Clearwater Iron Girl-April 10, 2011


The Iron Girl series involves several triathalons across the country, with Clearwater kicking off the year long events with a half marathon and 5K. This was the first half marathon for Iron Girl. About 6,000 women came out to run, ages ranging from 3 to 83, with only 1,643 of them running the half marathon. Clearwater is a gorgeous location for this race, starting and finishing at the white sand beach. The course also held true to its name....running three bridges in 13.1 miles definitely makes you an Iron Girl!

After living in Tampa for few years, and with the race being the day after my birthday, I decided what better race for my number 2 race of the Pink Ribbon Tutu on a Mission! Dad decided to come along for support, so we made a birthday getaway out of it, staying in town and having an awesome sunset dinner at an old favorite...Crabby Bills.

The day before and morning of race day came with a few hiccups. At the Expo picking up my race bag, we decided to try a new 'all natural' fruit juice. It was super yummy....but boy, how I quickly remembered how you are never to try new foods right before race day!!...my stomach was messed up through the next day! Dinner lasted a little longer than expected and a late bedtime of 11p didnt help much for the sleepless night and then waking up at 3am! Then race morning, I received an unexpected visitor....2 weeks early, if you know what I mean! What a great way to get ready for the race! Cramps galore, I was unable to eat my breakfast. I barely was able to force myself a banana and granola bar at the starting line.

The race started right at sunrise. Boy, did we wish it would have started a bit earlier. By mile 8, the sun was high, the sky was clear, and the heat was cookin!

It had been about 2 weeks since I had done any real running....vacation to Vail got in the way...so this race was either going to make or break me. I told dad to plan on a late arrival to finish, not knowing how my stomach was going to hang in there.

For all of those 3Dayers reading this, the course went along the same exact course as our Day1....over the bridge into town, through the rich neighborhoods and golf courses, and back over a bridge to the ocean side again, past Sand Key, over the bridge into Clearwater Beach and finish at the Hyatt. It was fun to run this race, thinking about how many times I have walked the 3Day for the Cure in Clearwater along this course with some great women! ...was good to have a mental escape.

The beginning of the race was a bit congested....the officials did not get the roads completely closed, so cones kept us cramped to one half of a lane. Once we were over the first bridge we stretched out a bit. I placed myself between Pacer 2:30 and 2:45. Once the race started, I soon realized these were not Galloway Pacers who take walk breaks. I was able to keep Pacer 2:30 in my eyesight for most of the race, probably until about mile 6-7, when I started to hit a wall and walk a lot and get passed a lot. It was hot, I was tired, I could tell I was getting a blister already, my stomach hurt. I wasnt having fun. I then looked down and saw my friend Molly on my tutu. She was just diagnosed with cervical cancer a couple weeks ago. I told her I was dedicating this run to her and made a purple ribbon with her name (purple for survivor because I know she is a strong fighter!) I thought about the battle she has ahead of her....the pain, the tears, the emotional and physical strain that will come with chemo...but she has got to push through and not let the elements beat her. She is a strong woman and I know with the love and support she has around her, she will make it. I then thought of myself. How could I let these elements (cramps, blisters, heat) beat me?!...I am stronger than that! And Ive got my support waiting for me at the finish line, as well as complete strangers running along side me!

I made a shirt saying 'I run for the Cupcakes'with the cupcakes placed in 'just the right place' and then pinned on my back a sign saying "I run for more Birthdays!...13.1 for my 31st!" I always get a ton of comments on my pink ribbon tutu, but how little did I realize how many Happy Birthdays I would get too! I told myself, I could stick to my reliable run a minute walk a minute pace for the rest of the race, but then also, anytime someone would comment on the tutu or my birthday, I would kick it into high gear and run another minute longer and faster. I was able to make up time miles 8-10...I had that many comments! I had a new burst of energy!

At mile 8 was the middle bridge, and I practically sprinted up the whole thing! Almost everyone was walking up. And I was passing the people that had past me before! I wanted to keep up the pace, but realized I was quickly getting heat exhaustion. (note to self, carry my own water for upcoming summer races). My hands were starting to tingle, and my head was getting chills, but I was sweating my butt off! I had to up my fluid intakes at the remaining water stations!

Mile 11 was the last bridge. I decided it definitely took more energy to walk the bridges than run, so again, amazingly, I made up my time on the most difficult part of the race! Home stretch was my dad waiting for me with the camera! It felt like there were so few runners left, since most of the people were there for the 5K, but I was in a race against myself at this point. Another half marathon conquered! I finished 1 minute slower than the Donna race here in Jax, which only has 1 bridges, so I am quite happy with my time despite all odds.

13.1 Finish Time-2:38:44