Running towards the Bling...and Then More Bling

 As usual, this is a way over due post on my last marathon, which was waaaaayyy back in November 2020. But as I'm sure the rest of you can relate to, time has both seemed to stop but is also flying by. So now it's August 2021 and I'm just getting to this post. 

So because of our friend COVID, state numero 36 was....you guessed it in Florida. I hadn't run the sunshine state yet, so it worked out that I could run a race and not have to really travel far. I opted for the Space Coast Marathon in Cocoa Beach, near Cape Canaveral where all the space launches happen. My boyfriend of a little over a year at this point came along with my furry sidekick Dean. This was the boyfriend's first time joining me for a race and his first time also as a spectator. For some reason, he was not surprised by how much of the hotel room I took over with my race gear and supplies. I guess he'd known me long enough to know that I'd take over the room. 

The race was the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, which was great because you can eat all the turkey, mashed potatoes and pie with less guilt knowing you're going to burn all the extra calories off in a few days. Because of the pandemic, there were different rules in place. We all had to wear masks in the start corral and had to maintain a socially safe distance between other runners. We were allowed to remove them once we started, but I did keep mine on for a few miles until we were all spaced out a little more. 

It was dark when the race started, but fortunately where we started was fairly well lit. The nice thing about starting when its dark is that you get to also see the sunrise.  I can think of worse scenery to run along side. 

The boyfriend was supposed to meet me around the half way mark, but realized as I got close to that point that the halfway point was in a different place than the where the half-marathoners would be finishing. I sent a quick text to let him know so hopefully he would be in the right place, but that didn't seem to work out. Oh well, there was still 13 miles left to find him. 

The second half of the race was an out and back so there were many opportunities for him and the dog to cheer me on, which they were successful in. I think he was surprised at how complicated spectating was and how little time you have to get between spots. But I saw him probably at least 6 times. I think the last time I saw him was around mile 22 or 23. Of course I'm exhausted and not really thinking of anything other than how much it hurts and that I STILL have 3 miles left. Some part of me thought I heard him at that last point say something amidst my music about running to get a ring, but I pretty much dismissed that thinking I heard it wrong. 

I get to the finish line and didn't see boyfriend, but did find him shortly after. Little Dean was such a trooper running all over the place with him, and did so good for a 15-year-old pooch. We both took a little rest in the shade after the race. 

Because of COVID, they didn't hand out the race medals at the finish, we got them in the bag at packet pickup, so it was a little anti-climatic not getting the race bling at the finish. Regardless, it was some pretty cool hardware and pretty big as far as race medals go. 

So remember that part where I thought I heard something about a ring? Well, obviously I didn't hear that right since I made it to the finish and there was no bling of any kind waiting for me at the finish line. And to be honest, I wasn't really thinking of that at all after finishing. I was focused on showering and food. So we headed back to the hotel so I could shower, rest a bit and then think about where to get post-race oysters. Ends up though, that I did hear him right, and was surprised after my shower with some extra post-race bling and a proposal! Seems he had planned all along to do it at the finish line, but then was a little nervous with all the people around, not wanting to make a big spectacle of anything. Regardless, it was a private and perfect proposal, to which I said yes! 

Marathon complete? Check. Engaged? Check. Oysters? Not checked. Off to Jazzy's for the traditional post-race and engagement celebratory oysters. Super fun atmosphere, which I would expect nothing less from a place called Jazzy's. And for those of you know anyone who goes by the moniker, Jazzy, I'm sure, you'd agree. ; )  Definitely a very Florida vibe, with great food and fresh oysters. 

Obviously, this marathon was memorable for many reasons. It was in the middle of a global pandemic, it had a ginormous medal, and I got engaged. Number 37 was supposed to happen this weekend, but as many things in the past year and a half, it didn't happen as planned. We're not out of the woods yet with our friend COVID, who just won't leave, and it seems this Delta variant is a tricky lil' bastard, even with those who are vaccinated. This virus doesn't care if you're young, old, black, white, religious, atheist, Republican or Democrat. So vax up, mask up, and please do your part to take care of your family, your friends, your community and yourself. Ok, off my soap box.  Take care of yourself and each other. Stay safe out there!