Gasparilla 2020 Tampa, FL

This Ultra Challenge taught me a lot about myself and it was a wonderful experience...  

4 divas, 2 days, 30.4 miles, 5 medals and a jacket

We began training in early December and everything was moving along just fine for me until early February.  A stomach bug wiped me out and I missed the last back to back long run and then a few days later, I received word that my mother was sick which threw everything off for me.  My friend Khandi was experiencing life as well, but we still managed to talk, laugh, and more importantly run the our circumstances.  That is the beauty of run buddies, we are there through thick and thin.  I also trained differently for this race.  For one, I have new goals and two, I knew I had to be strong to finish this race well and injury free.  Lots of resistance training and leg days, but I enjoyed the change.  I definitely saw a difference in my running and more importantly, in my body.

On Friday we headed to Tampa and attended the Expo which is a great experience.  We ate all kinds of samples they had to offer, purchased a few items, and then we headed to the hotel to check-in.  For dinner, we went back to Jacksons Bistro, Bar & Sushi and I was so excited to order my Gasparita, but it didn't taste as good as I remembered and Khandi was on the hunt for moist chocolate cake, but their cake didn't make the cut.  Poor girl couldn't catch a break.  Either way, dinner was delicious and with the freezing temperatures and gusty winds that hit Tampa, we headed back to the room after a very long day.

Day 1, Race #1 - 15K: it was 40 degrees; it's actually my favorite running weather, but definitely freezing temps for Tampa.  I didn't push, just ran comfortably and was focused because I knew although this race was 9.3 miles, I still had 21 more miles to run that weekend.  It's always so nice to see your run buddies on the course.  Seeing Monique and Sam at the turnaround waving at me gave me a boost, then Khandi shouted "get it J" as we passed each other and that gave me the chills.  Crowd support is amazing at Gasparilla!!  Race #1 was over and we had plenty of time to stretch, chat, and eat before we headed back to start the next race which was a 5K.

Day 1, Race #2 - 5K: apparently, we waited too long to begin this race and took off with the walkers; lesson learned! The first mile was mentally painful just trying to get through the crowd.  I was beginning to lose my patience, but I managed to check myself before I said anything to anyone.  After that, it was smooth sailing.  A quick 3 miles in the sunshine felt wonderful, my body felt strong, and I was pleased with how my running was coming along.  The strength training certainly paid off.  Don't sleep on strength training!!

Day 2, Race #1 - Half Marathon: start time was 6am and it was cold, but much more comfortable than Saturday morning.  There was a sea of people just waiting to take off and I was excited, but a little nervous too.  There were 18 miles ahead of me and on sore legs from the previous days 12 miles, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel.  At 6am, we took off.  I did not know the course so I just followed the crowd.  No one told me there was a 1 mile incline at mile 3.  I kept wondering when it would end and why my girls didn't warn me, but since I trained hard for this race, I just focused on every step and ran that incline with no problem at all. Once I got to the top, there was a water station.  I stopped, grabbed some water, took off, looked up and saw this view.

I thought it was so beautiful so I had to pull out my phone and snap a picture.  The rest of the race honestly felt smooth.  I maintained my pace, my playlist was bumping, and I was just focused on every step with each passing mile.  The crowd support was really the best I've seen of all races I've ever ran.  You can feel the energy and joy leaping off of everyone. Around mile 11, I had to stop and stretch.  My legs were tight and they had every right to be because I was still running strong.  I wanted to finish between 2 hrs 30 - 45 minutes and more importantly, I wanted enough time between my half and the last race. 

Day 2, Race #2 - 8K: so this last race is interesting, as long as you begin before they pick the timing mat up, you're good AND you don't have to run it.  Of course, in my mind, I wanted to conquer these last 5 miles, but my body let me know it wasn't going to happen.  I took off and decided I would run nice and easy and it worked.  I caught up to Monique, my speed buddy who I admire so much, and I stayed close to her, flowing in and out of the walkers.  Mile 1 felt great so I stayed close by through mile 2 and the end of mile 2 there was a water/gatorade station.  I stopped to take a sip and when I looked up, Monique looked so tiny and far away that I knew there was no way I could catch up, so I resorted to walking.  My legs got really tight and the bottom of my feet were so achy; it was actually extremely painful, but I had 3 miles to go.  I felt like I was power walking, but nope, I was just walking and giving it my all.  I was simply wiped out by this point.  Finally, I saw the finish line and that was the last time I needed to cross it so I began running and every fiber of my being hurt like hell, but I pushed through the pain to the end and finished!!  I did it!!  I completed the Ultra Challenge and as I crossed the finish line I felt a rush of emotions flow through me.  It was an amazing feat and I was very proud of myself for not only accepting the challenge, but conquering the hell out of it.

After the race, during lunch, Monique asked me what I thought about the race.  Here is my honest response: it is very doable, but you have got to stick to the training plan as best as possible and focus on strength training to help get you through.  It's not all about running, it's total body that will help you run back to back days to conquer 30.4 miles.  Would I do it again?  Absolutely, without a doubt.  I'm just grateful for an able and healthy body and I pray I am blessed to be able to continue on this journey.  It brings me so much joy to be on the pavement running nowhere.  I know it sounds crazy, but mentally, it is my therapy.  Running gives me life and my girls made training worthwhile.

A special thank you to Monique, Sam, and Khandi for the teamwork it took to get to Gasparilla.  For the talks, laughs, and prayers that got us all through.  God is good and I am grateful, so grateful.