My First DNS - why I didn't run First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon

I had a dream weekend planned in Sarasota. My husband Gabe and I were going to run our fourth First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Relay and we decided to make a lux weekend out of it by splurging my Marriott Rewards on a stay at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota. Things did not go as I imagined......

Let's take you back to Friday night. Gabe and I decided to have a date night at one of our favorite restaurants near our house. It's an Italian restaurant that has a live piano player, wood fired pizzas and wine on tap. Pizza and wine was exactly what I needed after my week, and it was delicious. When we got home later that night, I didn't feel 100% myself. I went to bed and woke up around 2am with pain I had never experienced before. I felt like a fire was lit inside of me. Apparently, I was experiencing my first ever acid reflux attack.

After a horrible night of sleep, we woke up and got a later than planned start to Sarasota. I felt really odd - I had no appetite and didn't want to do anything but lay around. We had to get to Fit2Run for packet pickup by 3pm and I wanted to get over to our hotel so we could enjoy the amenities.

While at Fit2Run I could feel my patience slipping away for no reason. Imagine PMS x 100. Everything was annoying me and I needed to get out of there. When we got to the Ritz, we were welcomed with champagne and learned we had been upgraded to a waterfront suite. That made my crankiness go away instantly! I took one sip of the champagne but it hurt to drink.

After going up to our room and picking our jaws off the ground, we decided to head down to the pool, which was pretty crowded at 3:30. Once again, everything was annoying me. From people taking fake instagram posed shots to kids splashing us, there was nothing I could do but put my headphones on and read a book, escaping from paradise. If I was in a better mood, I would have gone fishing off their pier! The amenities and activities at Ritz Carlton were pretty amazing.

We had plans that night to go to dinner at a restaurant called Indigenous that we were really looking forward to. Although I really had nothing to eat all day, I was not hungry. I also didn't want to drink, which is very odd for me! After taking literally 3 bites of my dinner, I asked for a to go box. I did not feel good. I felt full which was impossible and I had really bad pains in my abdomen. So we decided to walk over to Walgreens and get me some medicine. The only thing I wanted to do was go back to the hotel and take a bath.

After getting back to the Ritz, I tried my hardest not to be sad. Here we were in this gorgeous hotel, in walking distance to many places. We bought a bottle of Cakebread Chardonnay to drink on the balcony and I had no interest in that (it sat in an ice bucket in the bathroom instead). Rather than enjoying my night, I was laying in bed, trying not to cry or vomit. Well, both those things happened shortly after. Around midnight, I was woken up once again, with that same incredible burning sensation. I felt like a fire breathing dragon. I was able to go back to sleep only to be woken up again, about every 20-30 minutes. Around 2am, I vomited not once, but twice. Sitting on the floor of my hotel, I lost it. I knew right then and there that I would likely not be running in a few hours.

I've pushed through so many things with running. I ran the NYC Marathon with a sprained ankle (I sprained it at mile 4 and completed 22.2 miles injured). I completed the Dopey Challenge with a severe cellulitis infection (unknown to me at the time). I've ran hurt, I've ran sick. However, I mentally couldn't accept that I had to run half of a half marathon relay. I only had to complete 6.2 miles! Those 6.2 miles seemed like an Ultra Marathon and it was time (for once) to listen to my body.

My outfit that wasn't worn:

Shirt: Buy Me Brunch, Tequila & Tan lines

Pants: Asics Printed Capris

Shoes: Asics Gel Nimbus 18

Belt: Nathan The Hipster

I got the 5:45am wake-up call and told Gabe I wasn't going to run. I was drenched head to toe in sweat, fairly certain I had a fever. My throat hurt and the room was spinning. We slept until 10am. The first thing I did when I woke up was to check on my friends who ran the race (Tracy, Haley & Denise). Bummed I didn't get to see them at the race, let alone cheer them on, or cross the finish line with my husband really put a damper on my weekend.

I went to the Dr. on Tuesday and I was put on medication immediately. Whatever is going on is not normal and here begins the testing until we figure it out. First step is food allergy testing. If nothing shows up there, I have to go get a camera shoved down my throat. No fun.

photo from Eat Drink and Be Tracy

Although I didn't get to run the First Watch Half Marathon (relay) this year, I know I made the right decision. There will always be other races and I will be back next year in Sarasota with a vengeance. Be sure to check out Tracy's recap of her First Watch Half Marathon experience. She has ran 7 half marathons in the past 5 months and is training for her first full!!

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Fueling Tips and a First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Giveaway

My friends at First Watch have provided me with amazingly delicious fueling tips for running and training to share with my readers! I suddenly have the urge for Avocado Toast and a Mimosa fresh squeezed fruit juice. My favorite breakfast restaurant happens to be the sponsor for this weekends First Watch Half Marathon in Sarasota. Along with the fueling tips below, they are also giving away an entry to First Watch Half Marathon, winners choice of a 10K or Half Marathon! Click here to enter the giveaway through Instagram. You can also still register for the First Watch Half Marathon, click here to run one of our favorite races in Florida.

You’ve heard the saying before – Food is Fuel. For everyone, fueling your body daily with nutritious and delicious meals is important. For a runner, it’s even more vital to fuel up for your training runs and leading up to a big race with foods that will give you the energy and nutrients you need to achieve your goals, keep a clear mind and take care of your hardworking body!

We wanted to share a few tips to help you prepare for this year’s First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon.

Eat more! – As you’re powering through those longer runs and getting closer to race day, this one is important. While you’re training for a longer race, your body is likely burning many more calories than it was before. You need to replace these calories with nutrients that will help you run your best race. So what should you eat?

Eat carbs – Your body breaks these down to make glucose, which is burned to provide jet fuel for your muscles. Try our whole grain artisan toast – topped with some almond butter and Maldon Sea Salt!

Eat fats – Body fat is an important energy source for endurance exercise like running, and dietary fat helps your body absorb vitamins. The best source of healthy fats? Dark meat, coconut oil, seeds, avocado and fish. Try our Avocado Toast for some tasty polyunsaturated fats. Yum!

Eat protein – Protein is a muscle builder, and for runners, it’s vital to re-build, re-shape and re-condition your muscles as you train. At First Watch, try our Farm Stand Breakfast Tacos, full of great proteins like eggs, chicken and chorizo and served with a size of black beans.

Eat fruits and veggies – It’s great when we can get our vitamins in a natural way, and fruits and veggies are the best way to do that! They also have anti-inflammatory benefits, which is an added bonus. Try our Sunrise Granola Bowl, or our Superfood Kale Salad!

And most importantly, don’t forget to reward yourself for all the hard work and training hours you’ve put in! We’ll be waiting for you at the finish line with cold water, high fives, fresh fruit, Sunrise Cocktails with our housemade granola, and (drumroll please…) multigrain pancakes fresh off the griddle!

We wish you the best of luck during your last few weeks of training, and we can’t wait to serve you on race day. Happy running!

-Your friends at First Watch

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First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon - New distance, Updated Course and a Giveaway

One of our favorite races in Florida is taking place in less than four weeks - the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon and Relay. We ran this race for the first time in 2013 and this year will mark our 4th time running this beautiful and fun race.

There is a new distance to the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon - a 10K! 

There is a new, dedicated 10K course route to this year’s race. The 10K runners will start with the rest of the field and follow the course up and over the John Ringling Bridge, around St. Armand’s Circle and then back to the start/finish line. Registration for the 10K, with special pricing to the first registrants is now open at www.sarasotahalfmarathon.com.
Special 10K Pricing
$50 – first 150 registrants
$60 – 151-250
$65 – 251-350
$70 – 351-1500

We love the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon for many reasons. It is super runner friendly and the course is amazing. You start off running over the John Ringling Causeway then through St Armands Circle and loop back over the Ringling Causeway. During this time, the sun rises and you find yourself with the most amazing scenery Florida has to offer.

The First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon medals are the largest half marathon medals in the state of Florida. They are GIANT.

Check out the size of last years medal if you don't believe me!

The course support is one of the best I have seen, with aid stations every mile/mile and a half with water, Gatorade Endurance and restrooms. Runners get FREE photos, which is amazing - thanks to Athlinks (which also has an amazing real time gps runner tracker app).

There is on course entertainment throughout the 13.1 miles including live music, dj’s and more. Let's talk about the after party, which is sponsored by First Watch. This is the best post race breakfasts and finisher parties I have been to. Bacon, pancakes, fruit....and beer. Only thing that would make it better is mimosas (hint hint).

GIVEAWAY!

I am giving away an entry to either the Half Marathon or a two person relay. Click here to enter on Instagram. I hope to see you there!

Register:
Register for the First Watch Half Marathon and Relay here
Follow the First Watch Half Marathon and Relay for updates!

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2017 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Recap

A few weeks ago, my husband Gabe and I ran the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Relay. This is our third time running this event and we absolutely love this series. 2017 was a little different of an experience for me but at the end of the day, it was still a great time.

The 2017 relay started off not exactly as planned. We stayed a couple miles away from the start line and got a late start to the morning. Luckily we had no traffic (totally different scenario than 2014) and when it was time that we passed the start line (10 minutes before the wheelchairs were scheduled to begin), I made the poor decision to stay with Gabe and park the car vs. jump out then and go to the start line. Well, as luck would have it, we were nearly a mile away from the start when I heard the National Anthem. I sprinted to the start line and was the last person to start the race.....by 4 minutes.

I have ran over 20 half marathons, 5 full marathons and multiple other race distances. I have yet to experience something like this before. I was alone in the pitch black, most of the crowd had already moved away from the start and the photographers already moved on. I had already sprinted a mile, far above my normal pace to get to the start.

I finally caught up with the back and then spent the next few miles weaving. I caught up to the 3:45 pace crew and shortly after the 3:30 pace crew and so on. I had intended on running with the 2:10 pace crew but knew there was no way I would ever catch up to them. I caught the 2:30 crew right before I transitioned to Gabe.

This was mentally rough for me. We have been training at Orange Theory Fitness for a few months and my base pace has significantly gotten better. For the first time in my life, I wanted to get a PR. Since this was a relay, I knew I could go all out. I've never been the person to harp on PR's or my pace but deep down, I was pretty bummed.

With the additional sprint at the beginning and the mental test of being alone in the back, non-stop weaving and the realization that I wouldn't get to the pace I wanted, I was a mental nightmare.

Once I took in my surroundings, I got over the situation and made the best of this gorgeous morning. How could one possibly be upset in this surrounding. Plus all this was nobody's fault by my own. I learned a lesson for sure!

Aside from all the drama, I felt pretty good. My cardio is the strongest it has ever been and there is no doubt in my mind Orange Theory helped me get over the dreaded Ringling Causeway Bridge not once but twice.

When it came time for the switch, I wished Gabe good luck and started live tracking him. The really cool thing about this years series is that you could do live tracking with Athlilnks. When I opened the app, I was pleasantly surprised to see my husband running a 9:10 pace. At one point, he dropped below 9:00 per mile. I was very proud of my hubby, especially being he ran Savage Race the day and was head to toe sore.

Along with the awesome tracker app, Athlinks offered free photos to participants! Our finisher photo was not available but we still got a pretty great photo of us crossing the finish line.

While we didn't finish in the 2:10 pace group like we intended, we still finished at 2:16 and I will take that all things considered.

Following the race, we grabbed brunch at First Watch finishers tent. I was very happy for pancakes and fresh fruit.

The beer tent was buzzing at 9am. I grabbed a Michelob Ultra but couldn't do it.

After a few sips, we quickly grabbed a shot with the Ringling Causeway in the background and headed off to check out of our hotel.

I flew out to Atlanta shortly after this race but took advantage of a few hours and saw Beauty and the Beast before I headed out! It was so good!

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Fueling up for the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon and a Giveaway

A very common thing people ask me is what to eat the night before their first half marathon (or enter race distance here).  What may work for me may not work for you but I am someone with a stomach who controls their running. For me, bananas are a no-go. My pre morning meal is half of a bagel with peanut butter and I run with a mini protein bar if I get hungry on the course.  

So I reached out to my friends at First Watch and had them put together some fueling tips for the upcoming First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon. I never expected to be this excited upon getting the email back - Corporate Chef Shane Schaibly literally went inside of my brain and crafted the tips on what I eat! Avocado Toast and eggs are my go-to post race meal. Granola, fresh fruit and yogurt are a staple in my house. Lastly, anytime I see a carrot ginger fresh juice on a menu, it is instantly ordered.

I am happy to post these amazing fuel tips a Half Marathon thanks to First Watch Corporate Chef, Shane Schaibly.

First Watch is giving away an entry to the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon. Click here to enter it. This means I have three giveaways going at this time! Click here and here for the other two. 

Fueling up for the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon by Chef Shane Schaibly

     When Megan asked me to put together some tips to fuel up for the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon, I was pretty pumped. There are a bunch of things I love about running – well, I really like watching other people do it, and I love the part where it’s over and especially the part where you get to eat afterward.

In all seriousness, it takes a ton of determination, discipline and intense training to work up to a half marathon, and I applaud you for all of your hard work! In addition to a dedicated training program along with hydration, your diet and nutrition are vital to your success when running the race. Food is fuel, and I’m excited to provide you with some quick tips to fuel up for this year’s Sarasota Half Marathon.

Throughout your training, eat healthy snacks like these to keep your energy levels high.

With the race just a few weeks away, I hope your training programs are in full swing! As your runs get longer, try reaching for pre- and post-workout snacks and meals containing things like fruit, nuts, Greek yogurt or natural fruit and veggie juices. If you’re in our neck of the woods, stop by your neighborhood First Watch to try one of these:

Energy Bowl – Your choice of our housemade granola or Muesli cereal of oats, sliced almonds, pecans, dried cranberries, wheat germ and raisins. Topped with fresh fruit and a touch of cinnamon. Served with non-fat vanilla Greek Yogurt.

First Watch Sunrise Granola Bowl

 Sunrise Granola Bowl – Non-fat vanilla Greek yogurt layered with fresh, seasonal fruit, nuts and our housemade granola.

First Watch Day Glow Juice

Pair the Energy Bowl or Sunrise Granola Bowl with our fresh Day Glow juice (Carrot, orange, lemon and organic ginger). This healthy combination should give you that extra pep you need to get through your training!

Race week should have you fueling up with a healthy, balanced diet to prepare your body for the 13.1 miles ahead.

In the days leading up to the half marathon, you should be eating healthy foods, but you don’t need to carbo-load. A balanced diet containing a mix of healthy fats, lean protein and carbohydrates will help get your body ready for the 13.1 miles ahead. Swing by First Watch for breakfast, brunch or lunch to try this:

First Watch Avocado Toast

Avocado Toast – Our thick-cut whole grain toast topped with fresh smashed avocado, EVOO, lemon and Maldon sea salt. Served with two cage-free basted eggs.

The night before the race, eat a simple dinner that contains carbs to give you energy for race day!

The night before the race, it’s important to eat something that’s easily digestible and contains carbohydrates to give you energy for the race. Pasta is always a good choice, but try to avoid any thick, heavy sauces or too much butter, since you definitely don’t want to feel weighed-down on race day.

On race day, eat a light breakfast to give your body the energy it needs to finish the race.

The morning of the half marathon, you’ll want to eat something to get your body going. This breakfast should be simple and something that your body is used to consuming. Toast, oatmeal and cereals are all good sources of energy that will be slowly released throughout the morning during your run.

Don’t forget about the post-race Pancake Party (and Michelob Ultra beer garden)!

After the race, we’ll be waiting at the finish line with lots of fun snacks to help you refuel. This includes our famous post-race pancake station, along with lots of fruit and other healthy snacks to replenish those energy levels. Don’t forget to stop by the Michelob Ultra beer garden to celebrate your accomplishment too!

Keep in mind that no two bodies are exactly alike, so it’s important to pay attention to your nutrition and the way your body responds to different foods to figure out what works best for you.

Race day will be here before you know it, and I know I speak for the rest of the team at First Watch when I say we are thrilled to be part of your awesome accomplishment. See you all on March 19!

Cheers,
Shane Schaibly
Corporate Chef
First Watch Restaurants, Inc.

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GIVEAWAY! First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon and Relay

Hi friends! Today I have some pretty awesome news for my fellow runners. For the third time, I am partnering up with First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon which is taking place on March 19, 2017! We have some fantastic memories at this event and I am giving a few people a chance to run this race for free!

photo from First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Facebook

I cannot say enough about the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon. It's sponsored by First Watch, a restaurant where everything is made fresh to order and has some surprisingly healthy options. All First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon participants receive a gourmet breakfast at the finish line and if you feel inclined, a free Michelob Ultra (I am definitely one of those inclined people).

photo from First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Facebook

The First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Course
The course is amazing, starting at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, then over the John Ringling Bridge to St. Armand’s Circle. You make a loop and go back over the bridge.

photo from First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Facebook

At this point, those doing the relay will find the exchange at 6.2 miles and the second half will continue the race with those running 13.1.

photo from First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Facebook

The second half of the race continues on Tamiami Trail, then onto residential Indian Beach Drive, heading over to the John Ringling Museum, then looping back to finish at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.  The finishers medals are huge and along with delicious food, you will find live entertainment at the finish.

2013 was our first time participating in the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon series and we did the relay. Looking back on the race recap makes me smile (and laugh at the horrid iPhone photo quality)! At the time, my husband and I were not engaged yet and very into running. I reread the post and my statement of "I was jealous of everyone running the full vs. the relay" made me LOL. Read about our 2013 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Relay Recap here.

We returned in 2014 and I clearly remember this race. It was shortly after I went race crazy, running 10 races in 3 months, 2 were full marathons, 4 were half marathons, including one Dopey Challenge and one Glass Slipper Challenge. The 2014 relay began with me doing the first 6.2 miles - and I struggled hard. We finished slower than anticipated but that was fine with us. We enjoyed the course and the amazing sunrise. Read about our 2014  First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Relay Recap here. This was the last race we ran before our wedding!

Although I am 4 years older than the first time we did the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Relay in 2013, I feel much stronger. I've never been one to write about hopes of a PR but I cannot lie that there is a huge part of me that want's to slay this course.

I have not one, but two race entries to giveaway today! I am giving one away here on the blog and one away on Instagram (click here to head over to that post from your smart phone). This race is selling out fast so this will be a quick giveaway, ending a week from today. I encourage you to share away on twitter daily through the rafflecopter below to gain extra daily entries.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

REGISTER AND RECEIVE

Register for the 2017 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay and receive the following:

First Watch gourmet breakfast items for all participants
Free Michelob ULTRA beer for all participants over the age of 21 (ID required)
Largest medal in Florida for all half marathon and relay finishers
Custom made, tech short-sleeve shirt
Live band at the finish line presented by First Watch
Kids Corner featuring face painting, balloon artists, interactive games and contests
Great photo opportunities throughout the course

First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Start / Finish Line
6:45 am – first wave race start time
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236

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First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay and Race day Info

The 11th annual First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay has officially sold out! This is one of our favorite half marathons to run and has some of the best bling I've seen.

Even though it's sold out, you still have a chance to run by raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. By lending a helping and financial hand to St. Jude, runners and walkers not only gain entry into Sarasota’s longest running half marathon but most importantly help St. Jude lead the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life threatening diseases, of which Sarasota families also benefit.

Organizers have set an initial goal of raising $50,000 from the 2016 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon, working to build awareness of the program and then doubling this amount to $100K in 2017. A total of 100 spots have been set aside from the sold-out race to allow runners and walkers (with a 4-hour course limit) to still participate and confirm their spot by lending a helping and financial hand to one of the region and country’s most important research medical facilities.

How It Works:
Each participant agrees to raise or donate a minimum of $500 (Bronze Level) or $750 (Silver), which includes the following:
Guaranteed entry into 2016 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon
Online Training Resources (available year round)
Post-race VIP hospitality tent
Team racing top and gear
Pre-race Pasta Party Ticket for Saturday night (Silver Level only)
How to register: www.sarasotahalfmarathon.com or via St. Jude

The First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon charity partnership capitalizes on the successful relationship that already exists between Life Time℠, producers of the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon, and St. Jude via the South Beach Triathlon, where more than $1.5 million has been raised over the past five years. The partners hope to replicate the impact in Sarasota over the next several years.

2016 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Runner and Course Info

New Course Route
To better accommodate residents, minimize traffic delays and provide the optimal scenic course route for runners and walkers, organizers have altered the second half of the course to turn at Indian Beach Drive off US41 and do a loop to the Ringling Museum and back along Bay Shore Road.

The course previously went up North Tamiami Trail/US 41 all the way to the Ringling Museum before turning to come back via Bay Shore Road. The first half of the course, starting at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, over the John Ringling Bridge and around St. Armand’s then back to the Relay Exchange at 6.2 miles remains the same.
Click here for the 2016 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Course Map:

Two-Person Relay Course & Exchange Area
The two-person relay consists of two segments, the first being 6.2 miles from Van Wezel to St. Armand’s and then back to the exchange area outside Van Wezel. The next relay team leg covers 7.6 miles to the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art and then back to Van Wezel, where teammates meet each other at the exchange area to head to and cross the finish line together.

Location (start/finish)
6:45 am – first wave race start time*
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
*Falls on daylight savings

Packet Pick Up Locations
Wed., March 9 -- Miami Fit2Run Dadeland Mall, 12 to 6 p.m.
7535 N Kendall Drive, Miami 33156
Fri., March 11 -- University Town Center Fit2Run, 12 to 7 p.m.
140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota 34243
Sat., March 12 -- Downtown Sarasota Fit2 Run, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1400 Main Street, Sarasota 34236
Sun., March 13 – Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (Race Start/Finish), 5:30 to 6:30 a.m.

Participants Will Receive
Signature finisher's medal, one of the largest in Florida
Gender specific tech t-shirts
Runner tracking via text messaging
Goodie bag
Post Race Party and gourmet breakfast including made to order pancakes and fresh fruit yogurt parfaits and live entertainment, sponsored by First Watch and a beer garden for those 21 years of age and older adults; the event earned Competitor Magazine’s 2012 Award for Best Post-Race Party and Brunch in the Southeast Region
Kids Corner featuring face painting, balloon artists, and interactive games and contests

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