Bank of America Gasparilla Marathon - Run

This was a great run for me, I did exactly what I wanted to and just adjusted a little along the way. Ran with Wendi (g8tersax) until 2.5 miles she dropped back and puked which was good for me, cause if she did while running with me; I would have too. Ran the rest of the way by myself, saw trixie, rick, Wendi, Mike, Jess, and all the other Bters on the turn around on Davis Is, as we ran by the Outback blimp. When we split (for 1/2 and full to take a different route), I felt really good and confident. Kept up my pace even though it was raining pretty good during this time. I liked the run through the city but it got very windy, I saw Sue, Max, Renee, and Rich and said hi to them when I passed them. I did like making the one loop on the school track, it was rubberized and felt good under my feet. Felt good as we crossed the bridge and ran onto Bayshore Dr. Everything was suprisingly good, no blisters (even though the rain) and no real feet issues or strange chaffing going on.
It was nice running along Bayshore cause you got to see all the people coming back going to the finish. I did have to make a potty break at mile 17. Things felt awesome until around 19, then at 20 the wall came at least for my quads...
I walked all of the water stations and once 20 hit I couldnt wait for the next one. That was my count dowm, not the mile markers but how soon could I get to a water station so I could walk.
When 22 mile came and you were back out in the open ans the wind, it was tough. I felt like I was going so slow and I felt like I was running on two stubs. I kept thinking of the advice Aaron (jeepfleeb) gave me about getting my second wind; I kept thinking when in the hell is this second when gonna come... No second wind Aaron. On my IPOD I had all of these cool tunes to jam to and for some reason Help Me (by Joni Mitchell) came on and it almost made me cry, then I knew my emotions were all jacked up. I fast forwarded to the next song.
Mile 23,24,25 was pretty much a blur of pain and thinking when is this damn thing going to be over. It sucks because Tampa is so flat you could almost see the finish line, even though it was so far away; it was like a big tease.
Finally 26 came I knew I was done, Wendi came to run the last .2 with me. Which was nice because I needed it. Would have been better if it was the last 6 miles but I think I would have been too grippy.. Was nice to be with my thoughts.
Finally I was done, it was my first and I cant say it was all that gently. Kind of like how cats rape each other when the do it... I got my two medals (one for losing my cherry).
Thought about Aaron telling me how good the beer was gonna taste.
Walk, well hobbled to the BT gang and opened up a cold one, got hugs from the hot BT chicks and hand shakes from the guys.


It was my first one, so I dont know that I could have done anything differently other than have a longer run longer than 17, but I got sick for 2 weeks; so I couldnt help that.

walked my sore legs over the BT banner and had me some beers. Comet rubbed down my legs with that stick thingy... I then just hung out and chatted, glad I had finished it.


Not sure, I wanted to do it in 4:30 or better. Maybe the wind and rain. Oh and my 3 min bathroom stop at mile 17...


I want to give a big pat on the back to Aaron and Haley, you guys rock! Thanks for being there to suppoert us all during and after the run. Also to Renee for coordnating the Dinner the night before.
Wendi for coming back and running that last little bit to get me finished.
Trixie for peeing on the road twice before the race, ok so that really didnt do anything than make me laugh and take the tension off before the race.
Also have to say it was fun to give out beers to people that finished. The suprised look on their faces when you asked them and then they were like we gave them the key to the city.
Also a shout out to Ron, for this site. Man when you read these race reports you have to be so proud that all of these people can get together (because of you) and hang out, get to know each other (other than on the threads), and run a race. Ron hats off to you....