The Bridge

Ah the Seven Mile Bridge. I signed up for it....really I wanted to run it. To be able to have that experience....I truly wanted it. What I did not sign up for was the extra 1/2 mile that the leg actually was. Now you might be thinking....Jenn you just ran 9 miles (2 miles before the bridge plus the bridge) why does it make a difference? Well you answered your own question ;) The third leg of a race and for the last half mile I just kept thinking something was dreadfully wrong....where was the promised end of the bridge?

As you can tell by my intro...it was not my finest hour. The beginning of the leg felt really good. I ran confidently toward the bridge and even paused on the running trail that led under the bridge to take a sunrise picture (which turned out even better than I planned). But by 1 mile onto the bridge (with 6 miles left in the leg) my stomach pulled a nasty trick on me. I was in more pain than I have ever been in during a run. And with no van support, I just had to keep on running and convince myself that as soon as this was over I just had to kick back until we got to Key West. I was disappointed in the longer time it was taking me to complete the bridge than I had wanted to but I did try to distract myself with the amazing experience I was having. Every once in a while I would look over the edge and take in the wonder of the ocean and the gulf on either side of me (Gulf was on the right and Atlantic on the left). All in all....a slow 9.64 miles but an experience unlike any other I have ever had. Now on to the van to wait for the final four of van 1 then on to Key West!

XOXO, Jenn