Why You'll Love this Race Series!

If you are a frequent reader on our blog you know that we love to travel and run races, so destination races are perfect for us. However, as much as it is nice to travel. It is also nice to do races where you live. It definitely keeps the cost down (flights, hotels, food). I am fortunate to live in an area where there is a great race series called J and A racing in the Hampton Roads area in Virginia. They offer many different races. No matter what type of runner you are, you will be able to find one that meets your fitness goal.

Not only is the cost very reasonable, I believe this is the one races series I've run that gives you awesome swag that is included (not just the race shirt). I've gotten tumblers, blankets, wine glasses, hats, etc. Unlike some of the huge destination races that I have been to that have been very costly, you would think they would offer more to the runners. J and A racing is privately owned and was started by a couple about ten years. Before the races there is a decent sized expo, and after the races they even give you food and an alcoholic beverage that is included at a post race party!

 

 

They currently have 6 race weekends throughout the year. Virginia is for Lovers 14k, Shamrock full and half marathon ( and 8K), Crawlin' Crab half marathon ( and 5K), Wicked 10k (and Monster Mile), and Surf-n-Santa 10 miler( and 5K). And the inaugural ODU Big Blue 5k this spring.

 

In the past I have heard that if you completed all of the J and A races throughout the calendar year, you were able to receive an additional item. So I made this my goal for 2013, and I achieved it! I didn't really think the gift was going to be anything special, however I did it for myself for a personal goal. I heard from other runners that you would receive a cooler. I thought to myself all those races you completed and you only get a cooler? I  actually saw one of the coolers a friend received the other year that was very small, it was more like a lunch tote. Why not an additional medal?

 

 

 

Well I was quite surprised at what I received in the mail the other week. It was a cooler, but not a small one by any means. It was a huge cooler that will be perfect for those beach days!  I was very happy with my gift I received. Even though I did not receive an additional medal, I began thinking at least I got something that I will actually be able to use and will come in handy this summer. So thank you J and A racing!

If you are ever in the Hampton Road Areas you should definitely sign up for a J and A race. You will not be disappointed. Thank you to Jerry and Amy Frostick for creating such a great race series!

 

Is there a race series that you've ran all of? Do you have a local race series near your home?

 ~L

Crawlin' Crab Half Marathon

When I was able to get off work early this weekend I was excited, because that meant I was able to run the Crawlin' Crab half marathon in Hampton Va. Because I was not planning on running this race, I had not run for a week prior to this. However, my last long run was 13 miles, so I thought I would do just fine.  My only goal was to beat my Rock and Roll half marathon time from last month.

I signed up for the race right at the expo.  Even though  it was last minute, I had no issue with getting the right size shirt. The lady told me to just go over and pick a size. Good thing it was a small-ish race. There were only a total of 2352 half marathoners. This expo was much smaller than most too. After grabbing my shirt and bib I looked at some of the official crawlin' crab race gear and some expo booths and then it was home to prepare for the big day.

 

We arrived at the race in plenty of time, found a parking spot, and the lines for the restroom was not even long. Soon enough it was time to make my way to the starting line.

 

Because I didn't train specifically for this race , I knew that it was not going to be a PR for me. I just wanted to run and enjoy myself. And that is just what I did. You couldn't have asked for better weather (last year I heard it rained).

It was a beautiful course! It was along the river and mostly flat. I felt great during most of the race.  Because I didn't plan on running this race, I didn't train well. Because of that, I was worried that this race could go either way.  It was either going to hurt me (by not training for it) or I would do great(because I didn't have time to stress about the race). Sometimes I feel like I put too much pressure on myself before races. I always have a goal in mind and if I don't meet that goal I am disappointed in myself. But this was going to be different, because I didn't have much of a goal! Having just signed up the day before, I didn't have that additional stress of the training and worrying about the race months in advance. I didn't have that much time to think about the event before it was taking place.

In additional to taking in the scenery, there were some cheesy riddles along the way such as:
 Where does the crab keep their clothes- In the clawset.
 Where does the crab go for drinks- At the sandbar.
 What is the crab's favorite show-Claw and Order.

 All things crab, afterall it was the crawlin' crab race! After reading a couple riddles I thought it was time to focus more along the course and stop reading.

 

I finished the race about a minute earlier than I did at Rock n Roll. Even though I was not that much quicker than the race prior, I felt much better during this race, and the weather was definitely in our favor this time!

After completing the race. We got a finishing photo and headed in to enjoy the after party. They had corn and crab chowder soup by Baker's Crust and Coors light that was provided to all the participants(since that was the sponsor). While eating and drinking we listened to the band Rich Whiskey.

Our crab and corn chowder in a bread bowl

Cool "Crab" Swag!

 

 

Do you stress too much about races?

~L