Bank of America Gasparilla Half-Marathon - Run

Again, it was a Zone 2 training run, so I started out slow and let everyone shoot out in front of me. Ran the first mile, then stopped as usual to stretch before continuing. Didn't see Chippy and Jess prior to the race, so I was worried I wouldn't get to run with them like we had planned. At the 2 mile marker or so, I had found Max, Rennee and a few others BTers, and then we came across Chippy and Jess at the porta-potties. Waited on them and then we were off. All I can say is that was the best choice I made all day. I had a blast running with them and Chippy did great! Not bad for a young lady coming off a recent heart surgery episode. We cut up, talked about people, laughed and joked and even let Jess sing to us along the way. Did a little "people watching" and just had fun! By the way Jess & Chippy, if you are reading this......."She wants me!" :)

We just kept our easy pace and laughed all the way. Ran into all the others out on the course numerous times. (they were going the other way...well ahead of us!).

We kept an 8:2 run/walk interval, or so Jess and I thought....I think the docs screwed up poor Chippy's heart, as they must have reveresed something inside there during the surgery...Poor girl would stop to walk her two minutes to ease the HR back down, but would drop me and Jess in her dust with her walking pace. I had to run to keep up with her walking and had to walk to keep up with her running!!! (Chippy, I only kid, becuase I care! ;) )

We finally get to the 12 mile mark and I guess I was zoning out (or watching the hotties out on the course) and I look up and Chippy was off and hauling ass...and poor Jess was behind her trying to catch up. Chippy had decided she was tired of running and wanted to be done! I was kind enough to run with these two and all the love I get in return is them dusting my arse over the last mile. :( I just stayed in zone and kept trucking on in.

Not a damn thing! This was too much fun. I definitely couldn't have matched this training run anywhere else.

Got through the finsih area and rounded the corner and met up with all the other BTer's for a much needed cold beer. Hung out for a while, then we decided to head back to the hotel to shower and put on some warm dry clothes. Ate some breakfast then went back down to the race to see the marathoners finish.

After everyone had finished, it was time to eat again and to have a Guinness at a local sports bar. (Aaron, Haley, Chippy, Trixie, Chris-Coredump, Chris-Golfingods, Max and myself)

More fun even though we were all dead....and the location for the quote of the day.....This comment took place as we were all saying good-bye to Aaron & Haley, and well, Trixie is very loveable and "hands-on" when she is saying bye....which prompted Chippy to say....

"Trix is like a tit-less teddy bear!"




My slow-ass Zone 2 pace!


Wasn't impressed with the delayed start. They said it was for lightning....but did they not realize that we were already standing outside in the same f-ing weather??? Isn't it supposed to harder to hit a moving target?