Started out faster than I intended (isn't that always the way?) and ran the first mile or so with my darling husband, who took it slow since he's also been sick. Then Mike took off and I just kept on chugging. And chugging. And chugging. The folks on Davis Islands were very kind, and it was so peaceful -- watching the sun come up over the water, folks in their driveways cheering us along. I tried to be good about saying thank you to all of the support personnel and spectators. Was very proud of myself that I did not walk that entire time, even on the overpasses up onto the island and off again.

Made it most of the way down Bay Shore, too, without stopping. Finally at around mile 9 or so I had to slow to a walk (and around mile 10, I had to stop for a porta potty!). I kept watching the other side of the road, looking for Mike and our other friends, and not seeing them. When I finally decided to stop looking is when Mike found me -- let out a heck of a whoop and just gave me such a boost! About a mile after that, though, I did have to just walk a bit.

Soon after the turn around, I met up with a guy named Eugene who was running and walking about as much as I was. We struck up a conversation and ended up doing the last 4-5 miles together. Mostly jogging, but about a mile or two of walking, too. Toward the end, he was such a help -- really pushed me to run more when I didn't feel like I could.

We decided we had to run the last mile, darn it. We started running again, and I felt like I couldn't, but Eugene pushed me to keep moving to the misters. We walked through those, and then started running again. Finally, in that home stretch, I was so ready to just. be. done. already! And so I started running faster to just get my butt over the line. They mangled my name, but they still announced it. First half marathon, in the books!

More training. What else is new?

Got through the chute and Eugene and I got our picture taken together. Mike re-entered the chute area and came and found me, and I introduced him to my last-three-miles helper. Found our friends again and went to get food and drink -- gotta love a town where the post-race food is Cuban! Had salad, beans, and a little rice and meat and sat with the crew for a while. It was hard to sit, and even harder to stand up again. Felt better to stand and keep walking.


My lungs and my legs. Seriously, though, i really needed to train more than I did. I would really like to be able to do this in under 3 hours next time!


This is a very well done race. The course is just beautiful, they have plenty of volunteers, and a the best post-race catering on the planet (thanks Columbia!!). Makes me proud to live in Tampa.