I AM IRON GIRL!

Yes, I know I am insane to have planned a race just a couple of days after our big NYC vacation. Most Iron Girl events are triathlons. My cousin, Melanie, mentioned though of a 10K version: the catch – running over the Clearwater Bridge… twice. To achieve the title alone was good enough for me, but hey, bling always helps. ;-) I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to become an Iron Girl. There was also an added bonus of meeting one of Melanie’s dear racing buddies, Bodacious (Running Group User Name), who I have only met via the web. She gave me tips and information which helped cure my IT band issues.

With only a day’s rest, it was off to Bradenton to meet up with Melanie, and both of us were off to Clearwater to pick up our packets. Right after we arrived there, I felt a tap on my shoulder and a woman saying, “I have to run into you outside of Lake Nona to see you!” It was a friend of mine, Jennifer, with her husband, Josh, and daughter Juliana. Mason and Juliana were in the same Kindergarten class. It was so nice to see her and her whole family. Part of the goodies we received was a cute little stuffed AFLAC duck, another item we would have not received if we had not arrived on Friday. We checked out all the booths, and then headed to one of Melanie’s childhood houses. She lived in Clearwater while in middle school. I’m so glad to have been there for her as she recalled so many memories.

We arrived back to Bradenton just in time for our pre-race meal: Hamburgers and French Fries. It all started with our first race together three years ago, and so the food combo has stuck with me ever since. Before we knew it, the alarm clock was set and lights were out. Our wakeup call promptly rang at 5:00 AM, or so I think. It was still dark, that I know. We arrived in Clearwater with plenty of time to stretch and find Ms. Bodacious in the flesh! It was such a pleasure to finally meet her in person. The sun was beginning to rise. The air was cool. It was a perfect day – a perfect day for a race. We had no idea which way the race was going to start. To make it even more confusing, right up until the start the massive lines for the port-o-potties were going to block runners depending on which way we were to run. We soon found out the masses of people were in the way. It was funny to watch some of them realize their chances for that last minute potty break were gone!


Bodacious ran up ahead. She is a fast runner, well faster than me. Melanie faithfully ran right beside me as we began our 6.2 mile trek around Clearwater. The bridge kicked my butt! But once we were over the first hump, we began conversing. That’s when I shared a very dear story to my heart – the day Scott proposed to me on Clearwater beach. Next thing I know I’m facing the bridge for the last time. I decided at this point to walk up, and then let gravity do the work as I run down. I motioned Melanie to go ahead, that I would catch up with her at the bottom. That girl can run uphill with no problems!! I did not catch up with her. She actually stopped to wait for me. I was not happy about that. I yelled for her to keep going, and thankfully she listened. My finish time was 1:12:18. I can’t complain one bit. Not bad for a two week no time to train due to my son being sick and the vacation. I was very happy! Bodacious beat me by six minutes and 17 seconds. Melanie’s time would have been much better if she hadn’t of stayed with ole’ slow poke.

We stayed on to hear the age group winners, got plenty of photo op time and then said our good-byes. Iron Girl is definitely one of my favorite races, and look forward to running it again next year! Thanks, Mel, for inviting me to join you and Bodacious! Now where am I going to find a bridge for training? ;-)