Sarasota Music Half Marathon - Run

I enjoyed most everything about this race. My issues were mine and mine alone. 1) I was reminded that seeding matters, as I started way too far back and fought traffic/walkers for the first mile or 2. Too much zig zag. 2) Coming out of Selby I had a water intake issue. Can't drink with your lungs, big fellow. I am a man, not a fish :) 3) Mental collapse a short while thereafter, when it became apparent that my time goal was not going to be met.

Now there is good, and lots of it. My effort level was better than anything previous, up until mile 11 or so. Fuel plan was on point with a Hammer Montana Huckleberry at the end of mile 5, right before the water station. From the start of the bridge to the end of the Botanical Gardens was well done. And speaking of Selby, what a bonus to get to run through there!! It was completely beautiful and well placed in the course from a crowd control perspective. The crowd had broken up by mile 10, so it was easy to get through there with little issue. Overall, I had very little issue and was able to keep a pretty good pace. In fact, I believe mile 8 was one of my better splits. My training included a couple of wonky muscle issues, but I worked through it intelligently and improved. It was still a PR, so how bad could it be?!? I still enjoy training and want to see more improvements.

Try not to breathe like a fish? Seed myself better at the start? Wear shoes that fit better? Yes, the PI's are done, I ran 1 season too many and my ever changing feet no longer fit in them. Lesson learned, the Zoot's have been ordered.

Wander through the post race party area, eat a bagel.


Me. But in the end, I do have to say this was a good race for me. I continue to see improvements, both in training and in race day performance.


I have to give them Kudos. This is an inaugural event and it was spot on. Well run from start to finish. The bands were all different, and all fun, especially the band between the bridge and St Armands. Soul Sensation was a real good high energy act. The post run party food was one of the best spreads I have ever seen at a race. The only thing holding them back from a 5 is if there are more Porta Potties.