Atlanta Esprit de She 5k race recap & Giveaway

Hi guys!!

After close to a 3 month hiatus, I’m back!  I apologize for my absence.  I was starting to get burned out on feeling like I HAD to write blog posts and just needed a little break.  I’ve got some fun race recaps coming up as well as some great product reviews, so stayed tuned!

Not sure if y’all remember (it’s been awhile!) but last year I was chosen to be an ambassador for the Esprit de She Atlanta race that was held last November, and was asked to represent them again this year.  I realized that I never did get up my race recap, and since this year’s race is in a couple of weeks I thought it would be a perfect time to tell y’all about it!

Last year was the first year of the Esprit de She race series.  They were held all over the country, and a few of the locations even held different races, such as duathlons, triathlons, and a cycle race.  The 5k/10k was the race that was held in Atlanta.  The Esprit de She races are geared around women and a healthy mix of competitiveness and camaraderie.

Last year’s race was held in Piedmont Park…right in the middle of downtown Atlanta.  One of my awesome running friends, Ramona, ran the 10k and I ran the 5k.  Parking was a bit sticky as the Park Tavern (which was RIGHT at the start/finish line) was closed for a private parking and we were unable to park there.  Luckily, there is a parking deck in Piedmont Park that we were able to park at.  We walked down to check in and receive our bibs, check out the area (we got there super early), then went back to the car to change.  it was a cold evening!  The race is held on a Thursday night so we got there early to beat the traffic.


Our walk back to the starting line was nice with this beautiful view -

There was a bit of confusion about whether or not there was bag check.  Luckily there was so we checked our bags and hung around, waiting for the race to start.

The 5k was a loop around and through Piedmont Park, and the 10k was 2 loops.  The course appears to be the same this year.  You can check out the course map here.

The 5k began before the 10k, which I thought was a little odd since it would probably take the 10k runners a little longer than the 5k runners to finish, but I digress.  I actually enjoyed the course more than I thought I would.  There were areas where it was dark and not very well lit but for the most part you could see where you were going.  Even though the race was on the sidewalks that wind through Piedmont Park, I never felt like it got overly crowded, either.  I do wish it was held during the day so that you could really take in the beauty of Piedmont Park (and maybe have a few spectators out there, too).

I kind of messed up and started the race with my hoodie on, covering my bib and therefore, not getting an official “start” so my finish time was the same as the clock time, but oh well…my fault, right?  I stood by the finish line and cheered Ramona in when she finished.  We then went to check out the tapas bar to get some food in our bellies and wind down.  We ran into one of our friends, Stephanie, who sat and chatted with us for a bit.

One downside to last year’s race was that their “signature bubbly bar” was not onsite at the race – it was at a bar a couple of blocks away.  This deterred us from participating and it would have been fun to share a drink after finishing the race.  Luckily this was remedied this year, and the bubbly bar is at the Southwest Porch at the Park Tavern, which is basically right at the finish line.  Kudos to the race directors for making the change!

After we finished eating we got our things from gear check and headed back to the car.  Had it not been so cold and windy we probably would have hung around for a bit, but we were frozen to the bone and wanted nothing more than to get to some heat!

The swag we got from the race was pretty nice.  We got a reusable bag, an Esprit de She running tank, a copy of “Self” Magazine, along with a few other odds and ends.

For it being the inaugural race, I thought they did a great job.  There were a few kinks here and there but they seem to have fixed a lot of them for this year.  I would be running it again this year; however, I will be at Walt Disney World for a racecation to run the runDisney Wine and Dine half marathon. :)

That’s where YOU come in.  Are you interested in running the Esprit de She 5k/10k in Atlanta in a couple of weeks?  I’m giving away my entry to one person.  It will be good for either the 5k or 10k and you will be running in your name as you will receive a unique code to enter when you register.

Details of the race:
When:  Thursday, November 6, 2014
Where: Piedmont Park (near the Park Tavern)
Time: 5k start- 6:30pm, 10k start – 7pm
        6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Post-race rendezvous and night market featuring the sounds of Nathan Sexton. Salute your success after the run with two complimentary drinks at our host bubbly bar at Southwest Porch at Park Tavern in Piedmont Park. Find your two complimentary bubbly bar coupons on your race bib. Coupons are redeemable on race night for any beverage up to $10. For any drinks more than $10, the cost difference is the responsibility of the participant.

Packet Pick Up information: (from their website)
Wednesday, November 5 at Athleta Lenox Square
​10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Packet pickup
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Get race ready! With the help of performance stylists, shop Athleta’s favorite looks for race day and redeem your 20% off any one item – an added perk found on your race bib. Combined with refreshments and good company, this is the pre-race event you don’t want to miss – save the date!
Thursday, November 6 onsite at Piedmont Park4 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Day-of registration and packet pickup

What you will receive: (from their website)Be the envy of your friends with fashionable freebies from Athleta Esprit de She! To compliment your fun race experience, you'll receive a custom Athleta performance tank perfect for working out, grabbing coffee with a friend or running around town. Also look forward to receiving your gift bag filled with goodies we know you’ll love. But wait, there’s more! Registration also includes the following:

• One-year subscription to SELF magazine ($12 value - click here for offer and refund details)
• Two complimentary drinks at our signature Bubbly Bar, plus your own GoVino wine glass (21 and over only)
• Tasty (and healthy) post-race tapas and treats
• Access to our Beauty Bar with complimentary massage, mini manicures and hair braiding
• I ASPIRE photo booth and souvenir photo
• Professional event timing and live results messaging to track and promote your race success
• Invitation to join Finish Line Training from Life Time Run
• Awards for top finishers
  
  Check out the shirt you’ll receive -

The giveaway will run from right now until Wednesday, October 27th.  I will announce the winner on my blog and email them on Thursday, October 28th.  If I do not hear back from the winner within 24 hours I will then select a new winner.  You will receive a unique code to register for your race of choice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

I know this is a little last minute and for that I apologize.  Please feel free to share with your local running friends if you are already registered or have a conflict
.
Thanks for entering and check back soon to see if you won!

Until next time

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