The race was originally set for Nov 17 and I jumped on board with a super early, super inexpensive registration. A few months into the year, we received an email stating the date needed to be changed due to a conflict of interest with another city event. The organizers were kind enough to let us make a decision on refunding or accepting the new date. Unfortunately I did not realize the new date was the same as the Bike Donna event (which I have been wanting to participate in the past couple years now!) and I accepted the new date. Nothing could be done once I realized it.
DAY BEFORE
Due to money constraints, I drove the 5 1/2 hours down from Jacksonville the day before the race. To make the best of time, I was on the road by 430am, where I planned to spend the day resting on the beach. However, the overcast, windy day had a different plan for me.
EXPO
I would hardly call this Expo an 'Expo'. Besides the bib/shirt pick up and the race selling more race name shirts, there was about 3 other tables with minimal items. But I wont complain too much, because I did score a $5 New Balance running tank, a free lightweight lunch cooler and bag, and a free towel from Publix. What I was disappointed about was there was absolutely no type of fuel or GU for sale. I asked on Facebook, since I didn't see anything listed about it on the website, and I was told there would be some on the course. The closest running store was a half an hour away so I decided I would be fine.
THE START
The race started at 7a. I was up by 515 to make my walk by 6. I had a nice warm breakfast (which is rare traveling because I don't usually have a kitchen) of oatmeal, banana, and walnuts with coffee.
There were lots of warnings regarding parking. There was only to be limited parking at Start and the city would still be charging. Once the course was set, they added trolleys to take people from the city to the beach. I decided I would just walk the mile. I later found out there was a city Trolley stop right in front of the hotel.
I started my walk to start and suddenly a black cat ran across my path. Worries struck, even though I did get a full 8hours of sleep, and I felt good. The only thing I was worried about was the temps were already at 70 degrees and they were calling for it to be 80 by finish time.
Even being early, the porta potty lines were already backed up. From exploring the day before, I knew where the city public restrooms were and walked back about a tenth of a mile where there was no line at all. The start was on the Intracoastal side and we got a small glimpse of the sunrise over the bridge before race time.
However, when exactly was race time going to be?! There were no corrals. The start was on a turn in the road and people were lined up going into a parking lot and also going along the road. There was no one on the loud speaker to direct us. We waited as the starting time passed and still nothing. Finally we heard a women wrapping up the National Anthem. So apparently they had technical difficulties.
During all of this, I quickly learned my IPOD did not charge. One day I will learn that my tablet does not charge my IPOD for some strange reason. So once again, no music. I knew this was going to be a quiet race.
THE COURSE
With the race including 'Beach' in the title and not just Ft Myers, most of us assumed (which you know what they say about assuming!) that the course would take place at the beach, and hopefully be scenic. Well, unfortunately we were all surprised when the course map finally came out very close to race day and none of it was at the beach! The race organizers once again had issues with the city, this time construction plans, in which they were led to believe the main beach road, Estero, would be under construction. So instead, we started and finished at Nervous Nellies in the Times Square area of the Beach, but within the first .1 of a mile, we were headed straight over the bridge into town.
Yes, that's right, only a tenth of a mile warm up before going up a pretty good sized bridge. And this was an out and back course, so yes, that meant with .5 to go, we were going back over that bridge!
For the most part, we ran along the same stretch of open highway, breathing lots of exhaust all day. The 5k and marathon were on the same route, which led to confusion at turn around points....as in which side were they supposed to run on....the open traffic side or the sidewalk side?...so they did both, leaving people dodging people.
It stayed cloudy for the majority of the race, which was great, because it could have felt a lot hotter. Within the first mile I knew my timing was just not right. I felt like I was going fast, but my Garmin was saying otherwise. Why did I feel like I was using so much more energy? Within the first few miles I had already given up on a PR. I just wasn't feeling right. By M6 I already knew I needed a GU, but there was none until M10! Which was pretty funny because that is when I looked up and saw a rainbow!
The water stations were properly stocked and well staffed. There was very few people cheering on the streets....mainly at intersections....my favorite being a girl twerking at 7-11...and yes, she was still going when I passed back through 2 hours later!
It was really hot the last few miles when the sun came out but fortunately there was a tall mangrove area that provided shade.
THE FINISH
I was expecting a fun finish since it was in partnership with Nervous Nellies, a popular bar! However, I was surprised to walk up to the runners food of your choice of bagels, bananas, and whole oranges and then a bar set up right next to it SELLING the alcohol. I had to ask twice to make sure I wasn't missing something. I was told by race organizers, they wouldn't have had a starting/finish line if they didn't utilize Nervous Nellies. Disappointing the restaurant didn't want to sponsor a celebratory drink.
It was okay though, I had saved my drink coupons from the hotel! I walked back to the hotel and jumped into the refreshing pool (after finding out only certain rooms have hot tubs and there is not one for the whole hotel). After my drinks, the clouds had rolled back in and it seemed it wasn't going to be a beach day, so I packed up my things, had breakfast at Tuckaways, and drove back home.
THE SHIRT
The shirt was unisex. I like the slogan, yet Ive been seeing other cities utilize this as well. They provided other colors for the full, and 5k.
THE MEDAL
The Full and Half both got a medal, with different color ribbons.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Fort Myers Beach is a perfect destination race weekend location! And it doesnt seem there are a lot of races in the area. There is great potential for this race once the Course logistics, and Start/Finish line and Expo kinks are worked out.
When I was heading back home, I was driving the race course and saw the last few marathoners coming over the bridge to the finish line. The truck was picking up the cones right behind them. It is awesome to see marathoners determined faces/bodies continue on their mission no matter how many hours they had been at it. (this was going on 6hours later). As I drove along, I came across another runner, and then another. The course was technically closed, yet they continued on. I felt proud for them and it brought a smile as I know I will be tackling my full marathon in just a few short months
A few moments later there was another runner. She was in a slow walk and there were 2 medical bikers walking with her and talking to her. Yet they continued on. I couldn't even imagine the words that were being spoken to her at that point. Hopefully they were words of support and encouragement. It really hit home at that very point. It doesn't matter what the course may be like. It doesn't matter how exciting the start or finish line are. It doesn't matter whether there are extra perks or not. All that matters is you had the courage to sign up for a marathon. You had the courage to get out there and train. You had the courage to show up to the starting line. And you had the courage to finish this marathon no matter what! That process.... that feeling...it is life changing. And it is a feeling you will never forget! Congratulations to all the marathoners!
HM #32
2:27
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