RAVE
RUN HISTORY:
The
Rave Run series is about exploring new venues and trying different things.
The monthly Friday evening runs are 3 to 4 mile long at a friendly and
fun pace. We may drive to a unknown venue and explore new scenery - sometimes
on the road and sometimes off. In the summer, when we have enough light, we may
do a more adventurous run in a familiar park following clues, compass readings
or maps locations.
All you need is enough water for an hour and half, old running shoes when it is off road, and during the winter months, blinking lights or reflective clothing. After the run, we usually go to some other nearby casual restaurant for dinner -so dry clothes are good to have along.
December 2007 - Our annual Christmas lights run was a blast. We started out in Bardmoor, then drove to Candy Cane Lane where the Wasson's provided water and cheer. From there we went to Lake Seminole where we were running casually through the well lighted streets until the Bill Jackson skaters caught up to us and the challenge to keep up was just too great. Our next stop was Darry's house for a great food and drinks.
November 2007 - It was an early morning trip to the skyway where we ran the trail that parallells the approach bridge, then stopped to watch the sunrise - which did not appear due to the clouds - but it was run anyway.
October 2007 - We traveled to Ft De Soto and ran the last leg of the Off Road Duathlon - less a few water crossings, then stayed for a while to cheer on the Suncoast Tri racers.
August 2007 - We ran through the beautiful Millennium Park where there are boardwalks, an observation tower and a great view of the bay.
July 2007 - This month, we revisited Sawgrass. The mid county park has some lots of boardwalks over the swamps that make for great viewing of Florida’s natural habitats and wildlife.
May 2007 -We went to Walsingham Park this month to learn about and try some Geo Caching. It is a fun sport that is enjoyed by all family members - runners and not runners. There are five caches within Walsingham and dozens around the area.
April 2007 - A change of pace this month! We met early morning and to the relatively new East West Trail near Coachman Road. The trail goes through a surprisingly large number of parks and open areas plus there is a nice 10% grade hill. (It is short but it is a hill).
March 2007 - The Nature Park in Largo was the site for this month. The park has beautiful boardwalks through the low lands and around the small lake. it was a pleasant evening and a relaxing run.
February 2007 - This month we ran along the St Petersburg waterfront, out to the pier and back up to the end of Coffee Pot Bayou. It was a prefect evening to enjoy the scenery and to watch all the other strollers and runners along the route.
January 2007 - A good start to the new year with an after hours run across the Friendship trail and back. The weather was cool and breezy. There were lots of pelicans along the way and a couple of raccoons by the entrance. A trip to Hooters followed.
December
2006 – Our annual Christmas Light Rave Run was a blast. The
party bus worked out great and the lights were beautiful. Thanks to
everyone who came out and made it such a wonderful evening. And thanks
to Sandy and Charles Wasson for sharing their home and to Joyce for the
tour of her neighborhood.
November
2006 – We had a change of pace and a change of times this month. We made an
early morning trip to the sky way for a run along its trail and a watched a
beautiful sunrise over the water.
October 2006 - A great run
though the back trails of
September 2006 - September's run was the seasons final chance to challenge our compass and navigation skills. This time we got maps with the locations marked and all we had to do is find them on the ground. Everyone did better this time around and all finished in under an hour. Donna and David even found the lake!
July 2006 - Another run adventure run at Walsigham Park was the run for July. A typo on a clue and some confusion led the some of the runners astray but everyone found their way home for the special events.
June 2006 - The summer's first adventure run at Walsingham Park was a blast. There were nine clues in the series leading the runners from the park's boundaries, deep into the woods and along the lake's edge. The dusty but dry route took about 45 minutes for most to complete and a little over an hour for a few who missed a couple of clues.
May 2006 - A trek through familiar territory but from a different view was the highlight of this month's run. We ran though the south entrance of Walsingham Park, along the fence line, through the woods and to the exercise area. Then we played on the hand over hand bars, did flips on the chin up bar and attempted to walk the balance beams. After a few "I use to be able to do that"s, we ran along the lake to the south fence then back out the south gate.
February 2006 - We stayed close to home this time and ran the "Hills of Bardmoor".
December 2005 - This holiday run was a nice trip through the local neighborhoods to see the Christmas lights followed by a eggnog and good company.
October 2005 - This run was through the woods and along the shore of Veterans Park at Bay Pines. We caught a beautiful sunset over the inter coastal. After the park, we added a few extra miles by running the Pinellas trail bridge.
September 2005 - This month's run covered the sandy trails and boardwalks around Weddon Island. We watched a beautiful sunset and climbed the observation tower for a great view of Tampa Bay.
August 2005 - We ran along the Pinellas Trial to Clearwater, then up the spiral walk way and over the new Bridge. The return trip took us through the shaded streets of Bellaire.
July 2005 - This month the Rave Run was along Oakhurst Road, then through the Millennium Park and along the boardwalks to the observation tower.
June 2005 - The inaugural Rave Run was through Sawgrass Park. We ran along the boardwalks and trails taking time to view the wildlife and scenery along the way. Comments have been very favorable.