Bank of America Gasparilla Half-Marathon - Run

I was really really happy with my results. Do I wish I could have run sub-10 minute miles? Sure! But, with my piriformis being in bad shape, I was just happy to have finished with (somewhat of) a smile on my face. :) I had done my training to run 9, walk 1. But of course, I didn't do that in the race- I just get too competitive- I want to race!! The only time I stopped to walk, was briefly when I came thru the aid station to drink. I really didn't see any BTers out on the course- I was too busy just looking straight ahead or at the ground, counting down the miles til I had one left to go. I felt like the run on Bayshore took FOREVER. I was like, where the hell is the turnaround. Great to see Sue standing under her umbrella towards the end.

Run FASTER, bring my ipod shuffle, not eat so much for breakfast- I felt my bagel and starbucks drink coming up the whole first half of the race. :(
I didn't take in any of the clif shot bloks I had on me...I really over-ate for breakfast- next time I will eat maybe an english muffin instead of a bagel, that way I can eat througout the race.

All of a sudden it got FREEZING cold when I crossed the finish line. My hip was KILLING me and I limped over to the BT banner to wait for my friend Rena to finish. I had never seen those foil blanket things and I was like, who needs one of these?? But, after a minute of freezing in the cold, I went back to get one. Sorry to the BT crowd for not hanging around to chitchat and watch people finish, but we were so tired, hungry, sore, we just wanted to go lay down in the hotel. It hurt SO bad to walk back to the hotel. Every curb or incline, I was in pain. I walked like a penguin. Pretty funny actually. As soon as we got back to the hotel room, I swear I stayed in the hot shower for 30 minutes. It was the best feeling EVER.


Being injured (seems like a constant thing for me lately), generally being not that great at running...


Awesome, awesome race, except for:
1. The awful weather
2. the race starting 30 minutes late and having to speakers so you could hear what was happening

The good things:
1. PLENTY of aid stations
2. getting beads at mile 11
3. decent post race food - although i couldn't bring myself to eat the Columbia House food at 9 a.m.

I am really looking forward to doing another half mary sometime this year. And I was really proud of myself for following through with the running program- since my longest run before I started training for this in Nov., was only 6 miles. I can't wait to do another one...and of course there is the possibility of running a full mary in a few years!? :) Thanks everyone for a great weekend, it was the most fun I've had in a long time!