Harvest Festival 5K

 Fall racing has begun here!  I didn't have any plans this fall to do anything big, but I did end up doing several local races which I enjoyed.

Fall Race Plans

There are so many races that take place in the fall, how do you choose?

For me, I know I'll be doing our local Harvest race with my dad because it's become a tradition. That of course is coming up here in September.  I of course will want to do a "bigger" race as well.  Last year I ran Disney's Wine and Dine race as my big fall race.

Since completing the goal of running all the Disney races, I've set a goal to run some bigger city races.  I started that goal off this year by running the NYC Half and have made a mental list of some other "city" races I'll want to do in the coming years.  I thought Baltimore would be a good one to put on that list.

The Baltimore Running Festival is coming up in October and there are are a variety of races to choose from.  I MAY do another marathon at some point but now is not that point so I got together with some running friends you may know (Ana, Heather, and Megan) and we are going to do the Marathon Relay!  Our team name is East Coast Bloggers!  Even though our team is complete, there may be some others that will come down to run one of the races.

Of course there may be a few local 5K's that I might throw in the mix this fall but Baltimore is what I am most excited for and what I am training for.  I love the relay because I know that I am part of a team and that keeps me accountable! They are depending on me so I better get my butt out there and get in gear.  If I don't train properly, it's not just my race that suffers, it's theirs too!  But I know my team mates are really great and any of them would be happy to pick up the pace if any one of us was struggling.  Of course I would do the same.

When I ran the NYC Half earlier this year I documented all my runs and then it was fun to look back over them and remember each one. I am hoping to do the same as I train for Baltimore!

What race are you looking forward to this fall?
If you'll be in the area for any of the Running Festival, let us know! -M

Fall Races on the East Coast

Happy Friday Folks. Is it feeling like fall where you are?  It's doesn't feel like fall here yet, but since we missed last week's Friday 5 where the theme was "Fall Races", we thought we would share some Fall Races today.

There are SO many races during the Fall that look like loads of fun, but we decided to just pick a few that are located on the East Coast. hopefully one of them will be with in driving distance to you.

1. Oktoberfest 5K : October 4th

If you are looking for a good Oktoberfest this fall, this one is for you! This 5K run/walk is just one of the activities that will be held at the time. It's held in Bethlehem, PA at the Arts Quest Center on the Steel Stacks Campus.  This is the same location the Runner's World Running Festival is held.   
Registration includes:

Official Yuengling Oktoberfest 5k tech shirt

Official Yuengling Oktoberfest 5k beer stein/mug

Bavarian/German themed elements throughout the course

FREE Yuengling Oktoberfest beer

Live entertainment

FREE race photos

Early VIP access and free admission to the Oktoberfest.

 To Register click HERE.  To save $5 off your registration you can use code MATIMING.

2. Flyers 5K : October 17th This race is for competitive runners and families and will be held in conjunction with a family fun event which includes tailgating and inflatables for the kids. Swag includes a T-shirt and a medal for each runner and winners will get tickets to a Flyers game. The race will be held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly. You can get more info HERE. 3. Atlantic City Marathon Series : October 16-18 I am a huge fan of the Atlantic City races. I have done the April Fools series in the Spring for the last several year but have never done the Fall series of races.  Depending on which distance you run, you will be running some or all of the race on the boardwalk which I love. This is a great time of year to run at the beach!  I'm loving the swag this year for the fall races and I would love to do one of them if I can find a pet friendly hotel! Yes, I must take Baylee to the beach with me if I go. You can learn more or register for an AC race HERE.  4. Conquer Run, Hershey Park: October 3 There are several races that run through Hershey Park throughout the year and I am determined to do one of them in my future! The Conquer run supports The Penn State Hershey's Children Hospital to help fight childhood cancer. This a 5K adventure through Hershey Park  where you will help conquer childhood cancer by collecting each of the four diamonds – courage, strength, honesty, and wisdom – along the course!   Running through chocolate world for a good cause, what could be better?  Register or more info HERE. 5. Shade Mountain Winery Harvest Hustle 5k  (Sept 27) and Lewisburg Lights 5k (Sept 25) These are two local races that we are planning on participating in.  The first one is a run through the vineyard.  I've never done one of these before but have read about many runners who have. The description of this race makes it seem like it is very hilly course. Of course there will be some sweet treats at the end! The Lewisburg Lights 5k is a night race and we get glow sticks to wear or hold. That one should be fun too!   Do you live near us? Want to run? Thank you to the Friday 5 gals for hosting this link up.