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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / race report: tijuana flats summer beach run {8.25.18}

race report: tijuana flats summer beach run {8.25.18}

September 5, 2018      18 Comments

One of the longest-running (see what I did there) races in the Northeast Florida area is the Tijuana Flats Summer Beach Run 5 Miler. It’s part of the local Grand Prix series, and is, as advertised, five miles on the sand of Jacksonville Beach.

And before a few weeks ago, I had somehow managed to never run it.

My usual August race is Tour De Pain, but I was out of town when that rolled around, and the Summer Beach Run, rescheduled to the end of the month, was a suitable replacement. Even though I didn’t know anyone else running, and it was an evening event in the dead of summer, I went ahead and registered.

As race day approached, I considered blowing it off. I don’t know why I felt jittery. I’m generally fine doing runs by myself, and the distance certainly wasn’t an issue. I just wasn’t feeling it.

The day of the race was spent almost entirely standing outside manning a popcorn table with the Scouts, so my legs were certainly tired and I was probably not hydrated or fueled properly. As I was getting ready to leave the house, a nasty storm passed through, and I let Mr PugRunner and little man off the hook for coming with me. They opted in, however, and Mr PugRunner said that the rain would absolutely stop.

Which was good, because we all know how I feel about running in the rain.

Mr PugRunner let me out of the car at the Seaside Pavilion to collect my shirt and bib while he went to find a parking spot. I was able to snag my stuff and use the port a potty before they joined me. There was still some time before the start, so we wandered around the booths and listened to the live music. I tried to balance drinking my Nuun and not having to use the bathroom, but I wanted to stay hydrated in the heat and sun of the afternoon.

At the appointed time, I headed down to the start line on the sand.

There was some great music and Orange Theory was on hand to do a warm up. Mr PugRunner advised me to keep an eye on the tide: it was coming way up on the beach, and the boys got out of the way of the runners.

After the National Anthem, it was go-time.

Even though this race was comprised of all the things I don’t love (sand, evening, August heat and humidity), I really enjoyed it. The sand was flat and firm enough that I didn’t have any jangling in my hip. It was kind of interesting to have to dodge around the people who were actually there relaxing on the beach with their towels, chairs and umbrellas, but it kept me focused for the duration, and people tended to stay put and out of the way as best they could.

There was just enough of a light breeze to make the heat tolerable, and it remained overcast so the sun was never a problem.

I even got to run alongside the Navy for quite a bit, which was nice because they were running in cadence and made it pretty easy to follow.

The course was fairly easy: 2.5 miles south on the sand, then looping around to return. With about 2/10 of a mile to go, the course cut up through the softer sand and on to the paved walkway along the beach. While the soft sand was no picnic, that final sprint on asphalt was lovely.

It was one of the strongest runs I’ve had in a while.

The afterparty was rocking. Tijuana Flats was handing out tacos and chips and salsa. There was live music and free beer for runners, as well as ice cream trucks lined up for cool treats. The boys and I had dinner plans, so I grabbed a beer rather than a snack.

I loved scoring some bling again, too!

With all said and done, this was just the race event I needed. It was a bit of a confidence boost, and I loved feeling how all my summer training miles have paid off. I wouldn’t think twice about doing this one again in the future, but I also loved trying something new and being so pleasantly surprised.

Would you take on an August evening beach race?

Are you Team Taco after a big race?

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Comments

  1. Kim G says

    September 5, 2018 at 11:53 pm

    It’s always so nice when you can get a confidence boost from a race – well done!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      September 6, 2018 at 4:13 pm

      True story!

      Reply
  2. De Bolton says

    September 6, 2018 at 12:58 am

    I am always Team Taco but I think especially after a big race! It’s funny that’s the first place my sister and I went after our race. So glad you had a strong run! Good work!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      September 6, 2018 at 4:12 pm

      Tacos are always the right answer.

      Reply
  3. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    September 6, 2018 at 1:24 am

    So glad this went so well for you Jenn! Congrats!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      September 6, 2018 at 4:12 pm

      I was really encouraged!

      Reply
  4. Kimberly Hatting says

    September 6, 2018 at 2:24 am

    Yes, I’d do an August beach run in a heartbeat…if only I had said beach in Iowa LOL

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      September 6, 2018 at 4:12 pm

      LOL! I know you would! Iowa is definitely not a beach state!

      Reply
  5. Farrah says

    September 6, 2018 at 2:41 am

    I’ve never done a beach run, but that does sound like fun! Glad you had a good race!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      September 6, 2018 at 4:10 pm

      It’s definitely pretty cool to get to run alongside the surf on the sand. It’s one of the reasons we love living near the coast.

      Reply
  6. Sandra D Laflamme says

    September 6, 2018 at 2:35 pm

    What a fun race and so cool to be able to run alongside runners running in cadence. Congrats!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      September 6, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      It was really motivating! I loved that they were able to stay in formation like that for the whole five miles!

      Reply
  7. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    September 6, 2018 at 9:32 pm

    Running on the beach is no joke, so way to go with your race! This sounds like a fun one. I would love being able to run alongside members of the Navy.
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…September 2018 GoalsMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      September 9, 2018 at 11:37 pm

      It was so inspiring to be right next to them like that.

      Reply
  8. Esther says

    September 7, 2018 at 3:11 am

    That pic of you crushing it near the end is awesome!!!
    Love the look of determination on your face!
    I actually had one of my best 5k times at an evening race!
    Congrats on another race under your belt and some fun bling too!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      September 9, 2018 at 11:37 pm

      It’s definitely one of my favorite pictures. But I was having a heck of a good day 🙂

      Reply
  9. Stacie Seidman says

    September 7, 2018 at 1:36 pm

    I would run a race specifically for free tacos. Wish they offered that up here!
    Sounds like a really fun time! So glad you had a strong race!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      September 9, 2018 at 11:38 pm

      Right? Who isn’t motivated by free tacos?

      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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