Disclaimer: Settle in kiddies this is a long one filled with pics and stats (yay for Garmins)...Official Stats:
Clock Time: 3:57:53
Chip Time: 3:56:11Overall Place: 534 / 2089Gender Place: 127 / 852
Division Place: 22 / 126
Pace: 9:00(Garmin Stats: 26.38 M / 8:58 P)
Race Eve: Race eve was spent in a self induced panic that left me with absolutely zero sleep. Not even a single wink. I just tossed and turned and laid there with my eyes closed resisting the urge to check the clock. When the alarm finally went off it was almost a reprieve...
Pre-Race: Race morning B.o.B & I got ready for the race amidst looks of sheer panic. We were both Nervous Nancies x1000... Once we were geared up and ready to go we headed over to Target to Car Pool over with P-Funk, Hollster and the Captain. Everyone was a bit punch drunk and it really helped lighten up the mood, if only for the moment...
We got to the Convention Center fairly early and went in to meet up with the rest of the B.R.A. pre-race. Nerves were high, bladders were nervous and everyone had that look of a deer in headlights on their faces. I shot Sam a "Good Luck" text and told him I'd meet him at the Finish. Coach EK came over to me at one point and gave me a talking to; "You've trained well, you've got this, believe in yourself!" Everyone was reassuring each other and offering support and before we knew it, it was time to head over to the Start.
Start Corral: B.o.B & I headed over to the Finish Tent area to drop our bags while Hollster & P-Funk headed over to the car to get Hollster's bib. We thought they'd be coming back to the tent to drop their bags so we hung out for a few and I peed one last time. By this point it was closing in on Start time and nary a Hollster or P-Funk was in sight. We were a little stressed and knew we had to get over to the Start. We cut through with Pete, Speedy Jess's BF who'd be running the 4 hour group with me, and split ways. I gave B.o.B a reassuring hug and hoped/prayed she'd find P-Funk in the Corrals. Pete and I jumped the fence to get in behind the 4 hour group and searched desperately for Captain and Hollster. We finally spotted Speedy Jess flagging us from the other side of the Corral and we weaved through the crowd to her just in time, finding Captain and Hollster waiting. Finding them was such a relief and within moments we were off! 26.2 here we come!!!
4 Hour Group moments before the Start - Looking petrified!!!
(Hollster, Pete, Captain & I)
Start - Mile 5: (Dedicated to those of you who parted with your Starbuck's for the day and donated a Fiver to Operation Jack - Thank you!)
The first mile was the usual bottle neck, cluster f*ck. We kept the 4 hour pace leaders sign in our sights and each other no more than a runner away. As we got to Mile 2 the pace leader shot off to make up lost time, the Captain followed suit but Pete, Hollster and I decided we would run the pace we intended; 9:10 for a 4 hour marathon finish. We knew we'd meet up with them again further down the road and we'd still be running strong as opposed to burning ourselves out early on. The next few miles ticked off fairly easy on Davis Island as the sun came up. It was warming up to be a BEAUTIFUL morning (it was about 40* at the start) and I ditched my gloves after we Gu'd at Mile 5.
(9:57, 9:08, 8:53, 9:03, 8:58)
Miles 6 - 10: (Dedicated to those of you who donated a Tenspot to Operation Jack - Thank you!)
Leaving Davis Island we head back into Tampa and past the Finish Line. Soon my friend, soon, I will see you again... Passing the finish line we headed up a bridge and Pete tells me to hold my horses as I charge up pulling them along much faster than we needed to be. It was still early and there was no need to be getting crazy! I mentally committed to being better about monitoring the pace and keeping it steady from there on out.
As we veered past the Convention Center we spotted Speedy Jess & Speedy McSpeederson snapping pics just before we split from the Halfers into downtown, we are all smiles and spirits were high. Thru downtown I got to see Tampa up close and personal and enjoyed the view. The elite's start zooming past going in the opposite direction and we got to see Josh, an extremely fast B.R.A. runner, flash by like lightning! (He would go on to run a 2:42 for a 14 min PR) A few minutes later I spotted Sam by his shirt and I shouted over to him to keep it up and "GO Operation Jack!"Just before splitting with the Halfers
As we came up on Mile 8 we see a radioactive-yellow shirt and jester hat waiting on us... It's Coach Tom and he jumped in to pace us through to the Finish. We were excited and he was camera happy. I took my first e-cap and we began hitting every water stop, if only for a sip of water. It was still pretty chilly, especially in the shadows of the buildings, I was regretting dumping my gloves and although we didn't feel like we were sweating I could already taste the salt on my skin. As we looped the turn-around at Mile 9 I spotted B.o.B and she was running strong but alone, she never did find P-Funk and I could tell she was frustrated. (I said the first of many prayers for my Boo that she would have a great race...) Not far behind her we saw P-Funk and let her know B.o.B was just ahead. I kept my fingers crossed that they'd find each other. Shortly thereafter we get an unexpected surprise: Caribbean Steve!!! We were all so excited to see him and it totally charged us up! At Mile 10 we took our next Gu and brought it back thru downtown Tampa.
Coach Tom leading Pete, Hollster (just behind me) & I with Caribbean Steve
(9:00, 8:52, 8:50, 8:52, 9:00)
Miles 11 - 15: (Dedicated to those of you who donated $15± to Operation Jack - Thank you!)
Coming out of downtown we ran back through the start area and headed on to Bayshore. The miles passed by quickly and it seemed like after a few short minutes we were crossing the Half mat. I triumphantly shouted out that with that I had officially broken 2 hours on the half with time to spare! (1:58:55 according to the tracker alert) A new Half Marathon PR! I also rejoiced in knowing that everyone tracking me would get the alert that I was right on target for a 4 hour finish!
Shortly thereafter was about this time I realized that I needed to pee. In Mile 14 I broke away to gain some distance on our merry little band and just shy of Mile 15 I zipped into a porta-potty and opened the lid to the most disgusting and mentally scarring scene of my life. I will spare you the details but let's just say I'm lucky I made it out without fecal matter on my person and I have truly perfected the art of hovering. *Shudders in horror*
Having gotten that out of the way I took another Gu as I sped to catch back up with everyone and Coach Tom totally goosed me from behind as I jumped back in with Hollster & Pete. Talk about putting a pep in your step! (Have I mentioned Coach Tom has a harmless Redhead fixation? Don't worry he loves V and she keeps him in line but she lets him have his fun with me when I'm around.)
(8:51, 9:02, 9:03, 9:23, 9:23)
Miles 16 - 20: (Dedicated to those of you who parted with a Jackson for Operation Jack - Thank you!) Once again I find myself in those crucial miles where you find out what you're made of and whether or not you can hang. As Bayshore turns residential about Mile 17, I spot Sam again, heading towards the finish and I ask how he's feeling, he shouts back "Don't worry about me, go get your time, I'm getting mine!" Once again, seeing him charged me up and reminded me to keep focused. We ran a stretch on brick pavers and my ITB kinda hated me but I had taken a Motrin back on Mile 14 preemptively so I knew once we got back on pavement I'd be ok. As we came up on Mile 18 I took my final e-cap and we could see that we were gaining on the 4 hour pacers and would pass them in due time. As guessed they had lost a ton of runners and we had actually picked up a few of them along the way.
Mile 18 we came into a park that had a narrow trail around a lake and I'm not going to lie, I started to struggle as we rounded it out into Mile 19. For a split second I second guessed myself. It didn't last long and by the time Pete and I strategized the remaining miles, we passed the 4 hour group and I had renewed hope and energy. Go time was just up the street and I needed to stay on task until then. A quick check at my 4 hour pace bracelet let me know we were still on target with time to spare.
Halfway into mile 19 I opted out of taking my last Gu at the water stop thinking I'd take it at Mile 20 but Mile 20 came and went with nary a water stop and for the life of me I couldn't remember where the next water stop was even though we had just done the stretch before the turn around. Right about this time Coach EK jumped in with me and asked how I was feeling and what I was thinking. I let on to him that I was kinda stressed about my Gu situation and he assured me that water was just around the corner. With that fear settled I told him that besides that I was feeling strong and just about ready to make my move. He told me I was looking great and to stay focused before he fell back to check on Pete, Hollster and Coach Tom. Right about then I saw Jamoosh trodding towards the turn around on the other side and waved HI! (It was only after the fact that I realized he wasn't supposed to run the Full and I cursed him out in my head while simultaneously hoping he was running well and would make it to the finish in one piece. What can I say, I'm a stubborn runner too and I can relate.) Not even a few minutes after that I got to see Caribbean Steve again! Yay! I can't tell you how much happier that made me to see so many peeps on that stretch!
(8:49, 8:59, 9:01, 9:13, 9:02) Miles 21 - 25: (Dedicated to those of you who donated $25± to Operation Jack - Thank you!) I finally came up on the water stop right about Mile 21 and I took my final Gu. It was officially GO time. I knew Hollster was holding back and running reserved with Coach Tom and Pete had disappeared from my side that last mile so it was just me, myself and I. I took a deep breath, plugged in my ipod and just ran. Not hard (not yet anyway) but just ran.
As I came out of the residential area and back on to Bayshore I was greeted with a mass of spectators. My spirits soared and my legs responded. I could see the stretch of Bayshore wrapping the bay and waaaaaaay down at the end I knew that's where the finish was. I kicked it up a notch and as I passed Mile 22 I had an inner convo with myself/the man upstairs. I thought about how prior to Chicago I thought about never doing this whole marathon thing again, the training was hard on my body and I wasn't sure if it was worth the pain but after Chicago I was hooked and here I was running #2. In that moment I realized I was a long distance runner, I was meant to do this. It only took me training for 2 marathons and running who knows how many miles to realize it. I then asked for some support to keep me going strong and also to help B.o.B, Hollster and P-Funk realize their marathons dreams too. With that out of the way, here goes nothing...
The pack had broken up a ton and I was well ahead of the 4 hour group. I passed a large group of kids cheering and I grabbed a Twizzler from one of them. I tried to eat it but wasn't feeling it so I snacked on two sports beans instead before tossing the bag. I was picking off runners left and right and also catching some nasty head winds. As I came up on Mile 23 Strawberry E hopped in with me and I swear I was never so happy to see someone in my life!!! Although I had rallied with a few runners a few minutes prior and cheered with them to get fired up, it was short lived and I was back to my lonesome after having spent the previous miles with Pete, Hollster and Coach Tom. She told me I was really killing it with my pace and became my sherpa for the remaining aid stations by grabbing me water. As the headwinds picked up she attempted to block them for me and shortly thereafter Navy Steve jumped in with us too and helped. I seriously can not begin to tell you how much having them there that final stretched helped me. I was running hard and I was tired. I was starting to feel like I was loosing it and they kept encouraging me along and helped me keep it together. There aren't enough words to thank them, they were my guardian angels.
As we bared down Mile 25 Navy Steve informed me that we just had to go under two bridges and we'd see the Finish line... Strawberry E reminded me to lengthen out my stride and swing my arms... The spectator crowd grew and multiplied on the sidelines and cheers resounded all around... That last mile hurt, if I ever hit a wall it was that last mile, it hurt so bad and I would never have made it without them. (8:58, 8:42, 8:47, 8:35, 8:31)
Miles 26 - 26.2: (Dedicated to those of you who donated above and beyond to Operation Jack - Thank you!!! But more importantly to Sam, Jack, my cousin Ashley & Rixy's sister Dani)
The Finish Line. I could see it, I could hear it and I knew Team Redhead and Sam where there waiting for me. After all I had raised for Operation Jack and how far everyone from Team Redhead had traveled to see me finish I had to finish strong. Navy Steve told me to pick off the woman in front of me so I kicked it up, thanked them both profusely and ran my heart out. As I came into the chute I saw Harold with his camera off to the side and behind the fence I heard the screams of Team Redhead. I had a smile cemented on my face as I crossed that finish line knowing I had totally shattered my expected time of 4 hours. Clock time read 3:57, a few seconds after crossing I remembered to stop Hermes and it read 3:56. 12 minute PR!!! Sub 4... CHECK!
(8:31, 8:17)
In the Finish Chute...
Crossing the Finish Line
Finish: I did it. I broke 4 hours with time to spare. When it sank in emotions took over, they gave me my HUGE medal and when I saw Team Redhead I lost it and started to cry. They had collectively traveled from all over Central Florida just to see me Finish. It meant more to me than they will ever know and I was so thankful to share that moment with them.
THANK YOU TEAM REDHEAD!!! I LOVE YOU!!!
(Harold, The Brunette, Kimmy, Beaker Luv, Ebs, Rixy and Joe)
Post Race: After I collected myself we snapped some shots of the group and with Sam for Operation Jack (Team Redhead all wore Operation Jack shirts in support of the cause. Read Sam's race recap HERE - 3:09 Finish!!!) and then we headed back over to the finish to cheer B.o.B in.
Redhead Running + Operation Jack = SUCCESS!!!
No sooner had I found a spot, I see those yellow shorts barrelling down the finish chute, I checked the clock before screaming my full head off! My Boo was about to totally crush her old Marathon time and looked so good doing it! I screamed on the top of my lungs "I TOLD YOU SO!!!" as she ran by!
We rushed back to the finish area and I got choked up giving her a congratulatory hug. 4:08!!! (Read her race recap HERE) We had done it, we had run our best marathons yet! We headed over to the B.R.A. tent and found Hollster who had finished with a 3:58 for a BQ!!! Hugs & Screams all around and a few minutes later P-Funk walks up sporting a 4:12 after glow for a PR too! Within minutes Captain strolls up with his own PR... (Read his recap HERE) I love my Boo!
The elusive Captain
Every single one of the B.R.A. members that ran had PR'd!!! Gasparilla had dubbed this the "Final Voyage" for the Marathon as it would be the last year of the Distance Classic and we had all made the most out of our Final Voyage's. PR's for all and a picture perfect race day!
A round of PR's for the best running group a girl could ever be lucky enough to be a part of!!!
I heart you all SO MUCH!
Coach EK - The master mind behind the best sub-4 training plan EVER!THANK YOU SO MUCH COACH E!!!We took some more pics, I enjoyed my first after race Shock Top, toasting with Beaker luv and
proclaiming it the best Shock Top I had ever had and we all laughed as P-Funk & B.o.B announced they had made Oprah & P. Diddy their b*tches by totally owning their Finishing times. It was a riot and I was still so out of it that pretty much everything was hilarious. I had A.D.D. so bad I couldn't even get myself situated and I gotta thank Team Redhead for their patience as I got myself together. As we headed out after a round of goodbye's and celebatory hugs with the B.R.A. I ran into Jamoosh and congratulated/scolded him on running the full. (Read his race recap HERE)
Post Race Thoughts: I ran parts of this course last year on my first Half Marathon so I was pretty familiar with the course and I was pleasantly surprised at how much more organized and well ran it was in comparison. Its a shame they will be eliminating the Marathon from next years line up because overall it is a very scenic course. Flat and fast, minus Bayshore headwinds. The weather plays a big part on whether or not it's a great day though, last year I had a rough time of it with 40 mph winds and rain. Thankfully this year the weather held up and made for a picture perfect day.
Finish Line at Gasparilla Half 2009;
oh what a difference a year can make... All that being said I'm sure what ya'll really want to know is how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking now that it's over... Well physically I'm feeling ok, I'm sore but it's the good kind of sore, the sore you earned from running your heart out. I'll take that sore anyday! As for emotionally; I'm beyond overjoyed. I am basking in the after glow of a well run race and I don't have a single regret. I ran this race well and have a ton of people to thank for all the help along the way; namely Hollster, Pete and Coach Tom who stuck with me for the majority of the miles, to Coach EK for everything; from the excellent training plan to the reassuring talks, Caribbean Steve for jumping in on us unexpectedly and helping us find renewed strength and finally to Navy Steve & Strawberry E for being my guardian angels and pacing me into the finish.
My Guardian Angels; Strawberry E & Navy Steve
Huge shout out of Congrats to everyone who raced Sunday and PR'd but extra special Congrats goes to my PR Queens and training pals/gals B.o.B, P-Funk and Hollster. The last 14 weeks of training would never have been as great without you. I'm so happy we all had such an amazing race and got to share in the joy together. I love you ladies!
The PR Queens! B.o.B, P-Funk, Hollster and I basking in the after glow!
Before I sign off I have one final thanks and that goes out to you my dear readers, for all your encouragement, support and comedic relief along the way. From Lam coining the "Gorilla" theme to Run, BlackGirl, Run calling me her "She-ro" ya'll have kept me going with your antics. Thank you for reading along on another training cycle and marathon... ya'll are the best!
Arrrrgh I love me mateys & a sub 4 hour marathon!
*Race photo's courtesy of the collected efforts of Harold's Photography, Blitch & Speedy McSpeederson. Thanks guys!!!
