I am going to the Runner’s World Half and Festival -presented by by Altra Zero Drop Footwear – on October 20th and the 21st as a FitFluential Ambassador!
You can’t tell that I am very excited about going can you? Well – I am very excited about going to this event. Imagine that, me the guy who doesn’t get too excited about too many things, being excited about this!
This will also be the first big Destination Race and Event that I have ever done. My other racing has always been done within an hour or so of where I lived.
There will be a 5K and 10K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday – click here for the full schedule.
No – I didn’t go for the Hat Trick – all three races that weekend (5k, 10, and Half Marathon). I opted to run the 5K on Saturday and the Half on Sunday, adding a 10K on Saturday would have made my goal of pushing the Half Marathon as hard as I can, much more difficult. However, there are many people who are doing the Hat Trick – all three races.
If you want to get a 10% discount on your race registration (any or all three of the races) use the discount code Blogger22.
FTC Disclaimer: My registration for these 2 races were complimentary. I will be blogging about my experiences during this event and all opinions are my own.
I am really looking forward to the people who I might be meeting/seeing down there – like: Bart Yasso, Shalane Flanagan, Dean Karnazes, Kristin Armstrong, Mark Parent and I am sure many other runners that I talked with on Twitter in hashtags #FitFluential, #RunChat, #FitBlog or others.
I will also get to finally meet some of my fellow FitFluential Ambassadors, that I have talked with online so much over the last year!
One person that I really hope to see again, while I am down there is Amby Burfoot. I had the pleasure of watching him during workouts, when several runners in the New London/Groton area would go to the Coast Guard Academy Indoor track back in 1985/86 – I wonder if he will remember me? I think we both have a bit more gray hair 
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I know that I am going to take a LOT of photos, blog and tweet about what I have seen, seminars that I am attending, the expo and who I get to talk to, while I am down there.
This will also be a great trial run for the 2013 Marine Corps Marathon. I will see what things I need to actually bring with me when travelling to a race, what I need to do to prepare for a bigger race, how to recover from the tough race and be ready to travel the next day. It will also give me a chance to see how I do running, with a lot more people around than I am used to. I know that I will do just fine.
By the way did I tell you how much I am looking forward to going to the Runner’s World Half and Festival! 
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16 comments
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Aaron Smith
September 11, 2012 at 10:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Awesome man! I plan on doing the Hat Trick next year, if they have, it looks like a great time.
Amby Burfoot wrote me an email when I first started running. I posted a little write up on nutrition and he followed up with a note. I wasn’t sure who he was at the time, I initially thought, “Burfoot, that has to be a made up running name, right?!” I did a little research since then and was in awe that this guy would write lowly me, a practical noob to running (nad nutrition). He seems like a really kewl guy…some day I will get a chance to meet him.
Have fun man, I will be thinking about you as I train for the MCM or should I say, tapering for the MCM. I’ll likely be on edge, like I am now, waiting to run the USAF Half. BTW, I did the quarters at sub-8s, feeling good man!
Harold L. Shaw
September 11, 2012 at 10:34 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hi Smiddy, Amby was a nice guy in person back in the mid 80′s and I am pretty sure he hasn’t changed much. I am glad that you are having so much fun with your taper, it will help during the race. I am really excited about being able to go and TheWife is supporting my going 100% which is a great thing!
AmyC @ running escapades
September 12, 2012 at 6:57 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Looks like it will be an amazing event! Have fun
Carrie
September 12, 2012 at 8:26 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So exciting! You’re going to have such a great time!!!
Melissa @ Live, Love, & Run
September 12, 2012 at 8:40 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I wish I were going!!! Wasn’t working with my plans, though. Maybe next year! Hope you have a blast, and I can’t wait to hear about all the FFA meet-up fun!!!
berryhappybodies
September 12, 2012 at 9:50 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Have fun with the FF gang! Good Luck!
misszippy1
September 12, 2012 at 11:06 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am really excited too! It will be such a fun weekend–looking forward to meeting you!
Harold L. Shaw
September 12, 2012 at 2:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I know I can wait and meeting you along with everyone else will be so cool!!!
Happy Fit Mama (@happyfitmama)
September 12, 2012 at 8:36 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wish I could’ve swung the trip to the race but it wasn’t in the cards this year. Next year…Have a great time! I can’t wait to see all the fun!
Harold L. Shaw
September 12, 2012 at 9:05 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks
I am sure that I will have fun down there – 5 Days of nothing but running and blogging 
Danielle (@itsaharleyylife)
September 12, 2012 at 8:48 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m so jealosu! I really wanted to do the 10K but I just don’t have enough vacation days to do it! Guess thats one downfall for working on the weekends.
Have a blast and can’t wait to see your recap!
Harold L. Shaw
September 12, 2012 at 9:31 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Sorry you can’t be there too. I am not running the 10K but I plan to get a lot of pictures of it
Will be blogging a lot there that week, it’s going to be a lot of fun.
David H.
September 12, 2012 at 9:17 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This is awesome. Don’t forget that you’ll get to meet your friends at #runchat as well.
Harold L. Shaw
September 12, 2012 at 9:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
2:00 on Saturday if I remember correctly
, I plan to be there if there is any way for me to wouldn’t miss it!
Tina Reale (@tinareale)
September 13, 2012 at 6:37 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The weekend is going to be so fun! It will be great to meet you!
Harold L. Shaw
September 13, 2012 at 6:41 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I can’t wait to meet you and all of the FFA that will be there