Once again I started off the Best Damn Race season in Safety Harbor, FL. This year they changed things up and there were 2 races on Saturday and 1 on Sunday, giving folks the opportunity to run multiple races and complete some challenges. A group of us that always spend the weekend together in Safety Harbor decided to take advantage of that and planned a whole weekend together. Add in a great Airbnb property and we were ready for some fun!
Unfortunately, the weekend started out with a lot of rain. When I arrived in Safety Harbor I got settled in at the house and then got a little work done so that I didn’t have to worry about it over the weekend. The house was a mile from the start and everywhere we wanted to go was within that mile, so the plan was to walk a lot. So I grabbed my umbrella and headed down to the expo for packet pick-up. I had a chance to catch up with friends and ended up picking up everyone else’s packets because they got stuck in traffic because of an accident on the way into town. Finally, everyone got to the house and we were able to get the weekend started!
My friends and I are creatures of habit and we headed to the 8th Avenue Pub for some pre-race pizza and drinks. It was a short walk from the house so we were able to eat, drink, and catch up, but still make it back to the house at a reasonable time. Those alarms were going to be going off at a crazy early time and we needed the rest.
Saturday morning arrived and it was still raining. A lot. It let up a little bit and we were able to walk to the race as planned. We dropped off our bags at bag check (we needed to have some warm clothes for after the races) and made it to the start line just in time for the National Anthem. We were all doing the 10k, while 3 of us had plans to complete the 5k as well. Thankfully my friends were just as undertrained as I was, so I had them to run with. It rained, it was cold, and it was a VERY long 6.2 miles. But even with all that I still enjoyed myself and had a smile on my face as we came across the finish line.
We had just enough time before the 5k to have a drink and dry off a little bit. I wasn’t feeling too bad when we lined up at the start and was planning to stick with my intervals for as long as I could. Unfortunately that only last about 1/2 a mile, then my hips decided they were done. I told my friends to go on without me and just walked the rest of the way. I wasn’t happy about it, but I’d rather walk it than be miserable for the rest of the weekend. But I was OVER it by the time I got to the finish line and the race photos showed it. This may be one of my favorite, and accurate, finish line photos ever.
Thankfully the rain stopped by the time the races were over. We changed into our dry clothes and took advantage of the post-race party (hooray beer) and vendors. The post-race party at BDR is the best you are going to find and the fact that there were SO MANY wet and cold people sticking around after the race showed that. Beer makes everything better right?
The rest of the weekend was spent doing what we do best – eating and drinking! In between, we also jumped into the freezing cold pool, watched The Secret Life of Pets 2, and took a nap. Party animals I tell you!
Renting the house worked out so well and everyone is already on board for doing it again next year. It was great having space to ourselves and a place to hang out before and after the races.
Are you still thinking about joining us for one of the three remaining Best Damn Races? Don’t forget to use code MEGROTH to save 10% off (when you register for Orlando or New Orleans)!
It looks like an amazing time. I hope I can try again for next year so I can hang with the Best Damn crew! Proud of you!
I hope so too!