hi gang–it’s time for me to pick a half marathon. was looking at the tampa bay half at the end of Feb. has anyone here done it?
if so, is it a good race? is it a fun course, with good weather, exciting scene, a good trip, etc etc.?
thanks for any insights, or recs!
kittycat
Do it. I did the full marathon a few years back. Great flat course. Its on flat roads too. no road camber issues that tend to aggrevate ITB. Support was great as there were numerous volunteers at each aide station. Good music/bands on the course. Host hotel is a 2 block walk from start line. Its a good one. The finish along Bayshore is great.
ok–i’ll probably sign up then! wish i could for the full 26.2. next time hopefully 
Kittycat,
See if you can get down here for this xc 1/2 marathon outside of Tampa on Sunday November 19. Running on these trails will put any running on the roads to shame.
Also ran the full 2 years ago as a mental prep for 1st IM race. Surprised when time qualified for Boston last year. Good course, pleasant weather, relatively small crowds at the start line.
did the half las year and will do it again this year. great course goes through upscale and historic neighborhoods. the final 4-5 miles are on bayshore drive which overlook the opean.
that’s a fun idea, but i don’t think I’ll be ready by that time mileage wise…maybe next year for that one!!
There’s the same race in February. Come on down. It’ll be a fun break for you.
Happy running. And stay injury-free at all cost!
BottomFeeder, what is the date for the February race? I plan on being down there the 2nd or 3rd week of Feb.
Dude,
Sunday Feb 12. I’m already penciling you in, so no use resisting.
yes I’d like to do the half at the end of Feb. seems to have good reviews…so hopefully i can stay injury free and make it!
Hey Hottie,
Which one are you talking about? The one I’m trying to sell you on is off road and is in the second week of Feb…
Never done the race, but go to Ybor for lunch afterwards. Lotta good restaurants there.
i’m talking about the 24th-25th, and it’s on the road. i thought the off road was in November…ok, i’m con-fuzed.
Are you going to do the Heart Mini here in March?
I think she means the Gasparilla half (http://www.tampabayrun.com/exec/gasparilla/mgi.cfm?publicationID=309), which takes place alongside the full marathon and a day after the famous 15k and 5k. The half marathon date is February 26th.
i don’t know. it’s funny you should ask that, i’ve got the shirt on right now–haha. i don’t really like the course, but who knows, i might do it. running on that pavement sucks, and then going up Torrence…eek. in the end, i’ll probably do it. HAHA!! it’s a good training run for the flying pig (half for me, unless something drastic happens for me to do a full, which I can’t see that…)
yes, that’s the one i was referring to. what is the other one?
Gasparilla. Gotcha! I can’t believe I’ve never done it myself. Maybe I’ll try it next year…
Hey KittyCat, that xc 1/2 marathon runs twice in a year: in November, and in February. Sorry for the confusion.
Good.
However, my advice to you is that you should be training extra hard, as you’ll want to avenge the ass-kicking you are going to get on Thanksgiving.