Race for the Cure Recap 2015

 
This year the 17th Annual Florida Suncoast Race for the Cure was back in downtown St. Petersburg on October 3rd for a nighttime GLOW run!  The race started in beautiful downtown St. Pete at Albert Whitted Park near the Salvador Dali Museum.

I ran the 10K with a 7:00pm start time.  Shortly before my race began, I watched the breast cancer survivors participate in a moving sunset walk.  I admired their courage and strength.

Claudia, Denise, me in my RunningSkirt

Haley, me, Denise

Shortly after 7:00pm the 10K started. My friend Claudia and I ran together.  It was quite warm out so I didn't plan to PR but wanted to finish under an hour.  I knew I couldn't run with a glow necklace because it would drive me crazy bouncing on my chest but I decided to try a glow bracelet.  Nope! It was probably more mental than physical but it had to go off my wrist. I handed the bracelet off to a nice lady cheering on the sidelines. Yes, I may be a little crazy.

The out and back course took us along the water of Tampa Bay, the Vinoy Hotel and Vinoy Park, and along Snell Isle.  Claudia and I stopped once for water at about the 3.5 mile mark.  I noticed there weren't many people ahead of us and the women that were ahead of us looked young.  I was not in the "young" age groups anymore.  The thought crossed my mind that Claudia and I could place.

Once the sun set, the course was dark and a bit hard to navigate (especially over the brick pavers in front of the Vinoy).  We managed but had to watch our steps and be mindful of uneven ground. Claudia started to pull ahead and I encouraged her to run and get the best time she could.

With a mile and a half left to go, the 5K runners merged with the 10K runners. I quickly found an open path to smooth running ahead.  The last half mile was tough but I got it done!

Claudia, my cousin Kelly, me

Claudia and I rocked our races!  She came in 1st place in her age group and I came in 3rd place in my age group.

Age group place: 3/13
Overall place: 33/186
Avg pace: 9:14
Chip time: 57:17

As a member of the Tampa Bay Bloggers, I was invited to be a “Race Ambassador for the Cure” at the Komen Florida Suncoast GLOW run in St. Pete. All opinions are my own.