Cary or Bust, A Tobacco Road Marathon Recap

I received entry to the Tobacco Road Marathon as a Bib Rave Pro. For more information on becoming a Bib Rave Pro and to read and write race reviews head over to Bib Rave. 

The course

What is going on everybody, Ben here with a Recap and my thoughts on the Tobacco Rd. Marathon. This was marathon number 8 for me and my 7th completion, and I have to say it was one to remember. The course, and the town of Cary, NC are amazing.

The Bling!

My wife and I arrived around midday on Saturday and went straight to the expo. It was super easy to find and there was plenty of parking. The Expo was broken into three areas. The first was mostly local races and area attractions showing upcoming events. The middle was where you picked up your bib, and verified it. They also had a station set up to check your chip and make sure it was you. The last area was vendors and sponsors and shirt pick up. I picked up my shirt, a nice tech T, and we proceeded to walk around and tried some local fare. Appalachian Brewery was there with samples of the after race beers, and we tried some bread from a local baker.

At the Expo

After the expo we checked into our hotel and went exploring around town. There was a nice shopping center down the road from us so we had a dinner out and walked around, before heading to a local brewery for a night cap.

The race started at 7:00 and the weather was perfect. In the mid 30's and slowly warming over the course of the day. The half and full went out at the same time so there was some congestion, but split up after about 2 miles when we turned onto the trail. The Tobacco Road is an abandoned railway that has been converted into a trail system and I hope more towns start doing this. Since it was once a railway the trail was mostly flat, with any hills being hardly noticeable. The water stops were well supplied and manned and everyone was cheering any time you saw people. The trail has several neighborhoods that border it so there is plenty of access to it. The few road crossing were well handled by the police and volunteers and everyone involved did a super job. The course runs mostly through pine forest and is crushed packed gravel, but there are some paved sections.

Around mile 8 or so we turned around and went back across to the half route and continued  until the turn around at about mile 20. The race had a nice downhill finish, and a short walk to the finisher party. The pizza was warm which is a first for me, and the beer was cold. They even handed out Chocolate milk to drink!

ME!

Personally, this was my best marathon ever. I've always wanted to break 4 hours and finally did it. I also set a 40 minute PR. I have to say this is a race I would do again in a heartbeat.

That about wraps it up. If you're looking for a fun, flat, fast course and a marathon that gives back to it's community then I would definitely check into Tobacco Road.

As always you can give me a follow on Twitter and Insta @bwachter70, and check out the IGTV and YouTube Channel Run Bigfoot Run. 

It's Go Time, a Tobacco Road Marathon update.

• Disclaimer: I received free entry to Tobacco Road 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!"

What I'm wearing

What's up everybody? Just a quick one today about what I'm wearing for Tobacco Road on the 17th of March. Normally I wouldn't bother, maybe just a flat Ben photo the night before, but I'm feeling really good about this race. I didn't hit all my training mileage, but what I've done has been quality and I'm feeling good.

So of course I will be in my Run Rabbit Singlet. It's my Bib Rave Uniform. Nice material, doesn't chafe and very comfortable, even when wet. For my arms I will have my Buff Arm Sleeves, and my Saucony gloves, but those will be race day determined. The weather looks super nice and if it warms up quick, I don't want to carry them with me, or toss them. If it was colder, I would wear my Turtle Glove Flip Mitts.

Shorts, I decided on my Janji 5" shorts. Lightweight, super comfy, and wick away moisture. I just wish they had pockets to carry gels or chews. But I will have a Flip Belt for that. I normally use a SPI Belt but my phone fills it up so there's not enough room.

I always race in Balega socks, so not much to talk about there, but shoes were a tough choice. I had been between my New Balance Beacon and Altra Solstice, but both have shortfalls. The Beacons gave me blood blisters during a rainy long run so I'm a little iffy on them, and the Solstice are very hard soled so I'm concerned about foot fatigue.

New Balance Beacon

Altra Soltice

Then I found the new Altra Kayenta. The lightness of the Altra Solstice with the cushion of the Altra Escalante. I wore them for my last long run and decided they were the shoe for me. Expecta full review on Run Bigfoot Run, both on IGTV and YouTube.

Altra Kayenta


That about covers the clothes portion. I will of course be wearing a Buff on my head and probably sunglasses. I still on the fence about wearing headphones, but we shall see.

Thanks for reading,

Ben

You can follow me on Twitter and Insta @bwachter70 and check out the IGTV and YouTube Channel Run Bigfoot Run!

Turtle Power, or the lobster ate my hands

"Disclaimer: I received Turtle Gloves Turtle Flip Mitt 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!"

The fun has arrived!

What's up everyone? Ben here with my review of the Turtle Gloves Flip Mitt. I was able to test these at the perfect time, in Winter when it was cold and rainy. Normally in Winter I run with either just gloves or tucking my hands in my shirt sleeves since they have thumb-holes. I really enjoyed this product and the colorway they sent me should be called the Lobster.

Great for cleaning cars!

In a turtle shell we have a flip top mitten that will turn into a finger-less glove, one step further and you can stick your thumb out the side. And if you go a little more they become arm sleeves. The materials are a soft fleece that felt good on my hands and face and didn't snag on anything. You will need to stick out a finger or thumb to use a touchscreen with these but with the flip top that's pretty easy to do.

Mitt and arm sleeve

I tried these out in 30 degree down to the teens and never felt cold and they extend up your wrists so that area will get covered unlike gloves that stop short. I think anything warmer and a fleece glove may be too much for me.

After a few miles into my run I would get hot and it's a simple flip to open up the gloves and let in some air. This puts the soft fleece side on the back of your hand, perfect for wiping sweat or snot (the first 2 S's of winter) off your face. I did run in the rain with them, they will get wet but not heavy as you would expect. The mitts do a good job wicking off moisture. I was able to run in the snow and sleet (2 more S's) and never felt it on my hands.

As arm warmers, they did a good job, just twist them so the thumb-hole is on the inside of the elbow. Or try it on the backside of your elbow. It may fit better.

Best fact about Turtle Gloves? They are made in the USA in Michigan. I know it gets cold up there so I trust them to make something that would keep you warm!

You can check out Turtle Gloves HERE and use code TurtleBibRave for 15% off your order for a limited time.

Also give them a follow on Twitter and Insta @turtlegloves they post some funny stuff.

Give me a follow on Twitter and Insta @bwachter70 and check out Run Bigfoot Run on IGTV and Youtube for reviews and other things I do.


So lace up and get out,

Ben