• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • about
  • Pug Partners
  • contact/pr
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Runs With Pugs

ok, the pugs don't run, but we do

  • race reports
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Link Ups
  • instagram Landing Page

The Latest

what’s running through my mind?

|week 9| marching on + back to nature

five february runfessions

for the turtles: jekyll island turtle crawl 10k

May 23, 2018      18 Comments

I recently discovered Jekyll Island in January, and have been looking for excuses to return ever since. It’s a quiet island, not exactly remote, but definitely off the beaten path. Jekyll is also a somewhat unique state park, with a combination of hotels, residential, shops, restaurants, landmarks, activities and even a water park. At just over an hour from my home, it’s definitely worth a visit.

When I saw that the Turtle Crawl series of triathlons and road races was scheduled for Mother’s Day Weekend, I saw my chance for a quick visit, and registered for Sunday’s 10K. My plan was to leave super early in the morning, drive up, run, and come home, but Mr PugRunner ended up booking a hotel room, so my mom and little man joined me for the whole weekend.

It was fairly perfect.

turtle crawl

The Turtle Crawl is a series of events to benefit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a wonderful facility dedicated to the rehab and release of sick and injured turtles. I have visited twice, and I am hopeful that little man and I will be able to visit on a day where they get to release one of their patients. I can’t imagine how amazing that would be.

As such, this is a huge race for the Island (but still one of the smallest I run). Per the results, there were about 200 runners in the 10K. I was a fairly late registrant, so while I was guaranteed a bib, a race t-shirt was not promised. There also wasn’t going to be a medal, as that would detract from funds that could be donated to the Turtle Center, which was perfectly understandable.

On Sunday morning, I got up early and snuck out so as not to wake my roommates. Our hotel was only 1.6 miles from the race start – I had planned to jog it but the sidewalk wasn’t terribly well lit so my mom asked me to take the car. She was hopeful that little man would wake up in time and they would walk down the beach to the finish line.

I arrived at the Great Dunes Park site at around 6:00 AM to pick up my packet. There had been an Expo on Friday, prior to Saturday’s triathlons, but I was unable to make it. I very easily claimed my bib and goodie bag, and was lucky enough to get a t-shirt in my preferred size! Yay!

The only thing I hadn’t considered in my preparations was bug spray – there were hundreds of little stinging gnats making everyone miserable. I found it was more bearable if I kept moving, so I wandered around, making my bathroom stop(s) and taking obsessive photos of the sunrise.

It was too beautiful.

turtle crawl

The 10K was scheduled to start at 7:00 AM, with the 5K following at 7:15. We lined up on the road outside the Convention Center, and were treated to a lovely rendition of the National Anthem. I had run this same course in January: 3.1 miles down the main road, make a U turn, come back, and then hook a left on to the beach path with just over a mile to go. Four months ago, the weather was freezing and windy, but on this day, it was the complete opposite. I was interested to see how it would all go down.

turtle crawl

Despite the heat and humidity, it was a lovely run. There was plenty of shade after the first two miles, and a nice breeze blew in off the ocean. For the 10K, there were plenty of water stops, with smiling, encouraging volunteers along the way.

I extended my run/walk intervals a bit and pushed – I was feeling good and I loved my new shoes so I wanted to make the most of the day. I hit the turnaround, and did find a bit of a struggle with the sidewalk designated for the return runners. It was banked and my hip didn’t appreciate the slant. I ended up getting back up on the actual road for a little bit. I probably added some distance with the weaving, but it was worth it.

It’s always a treat to run along a beach, and that last mile was just gorgeous. There was a little congestion from the 5K runners and walkers on the path, but it was easy enough to navigate.

I loved running down the last stretch and seeing my mom and little man on either side of the finish line. It was awesome, and I was so happy they had made it on time!

turtle crawl
turtle crawl

And I was also thrilled with the great free photos, courtesy of True Speed Photo! The team there always does an incredible job.

We didn’t stay too long at the after party. Volunteers handed out cold water and Gatorade at the finish and there were bagels and bananas for the runners. There were also massages, vendors and some representatives from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center in the grassy area.

This is the perfect, low-key destination race for a holiday weekend. While I didn’t get to experience any of the triathlon activities, spectating for those would only add to the fun. Little man wants to join next year for the 5K – both events are great for any level of runner or walker.

turtle crawl

What’s your favorite charity for which to run?

What’s the smallest number of runners you’ve ever raced with?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elaine D says

    May 23, 2018 at 10:56 pm

    I love the mid-air running photo of you!

    What a way to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend. I think it was a sweet gesture of your husband to book a room so you could all spend the weekend there.
    I wouldn’t appreciate the biting gnats either! I’ve been so spoiled living on the West Coast where there aren’t mosquitos or gnats flying around.
    Elaine D recently posted…The skinny on Skinny Fat. Is this you?My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      May 27, 2018 at 2:39 pm

      They took some fabulous photos! I really love their team.

      It’s interesting how every region has different challegnes. I dont’ love the bugs either, but they pass on fairly quickly.
      runswithpugs recently posted…for the turtles: jekyll island turtle crawl 10kMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Rachel says

    May 24, 2018 at 12:02 am

    I’ve always wanted to travel to Jekyll Island. Now I’ve got even more reason to!!
    Rachel recently posted…Race Recap: Cleveland Half Marathon 2018My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      May 27, 2018 at 2:44 pm

      You would love it. It’s so beautiful and peaceful, and such a great getaway.
      runswithpugs recently posted…for the turtles: jekyll island turtle crawl 10kMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Wendy says

    May 24, 2018 at 12:38 am

    Sounds wonderful! Except for the bugs…. Congrats!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      May 27, 2018 at 2:46 pm

      Better than snakes! Or hurricanes!

      They flew off fairly quickly.
      runswithpugs recently posted…for the turtles: jekyll island turtle crawl 10kMy Profile

      Reply
  4. Kimberly G says

    May 24, 2018 at 1:17 am

    First of all I just love the name of this race lol. Sounds like you had a great time and what an awesome way to celebrate Mother’s Day!
    Kimberly G recently posted…Rite Aid Cleveland 8K and Half Marathon Race RecapsMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      May 27, 2018 at 3:38 pm

      Adorable, right? And for such a great cause.
      runswithpugs recently posted…for the turtles: jekyll island turtle crawl 10kMy Profile

      Reply
  5. Stephanie says

    May 24, 2018 at 1:37 am

    What an awesome race, it looks like it was so beautiful and I LOVE the cause it is for!!! Congratulations on your run!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      May 27, 2018 at 3:39 pm

      It was gorgeous, and I love the turtles, so it all worked out 🙂
      runswithpugs recently posted…for the turtles: jekyll island turtle crawl 10kMy Profile

      Reply
  6. Marcia says

    May 24, 2018 at 2:08 am

    Sounds like a fun little getaway and for a great cause Congrats!
    Marcia recently posted…Driftless Sports Convergence: Active Family Fun in La Crosse, WisconsinMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Darlene says

    May 24, 2018 at 10:05 am

    Would love to go to Jekyll island. Sounds great. You take the best photos.

    I once ran a 5k with 18 runners. lol.

    Reply
  8. Renée says

    May 24, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    it sounds like a beautiful area but I don’t think I would be too excited about heat/humidity at 7am and all those gnats. Blurgh!! I’m really glad your mom and son were able to make it to see you finish! AND… that you were able to get your goodie bag WITH shirt!

    There are so many charity runs these days – it’s hard to say what my favorite is. I used to run for the National Epilepsy Funds here in NL but I find it hard to fund raise. I’m always happy to run a race for a good cause though.

    I’ve run a few small local races. I think the smallest is the Rietvelt Natuurmarathon that my husband and I just participated in. Maybe there were 100 people max! That one was for the RoPa Run (charity for cancer patients in their last days to help them and their family more comfortable or have one last vacation together).
    Renée recently posted…Week 20 Short Update + Weekly Weigh-InMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Stacie Seidman says

    May 24, 2018 at 2:17 pm

    What a great event! The photos are all fantastic, I can’t believe they’re FREE! I ran a 10K once with only 24 people in it. I even won my age group! (Lol, I was the only one in my age bracket.)
    Stacie Seidman recently posted…Thursday’s Threads: Flamingo EditionMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      May 26, 2018 at 12:32 am

      The photos are totally a highlight. These guys do amazing work!

      I don’t think I could run a 24 person race! I would be too intimidated by that! I find strength in numbers Lol!

      Reply
      • Stacie Seidman says

        May 27, 2018 at 2:42 am

        It was my first 10K and I was really worried I’d get lost and no one would find me! There were a lot more people running the 5K so it wasn’t a total ghost town.
        Stacie Seidman recently posted…Thursday’s Threads: Flamingo EditionMy Profile

        Reply
  10. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    May 25, 2018 at 4:41 pm

    What a fun theme and what a great location for a race. There’s so much to love about running at the beach!
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…2018 Loudoun Half Marathon RecapMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      May 26, 2018 at 12:12 am

      Isn’t that the truth? I love running near (not on) the beach.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

well, hello there…

bio
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!
Follow on Bloglovin


Pinterest

find what you’re looking for

recently

  • what’s running through my mind?
  • |week 9| marching on + back to nature
  • five february runfessions
  • how to make your run go faster
  • |week 8| when it rains, it pours

Facebook Likes

archives

Footer

disclaimer

I am not a doctor or medical professional, nor do I play one on the internet. This blog reflects my personal experiences on my own fitness and running journey, and the processes that work for me. Before you begin any exercise regiment, please consult your physician.
Every month this year, I’ve been committing to s Every month this year, I’ve been committing to some kind of wellness challenge. 

January ➡️ planks
February ➡️ balance

Lately, I’ve had the urge to get back in a gym. Kickboxing is out for right now but I think I could take on boot camp or spin. 

Then I felt a little guilty about spending the money when I have some weights and bands at home, our neighborhood has a gym, and I have a surgical procedure on the horizon (boo, wisdom teeth), so I thought I would work my way up to group classes by starting at home.

Day 1 done! ✅ with an assist from @sweetlunapug!

What’s your favorite strength workout?

#crosstraining #fitmom
Happy Monday! Headed to the bridge for some hill Happy Monday!

Headed to the bridge for some hill repeats and then walked over to the beach to really breathe in that salty air. 

Starting this week strong! How about you?

#Running #SetbackToComeback
Had some company for an easy walk today. Thanks to Had some company for an easy walk today. Thanks to @ktemedicaljobs for joining me!

Finishing February with 143.5 running and walking miles and feeling great about it! Can’t wait to see what March will bring!

#Running #SetbackToComeback
❝Whatever you think you can do or believe you ca ❝Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it.❞
― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

All action for today’s 10 miles! It was hot and my ankle was a little cranky, but thanks to a change in route and some awesome pacing from @montarriba, it got done!

What magic are you making today?

#Running #SetbackToComeback
Sometimes, you just have to remind yourself that y Sometimes, you just have to remind yourself that you are the Best Damn Runner! 

And remember that @BestDamnRace is coming! In 2021! We have three #BDR2021 cities and dates, and we hope you will join us for the Best Damn Medals, Best Damn Swag, Best Damn After-Party, and Best Damn Series around!      
💚New Orleans (VIRTUAL) - 3/28
💜Orlando, FL (9/25)
❤️Safety Harbor (10/16 & 10/17) 

Save 10% off any distance in any of these cities, with code RUNSWITHPUGS!

#RaceDiscount #Running #BestDamnRace
Twinning with our @roadid and @dogid! Wearing thes Twinning with our @roadid and @dogid! Wearing these keep us both safe and protected in case of an emergency.

@SweetLunaPug wears hers on her harness, but I just ordered her a new Rock Solid collar so she can change things up.

How do you keep your pup safe?

Save 25% on your www.RoadID.com order with code RUNSWITHPUGS!

#RoadID #DogID #DogSafety #RunnerSafety #TeamRoadID #running #runninggear #runnerdiscounts
I struggled getting out the door this morning. I c I struggled getting out the door this morning. I couldn’t figure out my clothes. My stomach wouldn’t cooperate. Eventually, I got it together and got out the door.

Not my best. Not my worst. Grateful all the same. 

How is your day going?

#running #SetbackToComeback
The Florida weather can wreak havoc on our skin, e The Florida weather can wreak havoc on our skin, especially if we are athtetes, and even MORE especially when the weather can't make up its mind. 

The @freskincare DETOX ME post-sweat mask is a great way to combat the sun and humidity. And the cold and wind. And central heat and air conditioning. And everything in between! With ingredients like Kaolin Clay to draw out impurities and absorb excess oil and Blue Azulene to reduce inflammation and soothe damaged and stressed skin, I know my skin can be both protected and restored post-run. 

I apply the DETOX ME mask after my runs, and let the natural ingredients do their work to detox, exfoliate, and purify. I leave the shower feeling refreshed, glowing, and ready to face my next adventure!

Order today at https://www.freskincare.com/JENNL for 40% off DETOX ME and THE DETOX SET + take an additional 10% OFF with code JENNL at checkout!

#affiliatelink #detoxme #skincare #FreSkincare #wellness #HealthySkin #lifestyleBlogger #WellnessBlogger #SelfCare #RunnerSkincare #AthleteSkinCare
Stretching into Wednesday like... My back and hip Stretching into Wednesday like...

My back and hips have been a little achy so I took a minute to twist and readjust. It aways feels good to reset.

How are you getting it done today?

#running #setbacktocomeback
Good morning, beautiful people.! Stretching out t Good morning, beautiful people.!

Stretching out the tightness after a great morning run and getting ready to face whatever Tuesday has to throw my way!

How are you moving this morning?

#running #setbacktocomeback

Copyright © 2021 · Wordpress Theme by Hello Yay!

This site uses cookies: Find out more.