices
•The expo is so much fun
•Pasta night, race weekend we had discounts to a great variety for local restaurants to enjoy.
•It is the perfect time of the year for a race, not too hot not too cold.
•The party! It was incredible. Not just a plain banana, they had food and drinks and so much more.

I recommend this race 100% for all the reasons I mentioned before and more. If you are looking for a race to go to next year make the Cap10k the one!