SPECTATOR REPORT
GULF BEACHES HOLIDAY HALFATHON 2008
(See Jenny's report for runner's perspective. )
Well, I didn't run today but my wife did. I volunteered to drag around the kids and cheer her on (actually the kids were very good so I didn't have to do any dragging. I have run this race the past two years and was tempted to run it again this year. My parents were willing to watch the kids but I thought this might be fun, and I actually had a really great time.
We left our house nice and early about 5:45, and arrived a little after 6:30 in Madeira Beach by the town hall. Jenny and her friend Jodi already had their race numbers but still had to grab their timing chips. Things looked like they were going pretty smoothly. After they got their chips, I went inside and bought Jenny a pair of Brooks Glycerin 6's for $69 from the guy who is there each year. Jenny had bought me a pair from him the day before when she picked up her number, so now we are both set.
We met up with some of Jenny's other friends who were also running, then they went off to do a warm up while I hung out in the car with the kids while they read. As the time got closer, the kids and I lined up just past the starting line. I snapped a few pictures of the start but didn't see Jenny in the crowd. The course loops around and passes nearby so I had another chance to run over and catch the runner's about a half mile into the start, and here they are:
I tried to take a lot of pictures hoping at least some would come out good, and fortunately a few of them did. I was able to get Jenny and all of her friends in this picture.
Next stop was McDonald's for breakfast. We drove back over the bridge onto the mainland and stopped at the nearby McDonald's for hotcakes, orange juice, and a coffee for me. It was turning out to be a really nice day, still a little bit cool but not at all cold, slightly cloudy but with some breaks in the clouds. We saw a beautiful sunbeam streaming through the clouds.
After we ate we headed to a spot which was a little bit after 6.9 miles (how far past I did not know). This was a little bit tricky to know where to go and when to get there, not too early or else we might be waiting a long time, but certainly not too late. I also realized, that this was my first time ever driving from Madeira beach as I have always driven to there and run from there.
We arrived at 82nd street and the Pinellas trail and as I parked I saw "Santa Claus" run past and I knew I was on time, as this guy usually runs a pretty fast pace (and often gets age group awards) , here he is (not my pic but from a previous race):
So, then we settled in, my two boys and I and several other people waiting for their spouses and/or moms and dads. We had cowbells for noise and the runners seemed to really appreciate this. It's a beautiful course but there are some stretches where there aren't a ton of spectators. In a little bit I saw my friend Bob. Next came Jenny's friend Cherise, and then Kathryn. Then came Jenny with her friend Jodi just a little bit after her, so here is Jenny getting ready to toss her long sleeve shirt at me:
She was looking strong and very happy. Her goal was not for a PR but a good solid marathon pace run to get ready for the Disney marathon (her first one) in January. We waited a little bit longer and I was about to leave when Andy said that we still had to wait for Jenny's friend Carin! which was very nice of him to remember, so we waited just a little bit longer and saw Carin go by and we cheered her on.
Next it was off to the finish line. We arrived there in plenty of time. There is a playground right at the end of the course so the kids had time to play for a bit. I saw Kathryn's husband and their kids who had been there for a while. As the time approached we took up positions, anxiously awaiting. Then, there she was "Go MOM!" "Go Jenny" as she rounded the final corner:
Great job, Jenny! (she made her goal, 1:57:21, 8:58 pace which she hopes to try and maintain for full marathon coming up).
We saw all of Jenny's friends cross the finish lines (first half marathon for some of them). There was lots of good food, great live music and free beer for those so inclined (of which I was tempted but did not partake).
Here is Jenny's report.
