Run Tampa

Dana's First Marathon

Today begins a new category for this blog. It will be called 'First Person'. I invite members of the running community to write posts about their running adventures. Whether it's your first marathon or your fiftieth, whether you have a tale about bandaging a blistered toe with a wet leaf or stopping at a nail salon during the Chicago Marathon to get your nails done (due to unbelievably inclement weather) the rest of us really do get a kick out of hearing your story. If you've got a tale to tell, email it to me at the link to the right. And if you have a photo to accompany your story, that's even better.

Dana Felice is our first contributor. Dana was the Race Director for last summer's extremely successful inaugural First Step Summer Series, and she is Race Director for Take the First Step's upcoming MADD Dash Resolution Run on Dec. 27th. Thanks, Dana.

I’ve been training for the past six months with the primary goal of running my first marathon in December in Jacksonville. I’ve completed a schedule of track, tempo runs, long runs and recovery runs.  Many marathon runners cap their long runs at 20 miles but my coach believes that going over 20 builds strength and confidence. 

The timing of the Alafia X-Country Marathon was perfect because it was exactly 4 weeks before Jacksonville. Also, the plan was to run at an easier long run pace versus an all out race pace. I’d already completed several 20, 22 and even a 24 mile long run so I thought it wouldn’t be too hard to add 2 more miles to complete a marathon.

I’m usually nervous before races but I was really excited to run Alafia because I wanted to get in a good training run. I intentionally left my technology in my race bag. I usually race with my Garmin but I left it behind so I wouldn’t worry about my pace. I’ve been weaning myself off my iPod so I left that in the race bag as well. It’s a small race so about a hundred 30k (18.6 miles) and marathon runners started at 7:30 am in sunshine and mid 40’s temperatures. My coach Lynn Gray started with me the first mile.  I have a tendency to start fast and she warned me to slow down. 

Running the Northwest Equestrian Trail

Today, a dozen of us visited the Northwest Equestrian Trail in the Odessa area to put in our last off road training run before the Alafia X-Country race next weekend. Alfredo, Vanessa and Jackie had explored it before, and they lead us on a great off road run. This trail has been used for a while by members of SWAMP Club (Southwest Assoc. of Mountainbike Pedalers) and, of course, horses. 

Runners and hikers are now welcome, but anyone using the trail is required to obtain a permit/pass from the rangers at nearby Lake Rogers Park. The gate at the Equestrian Park is, for the time being, kept locked.

Richard's Run for Life

This year 1,197 participated in Richard's Run for Life on the streets of historic Ybor City near downtown Tampa. The race raised money for the Amandalee Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Cancer Institute. This is one of the few annual local evening races, and I, for one, think that's a great idea. I am not a 'morning' person, so I love evening races.

Typically, most runners hang out for 30 to 45 minutes after a race, but not this night. The post race party was a real party with great food, and excellent music, a fantastic way to  spend a Friday evening.

The Columbia Restaurant provided a delectable meal of black beans and rice, paella, '1905' salad, and much more. Runners also feasted on ChaCha's Guava BBQ ribs, Moe's burritos, and Michelob Ultra, mmmmmmmmmm!

2008 Northdale Pumpkin Run, Family Walk

What fun! The weather was just perfect, ideal for fast times. The 7th Annual Northdale Pumpkin Run was put on by the Bob Sierra YMCA and Northdale Civic Association, and proceeds went to the Bob Sierra YMCA Building Strong Kids Camp and the Northdale Civic Association. Click the icon on the right to see 40 photos.