Five Things to Avoid During the Jog ‘n Hog

July 20, 2016 by Meridith

I was a hot mess on Sunday morning. Which is pretty funny, considering that this was my 4th year in a row participating in the Jog ‘n Hog. One might think that I have things down by now.

Um, apparently not.

Team Scoot a Doot was comprised of myself, Rachel, and Christina this year. I adore these ladies and I was so happy that we were together for this year’s race.

However, we had a few false starts the morning of the race. There were a couple of times we thought we might be watching from the sidelines instead of participating! I’m not exactly sure how we so royally messed up but we managed to do it up big. Let me count the ways.

We somehow thought that the race started at 9:30. Au cointreau, mon frere. It started at 8:30. It takes me approximately an hour to get there so as soon as Rachel realized our mistake and messaged us, I jumped in my car to head to Shady Brook Farm! The GPS estimated time of arrival was 8:10. Lesson learned: Pay attention to the race emails – don’t just make up times in your head.

Sorry sprinkles, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream, you’re taking a back seat this year. Cookies for toppings it is!
Hey, guess what?! The Ben Franklin Bridge was closed for the American Cancer Society’s charity bike event. You and I both know that’s a worthy cause so I didn’t get too upset. Thankfully I was actually paying attention, saw the bridge closure signs, and hopped on the Walt instead… which actually shaved 5 minutes from my arrival time. (Huh.) Lesson learned: Map out your route and look for potential road closures or delays before the morning of the race.

All roads lead to Jog ‘n Hog. Just not that one between the hours of 5:45-7:45.
Got to Shady Brook Farm with plenty of time to spare. My heart resumed its normal pitter patter. Found Christina, who got there first and got our bibs and shirts (love the laid back attitude of this race that makes it possible for her to do that!) and made us the CUTEST piggy ears ever. Rachel and her brother, Bob, rolled up minutes later. We were actually able to hang out and selfie/chat for a couple of minutes and catch up with the Jog ‘n Hog brothers, Brian and Andrew. It was all going to be okay! Lesson learned: Despite a few small freak outs, everything is better once you’ve found your friends (and are wearing pig ears).
We figured smooth sailing from here on out. As we approached the starting line we realized that there was no pace pig! My goals this year were to 1. Eat the entire pint of ice cream and 2. Beat the pace pig. But how can one be beaten if there isn’t one to beat? I quickly realized that I must eat the entire pint, no ifs, ands, or buts! Lesson learned: Be flexible and be prepared to eat all the ice cream.

This family’s costumes were on point!
Within the first 10th of a mile, Christina realized that her key had fallen off her shoelace where it had been carefully tied! Were the running fates mocking us? Maybe the 2016 Jog ‘n Hog was just not meant to be? We quickly turned around and headed back down the gravel path. Thankfully a very kind soul found the key! I tucked it into my SpiBelt for safe keeping and we were back on track. Lesson learned: SpiBelt over shoelace.

From there, it was smooth sailing! It was so great to spend time with Christina and Rachel, catching up with them as we motored to the ice cream station. They are both members of S.W.I.F.T. (Strong Women in Fitness Together) so I got to learn more about that and their plans to dominate Ragnar in a couple of months.

Uncle Dave’s Vanilla Beanie Ice Cream!

Thanks to the local radio station, the music was pumping in the ice cream eating station area and we was ready to go!

Thanks to Uncle Dave’s for this pic!

But first, Rachel and I had to figure out how to open the top of the ice cream (there was a pull tab, for the record). After we got past that obstacle, we were ready to dig in!

Bob held our cookies so we didn’t toss them as we ran. (See what I did there?)

Guys, I downed that pint of ice cream like it was my job! (That would be a rad job, actually. I digress.) I’m not sure how or why but I had the professional, Christina, coaching me and I was up for the challenge this year.

Done and done!

The path back seemed a lot longer than the one there (it wasn’t) and my cohorts took the time to run though the sprinklers, which I tried to take a picture of but it just didn’t happen. It was hot, there was sweat dripping in my eyes, and we were some of the last people to cross the finish line.

It was the best.

WEAK KNEES BRAIN FREEZE.

Many thanks to Jog ‘n Hog for the complimentary entries for me and mine. All opinions are my own and I’ll always share my cookies with you.

Gimme a Gimmick – 2016 Jog ‘n Hog Entry Giveaway

May 16, 2016 by Meridith

We all have those races that bring us back to them again and again. The reasons vary. Some could be the course. Others are because of the crowd support.

And then there are others… others that promise something extra special.

digin (1)

Like ICE CREAM!

Give me ice cream and I’m yours forever. Mix ice cream and running? Some might cringe. Me? I say BRING IT ON.

For the past three years I’ve participated in the Jog ‘n Hog, a gastronomical, mental, and physical challenge. Now in its 5^th year, the Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream Jog ‘n Hog which takes place at Shady Brook Farm in Pennsylvania, is going strong and so are its participants.

jnh2

When I heard from race mastermind, Brian (and tangentially his brother, Andrew) this year asking if we were interested in returning, I said, “SIGN ME UP!”

Each year, on International Ice Cream Day -mark your calendars, it’s Sunday, July 17– the Jog ‘n Hog takes place. As the name suggests, you JOG to the designated eating area, you HOG a pint or quart of ice cream, and then you JOG back, all while trying to beat the PACE PIG.

https://youtu.be/rN_y-O6czps

New this year is the (Whoomp, There It Is) TAG TEAM option. Aren’t a huge fan of mixing running and ice cream? You can now have a DE aka Designated Eater. Sign up with a pal and you can run while they eat. Or vice versa! Anything goes!

Joining me for the half jogger division are two ladies who are no strangers to the Jog ‘n Hog. Team Scoot a Doot is currently made up of Christina, Rachel, and myself.

Christina – “There are many things I love about the Jog n Hog–from the nausea in the July heat to the taunts of the pig to the soothing rhythm of jimmies swishing back and forth in one’s running belt–it’s just a unique race that is not to be taken too seriously.”

Rachel – “Two of my favorite things: running and ice cream. I mean, who doesn’t like sweating like a pig and then eating a pint of ice cream like a pig to cool down?”

We hope that you sign up because there is always room for more in our inevitable selfie shot(s)! The only thing we ask is that you share toppings with us.

soupyicecream

I think my goal for this year will be two-fold. 1. I think I can eat the entire pint. Christina is always really good at finishing her ice cream and makes me feel incredibly guilty when I don’t! So with her coaching, I know I can do it. And 2. Maybe I’ll actually beat the pig this year.

So, what do you say? Want to join in the fun? If you register before June 1st, you’ll save some moolah. Or you could try and win the giveaway!

Click the pic to enter!

The giveaway ends May 22nd, so if you’re not our giveaway winner, you still have time to register before the price increase on June 1. Thanks to Jog ‘n Hog for always being so great to us and our readers!

5 Reasons to do the Jog ‘n Hog

July 21, 2014 by Meridith

When preparing for a race, one doesn’t usually make sure she’s armed with sprinkles, Magic Shell and whipped cream. But this is no ordinary race…

It’s the Jog ‘n Hog!

If you know anything about me, you know that ice cream is my weakness. Or some might consider it my strength! Let’s go with strength.

When I first heard about the Jog ‘n Hog last year, I knew I needed to participate. For the record, I realize how crazy the idea is and on any normal day, I’d say running and eating do not mix.

However, on National Ice Cream day all bets are off.

The Jog ‘n Hog is in its third year and I plan to return again and again (I’m only sad that I didn’t know about it from its inception). What’s so great about the Jog ‘n Hog? Let me count the ways!

1. Uncle Dave’s Homemade Ice Cream

Let’s not get it twisted, first and foremost, I do it all for the ice cream.

Which would you be, a half hogger or a full hogger? After last year’s race I talked a big game and said that I would go for the quart (full) versus the pint (half) in 2014. However, when I went to register, I couldn’t pull the trigger.

Pints all around!

It might be a good thing I didn’t because I (still) couldn’t finish the pint. I definitely ate more than I did last year though so I bested myself and I consider that a win.

Christina finished her ice cream last year AND this year. She’s thinking full next year!

2. Friends (who are just as crazy as you are)

It’s always fun to see who is down for a little jogging and hogging. This year the cast of characters was smaller than last year but mighty!

Meet Christina, Linda and Maureen. Christina is Victoria’s high school friend, Linda is a college friend and Maureen is a blogger/twitter pal. Perfect example of world’s colliding, in the best way!

Of course, I’ll be there again next year so you already have a built-in friend. You’re welcome!

As you might imagine, most people who are in attendance are there for the fun and novelty that this race has to offer. You make friends as you go!

3. The Brothers Smith

Andrew and Brian Smith are the geniuses behind the Jog ‘n Hog (they also host a Pepperoni Ball event in Erie, Pa. earlier in the year) and are, in a word, awesome.

They put on a good event and also know the power of social media. Through the year they’re interacting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Jog ‘n Hog has a family feel, from the bib and shirt pick up to the volunteers cheering on the course. Who doesn’t like family?

4. The Price

A pint of Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream runs for $5. If you register the first day of registration (St. Patrick’s day), it’s $22. What? That’s practically free! Well, okay, no… it’s not. But the way I rationalize it is this:

$22 for registration – $5 for a pint of ice cream = $17
$17 for 1.6 miles out and 1.6 miles back = $5.30 per mile

Uh. I don’t even know. Whatever. It’s cheap. And it’s good, clean fun. Plus, the running nearly negates the ice cream. (Shhhh, let me live in my dreamland.) Additionally, your bib gets your 20% off at the farm store and the store has great produce, great candy, and WINE.

5. The Pig, Yo

Meet this year’s pace pig.

He was out there cheering for the runners as we headed toward the ice cream. The “goal” of this race is to beat the pig during the second half of the race.

We are going to star in a new musical called The Pig and I.

The Pig beat me for the second year in a row however, I ate ice cream and from what I understand, he did not. Therefore, I think that I won by default!

I was just chatting with my husband over dinner and we were thinking of the next step for the Jog ‘n Hog. Why not take the Pace Pig to the next level with not one, not two but THREE pigs: Brick, Sticks and Straw? The Brick pig could be the fastest pace pig, Sticks at a medium pace and Straw pig could keep a slower but challenging pace. Hey Smith Bros, I’ll be your Straw pig! Dude says they could hand out stickers that say, for example, “I huffed and puffed and beat the ‘Stick’ pig.” (Note: Alcohol may have been a factor).

Another challenge for future events? Grab a paver near the start line and run!

Maureen is totally up for the challenge!

So let’s recap. Fun, ice cream, family, nearly free, pigs, friends, me. Who will I see next year? Have you ever participated in a zany race like this before?

P.S. Sprinkles make a great noise while running. I might ditch my music and run with sprinkles all the time.

P.P.S. I’m not kidding.

Scootadoot

fitness, food, friends, fun

Tag Archives: Shady Brook Farm

Five Things to Avoid During the Jog ‘n Hog

Gimme a Gimmick – 2016 Jog ‘n Hog Entry Giveaway

5 Reasons to do the Jog ‘n Hog