JayKnight Life: Running, Reviews, Photos

I don't normally sign up for a race at the last minute unless it's a 5k or I get peer pressured into it. This time it was both. I mentioned the race at work and boom,... a couple of minutes later, I'm running the Dia de Los Muertos 5k in Raleigh. It's a pretty cool race to celebrate a traditional Mexican holiday which is kind of like Halloween, ... but not really.  So, I didn't train for it. Didn't plan for it. It wasn't even on my radar,... So, I had to give myself a crash course on.. well the course. It starts out in Downtown Raleigh near the state Capitol building.. and makes it's way down through the historic Oakwood neighborhood and  through -- yes-- Historic Oakwood Cemetery. I really didn't think this one through. Dia De Los Muertos translatest to Day of the Dead. So, It's all beginning to make sense.     Race day sign up was easy. The weather was chilly, .... but not too cold. Perfect.  So, I noticed that there aren't too many ...

     Next on my list of Fall races to review: Race 13.1 Fayetteville. It is important to note that this race was scheduled for October 22nd ... less than two weeks after Hurricane Matthew caused massive and widespread flooding all across Fayetteville and Eastern North Carolina. If a large rive runs near your home you impacted in some way. Months later, several communities are still recovering.       So, I was pleasantly surprised that this race even happened. The race directors did a great job communicating that there would be changes to the route because flooding and roads that were sill closed or trails that were still too dangerous.      I was happy to volunteer for this race at packet pickup for the morning. I expected a rush of people just before the race but instead, I was surprised at how many bibs hadn't been picked up at all.       Race morning turned out to be older and windy -- more than I was ex...

      It's been a long time since I've posted here.        A busy election season, birthday parties and back-to back races will kind of so that to you.( yup, I just placed part of the blame on Trump and Clinton)  I'd hate to try and squeeze all of the updates into one post so stay tuned ,.. subscribe and prepare for a series of race reviews, headphone And electronics reviews and pictures.  It's all coming.          So after taking the whole month of October off, let's start with the inaugural Hillsborough Half. I love taking part in the first event for any race.  Plus, this time around, I was given a complimentary race entry thanks to a friend of mine at Mack Orthodontics. He's also a fellow BLACK Men Run member here in the Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill chapter.            Anyway, if you run a race in Hillsborough... you might want to expect some hills. First clue: Hil...

        There's a lot to squeeze into this race review: a hostel, a shooting, two races, no sleep and 5 medals. Epic ( or some other overly abused word that has become a cliche'.)        This past weekend is proof that every race weekend is not created equal. Rock n Roll Philadelphia was really cool for me. First of all, I've never vacationed in Philadelphia. I have family from the area.  My grandfather grew up running from the rainbow skinners. We used to drive down from Connecticut for church conventions but I don't ever remember spending time downtown or sightseeing. I got that this time.      The plan was to run two races and take home 5 medals, meet up with some college friends, and meet a bunch of friends from Facebook, Instagram, BlackMenRun and WeRunSocial.       I made my travel plans late,.. but I wasn't completely out of options. I found a hostel to stay in. That's not a typo. A hostel ha...