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<p>I'll get this thing going today since I was up at 5:30 am!!</p>
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<p>After breaking a toe last fall and doing some odd training during the winter, I decided to race the Gasparilla Distance Classic. Of course I went after the original 15k, but they have 4 races with over 26,000 competing today and tomorrow. </p>
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<p>I woke up in plenty of time which is always a concern for me. Made it to the race, parked and found my way to the start which is across a bridge. The course is an out and back along Bayshore Dr. so it is pretty flat with a nice view. I originally put my racers on but with not being able to get back to my car, I changed into my trainers. The wheelchairs went about 5 minutes before we did and I jumped in the line about 8 rows deep. I wasn't too concerned since a lot of the runners go a little faster at the start anyway. The horn blew and we were off. Within a couple minutes, I could see around the bend and was amazed how far behind the leaders we already were. Not having run on the roads in over a month, I was just guessing at the pace I could run but hoped to finish in one hour. I went through the first mile in 6:38 and continued to knock a few seconds off each mile while continually passing people. I like to count as I pass, but I skipped that today just hoping the mile markers would come soon. My next miles were in 6:35, 6:32, 6:28, and 6:25. I hit 5 miles in 32:38 and feeling pretty good considering the higher than expected temps and humidity. At this point though my hammie started tightening up and I thought my race was over. I backed off the pace a little and jumped on the grass to see if that would help. I ran a little harder effort to get to the 6 mile mark where I was going to walk in if it really got tight. That mile was 6:31. The tightness went away a little and only came back once more but I kept the effort a little easier and got through the next miles in 6:34, 6:35, and 6:32. I kept the steady pace through the finish in 60:51 chip time. I was on right on pace until the last 5k but didn't want to chance really hurting my hammy so I am very happy with the race. I ended up 3rd in my AG and 98th overall. Now I can enjoy a little sunshine before making my way north again.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>After breaking a toe last fall and doing some odd training during the winter, I decided to race the Gasparilla Distance Classic. Of course I went after the original 15k, but they have 4 races with over 26,000 competing today and tomorrow. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I woke up in plenty of time which is always a concern for me. Made it to the race, parked and found my way to the start which is across a bridge. The course is an out and back along Bayshore Dr. so it is pretty flat with a nice view. I originally put my racers on but with not being able to get back to my car, I changed into my trainers. The wheelchairs went about 5 minutes before we did and I jumped in the line about 8 rows deep. I wasn't too concerned since a lot of the runners go a little faster at the start anyway. The horn blew and we were off. Within a couple minutes, I could see around the bend and was amazed how far behind the leaders we already were. Not having run on the roads in over a month, I was just guessing at the pace I could run but hoped to finish in one hour. I went through the first mile in 6:38 and continued to knock a few seconds off each mile while continually passing people. I like to count as I pass, but I skipped that today just hoping the mile markers would come soon. My next miles were in 6:35, 6:32, 6:28, and 6:25. I hit 5 miles in 32:38 and feeling pretty good considering the higher than expected temps and humidity. At this point though my hammie started tightening up and I thought my race was over. I backed off the pace a little and jumped on the grass to see if that would help. I ran a little harder effort to get to the 6 mile mark where I was going to walk in if it really got tight. That mile was 6:31. The tightness went away a little and only came back once more but I kept the effort a little easier and got through the next miles in 6:34, 6:35, and 6:32. I kept the steady pace through the finish in 60:51 chip time. I was on right on pace until the last 5k but didn't want to chance really hurting my hammy so I am very happy with the race. I ended up 3rd in my AG and 98th overall. Now I can enjoy a little sunshine before making my way north again.</p>
