Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Thrive San Diego Half Marathon to review as part of being a BibRave Ambassador. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Ambassador, and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!
The Kaiser Permanente Thrive Half Marathon and 5K is the perfect way to celebrate six years of giving back and staying active in the community. The scenic loop course starts and ends at Vacation Island in Mission Bay, making this race perfect for runners of all skill levels. Age group awards will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age group.
Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!
It’s been a few years since I last ran the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K but was definitely looking forward to this year. The initial plan was to run the 5K but I decided to try running the 15K instead. The training leading up to the race was pretty limited, mostly 3 mile runs with a few longer runs here and there. If anything, I would have used this as a long, training run for another race in the future. The event was very well organized, there were safety precautions at the race expo and all the different booths and stations were spread out the morning of the race. When you register for the race, you choose your estimated pace/finish time which then places you in a specific corral for the start of the race. None of the corrals were too crowded which was good to see. Here are the official results: 9.3 miles, 1:12:18, 7:46 min/mile. 45 out of 1,841 place overall, 28 out of 601 place for men, and 5 out of 72 place in my age group.
You should understand the risks of running during a thunderstorm and decide if it’s worth the risk for you. There are certainly risks to running during a severe thunderstorm warning. However, as long as you take precautions and know what to look out for you will be better equipped to deal with severe conditions.
If you choose to run in a thunderstorm, remember to keep track of the weather. Particularly avoid thunderstorms with the risk of lightning, and please be aware of the differences between severe thunderstorms and regular ones.
Runners are a determined breed who, oftentimes, are not deterred when their plans are interrupted by inclement weather. But sometimes good judgment should rule overdetermination, and in the case of practice during severe thunderstorms, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Below we lay out precautions you could take if you find yourself caught in a storm while running.
Thunderstorms are common in the spring and summer. While it may be safe to go for a run during most thunderstorms, there is a risk of being struck by lightning or flash floods. Be aware of weather conditions before you head out and use your best judgment.
Did you know that only 69% of people on New Year’s Day make a resolution to improve their health or live a healthier lifestyle? The remaining 31% of us are back at square one. There is nothing wrong with accepting responsibility for your own health and well-being, taking action to improve your life, and approaching it from the mindset that there is no finish line. Define where you want to go and how you plan to get there and look for resources and inspiration along the way.
To become stronger, fitter, and healthier in the coming year, remember that intentions are important, but they are not enough. Having a plan is also essential. What works for some people might not be right for others, as every individual is different. To ensure success, perhaps one of the above options could help you develop your own program and personalize your New Year’s resolution to improve your health and fitness routine this coming year.
Staying active is a lifestyle choice, and we recommend making it one that you stick to throughout all four seasons. But, of course, that’s easier said than done for everyone all the time. There are always going to be factors, like weather conditions like snow or ice. So before you let the winter weather get you down this year, follow these tips to stay motivated and on track during the winter months. Whether you live in a warmer climate or just need some motivation to take walks outside again and get back into your daily workouts routine, these tips can help you stay active through the off-season.
You are probably familiar with the usefulness of carrying around a quality, high-powered flashlight. However, have you considered the benefits of owning a headlamp as well? A headlamp has similar uses to a flashlight, with the added benefit of being hands-free. Read on for five things you need a headlamp for.
Camping
If you are someone who goes on week-long backpacking adventures or someone who would rather go car camping, you need to come prepared with a headlamp. If you are backpacking long distances, you may sometimes end up carrying your things early in the morning or into the evening. While carrying all of your supplies in and out, it’s important to keep your hands as free as possible to help you climb or catch your fall in case you trip on something. If you are camping out of your car or a cabin, you may overlook the need for a headlamp. However, headlamps are extremely useful when you are cooking breakfast or dinner around the campsite.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in gyms and fitness classes pausing all operations. The threat of COVID-19 infections and deaths, loss of jobs, and the uncertainty of normal living has led to an abundance of stress across the globe. With gyms closed, consumers began purchasing exercise equipment to work from home. Running is one of the cheapest forms of exercise since all you really need is a pair of running shoes. Unless you are buying used exercise equipment, they can get very expensive. Anyone can get into running, they can start by walking, work their way to jogging then running. Running helps release endorphins and stress that has been building up since the pandemic began.
Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Hot Chocolate 5K/15K race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
The Hot Chocolate 15K/5K is a run that I always have fun at, how could you not when you combine running and hot chocolate? I will be running the 15K race this year, hosted in my hometown San Diego, but they have the same race in many other cities across the country. The thing I like about established races is that they know what they are doing. They’ve experienced every issue or misstep before and have learned from it. After the first few years, if a race director does not learn from their mistakes, runners won’t keep coming back.
The race starts and finishes downtown and will take you through different parts of Balboa Park. Looking at the elevation chart, there are a few hills you may need to prepare for. But I’ve run so many local races in Point Loma and Liberty Station recently, getting to run around Downtown and Balboa Park is a nice change.
If you’re interested in participating in the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K, visit their website and choose a city that you’re interested in.
If you register with the following code: BRHCSANDIEGO20 you’ll get a free hot chocolate running hat!
Disclaimer: I received free entry to the San Francisco Half Marathon, 10K & 5K race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
The first time I ran the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco 5K was in 2015. I had a client meeting scheduled in San Francisco and decided to make a weekend trip out of it. A few weeks before the trip, I checked to see if there were any races happening that weekend and found this one. I hadn’t been running too much so I didn’t want to run the 10K or half marathon, but the 5K sounded fun. The only thing I remember about the race was that it was not as hilly as I expected it to be, it was pretty foggy just before the race started, and I won my age group, which I was pleasantly surprised to find out. I ran the 10K this year but did not win my age group, unfortunately. Here are the results: 6.2 mi, 51:01 (8:13 min/mi), AG 36 of 135, Gender 200 of 786, and Overall 301 of 1,981.
Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Irvine Half Marathon & 5K race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
The Irvine Half Marathon and 5K kicked off the first race of many for 2020 and it was a good one. Results: 24:23 (7:51 min/mi), 3 of 16 AG, 38 of 135 males, 54 of 318 overall. I have not been trying to run competitive lately but focused more on running consistently and enjoying all of the new races and destinations. Since this race was a drive away, I was not able to attend the race expo the day before and opted to pick up my bib the morning before the race. But I did drive up to Irvine the night before and stayed at a hotel so I didn’t have to drive the hour in the morning before the race.
Waking up at 7am was a nice change of pace than some of the other races I’ve run in the past. Parking was not an issue either, although the parking lot at the park was full so I had to park across the street at the nearby church/school. Since most people were running the half marathon, there was not much of a crowd at the starting line. I was still walking to the starting line when I heard the gun go off for the half marathon and actually got to take a picture of the first few runners of the half on the course. There were a little over 300 runners for the 5K, but almost 700 runners at the half marathon. This was a much smaller race than I’ve run in the past where wave starts were needed for the races. But the location was nice and quiet, it was almost an out and back route, taking place around a local park and through some bike paths. The race shirt was a soft cotton t-shirt which was a nice change from the typical tech tees I was used to. The medal had a unique design with bright, vibrant colors. And best of all, the race photos were free, no watermarks!
Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Hot Chocolate 5K/15K race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a 
