That's an Unofficial PR!

Have you ever had the feeling that you were going to have a good race and it happened? I knew two weeks ago that my chances at a PR were good. And despite another frickin' head wind and a strained calf at Mile 16, I have a new PR by about two mintutes. 4:36:45 unofficially.

So let's talk about Tampa. The race started half an hour late. This really sucked for the folks who finished in over five and a half hours because they still opened the course to traffic starting around noon. By the way Victoria finished her first marathon in around five and a half hours - good for her! Her man, Scott, ran with her the entire way - good for him.

It was raining when the race started. Nothing heavy, just a light drizle. It actually wasn't bad as it made the morning feel cooler than it was. Just after you start, you get your first bridge - just a small one, but it is of the metal grate type. I hate running over these types of bridges. And there were plenty along the course - grrrr...

There are not a lot of people out supporting the race, so those accustomed to a big city marathon may be disappointed.

The first half is through neighborhoods and downtown Tampa. Then you do an out and back along Bayshore Drive. Much of Bayshore is along the water so the scenery and the large, over the top houses are nice to look at, but the wind sucks. This mornning, two weather sites said 13 mph, but they have both since updated to say gusts in excess of 20 mph.

My first thirteen miles were in around 2:16 and the second half around 2:20. The halfway point was not marked, which was frustrating. Mile 26 was also not marked, which was even more frustrating. Definite room for improvement in this area.

Tampa features a number of outs and back, so you get to see runners ahead or behind you often. Not necessarily a bad thing.

Tampa is a pretty good run. Outside of the metal bridges and some wacky camber to some of the roads, I would say it is a good value, especially when you get your five pound medal. It's not really five pounds, but it definitely gives Disney a run for their money. This is by far the thickest medal I have ever received. I'll post a picture when I return home.

Two lighter moments during the marathon. Early on there were some bicyclists on the course. These were not iders of the first aid variety, but just people out for a ride. Many of us runners were doing the old "WTF" until we heard this voice that was not necessarily from heaven, "I know you are not riding inside the cones. You get your asses on the other side. If I have to cross this street..." Tampa PD on the scene. Applause from the runners for the PD and some jeers for the now embarrased cyclists.

Around Mile 17 or 18 I passed a News Team. These guys were dressed like they were from The Weather Channel in the middle of a Hurricane. I would love to see this newscast. These two fools in extra thick yellow rain slickers, the goofy yellow hats and in the background runners in shorts and tank tops. Priceless!

More marathon verbage and a photo tomorrow or Tuesday after I return to Houston.

Listening to: ... 

Comments

[Jon Walk]

Well, I won't be taking that time down anytime soon!

Great job! What a run! I've been looking and waiting for the official results so I can get the HRB RC club blog entry done for the weekend.

With you and your wife running, we'll have had 15 runners competing and Sam Rodriguez and Lisa Leese decided not to race.

Jon

[Cassie]

Alright!!! Way to go! Congrats on the PR!!! That is a great time. What was Jaclyn's time?