Shiver Me Timbers!

The hotel alarm clock was definitely not needed. I woke up around 1:00 AM and proceeded to do so every 20 minutes until 4:30. Once out of bed, I started getting ready but was immediately distracted by the image in the mirror. It was the worst case of bed head I have EVER had or seen. I desperately tried to fix it, but nothing helped. Glancing down at my watch, time was slipping by quickly. Finally I started the process of getting ready, yet hit another dilemma. I knew it was going to rain, drop in temperature, and experience some wind, but would it be cold enough for a jacket? I flip-flopped over that issue right up until time to go. Scott woke up to give me support, encouragement and capture my pre-race look. I quickly managed to flip my hair to the opposite side to compensate for the mangled mess that was my hair. It had worked. I walked out of the hotel at 5:10 AM – without a jacket.

As soon as I saw police officers blocking off roads, and small crowds of runners walking up Ashley Street, all my anxiety disappeared. I started laughing as the wind blew my hair in every direction. What was I so worried about? It was going to be a bad hair day for everyone! My thirty minute walk the day before became a ten minute walk this morning. It’s amazing how fast you can walk without two kids in tow – and with streets blocked off. I had to start laughing again as soon as I saw the Publix off of Platt. Parker Street was a small side street right by the grocery store. Runners were everywhere – stretching, running or simply waiting for the race to start. I joined the stretching group, and tried not to get blown over by the strong gusts of wind. About 20 minutes before the start, I decided to find a place to stand in front of the line – way behind it. I noticed pace signs in the crowd, and began to look for the 5:00 hour/11:30 pace group. My goal for this race was to finish in the 2:30’s – even if it was 2:39 (that’s two hours by the way), and thought I would try out sticking with a pace group. The group’s leader, Amy, who had many races under her belt including Athens, Amsterdam, and London, energized the crowd with tips, jokes and lots of encouragement. I felt pretty confident I had made the right choice.

Before I knew it, the Nation Anthem was being sung (very badly I might add), and away we went… and not very fast. Between the Half and Full Marathon, about 8,000 people were trying to make their way through a narrow area. We bottle-necked again at the Davis Island Bridge. The pace group worked out great. I met a woman from Mississippi. This was her 9th marathon. I met another fellow Orlandoian who was also running the half. She and I talked about all sort of things for awhile until the pace leader turns over to look at me, and says “You in the black and white. Tell me YOUR story… and hand her the pace sign since it’s her turn to talk”. OK, at that moment I think I had enough adrenalin to run full bore up to the 9:00 minute pace group. Somehow I managed to talk my way out of NOT holding the sign and to spill out my “why I’m here” story. I explained how I normally run with my cousin, Melanie, but due to Girl Scout obligations she could not make it. Without a moment’s hesitation, Amy yells, “All for Girl Scout Cookies!”, and the crowd cheers! You were missed, Mel! The first five miles through Davis Island were fantastic. What an incredible course and wonderful spectators as they cheered us on. We had a juggler at mile 1.5 showing off his talents with fire sticks and then again at mile 4.5 with tennis rackets.

I lost the pace group around mile 6.5 for two reasons: 1. I was started to struggle to keep up. As I glanced at my Garmin, I noticed we were doing a 10:30 pace. I panicked. I didn’t want to burn out before hitting mile 10. 2. As soon as I hit Bay Shore Boulevard the wind nearly knocked me over. I honestly felt as if I was not moving at all, but I knew better. It looked as if I was in slow motion and runners around me where in fast forward. For almost three miles the wind pushed straight on. During this time, I enjoyed meeting a few more runners along the course. I met one man who was running his first half marathon ever to commemorate his 50th birthday. I tried to talk a couple into running in front of me to block the wind. We enjoyed a good laugh. There was no break from that wind… and rain. Even running the opposite way was difficult. The wind did not push you from behind. It hit you sideways. I had to apologize to a few runners for knocking into them due to the gusts. As I rounded around mile 10, and looked at my time – I couldn’t help but smile. My time was 2:00 even. Game on!

By this time the pace car for the marathon was approaching, asking half marathoners to stay to the left while the lead runner came through. A 37 year old former Olympian came cruising by effortlessly. He crossed the finish line around 2:14. Watching him go was inspirational, and fueled my desire even more. Around mile 11 the Rough Riders were giving out necklaces… I didn’t dare stop. Yes, I actually by-passed more bling! Before I knew it, I could see the finish line and heard my Garmin alarm go off to inform me I had reached 13.1 at 2:38, but that doesn’t cut it, Folks! It’s the chip time that does. So with every ounce of energy I had left, my feet pounded the pavement. I crossed at 2:40:18. Yes, a bit disappointing, but still my best time for a half so far. It just means I’ll have to run another one. ;-) Right as I crossed the finish line, I thought I had heard my name, but had dismissed it. I told Scott not to bring the kids due to the weather. But I heard it yet again. As I turned in the direction of the sound, there was my brother, Matthew, holding a sign “YOU DID IT! STEPHANIE!” I immediately ran over to hug and thank him for his spectator-ness!!! It meant the world to see him standing there. (Matthew, YOU ROCK! I love you so much!!) I still had to get my medal before leaving the corral only to find out they had run out of them. At least they had a “fake” one in the meantime. But they made you go to the Convention Center to turn in the paperwork for it. Thankfully I had Matthew with me to keep me company. (By the way, there were many runner’s without the official medal.)

Once everything was taken care of in regards to my pirate’s loot, we started on our way back to the hotel. As we were waiting to cross a street, I felt a little poke on my back and a voice saying “Hey Orlando!” It was my fellow Orlandoian (I’ve got to start asking people’s names!). She was so happy to see me, and to hear how things went. The pace group finished at 2:31. Oh how I wish I could have kept up - Maybe next time. It took a while for Matthew and I to make it to the hotel. The temperature had dropped drastically as we struggled to plow through the 20 mph winds. We walked into the hotel seconds before the down pour began. Scott and the kids had just sat down in the hotel’s restaurant for breakfast. Talk about perfect timing! Overall, it was a great race, great course. Tampa did a fantastic job minus not having enough medals. I can only imagine what it’s like when the weather is forgiving. I guess I’ll have to find out next year! Melanie, are you in?