Bank of America Gasparilla Marathon - RunMarathon

I really enjoyed this run mainly because it was a PR and the first time I broke four hours!!! I have never felt so spent at the end of a race, (including the Ironman), like I did after this one. I really wanted to hit the sub-four goal and felt awesome when I knew I was going to do it. In fact, at one moment while running with this girl from Miami around Mile 17 I thought I might just go sub-3:50. Now, from the beginning: Davis Island was dark and while I normally start out with a high HR it typically calms down in the first 15 minutes or so regardless of the activity. On this day that was not to be the case. I went up quick and stayed there all day. This concerned me because in the past I've had cramping issues. I wasn't sure what my LT was lately but I figured with all of the training it was a little higher than what it had been last fall. I never felt like I was breathing hard as if I was anaerobic so I kept a steady pace. I really wanted to run negative splits but just couldn't seem to slow it down enough. Seems like I was able to accomplish that later! Around Mile 14 I saw Deb and Jill returning to the finish for the 1/2. They looked strong and were running along nicely. We waved and I kept tracking out to the end for the turnaround. My only complaint came around 15 when I heard a guy just behind me make a cell phone call. DUDE?!? I ran with a nice woman from Miami for a couple of miles around 17-19 and then dropped her and ran through 22 with the 8:50 pace group. I ran with them for about two miles until the pacer mentioned we were moving a little faster to build a buffer for the windy return. It sucked the life out of me. I was surprised to see them thinking they were ahead of me all day. Once we turned onto Bayshore to head back the last 6 miles I knew it would be heart that would get me in. I was hitting the wall at 22 and feeling pretty tired. I stopped at every aid station and drank and walked a very tiny bit. The wind was tough and continued to pick up. I focused on one person at a time and just tried to reel them in. At this point I didn't want to just beat my goal, I wanted it to be more substantial. With what I had left in the tank I focused on getting as close to 3:50 as possible. Like others I felt like this last stretch just seemed to go on and on. I finally got close to the last lap and tried to open up. My HR monitor was pinging like crazy since I was over my limit at this point. My hip flexors were locking down and all I wanted was to finish. I managed to get a good pace going again and headed for the barn. I saw Deb and Jill over to the right about 100 yards from the finish. They were cheering me on. It was exciting! Crossing the finish line was amazing for me this time. While I've come close once or twice, this one felt so different for me. It was like "welcome to the club". I will always remember this one.

I should have really forced myself to tone it down at the first 10K. Try to force my HR back into the can. The last few years I had been a run/walker and this was the first time in a long time that I had just run one. Also, I'm not sure if running those few miles with the 3:50 pace group at the end was a good thing or a bad thing.

Once I crossed the line I was pretty rung out. A doctor came over to check on me and I told him I was good to go. I got my mylar blanket and my bling (great bling!) and found Jill and Deb. They had already showered and were there to see me cross. I was very thirsty. I sat curbside for about 30 minutes. My Mom showed up with my dog. It was very Norman Rockwell. We took pictures with pirates and finally walked back to the hotel to clean up and go eat a ton of food.


HR was high all day even though I didn't seem to feel like I was anaerobic. The wind was tough. Would've like a couple more lbs. off. But, frankly, I can't complain. It was a good day.


This is a surprise. I really liked the course, participants, expo, organization. And while February is always a challenge, the weather was pretty great. I hear this one always has wind and on this day it was no exception. The few points on the course where both races are together aren't too bad. Maybe a little crowed in spots at the first 10K. I like smaller races and this one was right up my alley. I highly recommend it.