Best Damn Recap

Best Damn mismatched gloves

I noticed that there were a lot of bloggers and Striders running this race only after I finished. I must have been in la-la land during the week approaching this adventure. I have a habit of not researching the race course - I have my brother Aaron for that. He likes to dump things on my like "This course has hills!" with a roll of the eyes. Had he not mentioned this little known fact to me I may have bolted off the line and beat my legs to death within 2 miles. Thank you Aaron for saving me 11 miles of agony.

My daughter, a Strider runner and cheer professional (lol), decided at the last minute (5:25 a.m.) not to come with me, which allowed me to jam to whatever I "damn" well pleased on the way to Safety Harbor Resort & Spa. Picked up my packet after some circling for a parking space. Warm up job to get my bib & chip, found a few friends and chatted about our strategies, and used the potty too many times to count.

The Best Damn first half of the year for me - my goal is to run 13 half marathon during 2013, which is also being done by a few friends. It is not too late to start this journey for any who finds themselves called to join. The more the merrier! All set to take off, Christina, Josh, and I started slow to warm up the muscles. There are some races that will put you in a stupor in the first 4 miles and this one - with all its hills - was attempting to pull me down. All three of us began to struggle by the third mile. Little complaints began to pop up over and above Josh's whining about not being able to work his Garmin like a teenage girl. Haha. We were constantly questioned about our pace, because HE wanted to try for a PR - ON HILLS!

When we came upon the four mile marker I thought, 'No way we have ONLY run four miles!' and wanted to turn around right there. Sometimes you find yourself running with others who may be struggling, as well as yourself, and you can make one of two choices: get pulled down and feel terrible for the next couple hours - OR - you can decide that you are stronger than that and pull your torso upright, take a deep breath, and think this is going to be an Awesome training run. I chose the latter. I kept me eye on the pace to stay under 2 hours for my friends, called Christina's name multiple times, and threw pace times at Josh to keep him subdued. Through the woods and over the hills we went on our journey.

The scenery on the course was beautiful and challenging, the volunteers were blessings (even those who needed more at their water stations), and I spent just under two hours with a few of my closest friends along Tampa Bay. After the last water stop I lost sight of my running buddies, but knew they were close behind me. and coming up to the turn for the finish line sprint, I had the joy (as can be seen in the pic above) of being cheered on by my Strider family and my sister. There is something invigorating about having people yelling at you like you can understand what they are saying, other than to GOOOO!

I bolted and as I entered the shoot I hear a man's voice say my name. I turned and saw one of my many older brothers (Eric) standing next to my Mom yelling at me to run faster. Oh the joy and what a perfect way to end 13.11 awesome miles in 1:52. I turned and waited for my friends to congratulate them on a stellar performance. They pushed through despite the hills and the physical and mental struggles they encountered. Despite not getting a PR, we all pushed through those tough spots and made that CHOICE to continue and give it our all until we crossed that blue mat with our arms raised high in triumph!!

Shawn, Rachel (sis), Me, Amber, and Aaron (brother)

The food and after party was spectacular. Being vegetarian/vegan there are usually not many foods I will consume at post race parties. I do make off with loads of bananas though. The Best Damn after party served Jimmy Johns vegetarian sandwiches and I thought, 'Oh man, this has to be the best post race spread I have seen since becoming vegetarian!' I usually eat a lot of fruit right after and then go home starving. Only one thing that was missing at The Best Damn race - my husband and kids!!

My challenge to you is to analyze your choices, make it, and ACT right away. It is how I was able to have a Best Damn run with some Damn good friends!! We are stronger than we think we are!!

Next on my schedule is the Rock & Roll half this coming Sunday in downtown St Pete - another place I love to run...stay tuned for what I hope to be a spectacular race!