2012 Gasparilla Virtual Finisher's Certificates

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http://www.tampabayrun.com/

The day that was ...

With a mere five hours of sleep, I dragged myself out of bed at 5:15am on Gasparilla (Saturday) morning. I did have the foresight to check out parking, layout my clothes/running gear and boil some eggs the night before. Even with preparation, the morning went by quickly. Of course, my system was working overtime too with three separate trips to the bathroom before heading downtown …

I ate two hard boiled eggs and two slices of wheat toast en route. A couple of pieces of lemon candies were wedged in my bra for the race. Lemon works well to settle my upset stomach and give a slight sugar boost.

Once parked, I went to the bathroom one more time before the starting gun fired.

It was 6:45am when I made my way to Bayshore.

I always try to be in place for the “National Anthem,” but it didn’t happen on Saturday. There’s just something about the song that gives me goose bumps and I proudly sing along.

My late arrival placed me pretty near the back of the pack for the start. I asked a fellow runner to take a few pre-race pictures of me then …

Pop!

The wheelchair race was underway and I was next.

I toiled with the decision of what to listen to during the race—Pandora and suffer through tunes that I don’t like or my “Freakonomics” or “This American Life” podcasts.

The freak won out. I like economics and the hosts have a way of making everyday stuff interesting. I learned about the science of food, the $ behind the NFL lockout and pain—how timely was that?

The pace of “Freakonomics” probably didn’t help my running pace, but with full sun and rising temps I wasn’t trying to break a record. Finishing in an upright position suited me just fine.

Within the first two miles I came up on Allison. We ran together for a few steps and then I spotted a port-a-potty. If you lost count, that was the fifth pee since waking at 5:15am and I didn’t even drink a lot.

Nerves. All nerves.

The first leg heading was pretty good. I maintained my run a ½ mile, walk for a minute pace.

As I approached Gandy Blvd., I thanked God for the shaded neighborhoods in Ballast Pointe.

It was downhill from there.

The sun on Bayshore was brutal. A decent breeze, but not enough to dry the sweat that kept dripping into my eyes.

Water stations served two purposes—hydration on the inside and cooling off on the offside.

My run a 1/2 mile, walk a minute pace stretched out to walk when needed. I still maintained the one minute walk break, it just came more frequently.

About this time, “Freakonomics” stopped working. Correction, it played just fine, but wasn’t enough to distract me from the heat, hunger and overall displeasure with the conditions.

Mile 6

An easy 5k to go … Eat a lemon candy.

Mile 7

Less than two miles … Have a sports drink.

Mile 8

The homestretch … Eat another lemon candy.

Mile 9

I see the finish line.

In classic Natalie style, I pick up the pace a bit and without fail this triggers wheezing. I get so excited with my accomplishment and focused on finishing strong that breathing becomes a challenge.

I manage to pull it together and slow my breathing, but not before a few tears trickle down.

Crossing the finish line is a major milestone for me—even more so than my first half-marathon. Unlike two years ago, for this race I had so many responsibilities competing for my training time. Nonetheless, once my colleagues and I committed to Gasparilla, I followed the mantra of Tim Gunn on “Project Runway” and made it work.

Be it running at 9:30pm on a weekday or five miles with Luke in the jogger—I made it happen and my reward was footsteps away.

Even with the heat, hunger and frequent walk breaks, I still managed to finish with a better time than my training indicated.

My clothes were soaked from a combination of sweat and dousing with water. I collected my finishers metal and breezed through the post-race party.

Sadly, I didn’t see any colleagues so I made my way to my truck.

En route, I found the CAMLS building that we frequently receive e-mails about … I also found the urge to use the bathroom again. Only this time, a port-a-potty would simply not do!

So, I hit the upper deck of the Selmon Expressway and high tailed it home. Thanks , Sam, for talking to me the entire way and distracting me from my overactive system J

Thanks to everyone else for the accountability texts, Monday morning updates, weekday runs and the opportunity to commit to something that was such an important part of my past. I hope this experience (re)ignited the desire to run more in all of us.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to my training partner for long runs. There were few Sunday mornings that you missed. Be it hot, cold, windy or calm you were right there with me—begging for treats, waving to cars and triggering just as many bathroom breaks as me!

Thanks, Lukey Luke!

Runner Tracking & Text Messaging

Sign Up Now to take advantage of metroPCS Runner Tracking & Text Messaging. You have the option of tracking someone, including yourself, via phone, email, Facebook or Twitter.

metroPCS Runner Tracking will be available for the following:

15K - Half Way & Finish Line
5K - Finish Line
Half Marathon - Half Way, 9-Mile, 11-Mile & Finish Line
5+3K - 5K & Finish Line

Live Entrant Tracking - sponsored by T-Mobile

http://www.xacte.com/templates/gdr/

On your mark, get set, GO!

Depending on your distance and if you are running or walking, the start times on Saturday vary from 7am :-( to 10am (Is DeeDee joining us?). So ... should we attempt a group photo? If we do it at the conclusion of the Saturday events, then we are probably looking at a 10:45/11am shoot time. I am open to other ideas on how to make this happen.

SuperSam--Are you still planning to attend the Saturday races and support the team?

Team--If you are able to attend the Sunday race and support Sam in the half-marathon, then I encourage you to do so. I can attest that thousands of participants and spectators will be on hand on Saturday. Sadly, spectator turn out on Sunday--from your average Bayshore resident, to bands and cheerleaders--is markedly less.

SuperSam--What is your estimated finish time for folks who can't be on the course the entire time?

http://www.tampabayrun.com/Race_Info/15K_and_5K/General_Information.htm#Date%20&%20Times

Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K & 5K start times

Saturday, March 3, 2012 7:00a.m. 15K Wheelchair Start Bayshore and Verne Wheelchair participants and seeded athletes ONLY can access the 15K Start from the front by utilizing the Wheelchair/Elite Entrance located adjacent to the Start Platform. All other Participants must enter the start from the rear, utilizing the Platt Street Bridge.

7:05a.m. 15K Open Men and Women Start Bayshore and Verne Please access the 15K Start from the rear and by utilizing the Platt Street Bridge; adjacent to the Franklin Street Entrance of the Tampa Convention Center. SEEDED MEN & WOMEN ONLY WILL ACCESS THE 15K START FROM THE FRONT AND SHOULD UTILIZE THE SEEDED/ELITE ENTRANCE LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE START PLATFORM ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF PLATT STREET.

9:30a.m. 5K Open Start Bayshore and Verne Please access the 5K Start from the rear and by utilizing the Platt Street Bridge; adjacent to the Franklin Street Entrance of the Tampa Convention Center. SEEDED MEN & WOMEN ONLY WILL ACCESS THE 5K START FROM THE FRONT AND SHOULD UTILIZE THE SEEDED/ELITE ENTRANCE LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE START PLATFORM ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF PLATT STREET. 9:50a.m. Kellogg's 5K Walk Start 5K Walkers (Adults and Kids 5 yrs & Over) should begin lining up on Little Bayshore Boulevard at the foot of the Platt Street Bridge. ONCE THE 5K RUN HAS STARTED, WALK PARTICIPANTS WILL BE WALKED TO THE START LINE ON BAYSHORE BOULEVARD. 10:00a.m. Kellogg's 5K Stroller Roll Start 5K Stroller Roll Adults & Kids In Strollers (4yrs & Under) should gather in the Publix Super Markets Parking Lot that is adjacent to Little Bayshore Boulevard. ONCE THE 5K WALKERS HAVE CLEARED LITTLE BAYSHORE BOULEVARD AND ARE WALKING TO THE 5K WALK START, 5K STROLLER ROLL PARTICIPANTS WILL BEGIN LINING UP ON LITTLE BAYSHORE BOULEVARD; ONCE 5K WALK START AREA IS CLEAR, 5K STROLLER ROLL PARTICIPANTS WILL BE WALKED TO THE START LINE ON BAYSHORE BOULEVARD

Packet pick-up

To be clear, all participants MUST pick-up their race number,timing chip, etc. from the expo. Below is a link to the website and specific info about the expo.

If this is your first large race, then I encourage you to attend the expo when you have time to hang out--not during lunch. There is much to see and do there--buy all kinds of gear and accessories, have your gait analyzed, win free stuff, meet other athletes, etc. It's fun!

http://www.tampabayrun.com/Race_Info/15K_and_5K/General_Information.htm#PacketPickup

Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K & 5K Race Packet, T-shirt, Race Number Pick-Up will take place during the 8 On Your Side Health & Fitness Expo being held at the Tampa Convention Center – East Hall on Friday, March 2, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and on Saturday, March 3, beginning at 6 a.m.

If you are not able to attend the Expo and pick-up your Race Number, a Race Number Pick-Up Authorization Form must be completed, signed and presented by whomever WILL be picking up for you. A downloadable version of the Authorization Form can be found below.

Race Shirt Etiquette

This is hilarious, I had to share... don't get caught breaking the rules! LOL

Race Jitters

Who's getting race jitters? I am! It's hard not to think about anything else...

So, to the experienced runners, what do you do/eat/drink the day(s) before, especially the night before, the race and the morning of the race? What's your plan?

Trail Race? Check!

Trail running is a very different running experience, but very fun too!

Getting bored, need a change? Give trail running a shot. I would do it again, although not as often as road running :)

Here's how I did at the Flatwoods Ramble 5K race at the Flatwoods Park trails:

Finished in 28:30. Not my best time for that distance, but avoiding holes and tree roots on a single lane trail is no joke! Not sure exactly where I placed yet, but I was given a cap at the crossing of the finish line, which means I made the top 25 females list. All in all, it was a fun experience! :)

Heat and Humidity

Only 65 degrees, but that 95 percent humidity got the best of me. How will I make it through the summer months?!?!

Today's run slapped me back to reality, reminding me of how much I still have to learn about the sport of running. I was getting away with ill preparation for my long runs. The cool weather made me ignore the need to stay hydrated.

I learned a very hard lesson today and can't leave it up to chance that race day will be cool. Got back to my research and ready to take on my last long run before race day... (I think)

Trials and tribulations of a newbie :)

It’s all good

This morning I did the unthinkable.

Against my better judgment, I bared all and ventured onto the scale …

Boo. Hiss. Curse.

As you may have guessed, it did not reveal what I wanted to see.

While I am thankful to be back to pre-preggo weight, I expected two months of running to yield more pounds loss.

Then again, I am chomping on a heart shaped Valentine’s Day doughnut filled with delightful cream and topped with sweet chocolate chips as I blog …

Despite my weekly mileage, the ‘eating season’ that kicked off on Halloween and chugs along through the Easter is doing me in.

No worries.

My mental well-being and physical health (as far as I can tell) is much improved.

See ya in the candy aisle for the post-Valentine’s Day sale on tomorrow!