This morning was Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo's 12th Annual Zoo Run Run 5K.  What a mouthful.  It was the second race of the Busch Gardens Cares Zoo Team.  It was also my second 5K.

I woke up at about 6:15, thinking it only takes twenty minutes to get there and it shouldn't be crowded.  Wrong!  I knew something was up when I saw that my friend Christy had already checked me in there on Facebook at 6:30.  I hurried out the door, miraculously remembering everything I needed after going back in for water and a granola bar, and started the drive.  Not much traffic that early on a Saturday morning, however, when I approached the zoo, cars were backed up in the right lane to turn into the zoo parking lot.  Well, it turns out it was full, but they had no one in the street telling people such.  I had missed the group photo at this point - sorry, Phil, I have a terrible time reading directions!  I finally saw a parking attendant and he said they were directing people back to the main road (and into presumably more traffic).  I was nervous at this point that I wouldn't be there on time (too late!), so I drove through the lot once more, hoping to find somewhere in which to squeeze.  I did...I parallel parking next to a car length section of curb, and made my way to the main gate.

We all have the same shirts, so it was easy to spot my friends.  Christy had my number already, and told me to get in line if I wanted a chip (for timing).  I got my chip, hit the bathroom (hello, unattached toilet seat) and met up with the rest of the team, where Phil scolded me for missing the photo.  I pretty much had about 15 - maybe 20 - minutes between getting my bib from Christy and the start of the race.

It was 75 degrees when I left my apartment, so I'm not sure what it was when the race started, but I knew it was going to be a difficult run.  I ate dessert after my pasta dinner last night (mistake)..probably not a good idea to eat that granola bar either.  Fuel is good for a half marathon, but a 5K is much faster paced than I am used to running.  Still, I started strong - about 8 minute mile pace - faster than normal for me.  After the first mile, I knew I couldn't stay that fast, so I just kept slugging it out with every step.  My music helped me keep up a good pace, and it was fun to run through the zoo for the middle mile.  I heard a few animals over my music, and I got to see the Greater One-Horned rhinoceros - the calf was looking up at the boardwalk.  Note to humanity: wet wood is slippery.  We also ran through the manatee underwater viewing tunnel, where I saw at least two manatees floating underwater.  Also, noticed a guy just run by them without a second glance - weirdo.  We finished the rest of the Florida walkway and headed back across North Boulevard for another loop past the Hillsborough River, and then it was straight to the finish line.  The last half mile or so I picked up the pace, but it was not as fast as I started.  I kept checking my watch, and was positive that I would get a PR.

There were various vendors and restaurants with food to grab, but I just wanted water.  I was drenched.  I found the three other Busch Gardens Cares Zoo Team members that had finished before me - Melissa, Phil and Melissa - and we waited for a few others to come in.  I headed to the finish area to wait with Christy's Dad to see Morgan and Christy finish.  We all met in the post-race reception area for some photos.  Raymond, the Tampa Bay Rays mascot, was there.  I checked the posted results, and I did get a new PR!!!  27:36, 13 seconds faster than my last 5K in May.  I was 15th in my age group, and 120th overall.  The zoo also had some llamas out at the main gate.  I had to work at 10am, but I headed to Panera for some bagels first.

So...after my last race (see this post), for which I did little training, but still somehow pulled out a PR, I've decided that it's time to get back into shape - marathon shape, that is.  I have a 5K on August 23rd, so in preparation for that (and for marathon training, which officially starts August 25th), I have been running 3 miles at least three times a week since July 22nd.  Yesterday marked my 5th day of doing this, and I feel good.  Not quite ready to run a marathon, but good nonetheless.  I've mapped out my training as well, and my scheduled 10 miler and two half marathons fall on days where I should (according to the book) run 9 miles, 14 miles and 8 miles, respectively.  All in all...things are looking up.  Now, if it would only get cooler.

Not likely - August and September are the hottest months here in Tampa.  :-/

My parents and I arrived in Newport the night before the race, checked into the hotel (across from the casino) and headed out to the shops along the waterfront.  It is a very nice area - I could definitely see the New York and New Jersey "money" (and hear it).  It's a little touristy, but also a little ritzy.  There are enormous yachts as well as cars I've never heard the names of before - there was an Aston Martin parked near we had dinner - it was getting a lot of attention.  It was kind of fun to watch people take selfies and such with it.  Soon enough, it was time for dinner - my parents had reservations at 22 Bowen's Wine Bar & Grille - a bit out of my price range, but they were paying.  I had the Statler Chicken because it would be easy on my pre-race stomach...and I couldn't help but try the clam chowder.  The chowder had a lemony zest too it, which was different.  It was good chowder, but not the best I've ever had.  The chicken was good as well - very moist and flavorful.  I'm a picky eater, so that's a rave review from me.  I made sure to hydrate before, during and after the meal - not making that mistake again.  We walked and shopped a little more after dinner (found a tank top!) and I salivated over all the people eating ice cream.  I knew I had to wait until after the race, so I was a good boy.  I also bought a really cool nautically-inspired bracelet from Lemon & Line (pictured on right).  We headed back to the hotel and I went to bed around 11pm, setting my alarm for 6am.

I kept waking up before the alarm, but I resolved to not get up.  I did check my phone for the time (to see if it matched the room clock) and noticed that the battery was almost dead.  I had plugged it in, so I thought that was strange.  The charger had fallen out of the outlet - boo!  I plugged it back in, saw that it was charging, went back to bed and soon enough, it was 6am.  I laid out everything the night before (except my running watch, which I did end up forgetting - lesson learned!), so it didn't take me long to get ready, say "goodbye" to my parents, and head across the street to the shuttles waiting at the casino.  I got to the shuttles at 6:27am, and ended up finally catching one at like 6:51...there was a long line when I got there, and an even longer one when I left.

When they dropped us off, the lines for the port-a-potties were so long, I figured "forget it," but as time wore on, I decided I should try anyway (I had already "gone" twice that morning) - runner's stomach.  When I got into the port-a-potty, no toilet paper!  Another lesson learned...I guess I should always have some on me in case.  I ended up not going to the bathroom, didn't want to get in another line, but I ended up being okay in the intestinal department.  Despite this setback, the sunrise was beautiful.

Using some of the last of my phone battery, I was texting my parents during this time to see if they had boarded a shuttle, and they had, but not soon enough to see me start the race.  It was about this time that I realized I forgot my Garmin running watch.  Ugh...luckily, I had my phone - oh wait, it didn't charge overnight.  Luckily, I had my iPod, so I used the timer on that! 

The National Anthem played and soon enough, we were off.  The beginning of the course was through a wooded, residential (I use that term loosely...it was like where I live, a house every 200 yards) area, but that soon opened up to waterfront running.  I snapped a photo here with my dying phone, but I guess it didn't save it because I couldn't find it later.  That was unfortunate, because it was gorgeous - lots of boats and then the bridge - you should've been there.

I kept running through more residential areas, a few people cheering here and there, including a man in a Viking helmet.  I was anticipating the curve in the course, and the long, long, long straightaway ahead of that (see course map to the right).  It eventually appeared...and so did the Viking (again! and again!  and again!).  I figured out what he was doing...driving ahead, getting out of his car, flipping his sign over (it was a large "notepad") with oft-seen-at-a-race, inspiring messages like: WORST PARADE EVER - Run now. Beer later. - and more that I forget.  I was running about a 10 minute mile pace at this point, and I was very proud of myself.  Unfortunately, I must have stopped the timer after checking my time at mile 5, because at mile 6, it still read "50:33."  Oh well, I soldiered on...vowing to remember to add about 12 minutes (to be safe) onto the time displayed.

This was my first race with earphones all the whole time.  There was not as much to see as London, and not as much to "do" as Disney, and I was glad to have the music.  It definitely kept me going.  For not much training, I did surprisingly well.  I never once felt like stopping.  I would grab the water as I ran by; I ate my gels every 45 minutes; and I was keeping about a 10:30 minute pace.  I learned my lesson from London (finally, a lesson I had already learned!) and brought my own water (belt).  I was thankful to have this, because I felt well hydrated the whole race, and after it as well.  Just before mile 8, I did a double take on my watch, I calculated my time at about 75 minutes, but I had not seen a mile 7 marker.  There wasn't one - a fact I confirmed at the finish line when I explained not seeing it to my parents and another runner said there wasn't one.  Good, I wasn't hallucinating.

Around mile 9, I started to feel a little tired.  And then, a lovely person decided to set up a sprinkler in her front yard that sprayed on the road!  There was another one at mile 11...and they both felt magnificent.  At this point, the morning "chill" of 60 degrees had worn off and it was definitely approaching 70 at 9am.  I checked my time again and realized with three miles left that I was on pace to possibly beat my PR...if I calculated that missing mile's time correctly.

My fellow runners and I emerged from the trees to the sight of the ocean and the Newport Bridge (again - but from the other side - pictured on left) and I knew I was close to the finish.  As I passed the marker for mile 11, I did the math again.  It was going to be close.  I started to pick up the pace a little and continued to feel good.  I finished my water at mile 11 and realized I was going to finish.  This thought is always a good feeling, and a leg booster as well.  I steadily increased my pace and once I could see the finish line, I felt like I was flying.  I saw my parents waving ahead, and my happiness increased a thousand fold.  This was the first race they had seen since high school.  I kept sprinting - it felt like sprinting anyway - to the finish.  And it was over.  I had my medal, grabbed my water and Gatorade and started chugging.  I was so happy.  I was pretty sure that I had a PR.  There was some food at the finish, but I stuck with the fluids.  I took a selfie with my medal (very Purdy - see below) and looked over at the bay...lots of runners up to their thighs in the water.  It seemed like a good idea, but I had a shuttle ride and walk back to the hotel.  My parents caught up with me...and my Dad showed me his phone.  He had been tracking me with a new app, and I got my PR!  2:21:54.  Woo hoo!  We said hello to some old friends - hello, Erica and Tarin! - and boarded the shuttle.

I showered, found a breakfast place on Yelp (Corner Café), which was really busy, but very good - and had the best breakfast in a long, long time.  I think food always tastes better after a race, but this was heaven.  We hit downtown again and a few shops on the way home, and I visited my grandmother at the nursing home before visiting hours ended.

I had a lovely little jaunt with my parents down to Rhode Island, and can add it to the list of states where I've run a half marathon.  My new (life) goal is to run a half marathon in every state.  That's kind of how I ended up running this one in the first place.  I decided the half marathon was the ideal distance to still be a challenge, but not wreck my body...and since I don't love swimming or biking, triathlons were out.  So...a half in every state, here I come.

My next race is the Jamestown Half Marathon in Rhode Island on July 12th.  I'm running 3-4 times a week currently, but nothing over 4 miles since the marathon in April.  I'm a little nervous that I won't be in prime condition, but I know I'll still be able to finish.  I'd like to get a new PR - better than 2:22:32 - but we will see how the training goes for the next month.  I'd like to be able to train more, but the weather is not cooperating (78 degrees at 5am, yay!) and I have a lot on my plate personally too.  I put it all there, so I can't complain too much.  It's all good stuff.

The official results were finally posted.  I finished in 27:50.

I was the 358th runner to cross the finish line (out of 4005).  That's the top 9%!

I was the 7th male survivor to finish.  I was the youngest in the top ten.

I was 30th in my age group (Men 30-34) - out of 188.  Going to have to shave 10 minutes off to be first in that group.  ;-)

I ran my first 5K today.

It was part of Miles for Moffitt - a morning of races to raise money for cancer research.  It just so happens that Moffitt is where I was treated for my skin cancer, so this race had a personal affect that others have not.  It was nice to have so many co-workers from Busch Gardens Zoo Department there as well.  I did get a little teary running by the actual hospital (expected) and at the finish line (normal).

I believe my time was 27:49, but there seems to be an issue with my official time.  There is a '#' where my chip time should be, and it says # = Under USATF OPEN guideline.  I've tried to Google what that means, and I don't think I set a record for my age, so who knows?  We shall see.  I ran as fast as I could go without collapsing or throwing up.  I think it was a good showing for only running three times since the marathon on April 13, and with it being 74 degrees at 8am and all.  :)

So, I've signed up with the Busch Gardens Cares team for the Miles for Moffitt 5K.  There are a few other races as well (8K, 1mile, kids' races), but I wanted to start "small" after my marathon.  I have run exactly three times in the 25 days since my marathon - a rather nice, relaxing jog in England a few days after the race (it felt so good! my body was like "oh yeah, I remember how this feels!") and then twice in the last two days.  I ran 3.1 miles (5K) on Wednesday morning with Kristin's dogs, Stella and Sherman, around the golf course, and then 3.1 miles on the treadmill yesterday afternoon.  Both were a little tough - mostly, getting my mind into the "push myself" mentality.  I can run it - my lungs can handle it, my legs can handle it - it was just a matter of convincing my mind to keep everything going.  I plan on lifting some weights in the gym tonight after work and then the race is early tomorrow morning.

This will be my first 5K ever.  Obviously, I ran more than 5K during the marathon, but it will be inspirational for a different reason.  Yes, the marathon was an accomplishment.  I'm extremely proud of myself for starting that journey and seeing it through to the end.  I realize now that running will always be a part of my life (as long as I am able) - I enjoy it and it keeps my healthy.  I did fight cancer while training for the marathon and it is this reason that this race will be more emotional.  It is for Moffitt, it runs past Moffitt - even going to pick up my race bib on Wednesday was hard.  It was hard to see that building, it's hard to see the patients and their families - something I was a part of just over three months ago.  It is not fun to realize how many people cancer affects - I will most definitely cry (I have at every race).  It will be different this time - it will be simultaneously hard and inspiring seeing all the survivors running yet that is why I'm taking part - so that there are more survivors.  I'm grateful to be one of those survivors.  I recently had a shocking reminder that some people do not make it through skin cancer.

I will get a PR tomorrow, but I will also celebrate my journey so far this year, be grateful for making it through my diagnosis, be hopeful that I won't have to go through it again, and be inspired by those around me who have faced much worse, knowing that I have a larger "family" out there that fights for me and everyone else affected by cancer.

5:12:37

I can't thank everyone enough for their support!!!  Morgan, Christy, Sara, Spencer, Victoria...your packet of notes was amazing...if only I remembered to bring them to the race to re-read!!!

I finished, which was goal number one.  I also had a lot of fun (goal number two) until...HUGE cramps at mile 16, 17 and 19.  Never had them in two years of training...tried to run through, but I wanted to finish and not make them worse.  Hydrated and teamed up with a 12 minute run-walk pacer and finished the last 50 minutes with him (minus the last 400m when I took off as fast as I could).  :-). Finish time was 5:12:37, just over my third goal of under 5 hours, but I did walk quite a bit...so I think without cramps, it would have been a certainty.  Next time?

Many thanks also to all of my donors...the newest of which include Susan, Margi and Nicole!!!  Almost there!