The Bling Collection of 2024

Tis the time to check other bling collection for the year! I always try to run one race per month, or to at least average that many. I’ve been doing fairly well with it, so let’s take a walk down memory lane and see what medals have made it to my wall this year!

January

We started the year off with a newer race, The Little Big Run 5K on the river in Jacksonville. I remember it being the most beautiful, foggy morning, and I had an incredible strong race. The medals weren’t super unique, but we are just getting started.

February

We took a trip to Louisiana for the Mardi Gras 5k in February. While the medal was small, it was huge adding another state to my roster! And the King Cake we got with the bling was yummy, too!

March

March was BUSY! I opened up with the Gate River Run 15K. It’s a huge, popular local race, and I was happy to take it on.

From there, I moved on to a shorter event: the annual Raptor Run 3K at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park.

I felt really strong at both events, which made me so very happy.

April

I went in for another newer event: the Bubbles & Biscuits 5K. This was a course I haven’t run before, with a medal, mimosas and chicken biscuits at the finish line. Fantastic.

The month ended with the Spud Run. I loved the potato shaped medal AND the fresh potatoes I got to take home. It poured on the runners, but it was fun all the same.

May

I ended my birthday month with the Florida Striders Memorial Day 5K. This is the one event I try to run every year. It was my first race ever, and it holds a special place in my heart.

June

Halfway through the year, and I headed to Orlando for the annual CommUNITY Rainbow Run to honor the victims of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy. I helped at the little expo before and after the 5K, and felt so privileged to be a part of this day.

July

I skipped out on the regular 4th of July race and instead claimed another state with the Burn Your Half Off 5K in Chattanooga, Tennessee. July is pretty hot in the south. Sometimes, racing just doesn’t feel good in the extreme temps.

August

Even worse than racing in July? Racing in August. I took the month off.

September

But I came back with the Ponte Vedra 10 Miler (5K edition) by Alter Ego Running. I thought this was a super pretty medal, and we also got great Alter Ego hats as part of our swag bag.

October

October is a tough month due to marching band, but we got out of town for a THIRD state! The Great Balloon Chase 5K was the perfect race to run, during the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival. Peep the cute spinning detail on that medal!

November

The end of band season, and the start of holidays made it hard to commit to anything, but we did go in for our local Turkey Trot. This is a coveted medal, to the point where runners have to claim their bling at a separate tent by showing their bib (and getting an x marked on it). Who would have guessed?

December

And so, here we are: the last month of 2024. I convinced Mr PugRunner and some friends to join me for the Spiked Apple 5K at a nearby farm on an absolutely FREEZING morning. We walked most of it due to the treacherous terrain, and celebrated with donuts, cider, and this awesome horse!

What’s your favorite medal of the ones I shared? Do you have some great bling for the year?

Join us next week on Tuesday Topics —> Show us your year in photos!

Link Up With Tuesday Topics

This year, I am joining up with Zenaida, of  The Running Teacher for Tuesday Topics! Please join us every week for a new topic! We’ll be launching our 2025 topics soon, so stay with us in the new year!