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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / race report: best damn race safety harbor 10k + 5k

race report: best damn race safety harbor 10k + 5k

October 27, 2021      25 Comments

Two weeks ago, I ran the Best Damn Race Safety Harbor 10K + 5K for the very first time. There was supposed to be a half marathon the next day, but, sadly, that wasn’t meant to be. The two races I did complete made up the BDR “Double Challenge,” and 9.3 miles is nothing to sneeze at. Here’s how it went.

Arrival

Meghan and I arrived in Safety Harbor in the early afternoon. We were renting a house with two of Meghan’s other friends and dogs. It was located just off the main street and in easy walking distance to pretty much anything we wanted to do. Perfect.

Expo + Packet Pickup

The Best Damn Race Safety Harbor Expo was located in the waterfront park behind the Safety Harbor Resort. The finish line and after-party were in the same place, while the start line was around the building in front of the resort. Easy peasy.

We arrived literally as the expo was opening, which meant we were among the first to get our things. I was still pretty exhausted from the drive, so I wasn’t at all mad about not having to deal with lines or crowds.

best damn race safety harbor

Runners got a great tote bag, a Best Damn Race Safety Harbor singlet, their bib, wristband for alcohol at the after parties, and a few other goodies. Since we were planning to run the Triple Challenge (the 5K, 10K AND half marathon), we also got a nice trucker hat in there.

We dropped our things back at the house, and then went to have dinner. I wasn’t starving but managed a burger and a whiskey and diet Coke.

What was even nicer was that the downtown area closed to vehicular traffic, leaving the main street open to pedestrians, live music, vendors, drinks and food. This happens the third Friday of every month, and it’s just so cool. I wish we had something like this where I live.

We headed back to the house to put out our race outfits and have another drink before bed. I didn’t have much – I was more interested in sleep!

Race Morning

I knew from the minute I opened my eyes I was off my game. My ears and sinuses were so clogged, and I just couldn’t get my head right. It’s a terrible way to go into a race, and I was so upset.

We all walked to the expo area to use the restrooms, and then rolled around to the start line. Since we lined up with literal minutes to spare, there weren’t a lot of pre race photos or hanging out.

The 10K

We started with the 10K at 7:05AM. The start line was busy but not packed, and Meghan and I easily found ourselves with plenty of room. We could see the sun rising over the water to our right, and I snapped this photo.

Which is also when I rolled my ankle on the side of the road. Like an imbecile. Yes, I was fine (although it hurt all day), but it scared the heck out of me. I think I even filled up with tears.

All along, our plan was to take it easy with Saturday’s races: run when we felt like it, walk when we wanted. Our goal was to get through the 9.3 miles and make a strong effort for the half marathon. However, Meghan wasn’t feeling it. The weather was awful. And we had some logistical issues with the house the next morning (we had to be out by 10AM, instead of 1PM as we were originally told, and with the dogs and luggage, it was going to be impossible).

We used our 6.2 miles to decide to just have fun for the rest of the day and blow off Sunday.

The course was beautiful. There were lovely houses, water and trees for the viewing, and of course, there were plenty of water and electrolyte stops along the way. Best Damn Race Safety Harbor certainly lived up to its name.

We crossed the finish line for the first time.

The 5K was scheduled to start at 9:00 AM, so we grabbed our medals, a beer, and found the rest of our group.

The 5K

At this point, it was was just hot and humid, and our little group was feeling it. We took that 5K easy. It just repeated half of the 10K course, so we moved along on auto-pilot. In fact, we took it so easy, that we placed a mobile order at the Starbucks one block off the course, and crossed the finish line, holding frappacinos.

best damn race safety harbor

Was it fast? No. Was it hilarious?: Yes. I have zero regrets.

And then it was time to enjoy the after party.

The After Party

At that point, my ankle realized what had happened two hours prior and was really giving me a bad time. I was angry, frustrated, and embarrassed. My toxic trait is that I hate showing weakness, especially in front of people I don’t know well, and so this stung quite a bit.

We had some snacks and drinks. Best Damn Race Safety Harbor is no exception to the “best damn” descriptor, so there was pizza, fruit, chips, sweets, frozen yogurt, and chicken and rice bowls, among other things. We could also choose from beer, spiked seltzer and vodka cocktails, as well as water, Gatorade, Coke, diet Coke and Sprite. We planned on lunch right after the race, so I didn’t fill up too much. In fact, I just wanted to sit and nurse a cold beer. It soothed my ego.

I wish I felt up to enjoying a little more, but that was ok. We hung out for quite some time (the party never stops at Best Damn Race!),

and then went for lunch. Yum.

My Takeaways

I. Love. Safety Harbor. I would love to go back and run Best Damn Race Safety Harbor again, but also stay and enjoy the town a little more. It’s just such a great vibe, and right up my alley.

If we are being honest, I bit off more than I could chew in this case. It all worked out, and I could have finished the half marathon, had the situation with the house not come up. Itt just wasn’t worth the anxiety and stress, especially when we were having a good time.

At the end of the day, Meghan and I always have a fabulous time, no matter what happens on the race course. I can’t wait for our next adventure!

best damn race safety harbor

Did you ever overcommit to a race event? Ever been to Safety Harbor, FL?

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Comments

  1. Catrina says

    October 27, 2021 at 6:39 am

    Well done, Jenn!
    I have never done two races in one morning and I have definitely never placed an order at Starbucks during a race! Haha, that’s hilarious!
    I would love to do this race, the after-party sounds awesome.

    Yes, I think have just overcommitted myself to a 4-day race event next week!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2021 at 11:41 pm

      Oh gosh! I hope it goes well!

      Reply
  2. Lisa @ Mile by Mile says

    October 27, 2021 at 9:24 am

    These races sound really fun! I can’t believe you ordered Starbucks while racing- that’s awesome! I’m sorry about your ankle and I hope its feeling ok! Too bad the house didn’t work out and you couldn’t stay and do the half, but maybe it was for the best so you could rest your ankle.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2021 at 11:41 pm

      I think it all went how it was supposed to!

      Reply
  3. Darlene says

    October 27, 2021 at 11:50 am

    Sounds like a great place to race. So sad to hear that you couldn’t run the half that you trained for.

    As you said 9.3 miles is an achievement to be proud of. The first year after ankle surgery. Hope it is ok.

    There will be more races.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2021 at 11:40 pm

      When you put it like that, that’s a pretty good perspective for me to keep in mind! Thanks!

      Reply
  4. Deborah Brooks says

    October 27, 2021 at 12:28 pm

    Sometimes just a weekend away with friends is the best thing. There are always other races to do. Looks like a fun time in a great place. Congrats on the 2 races

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2021 at 11:40 pm

      It was really lovely.

      Reply
  5. Jenny says

    October 27, 2021 at 1:52 pm

    Even though I lived in Tampa for two years (a looong time ago) I don’t think I’ve been to Safety Harbor. It looks beautiful, and this event looks fun- so fun that I’m trying to think of a way I could do it next year! So you may not have run the races you planned, but you achieved the most hilarious moment ever by placing a mobile order to Starbucks DURING THE RACE. Sometimes you just have to laugh and enjoy it.
    I hope your ankle is okay, and that you’re having a nice recovery week.
    Jenny recently posted…Weekly Rundown- Answers and PossibilitiesMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2021 at 11:39 pm

      I was pretty impressed with us and our Starbucks. The other runners and walkers got a kick out of it, too.

      I’m doing ok. The pain eased up after a good night’s sleep, and I’m grateful for that.

      Reply
  6. Kimberly Hatting says

    October 27, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    Bottom line, you made the best of the situation & finished with a smile (and a frappuccino in hand). Glass half full! I hope the ankle didn’t give you much trouble after the weekend.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2021 at 11:38 pm

      Well, the glass was super empty by the time mi crossed that line, but I was darn happy doing it!

      The ankle is so much better. It would have been fine on Sunday, so I’m grateful for that.

      Reply
  7. Stacie Seidman says

    October 27, 2021 at 4:43 pm

    Despite the challenges, it does sound like you made the most of it! I love that you stopped for frapps mid run! LOL!
    I rolled my ankle last weekend too! On the same leg of the knee I hurt a few weeks back. I launched myself off it so quickly to avoid further rolling that I managed to fall out of my barn… (It’s raised up a few inches from the outside ground.) Talk about embarrassing. Thank goodness no one was around to see THAT! I hope you’re feeling better now!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2021 at 11:37 pm

      I really didn’t see another option THAN to get Starbucks.

      I hope your ankle is ok!

      Reply
  8. Liz Dexter says

    October 27, 2021 at 5:21 pm

    Well done, I love the stroll through the 5k finish with your coffees, epic work!! I hate showing weakness in front of people, too – so it was pretty rubbish when I fell in my half the other weekend and had to be hauled around! Great sunrise pic too and well done!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2021 at 11:36 pm

      I hate that you fell, and I hope you are feeling better 🙁

      Reply
  9. Shathiso says

    October 28, 2021 at 12:56 pm

    Crossed the finish line carrying frappacinos – CLASSIC!!! Haha, loved this recap! I’ve never done two races in one morning! Well done my friend and glad you chose having fun over stressing about the logistics of house/ longer distance, etc!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2021 at 11:36 pm

      Fun made it so much better!

      Reply
  10. Chocolaterunsjudy says

    October 28, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    You listened to your hearts & you had fun! Win-win. There will be other halfs. And now you know the lay of the land!

    It’s still stressful, though, so hugs.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2021 at 11:36 pm

      I am good with how it worked out! And I’m ready form my next ne!

      Reply
  11. Michelle D. says

    October 29, 2021 at 4:51 pm

    This race sounds like a lot of fun and I love the shot of your crossing the finish line with Starbucks in hand 🙂

    Sorry for the stress around the house check-out and all, but it sounds like you made the most of it! Hope your ankle is feeling better!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 31, 2021 at 2:05 pm

      All’s well that ends well, right!

      Reply
  12. Cari says

    October 30, 2021 at 2:09 am

    >as it fast? No. Was it hilarious?: Yes. I have zero regrets.

    Words to live by.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 31, 2021 at 2:02 pm

      That’s what I’m all about.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Back At Best Damn Race! | Runs With Pugs says:
    January 7, 2025 at 8:37 pm

    […] Let’s go! Use my code RUNSWITHPUGS when you register for Best Damn Race Safety Harbor or Orlando races. You’ll save 10% on any distance in those cities. You’ll also have the best damn time at a running event. As of right now, I’ll be in Safety Harbor, and I can’t wait to make my return to that location. (You can read about the last time I was there for BDR here.) […]

    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 a grumble of pugs, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!

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