Gasparilla 15k Recap 2015

The Gasparilla 5K was my first race back in 2009, so even though this race is very crowded each year, I still run it.  The bling is pretty awesome too!

This was my second 15K race with Gasparilla 2014 being my first.  Last year I took my time because it was so hot and an automatic PR.  This year I planned to secure a faster time.

On race morning I met up with my running group for pictures and well wishes.

Me, my sister, my cousin

The morning was cool with temperatures in the mid 40s. The race started at 6:45 am and the sun wasn't quite up yet.  We ran along Bayshore Blvd near downtown Tampa.  I felt great and warmed up quickly as the sun rose.



I remembered that every year after the halfway turn around point, volunteers handed out Krispy Kreme donuts.  I never stopped in the past but this year I planned to stop for a donut snack.  As I approached the donut tables, I shuttered.  All thoughts went to... donuts and running in the Florida heat, don't mix well.  I passed on the melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness of Krispy Kreme donuts.

I still felt strong and was having a nice race.  At about mile 7, the 1:30 pace group caught up and passed me.  I was ok with that because I started before them and this was the first time they passed me.  My plan was to finish under 1:30 so I tagged along at the back of the pace group.  I didn't realize how much I needed that pace group until I had to keep up with them.  It was a good push to the finish and kept me on pace.

Another successful race finished with a 7+ minute PR!  And then I got to hang out with some pirates!  ARG

Div Place:  110/490
Gender Place:  626/3017
Overall Place: 1641/5257
Halfway Split time:  43:08
Average Pace:  9:09/mi
Chip time:  1:25:19

A Day at Busch Gardens Tampa

This month my family and I visited Busch Gardens Tampa.  We had not been to the local theme park in a couple of years so it was fresh and exciting for my boys.  The weather was perfectly cool with a clear blue sky and warm sunshine.

I simply love Busch Gardens!  Being a Tampa native, roller coaster junkie, animal lover and former employee, I've visited Busch Gardens more times than I can count. I know this park from top to bottom and enjoyed the recent changes since the last time we visited.

The biggest change was Timbuktu became Pantopia.  The new vivid colors and building decorations were fantastic!  Timbuktu was always a hot area with plain brown buildings that blindingly, reflected the sun.  Not anymore, now that it changed into Pantopia, it was cool and colorful with more shade trees, decorative water fountains, and less cacti.  I loved the theming!

Pantopia was also home to Busch Gardens' new ride Falcon's Fury.  My husband, Mike, and my 10 year old, Dylan, went on Falcon's Fury but Jared and I sat out that time around.  Dylan was impressed that he could see over Sheikra from the top of Falcon's Fury at 335 ft in the air.  Then, the ride turned their seats face down to prepare for the drop at 60 mph.  Mike and Dylan were a little nervous at first, but thoroughly enjoyed the 5-6 second free fall.

Also new to Pantopia was Opening Night Critters which featured rescued dogs, cats, birds, a rat, horse, and kangaroo.  My boys loved seeing the rescued animals have fun on stage with their human co-stars.  They even got to meet some of the furry stars after the show.



I love the intense look of love in Dylan's eyes

Of course we couldn't miss all of the animals.  I always loved the nocturnal cave and the meerkats.  My boys loved seeing the hyena up close and personal.  After seeing the hyena's hair and spots, they thought our newest dog, Rocco, might be part hyena.  He certainly acts like a wild animal!!



Meerkat on a mound posed with my boys

 

And last but not least, the Busch Gardens' roller coasters.  This was Dylan's first ride on the big coasters.  The last time we visited Busch Gardens, he was not tall enough.  He rode those coasters like a pro!  Montu was his favorite with it's 60 ft vertical loop, Immelman loop, zero-G roll and intense 3.85 G pull.  Dylan road Montu 5 times!

My favorite coaster at Busch Gardens was Cheetah Hunt.  This coaster started with a 30 mph launch that took us up, around and down a big drop.  Cheetah Hunt launched us two more times with a top speed of 60 mph and 4 Gs.



Boys ready to ride Cheetah Hunt

Cheetah Hunt

Jared and Dylan even got me to ride Sheikra again.  Its 200 feet high, 90 degree drop down at 70 mph, freaked me out in the past.  But I rode it for my boys and it wasn't as scary as I remembered.  The back row was better for me so I didn't have to look over the edge for those agonizing 5 seconds before the first drop.  It was a gorgeous day to be at Busch Gardens Tampa!



Sheikra

Are you a roller coaster junkie or animal lover?

Disclaimer: As a Busch Gardens Tampa Ambassador, I received 4 tickets to the park.  All opinions are my own.

Summer of Rum Preview

I'm so excited for the Summer of Rum Fest on August 24!  Rum is my drink of choice!  This fabulous summer event is in downtown Tampa at The Heights Waterfront from 4 pm to 11 pm.

Summer of Rum will offer 5 unique rum zones with Cruzan Rum, Naked Turtle Rum and Appleton Estate Rum drinks along with live entertainment.

Check out How to Fest.  They offer two different ticket options.

General admission gives you access to Summer of Rum for $15 advance or $20 at the door.  Then your rum drinks are $5 each.  OR

Endless Rum Cup gives you access to Summer of Rum for $55 advance or $65 at the door.  Endless Rum Cup lets you drink unlimited rum drinks in a 16-oz commemorative Summer of Rum hurricane glass!

Summer of Rum will also offer Red Stipe beer and water at an additional cost.

Take a look at Summer of Rum's Facebook page and the August 24th Facebook event.

Now the really exciting part....I have two General Admission tickets to give away to one lucky reader!  squeal  The two General Admission tickets provide entrance to the Summer of Rum in Tampa on August 24th, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was given two Endless Rum Cup tickets in exchange for my review.  All opinions are my own.

Tampa Theatre Family Favorites

My family and I had the pleasure of visiting the Tampa Theatre in Downtown Tampa to see the first movie in the Family Favorites: A Tampa Theatre Classic Film Series.

I'll start out by telling you how much I love, love, love The Tampa Theatre on Franklin Street!  It was built in 1926 and the old architecture is amazing!  Growing up in Tampa, I went to The Tampa Theatre as a child on school field trips to see plays.  The lobby (and main theater) have a beautiful blue ceiling with twinkling stars.  My boys had never been to The Tampa Theatre so I enjoyed their reactions to the magnificent sights inside.

Here are some photos but they don't do the theater justice.  The theater's low, romantic lighting didn't lead to great pictures.

Inside the theater

 

Some pre-movie music

 

 

Part of an old intercom system

 

 

 

We were there to see The Princess Bride.  I've seen the movie quite a few times in my youth but it was a first for my hubby and boys.  We sat in the balcony section and had a great view of the movie and theater.

 

 

 

 



The movie was terrific, just like I remembered.  Fred Savage and Cary Elwes were so young!  Now when I say "as you wish", my boys actually understand the reference.  My boys thought the ROUS were hilarious which led to conversations of their pet rats becoming ROUS.

We had a great time seeing this classic movie at The Tampa Theatre!  I want to go back to see The Neverending Story...another of my favorites.

If you and your family haven't been to The Tampa Theatre yet, you've got to pay it a visit.  It's an incredible history Tampa landmark.

Here's a list of other family favorite movies playing at the theater.

Show times are Sundays at 2:00pm.  Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for children and Tampa Theatre members at the box office or online (online convenience fee is $2).


Disclaimer: My family was given free tickets to see The Princess Bride in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.