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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / race report: best damn race orlando 10k + 5k challenge {3.4.17}

race report: best damn race orlando 10k + 5k challenge {3.4.17}

March 15, 2017      16 Comments

I am an ambassador for the Best Damn Race series. I am compensated for my promotion of the BDR events with race entries and sponsor gifts. All opinions are my own.

The Best Damn Race Orlando 10K + 5K Challenge was a Christmas gift from my parents (thanks, guys!). I’m not entirely sure WHY Meghan and I decided running 9.3 miles that day would be a great idea, but it would keep me on track for Gate River Run and Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon training, so it was definitely the right call.

Last year, due to my hip injury, I ended up not even being able to make the trip down to Orlando attempt the 5K, so I was chomping at the bit to get back to this venue. I love the series, and would, one day, love to run all of the BDR races, as scheduling allows.

I drove down to Orlando on Friday afternoon. I would be staying with Meghan at her house, and we decided that we would just pick up our packets on race morning, so I didn’t have to rush around downtown, and we could spend more time carb-loading and catching up.

It was the right call.

Dinner at TR Fire Grill was beyond amazing, and we were feeling quite well-fueled when we finally headed to bed.

Since the races started at 7:05AM, we were out the door just a little after 5:30. We had to stop for a bagel (I forgot my granola bar), and then we snagged parking in a $5 lot a few blocks from the start line.

The morning was pretty chilly and windy, and I was mostly glad for lower temperatures.

Packet pickup was fairly easy (although a lot of people did opt for race day pickup). We got our t-shirts and wristbands for the beer garden, and then dropped our bags with a friend (although gear check was also an easy option).

We met up with some of our fellow ambassadors and took some pre-race photos. With people running three different races at different times, it was hard to coordinate a big group photo and there were still some running buddies we didn’t get to see. Next time!

Nadine, Haley, me and Meghan
Matthew, Meghan, Caitlyn and me

With the 10K starting soon, Meghan and I made a run to the portapotties on our way to the start line.

Corrals were self-seeded and we found ourselves a nice spot. After the National Anthem, the 10K runners started out.

When I ran this course two years ago, it was slick and wet and misty. This year it was chilly and windy, but the terrain didn’t really offer too many issues. Yes, there are a lot of bricks in downtown Orlando, but it wasn’t too bad for the 6.2 mile distance. The majority of the race takes place in some very pretty neighborhoods, and then winds back into the city for the final push to the finish line.

I like the course. It’s interesting, with some small elevation variety. I believe we counted four or five aid stations along the 10K course, although I was too cold to stop for hydration (which Meghan told me was freaking her out). I opted out of my handheld water bottle, because I knew I could get Nuun on the course, but I just never wanted any.

We finished all smiles and made our way through the chute to collect our medals, a bottle of water and then a fruit popsicle. Yum.

There was about 40 minutes until the 5K started, so we spent the time taking pictures of our first piece of bling, going to the restroom. And hitting up the beer garden. Because it just felt like the right thing to do.

Before we knew it, it was time to go again. The 5K was just an abbreviated version of the 10K, and it was a nice run. We spent 3.1 miles chatting and laughing (and with me skipping the water stops again). The wind had definitely kicked up, so our last stretch to the finish line was a little more challenging. Boo.

But we smiled all the same.

(Yes, Best Damn Race offers free race photos! It’s such a great perk and we ended up with several good photos!)

At this point, we were plenty warm, and it was time to get a snack. Best Damn Race is known for his post-party, and we were happy to grab a selection from the food tent: I got a cold Diet Coke, brownie bite and slice of pizza (they also had oranges and bananas, candy, chips and other goodies), and then we returned to the beer garden.

This year, I didn’t have anything going on at home, so I was able to hang out and enjoy the festivities a bit.

It ended up being such a nice morning, and I almost didn’t want to leave.

On our way back to Meghan’s house, we stopped at Se7en Bites for breakfast and drinks. Eggs, grits, fried green tomatoes and a delicious garlic biscuit with a blackberry sangria. It was absolutely everything we needed, and then some.

I was really happy we decided to go ahead with the challenge. I confess that I was having a very hard time getting over the seven mile hump in my training, and getting through 9.3 with a friend made it all so much more bearable and put a great spin of momentum on the weeks ahead.

I am so grateful to Meghan for being such a great running buddy (and gracious hostess) – we are incredibly well matched, and my biggest complaint is that we don’t live closer to do more regular training together.

So ends another fabulous season of BDR (for me). I am hoping to add some other locations to my calendar next season (um, New Orleans anyone?), but we will see how it goes!

What foods and drinks do you like to see at a post-race party?

5K, 10K or both?

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Comments

  1. Nicole says

    March 15, 2017 at 11:11 am

    Awesome! Running with friends is the best!

    I definitely prefer 10k…5k hurts too much haha

    As far as post race food: beer and a burger for sure
    Nicole recently posted…Wednesday coffee dateMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      March 15, 2017 at 7:51 pm

      Agree. But it was fun to do both back-to-back. I think beer is critical.

      Reply
  2. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    March 15, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    These BDRs look like so much fun! I would totally have done both distances! Why not?
    Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Don’t Poke the Injured Runner: 10 Dos and Don’t That Can Make or Break Their RecoveryMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Kimberly G says

    March 15, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    I love the name of this race, lol. All of the food looks SO good! I always look forward to post race food 🙂 I usually go for pizza and sometimes a beer.
    Kimberly G recently posted…All About Awesome Apps!My Profile

    Reply
  4. Meghan says

    March 15, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    I am so grateful for you as well my friend 🙂 Can’t wait to see you again in a couple weeks! <3

    Reply
  5. Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers says

    March 15, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    Love races that offer free photos! My fav post-race foods depend on the weather, lol. If it’s cold, there’s a race up here that does warm chicken soup at the finish and it is the BEST thing after running! On a hot day, I’m all about popsicles and watermelon.

    Reply
  6. Rachel says

    March 15, 2017 at 6:30 pm

    So fun! You got some amazing photos, too!!
    Rachel recently posted…6 Reasons Running With A Friend is AmazingMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Marcia says

    March 15, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    Great races! I haven’t done back to back 10k/5k since the Flying Pig back in 2013. I hate to say it but I have zero appetite post race so the food just doesn’t matter to me.
    Marcia recently posted…How to Get Your Health Goals Back on TrackMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Mary Beth Jackson says

    March 15, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    I need to get back to this race one day! I am looking forward to New Orleans, I can’t wait! Right after I finish running I am not super hungry but give me 30 minutes and I am game on! Looks like you too had a blast!
    Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Run with Scott James Sport JewelryMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Katie Shepherd says

    March 15, 2017 at 9:26 pm

    Congratulations on your 10k and 5k challenge! I’ve heard of this race series but I don’t think I will make it to New Orleans this year.

    Reply
  10. Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says

    March 15, 2017 at 10:10 pm

    I am certainly jealous of your tank top weather! I love a good 10K looks like another fun race for you and your girls
    Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Making Time For Yoga At HomeMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Lisa @ Mile by Mile says

    March 15, 2017 at 10:44 pm

    Sounds like a great race!I love that they included free race photos.
    Lisa @ Mile by Mile recently posted…Ginger and Beet Anti-Inflammatory SmoothieMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Kimberly Hatting says

    March 16, 2017 at 1:30 am

    This looks fun! I love that the 10K is first (so many races like this start off “small” and then each race gets longer). I have ZERO appetite for food following a race, even a long distance. I’ll drink some chocolate milk and Gatorade but I don’t want any food for at least an hour after the finish line
    Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Leprechaun Chase – 2017 EditionMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Clarinda says

    March 16, 2017 at 1:57 am

    Sounds like you had a great time! Love races that you can run with a friend and a smile. 🙂
    Clarinda recently posted…First Creek TrailMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Stacie Seidman says

    March 16, 2017 at 8:15 pm

    What a fabulous day! You look so happy in every photo! I like the idea of this challenge. It’s a lot on paper, but it’s less than a half and you get a break in the middle… I think that would be super fun!
    Stacie Seidman recently posted…Thursday’s ThreadsMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    March 16, 2017 at 8:17 pm

    What a great race setup, from the weather, to running with friends, to a great post race celebration. All the makings for a fun morning!
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…2017 Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon RecapMy Profile

    Reply

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Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have pugs and a hedgehog, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!
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