Cindy Morgan – 2022 Gasparilla 15k & Half Marathon

Terri and I was registered for the 15K and Half Marathon. Unsure what the name of the challenge was since they have changed the names recently. It probably says it on my medal. Terri might have already sent you a picture of it. 🙂

We went to the expo on Friday night since we were running on both days. The volunteers directed you to a room (without passing go) to check your shot records to get a bracelet for the expo as well as you needed to wear it for all races. I think if you didn’t have your shots, then you would have to go to a different room to get a rapid test. They seemed pretty strict about it until I got upstairs, and a girl didn’t have her bracelet on & was stopped but then was allowed in. Oh well. The expo had more vendors than last year’s so it’s progress. Publix gave out hats for each registration which was a nice surprise. Shirts/jackets were similar cut/design then previous years. Nothing to write home (or to Mitch) about. 🙂 Hopes to have a different design in the future.

Saturday was the 15K. The cones and police were out. The police were very attentive (best word I could think of) in getting you into the shortest line with the cones to park. Terri and I made it there with our matching outfits (of course). We were there in plenty of time to use the restroom multiple times at the convention center before heading off to the start line. I can’t remember the start line, but I guess it was at the same place because I have no memories that it was different. The route was the same as always. We made it to the finish line and got our medal and a towel at the end. Then we started thinking … What on earth are we going to wear tomorrow??? Such a dilemma. So instead of going home and showering to rest up for the half marathon the next day, we are frantically searching places that sell pirate stuff. We went to three places which was like a wild goose chase, but the stores were nice but nothing that we could work with. Finally, Terri found a place, but it didn’t open until 11. So, we were off & it took us to some warehouse row near the stadium. We had 2nd thoughts, but we were desperate. For some reason Gasparilla snuck up on us even though we’ve been registered when registration 1st opened. Ok, we pull in the warehouse parking lot, but it was still before 11. We sat for a few moments then someone unlocked the door or something. We tried to go in but was denied entry at that time; however, we were allowed in a few minutes later. So, we go in and had to ask to come abroad. This was some real pirate S**t. Anyways, we were successful in finding outfits for the half marathon.

Sunday. We were driving in and we missed our turn for parking because there were no cops/cones to tell me where to go. So, we looped around and made it to parking. There was no line for parking nor were there a lot of people in the garage. Hmmm. Our thoughts, what time is it, what day is it, what the heck is going on?? Anyway, we made it back to the convention center just jingling along in our outfits. (See picture). We saw Robert and wished him luck. The start line was on Bayshore versus in front of Publix. people were checking for the bracelets. It seemed we had to walk a ways before having a break in the fence to get in the coral. That was the only real change to the course. The music/cheerleaders could have been more towards the 2nd half of the course but hope it will get better in years to come. At mile 8, 9, or 10 (it’s all a blur at that point) Meb was starting the race on the other side of the road for the kids run. I’m unsure the name of the run but I can say I ran with Meb (other side of street). So, I got separated from my twin and one of the kids started up a conversation (yes from the other side of the street). Maybe he just knew I was missing my normal running conversation. He said he was running 2 miles and I wished him luck. So, we finished with the race, whew. Three medals for the weekend. We saw Robert at the finish line for some post-race pictures. We met these other girls that made (sewed & stuff) their outfits. Note to self, find a reasonable seamstress/ costume maker.

Will I do it again? Of course, just wish they could change up the route a little other than the start line.