This was the 2nd time that I paced it. I didn't remember signing up but the coordinator said "I have you as the 2-hour pacer for this one." I asked … MORE
This was the 2nd time that I paced it. I didn’t remember signing up but the coordinator said “I have you as the 2-hour pacer for this one.” I asked to be moved because May in Florida on the beach where the sun beats down and reflects back at you is not fun; so she moved me to 2:10. I always carry water, but it was not enough. I had a hat, but could have used a sombrero or a robot to carry a parasol along side of me. There are only 2 or 3 water stations on this course and each one might have 2 or 3 volunteers working at them. I looked one of the volunteers right in the eye, pointed to him, called out “gatorade” and another runner swiped it right out of my hand. He tried to apologize but that was it: as a pacer, I can’t go back, I have to maintain a pace; so as I approached the next water station, I told my pacees that I was going ahead so I could refill my bottle at the cooler. I met back up with them and at the next stop, the volunteers were trying their best to keep up but the coolers were at the top of the dunes and the runners were along the shoreline. The 2-hour pacer handed me her sign and dropped out. I left my shoes with some strangers with a red umbrella at mile 12 and came back for them later. After I crossed (at 2h 12 min), I went back for my shoes but grabbed 2 bottles of water from the troughs, used my earrings to poke holes in the lids and “showered” the runners as they passed me. They thanked me but I felt really bad when there was no water at the end when I got back the 2nd time. Granted, most people were walking, but I still felt bad about that.
They have moved this to the end of March, when I normally pace another race, so I will not be doing this one again, but good luck is you choose to do this one.
I hope that the weather is much better for you.
Happy Running.
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So stinkin hot! Brutal
This was the 2nd time that I paced it. I didn't remember signing up but the coordinator said "I have you as the 2-hour pacer for this one." I asked … MORE
This was the 2nd time that I paced it. I didn’t remember signing up but the coordinator said “I have you as the 2-hour pacer for this one.” I asked to be moved because May in Florida on the beach where the sun beats down and reflects back at you is not fun; so she moved me to 2:10. I always carry water, but it was not enough. I had a hat, but could have used a sombrero or a robot to carry a parasol along side of me. There are only 2 or 3 water stations on this course and each one might have 2 or 3 volunteers working at them. I looked one of the volunteers right in the eye, pointed to him, called out “gatorade” and another runner swiped it right out of my hand. He tried to apologize but that was it: as a pacer, I can’t go back, I have to maintain a pace; so as I approached the next water station, I told my pacees that I was going ahead so I could refill my bottle at the cooler. I met back up with them and at the next stop, the volunteers were trying their best to keep up but the coolers were at the top of the dunes and the runners were along the shoreline. The 2-hour pacer handed me her sign and dropped out. I left my shoes with some strangers with a red umbrella at mile 12 and came back for them later. After I crossed (at 2h 12 min), I went back for my shoes but grabbed 2 bottles of water from the troughs, used my earrings to poke holes in the lids and “showered” the runners as they passed me. They thanked me but I felt really bad when there was no water at the end when I got back the 2nd time. Granted, most people were walking, but I still felt bad about that.
They have moved this to the end of March, when I normally pace another race, so I will not be doing this one again, but good luck is you choose to do this one.
I hope that the weather is much better for you.
Happy Running.
Tough Challenge
This was a nightmare. I do not blame the organizers for everything that was not-so great at this running event. What did me in was the oppressive heat and insufficient … MORE
This was a nightmare. I do not blame the organizers for everything that was not-so great at this running event. What did me in was the oppressive heat and insufficient support. The sand on the beach was relatively hard and flat, but it was still a challenging course. While the heat and lack of shade were to be expected, the relatively few aid stations – four each way – made it that much harder to make it. I felt bad for the volunteers as well who had no shade to hide in from the heat that was pouring down on us. The reason why I decided to participate in this event was the finisher medal in the shape of a whale mother with a calf. The animal lover in me could not resist this cute looking medal. When it comes to the environment, both my husband and I had an issue with the awards. While I did a personal worst at this event, my husband won his age group. The awards though were conchs. Getting a conch involves killing the animal that inhabits it. As vegetarians and environmentalists we really did not want to have anything to do with this. We did not make a fuss with the organizers, just left before the awards ceremony began. The post-race support was also rather poor. No carbs, some mimosa drinks which were not bad, but nothing of substance. Anyway, I did it, I survived and I will not do this again.
Tough run on a beautiful venue
This event at Cocoa Beach, Florida is deceptively difficult. This event started a little late, and the temperature was probably about 78 degrees, but there was nice cloud cover shielding … MORE
This event at Cocoa Beach, Florida is deceptively difficult. This event started a little late, and the temperature was probably about 78 degrees, but there was nice cloud cover shielding the runners from the sun. Running in sand is not the best venue, but the sand nearest the waterline was harder packed. There was a covering of stinking seaweed all over the beach, which made for a kind of smelly running. This was an out and back, and on the way out clouds shielded the sun for about 45 minutes. Then, the cloud cover dissipated and the rotisserie started. There was a stiff breeze from the south into which we ran the leg out. It slowed us some, but did keep us cooler. At the turn-around, the wind was to our backs and the sun bore down on us. It was not just the heat directly from the sun, but also from the sun’s reflection off the ocean. So, we were being doubly baked. Support was minimal. Water and Gatorade at 4 stations, manned by baking volunteers (hats off and three cheers for them!) We could have used a couple more aid stations because of the heat. A big drawback was that there were no porta potties on the course. This had to have been a big stressor for some people, especially inexperienced runners. There were two places on the course where signs directed runners up over the dunes to public restrooms. Also, it would have been more comforting to see more dune buggies keeping track of runners who might be in trouble, and toting people back to the start if they couldn’t go on. Post-race support was scant. There was some pizza that looked a week old, a fresh fruit salad, which was really good, but the water and Gatorade were warm. There were mimosas, which were ice cold and not too bad, but not really good for dehydration recovery. For those of us who like to sink our teeth into some carbs, there was nothing. For those finishing past 2:30, there was no cold water left at the finish, the mimosas were just about gone, and there were basically no other refreshments.
I’ve been running in events for almost 40 years. Back in the 80’s support was minimal and we didn’t expect much, but times have changed, and we expect at least very cold beverages and a fair assortment of foods to get our sugar levels back after an especially difficult run. This is the second event that I’ve participated in for which Smooth Running did a fairly lousy support job (the first being the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse half marathon. In fairness, they have done a great job for the Publix Melbourne Marathon and Half Marathon), but for this event, it was dangerous because of the environmental conditions. I do not recommend this run except for experienced runners who know what they can/cannot do.
A little hot but nice beach run
I participated in this as a pacer for the 10K. I remember my watch having a difficult time finding a satellite signal which really freaked me out as a pacer. … MORE
I participated in this as a pacer for the 10K. I remember my watch having a difficult time finding a satellite signal which really freaked me out as a pacer. The course seemed short to me as I approached the line and saw that I had some time to spare. I thought that my watch was on the fritz or had lost satellite along the way, but chronologically, it still looked good.
The course could have used at least one more water stop along the way.
(This was an out-and-back on the sand course on the sand.)
As I watched the pacers for the half marathon come in, I saw them looking puzzled as they approached the finish line, too. I actually saw the 2-hour pacer stop with a puzzled look on her face and I called out to her saying “I really think that the course is short.”
They had LOTS of food at the finish line and a nice seahorse-shaped medal (which I think both distances received.) So- the after party was good. The shirt as pretty simple and we usually get a hat, too.
I’ve paced a number of races with this series and their finish line clocks drive me bonkers- during The Florida Marathon (Melbourne), I ran a marathon and the clock at the finish line displayed the time for the half-marathon finish. Maybe that is what happened for the half-marathoners, too. This is why I give them 2 sneakers in the “Race Production” rating. Sorry, folks. the clock matters to me. In the mean time… Happy Running!