I took my time... before sitting down to
update my blog for this weekend's races. Two new PRs (both the 5K and
the Half) after taking a solid month off from running. I am stoked!
OFFICIAL TIME: 3:07:50
I
walked less and it felt good. The time off
helped as well as a new job which effectively forces me to work out
muscle groups that I would not otherwise have exercised.
Life is good.
The
Expo was phenomenal, as always. Publix never fails to disappoint as a
race sponsor. Tech shirts were new colors for 2015, the 5K was a powder
blue short sleeve and the Half Marathon was a bright yellow long
sleeve. Definitely keepers.
The
event shirts (not the race shirts) were provided by Under Armour this
year (sold only at the Expo). While I am glad to see the upgrade in
quality, I did not personally like the overall selection - male or
female. The styles leaned well towards trendy rather than practicality
and for myself, it is a commemorative purchase meant to be comfortable
more-so than anything else. As a point in case, all of the 2014 / 2015
shirts that were leftover from prior races were offered for sale after
the close of this year's race (website only) sold out. No. Stock.
Left. A new design (I Ran For The Booty) was added to the website just
as the prior year's stock depleted. When I left the Expo mid-afternoon
Saturday the Under Armour products seemed to be novel but not a 'fan
hit' (full racks everywhere). I love the Pirate themes and the logos
for Gasparilla, again, the UA leaned towards trendy styles more than
Gasparilla gear. Says a lot about "what people want". And we know...
It's all about the shirt...
The
course was, as before, a TOTALLY FLAT, very doable
route. One of the many reasons I repeatedly return for this series of
races. This year 6,305 persons crossed the Half Marathon Finish Line with a
recorded time.
AWESOME SAUCE!
The
only challenge this year (change is a constant with a race size that is
continually growing in numbers) was the post race meals provided for
runners. I missed it both days... so did others. To keep the Finish
line corral from overcrowding (a good idea) the post everything (except
water/bananas) was moved to the Party area, a hefty walk
with an early close time. It was the closing time that got most of us.
The Expo was between the Finish and the Post Race area, allowing the
assumption that runners could find post race items at the Expo. Once
realizing that was incorrect, it was a bit of a hike to the meal area.
This would have worked if the area had remained open until all runners /
walkers had exited the field, detoured the Expo and actually arrived in
the Post Race Area. Better signage (directions and time) for this change would have helped
as well, but the closing time was what got many of us. I know the race
organizers will get feedback for this so I'm trusting next year this
aspect will go smoother. The line for the Sunday post race meal was
absolutely unreal! I found it but refused to stand in line for an hour
or more for 'rice and beans' (which I do not doubt was excellent!), it
just did not move well enough to accommodate the number of persons
present. Again, I expect nothing but more positive change in the future. Gasparilla does not disappoint!
Looking forward to next year!
