Sarasota Marathon Grouper Run - Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

Foggy, sticky morning! Warmest morning all winter @ about 65F and 95-100% humidity at race start.

My very first 1/2 marathon! Goal was to break 2 hours... and I did! Very happy!

I pretty much stayed with the 2 hour pacer until the last 1.5 miles when I jumped in front of her (using what little reserve I had left).

With a 6AM start, the first 3 - 4 miles of the race was run in the dark, so that was a little tricky. I couldn't really see my Garmin, so I just followed the pacing balloons.

Miles 6 and miles 8 mark the Ringling Bridge. The effects of that bridge threw me off for a bit. It's a rather steep, long one. Miles 11 & 12 were by far the most difficult mile for me. I wanted to walk so many times during those two miles that I lost count; however, I knew that if I stopped, I might not start up again.

I did well with nutrition. Had been drinking Grape CL + 1/2 Camelbak Elixer tab the day before and really upped my salt intake starting about 3 days before. Morning of the race was a packet of oatmeal, approx. 4 oz of coffee, and 12oz of Gu2O. I had a packet of Power Bar Gel Chocolate about 10 minutes before the start with some more Gu2O. I took in Gatorade at every Aid Station except for the mile 7 station where I had a Vanilla Power Bar gel + water. For as much as I was sweating, I felt hydrated enough.

I feel very happy with my performance. 1:58 is a super time to start out with as a base for the 1/2 marathon. I definitely think I can improve over the next year in preparation for the Philly 1/2 in November. I would like to be able to drop approx. 1 min/mile off my pace for that race. The cooler, dryer weather in the NE in November should also help. :o)

At this point, nothing. With only 1 year of running under my belt, the only thing that is going to get me faster and even more comfortable is time and training.

Wear racers with stability support; the LunarTrainers are great for short races, but I need the stability for the longer races... thank you blisters!

A hobbling walk to the medical tent to take care of the 3 blisters I developed.


Humidity and blisters


A great first 1/2 marathon. Started exactly on time; pace groups and corrals were provided. Lots of friendly volunteers with Gatorade that wasn't watered down (THANK YOU)!