Last Friday I jetted out of here and headed to Tampa, Florida to run the Gasparilla Distance Classic. I’ve been running distance (half marathon+) for over 10 years now and this race series has been on my bucket list since the beginning. When Mary Beth said she wanted to do the Amber Challenge (5k, 15k, half) I jumped at the chance.
Mary Beth grabbed me from the airport and we drove to the hotel. Belinda rolled in a few minutes after us. Our home base for the weekend was sweet, penthouse digs at the Aloft Hotel, just a short walk from all of the start and finish lines we’d be crossing in the following days.
We hit up the expo and got our race gear, which included a sweeeet Amber Challenge jacket. Whomever did the graphics/shirts/medals for this race series seriously hit it out of the park. Every single aspect is top notch.
Race morning dawned warm and clear. The 15k was on tap first, followed by the 5k. The three of us convened with Tricia and Greg in the Aloft lobby for coffee and pre-race fuel before heading to the starting corrals.
Race Goals
I’m there to have fun, nothing more. Plus there’s the issue of being very undertrained and overweight. Not a good mix. All I wanted was to maintain a happy pace and exercise good heat management…because the overnight low was 70 and the temperatures climbed from there.
We were off down Bayshore Boulevard, a scenic, waterfront out and back, just as the sun was rising. It was stunning and serene. I carried my handheld but kept it only partially full, so it didn’t get irritatingly heavy or sloshy. I filled it at the water stations whenever I felt like it. I suppose I didn’t need it but in heat like that, it was my insurance policy. Just in case.
The miles clicked away uneventfully. I ran 2 or 3 of them before some walk breaks ensued. It’s all good. Ocean on one side, beautiful homes on the other. I rarely if ever looked at my Garmin. I was there for fun.
Crowd support and race volunteers were so good. So many motivating, energetic people kept things interesting. Eventually the fasties came down the other side of the boulevard so we cheered them on. How they can be so fast in the heat is anybody’s guess. It grew hotter as time went on, but it didn’t bother me too much. I was determined to have fun and I was succeeding in that regard. Any day I can run among palm trees is a good one.
I made the turnaround and not too long after I saw Mary Beth but missed Tricia who was right next to her. There is no shade on the course to speak of and it grew hotter as time went on.
I eased along, pouring a little water on each of my shoulders at the water stations. Things got pretty hard around mile 7 (that’s how undertrained I am) and I wanted to be done. Of course I pushed through and finished and the four of us (me, Mary Beth, Tricia and Belinda) reconvened in the finish area to regroup and head to the start of the 5k. Thank heavens there was only a 5k left to run that day. It was really warm and sunny.
Gasparilla 5k
The goal for this one was to preserve our legs for the half marathon and live to run another day. We all stuck together for this one and had fun with it.
How can you not have fun when there are donuts at the turnaround point?
We snagged our second medal of the day then headed out for food and aquatherapy.
The medals and swag are stellar. I’ll show you more when I recap the half but here are the shirts and medals for the 5k and 15k.
Stay tuned for a recap of the half marathon and the rest of our Tampa shenanigans.
Have you run Gasparilla? A multi-race series?
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Sounds like a fun girl’s weekend. And like you said you can’t go wrong with donuts at a race!
AAAGHHHHH, you’re killing me here…so much FOMO….the race(s), the swag, the medals, and (of course!!!) the fabulous ladies! Serious FOMO.
Great job! Ive never done more than one race in a day or in a weekend. Glad you had a good time!
This weekend sounds like so much fun! I’ve only done Cleveland Marathon Challenge races which is 2 races in one weekend. Nothing like this1\ ! Great job!
Sounds like a fun weekend! We need to get a group of bloggers together for the ZOOMA Great Lakes race. It would be so fun to see you all!
Looks like so much fun! Looking forward to the next installment!
This race has been on my list for a while – SO fun! It looks like you had a great time, and I’m a sucker for a challenge!
I can imagine that running in that heat after running in the frozen tundra of Chicago could not have been easy – great job!
Sounds like tons of fun!! Love the shirts and medals of course! I think I’d be much more inclined to tackle something like this if the half was first then the other two on the following day …mentally, I think I could handle that better. Lol
What a fun weekend! The swag is so cool–I love the colors! Can’t wait to hear about the half. With two months to go before my first half of the year, I’m already worried about the under-training and overweight factors…as I sit here sipping my coffee and watching GMA 😛
I only hear great things about this event. Sounds like you and your friends had a great weekend!
Sounds like you had a great time, even with the warm temps!! And I’d be all about donuts at the turnaround. LOL
Sweet bling and I can’t wait to hear about the half!!
I can already feel the humidity. Good job doing both races, and why not have some fun?
I have never done a multi race challenge. I doubt I ever will.
Sounds like a good time was had by all despite the heat!
Palm Trees? yes please!
I’ve heard so many good things about this event. Sounds like fun was had despite the heat. I’ve done back-to-back races but have never tried two in one day, with more on tap. Looking forward to the next installment!
I’ve been wanting to do this too! However, I haven’t been too informed about it. I didn’t realize the 5K was right after the 15K. I thought it was two different days like the Disney Challenges.
Looks like you all had such a fun weekend. Sounds sort of like a Disney weekend without all hassle. I am not sure that I could do all of those back to back races!
Back to back races are challenging! That sounds like a lot of fun. I could use a dose of sun and warm mid winter!
Back-to-back races in the heat? Wow, congrats!
I regret that when I lived in Orlando I never made it over to Tampa for Gasparilla. It looks like such a cool race! I would like to do a multi-race distance challenge some day – This seems like a good one that I could (probably) manage – The ones with full marathons like Dopey are way too much for me!
A 5K and a 15K in the same day, and a half marathon the next? You guys are badass! I’m glad you had a great time and focused on having fun. I hate running in the heat/humidity…I would have been dying out there! Love all the swag you earned, can’t wait to see the rest!
They outdid themselves on the swag this year- by far my favorite! Great race report! I am SO glad you were able to join me this year!