• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About/Hire Me
    • About Me
    • Hire Me
    • Contact
    • Family
    • Faith
    • FAQ
    • My Running Story
    • Recipes
  • Disney
  • Fitness
    • runDisney Information Page
    • Fitness
    • Races
  • Parenting
  • Travel

Through Heather's Looking Glass

  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • family
  • About Me

Tampa Lucky Run 5K Race Recap

March 20, 2018 | blogging, fitness, Guest Post, holidays, Race Recaps, running

On Saturday morning, I ran the Inaugural Tampa Lucky Run 5K.

Reasons I ran this race:

1.) Close to my house

2.) Holiday race

3.) Discount through Orange Theory and we had a “team” running

4.) I had been dying for a 5K PR and thought I was ready.

I really didn’t do much “research” on the race, but realized it may be a bit disorganized when the only thing we were told about packet pickup was that it was Friday at New Balance at the Outlet mall (race was also at the outlet mall). I emailed AND posted on Facebook asking if we could get our bibs Saturday morning…crickets. Finally the afternoon before the race I got an answer. Yes we could.

Saturday morning we had very unusual weather for Tampa, as in it was 46 when we got to the outlet mall! I wasn’t mad about it though, I much prefer running in the cold so I knew it made my chances better for a PR. We parked the car, and walked over to where everyone was gathered. I looked for a table to get my bib…and was told they hadn’t arrived yet. Apparently New Balance was supposed to bring them and they hadn’t shown up yet and were not answering their phones. #Fail. This is also when I learned this was an inaugural race. Dang it. I usually avoid those like the plague because of, well…this. I did feel bad for the race director though he was really trying to make the best out of the situation and was apologizing to everyone.

I took this waiting time to find the bathroom. One huge plus of the race was we had access to the “regular” (nice and clean) outlet mall bathrooms, yay!

So then the bibs came but they had no safety pins. I told Bobby I probably had some old ones in the car from past races and he went back to look. I guess this is the one time I can be happy my car is filthy and never gets cleaned out? So in the meantime they were duct taping bibs on to people. Duct tape. Bless it. About the time Bobby came back with four pins (he also told me I may get tetanus because they were very rusty and gross) pins arrived so no duct tape bib for me.

Then the race shirts arrived and it was a hot mess trying to get in line to get those. I had pre-registered so was waiting for my small and they couldn’t find any. About that time everyone was lining up and the race was about to start! I told Bobby to get my shirt and I ran over to the start line. I was frantically trying to untangle my headphones (shocker) and get my GPS to get satellite and it did just before the race started, so no time to warm up or stretch, but oh well.

Oh, one more thing. I had said that I didn’t really research the race (totally my fault) and as I was cursing my headphones in their huge wad of hatred and knots, I heard them say we were making two laps around the parking lot. Say what? This is what happens when Heather assumes. I assumed the race would run out on the road then maybe wind through the outdoor corridors where the shops are. Nope. We were literally running 3.1 miles in the mall parking lot. Two laps.

Not only was it two laps, but I would come to learn it was two laps full of very sharp cutting left turns up and down rows in the parking lot. My right knew is bad so I literally had to stop running and turn because I can’t twist my knee like that when running quickly so it messed up my cadence terribly. Again, totally my bad for not checking it out, but really? A parking lot?

Ok I can do this. I really wanted that PR. So I started out on the first lap with a goal of keeping my pace under 8:30. I stayed between 8:00 and 8:20 for the first mile and a half/lap. I however got a little discouraged going around doing the same thing AGAIN. When I got to about mile 2.5 I started to really struggle and I looked up and saw Bobby!

He didn’t have my child with him which was super confusing but I literally didn’t have the energy to ask him where she was so I just kept running. #MomofTheYear

I was however a little confused when I saw that my watch said 2.53 and I kind of calculated in my head where we were on the course, which was not that far from the finish. I thought oh well…math has never been my strong suit, so I pressed on, and turned the final corner and could see the finish line.

So my eyes are bad, but I knew I saw a 23 on the clock and knew something wasn’t right. I KNEW I had not run paces in the 7:00’s the whole time. It all (slowly) started to click that the course was short. NNNOOOO! I crossed at 23:47, and after recovering for a second saw that the course was about two tenths short. Sad times!

However, I did some quick calculations based on my average pace and what distance I needed to make it a 5K, and I still got a killer PR of 25:30! (Previous PR was 27:13)

Bobby and Emma Kate even missed me finishing because he had started a timer when I started running so he would know when to circle back to the finish to watch me, and he also knew I couldn’t run a 23:45. He was just starting to walk up when I crossed, hence why I have no finish line photos.

Oh, I also found out that Emma Kate was playing on the (within sight) mall playground when Bobby came out back to film me. Apparently she didn’t want to watch me run by so he just left her there (seriously he was like 100 feet away. I really don’t need hate emails about child neglect k thanks.) He even said “I thought you would ask where she was when you passed” and I told him I had no energy to even speak ha!

So while I love holiday races on cool mornings close to my house with good bathrooms that I get at a discount, I do NOT like running laps zig zagging around mall parking lots with duct taped bibs and late starts and no communication. Oy. They did try hard and I hope they now can do better next year. The money went to a good cause so I hope they don’t give up. Oh, and while I was running Bobby DID manage to snag me a shirt in the right size. So all was not lost. Heh. I am now the happy owner of a shiny new PR, and a funny experience to share with you all.

Like this:

Like Loading...

Sign up for my newsletter

Primary Sidebar

I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

Please, no guest post requests. ๐Ÿ™‚

More about me

Privacy Policy

You can also find me here:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Protecting Your Kids’ Eyes In the Digital Age
  • Late Spring Events Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
  • 6 Ways to Make Mother’s Day Special This Year
  • Exciting News: Allegiant Air Launches New Knoxville to Gulf Shores Nonstop Flight
  • 8 Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Activities that are Perfect for a Family Spring Break

 

Search

How to Start a Blog

How to start a blog
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Family
๐Ÿ’ช Amazon Activewear You Need This Summer! โ˜€๏ธ (ad)

I found the perfect lightweight workout tank + the cutest high-waisted skort โ€” both from @g4free_official on Amazon! ๐Ÿ™Œ

โœ”๏ธ Racerback Tank: Silky soft, airy light (only ~3oz!), 4-way stretch, moisture-wicking, and UPF 50+
โœ”๏ธ Ruffle Skort: Built-in shorts, pockets, tummy control waistband & comes in 15โ€ or 20โ€ lengths!

Whether youโ€™re hitting the gym, walking the dog, playing tennis or just running errands โ€” this set is comfy and flattering. ๐Ÿ’•

๐Ÿ›’ Shop them both on Amazon! Save 10% with G4FREE10! 
(Links in bio! โœจ)

#amazonfinds #amazonactivewear #workoutoutfit #g4free #fitmomstyle #athleisurestyle #tennisskirt #gymfashion #amazonfashionfinds #activewearreview #g4freeamazon #amazonfashion
๐Ÿšข There are some things I never pictured doing ๐Ÿšข There are some things I never pictured doing on a cruise, but here we are! 

@virginvoyages is so unique in its offerings, it truly feels like they are listening to what their โ€œsailorsโ€ want. (No Nickel and Dime-ingโ€ฆ tips, Wifi, Group Fitness Classes, Essential Bevvies, Dining, and entertainment - always included on these adult by design voyages!) 

Which of these things do you want to do on your next cruise? 

๐Ÿ‘‰๐ŸปCheck out the ๐Ÿ”— in my bio for up to $200 in onboard credit towards your voyage + their best discount of the year: 
75% off the second Sailor + up to $500 in Instant Savings!! ๐ŸŽ‰

#virginvoyages #valiantlady #cruisevacation #cruiseshiplife #travelcreator
No time for the gym? Same. ๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™€๏ธ (ad) That No time for the gym? Same. ๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™€๏ธ (ad)
Thatโ€™s why the Yesoul R1M Plus Rowing Machine is my new go-to for fun, full-body workouts at home โ€” with zero guilt. ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผโœจ

โœ… Foldable & compact for small spaces
โœ… Stream YouTube/Netflix etc. or Spotify while you row (hello, multitasking magic)
โœ… No mandatory subscription โ€” just mirror your screen & go!
โœ… Built for all fitness levels, so you can start where you are

Mamas, this is your moment to prioritize YOU โ€” without sacrificing your schedule (or your living room).

๐Ÿ›’ Grab yours here: https://bit.ly/3SkLjrM (๐Ÿ”— in bio)
Use code Heather for $100 off across their G1M series bikes, T1M treadmills, R1M rowing machines, and J1M recumbent bikes! ๐Ÿ™Œ

Check out: @yesoulfitness.official
#funcardio #yesoul #hometraining #fitnessmotivation #herstrength #mothersdayideas
Here is a look behind the scenes of when we travel Here is a look behind the scenes of when we travel for work. Thereโ€™s a lot going on that you donโ€™t see on my reels. ๐Ÿคช

Super glamorous, right? ๐Ÿ˜ฌ

#behindthescenes #contentcreatorlife #contentcreator2025
๐Ÿ”ฅ The 5-Minute Smashdown is ON! ๐Ÿ”ฅ No thawing ๐Ÿ”ฅ The 5-Minute Smashdown is ON! ๐Ÿ”ฅ
No thawing. No smashing. No mess. Just juicy, crispy, caramelized perfectionโ€”straight from freezer to bun in 5 minutes flat. (Ad)

These @omahasteaks Smash Burgers are Built for the Grillโ„ข, and right now, you can get 16 FREE with your order. Yesโ€ฆ SIXTEEN.

Ready to taste the burger thatโ€™s flipping the script on dinner? Making it easier to grill even on those busy nights where you feel overwhelmed? 

๐Ÿ‘‰ Tap the link in my bio to claim your burgers. 

#OmahaSteaks #SmashBurgers #5MinuteSmashdown #BuiltForTheGrill
Just got back from the cutest cabin in Pigeon Forg Just got back from the cutest cabin in Pigeon Forge and had to share a travel hack for all my fellow moms planning summer getaways. ๐Ÿ’ก(ad)

We booked with @savvy_stay, which means no third-party fees, no fluff โ€” just direct access to professional hosts and more room in the budget for fun. ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ 

They even have a price comparison tool on their site so you can see what you WOULD be paying if you went with โ€œthe other guys.โ€

Think: mountain views, family memories, and extra savings that actually make a difference. If Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge is on your list, do yourself a favor and check out Savvy first!

๐Ÿ”๏ธโ˜€๏ธ #FamilyTravelTips #MomLifeHacks #SummerVacationPlanning #SavvyTravel #PigeonForgeCabin #GatlinburgGetaway #TravelSmarter #staysmarter #savvy #traveltips #saveontravel
First @dollywood day of the season photo dump. ๐Ÿฆ‹ 

Pro tip: Visit now. Between Easter and Memorial Day is the perfect time to go. We arrived at 4:30 and every ride was a walk on and we stayed until closing! Perfect weather, great memories, and many more to come. ๐Ÿ’™

Cheers to 40 years, Dollywood! ๐ŸŽข 

#dollywood #dollywoodthemepark #themepark #pigeonforge #dollywood2025 #dollywoodthemepark

Copyright © 2025 · Through Heather's Looking Glass · Theme by Bella Creative Studio

 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.

    %d