Cancelled race, yet still doing it virtually

Like many races, fun runs and other organized athletic events being cancelled or postponed, the DC Wonder Woman Run I was going to do this Sunday in Tempe, AZ was cancelled. 

I signed up to run this fun run with my daughter, both of us running the 5K distance around Tempe Town Lake. 

Last Friday, this notice was posted on the race’s Facebook page. 

“Due to the concerns surrounding the coronavirus, and taking into consideration the guidance from health and government officials around avoiding public gatherings at this time, we have made the unfortunate decision not to hold the upcoming Tempe and Houston DC Wonder Woman™ 10k/5k races at their present venues. This decision was not taken lightly, but the safety of the community and our staff is of the utmost importance.

We understand how disappointing this is, but we still want to provide a great experience for you. That’s why we've created the Tempe and Houston DC Wonder Woman™ 10k/5k VIRTUAL RUNS! What does this mean for you? We have switched all registered participants to virtual runners and are going to ship all of your goodie bag items- tech tee, commemorative tote bag, and wrist cuffs, along with the finisher’s medal, and race bib, direct to your door.”

So the race being cancelled, I plan on still doing the race with my daughter, only the two of us logging the 5K distance on a course near our home.  We will be practicing “social distancing”. 

If you have signed up for a race, maybe this exact one, still get out and get the miles in. 
It is important to still exercise and be active, even though we might not be able to gather in the massive group of runners are doing it on the same course at the same time. 

"Disclaimer: I received free entry to DC Wonder Woman Run Series race in Tempe, AZ as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"

DC Wonder Woman Run Review

Packet pick-up on Saturday, the day before the race was good.  The pick-up was a four hour window to visit the expo, get your numbers and other race packet goodies. 

The area of Tempe Beach Park is always a little congested being in the middle of downtown Tempe. Parking in a nearby parking structure was easy.  

Even though I had printed out to bring with my, my daughter and myself’s race registration information, to make picking our packets up faster, the race send out an email the morning of as a reminder. Inside the email was again our race numbers and a QR code if needed during the packet pick-up.  First, you picked up your race number , which was split up into different lines. Then you moved to a line where the shirts and rest of the packets were being handed out. This line was a little long, but moved pretty quick. 

From there I walked around the expo and checkout of a few booths. 

Waiting near the start line

Down the home stretch to the finish line

Checking out the finish line are before the race

Finisher Medals

WonderWomen at the start line

Looking down the start line

Looking backward from the start line where we lined up

Entertainment stage in Tempe Beach Park

On the course, doing great 

Race Day

I parked in the same parking structure, I used for packet pick-up, which was designated for race participants. I arrived there about 7:15am with my daughter.  This was the first race I was about to run with my nine-year-old daughter. We walked down to the expo/stage area and I showed her the course on a map they had posted. We walked around and checked out the finish line area before heading to line up for the start. 

We gathered pretty close to the start line and went over our game plan again. I was going to let her set the pace and follow what she did. If she needed water, I had some in my pack for her, or she could grab some along the course route. We were signed up and doing the 5K, but the race also offered a 10K distance.

With the energetic party atmosphere of the start line area, with blood pumping music and everyone decked out in Wonder Woman gear, it was exciting.  There was some great messages and numerous reasons said up on the start line podium on why people were running the DC Wonder Woman Run. I was there to support my daughter and combine it with the love of being active. 

The start happened right at 9am and course was great. With the 9am start, the latest, I have ever started a race, it had a calm relaxed feeling to it. Tracking the distance on my GPS the aid stations, very well stocked, were spaced every mile. The 10K runners followed our route until about the last half-mile, where they separated from us to go the longer distance. 

A race director announced before the beginning of the race that 4,000 runners where taking to the course, the roads and pathways the race were just right, not being overly crowded and nowhere to move around other runners if you were to pass them, or be passed. 

My daughter did great for her first 5K. I was very proud of her.  She kept an average pace of just over a 12 minute mile. Honestly, when I were her age, I don’t know if I could have even covered that distance, let alone that pace. 

We crossed the finish line together!.  We filtered through to get our finishers medal and the food and drinks before relaxing by the entertainment stage.   We then remembered that Olympic gymnast and gold medalist Gabby Douglas, who was there and holding a meet and greet after the finish.  We lined up and she was able to meet her and give her a hug. 

After that we hung out for a little bit before heading home. 

"Disclaimer: I received free entry to DC Wonder Woman Run Series race in Tempe, AZ as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"

Perfect timing for the DC Wonder Woman Run Series

This will be my first organized official run with one of my kids.  Running the DC Wonder Woman Run Series is stopping in Tempe, Arizona on March 24, 2019 with my daughter. We are signed up for the 5K distance. They are also offering the 10K for those wanting a longer race.

It’s perfect timing for this race to come through Arizona. In my daughter’s class at school, she selected Lynda Carter, you know the original Wonder Woman from the TV series, as her wax museum figure for a class project.

It will be a neat experience for my daughter, and on top of that, see a the sea of runners all wearing Wonder Woman gear.  Shirts, wristbands and capes, etc.

The @WonderWomanRun (3/24) is almost HERE. You can still save 10% w/ code "WWBIBRAVE"! #BibChat

"Disclaimer: I received free entry to DC Wonder Woman Run Series race in Tempe, AZ as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"

DC Wonder Woman Run Series

DC Wonder Woman Run Series is stopping in Tempe, Arizona on March 24, 2019. 

I have signed up to run the 5K course with my nine-year-old daughter. I am excited, as this will be our first race/run doing together. 

I am sure she will do fine and have a lot of fun. She is active and plays soccer, so the running or the distance should be not problem for her. She also is a member of her school's run club.

The course and weather should be perfect. There may be a little challenge as the area of Tempe the run is going through has some hills, but nothing too steep. 

I am excited to be able to run the course with my daughter and will have a great time. 

Break out your inner super hero. The @WonderWomanRun (3/24) is almost HERE. You can still save 10% w/ code "WWBIBRAVE"! #BibChat

"Disclaimer: I received free entry to DC Wonder Woman Run Series race in Tempe, AZ as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"

The Humana Rock and Roll Half Marathon 2019

The Humana Rock and Roll Half Marathon 2019

Flat Me

The half-marathon start line is very close to the ASU bridge over University Drive in Tempe. 

Packet pick up was fast and easy. Held in the Phoenix Convention Center. There were a lot of vendors to check out after getting my race packet and run shirt. 

The morning of, I looked online to find the parking for the event. With the half marathon distance starting at a different location than the full distance marathon. I was able to navigate getting to the start line with not problem. There were drop bag trucks very well marked to take your belongings/warm clothes to the finish line. With the race starting a 7:50, I stretched and warmed up at about 7:40, thinking that would be enough time. 

I got to the proper coral I seeded myself in with plenty of time. By the time I crossed the start line it was about 45 minutes after the 7:50am start time. With all the different waves, I could have relaxed, off my feet and stayed a little warmer before turning in my drop bag. 

The course was a big loop with very gradual if any inclines.  The course was well marked, as well as the mile markers. The Rock and Roll marathon has bands on stages every mile or so to keep you motivated. It’s always fun to listen to the different music groups as you pass by their stage. 

The first few aid stations were stocked with plenty of water.  It wasn’t until mile 5 they started offering gels and Gatorade Endurance, along with water. 

About two miles out from the 13.1 mile course, a lot more spectators were lining the course. 

At the finish I was handed my medal and walked through a great swag/support line getting nutrition and drinks. 

There was a main stage with the headline performers performing. There was a great energetic party atmosphere with many food and product vendors in Tempe Beach park. 

I loved the aspect of the app the race series has created. From getting information at your fingertips to keeping track for social media followers and family and friends to monitor your progress. 

They also have section on their app where you can listen to music to your preference based on beats per minute to keep you energized around the course. 


Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews

Lifetime SOMA Race Report (Relay - Swim portion only)

Eternal Water at the finish line!

One of the best, if not the best, finishers medals which doubles as a bottle opener. 

Race Report 

Lifetime SOMA Olympic Distance Triathlon - Team Relay 

Early this month I was asked to be part of a relay team that was doing the Lifetime SOMA Olympic distance triathlon in Tempe.  I would be doing the 1600 meter swim portion of the relay.  The team met the day before during the race packet pickup in Tempe Beach Park. I am pretty familiar with the swim course in Tempe Town Lake.  

Woke up on race day an hour before my alarm was to go off.  I have never been a good sleeper on the night before any race, however I did sleep better than other race mornings. It was kind of strange only bringing my wetsuit, googles and swim cap, but then again I was only doing the swim portion. We arrived at the transition area an hour and a half before my wave was to go off.  I had time to relax and stretch. The call was made that morning the water temperature was cool enough to make wearing the wetsuit legal. I pulled on my wetsuit and did my CarbBoom gel 45 minutes to go.  I felt very good and was excited to get in the water and start the race. I had my Suunto Ambit2 Openwater app set to capture data. I told my cycling leg member to watch for me around the 46 minute mark exiting the water. The horn went off and I started my route in Tempe Town Lake going east, right into the sun.  My Barracuda darkened corrective lens goggles worked great, sighting into the sun. With all open water swim starts, there was the fair share of bumps and kicks from fellow swimmers until the pack spread out a little.  I had a little bit of a problem a few times breathing, as my wetsuit is pretty tight.  I slowed down a bit and relaxed.  My plan on exiting was to not worry about getting my wetsuit off, yet sprint as fast as I could to pass the timing chip to the cycling member on my team. To exit the water, a volunteer told me to place my foot on the bottom step and he would help hoist me up.  I found the step with my foot, grabbed his arm and I was out of the water.  The first step up the stairs sent my right calf muscle into a tight cramp. I reached down and massaged it out for a quick second and off I ran to pass off the timing chip. I stopped my Suunto Ambit2 and was happy to see I made it out in 42 minutes, 4 minutes under my goal.  I took my wetsuit off and put back on my shoes to help cheer on the other members of my team out on the course. 

My team did great.  We had a technical issue on the bike, but all in all had a great race.  I was really impressed with the finisher's medals.  The strap is secured with velcro, but the medallion can also be used as a bottle opener and even has magnetic back so it can be placed on the refrigerator.  This is possibly the best finishers medal I have received to date. 

A look ahead at race day

In looking at the weather forecast, it is looking like a 30% chance of thunderstorms.  Not the best weather to ride in but knowing will help plan what I wear.
After last weekend long ride I know finishing in under 4 hours is my goal.  There are some steep climbs but great down hills to pick up speed and time.  I have my nutrition plan down and am started to get excited. Should be a fun fast race.
Last Saturday I thought I was going to freeze and could not wait for the sun to break through the clouds.  A few easy rides this week on the rollers and out on the road are on the schedule leading up to race day.

Tempe Mayor's Ironman Charity Challenge 2011

 Mayor's Ironman Charity Challenge video from this year. 

 Mayor's Ironman Charity Challenge video from 2010

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY

Yes, I am starting to get a little excited for Sunday's race.  Saturday I will drop off my bike during the packet pick up and figure out what race number they have issued me.  This week I have been sleeping pretty good and I am felling calm and relaxed during my workouts.  I have a few training sessions left before Sunday.  All me equipment is in perfect working order so I have nothing to worry about there.  Will start packing my nutrition bag tonight and start laying out the clothes I plan on wearing, I know its not until Sunday, but I have a habit of forgetting things when my brain is getting focused.

Catching up

It's been busy over the past month, so I have not been able to make a post.
A few weeks back I was invited as a member of the media to the Tempe Mayor's Ironman Charity Challenge. The super sprint is 1/100th of the real Ironman distance, and over in a blink of an eye. I won the race and $1000 check for charity in Nov. of 2008. I was able to ride my own bike the year I won and the past two years they have loaned beach cruisers to participants. Before however there was the chance of Tempe Town Lake not being the location of the Ironman Arizona swim due to the dam bursting and draining the man made lake. The lake was refilled a month early so the race was on. With all the hype around the Ironman and the media challenge with the mayor he made a youtube video calling the media a bunch of wimps. I responded with my own video to the mayor in this video.




I did not win, but still had fun.

Take Your Kid to Walk Day!

Photo Courtesy of Bob Silberblatt

Garmin GPS Forerunner 205

Saturday, I brought my 3-year-old son, Alex, to walk along with me while I covered Pat's Run in Tempe. I wanted to cover the run/walk different this year, so I walked along with participants in the event, shooting photos along the way. The 4.2 mile walk took us a little over an hour. I was able to meet a lot of nice people while walking along with them. The event has grown in participants every year, and this year over 28,000 participants gathered to honor fallen Army Ranger Pat Tillman.
Check out the photos taken along the run/walk.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/page/slideshow/1974