Yesterday I went to the Gasparilla running expo.
Gasparilla is like a mini Mardi Gras that happens in Tampa, Florida each year. The premise is that they are re-creating an imaginary sea battle between the pirates of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa. This “battle” has been waged annually since 1904, and the pirates have won every year! That leaves the city of Tampa open to a pirate invasion, 5k-marathon runs, beads and drunk people and more craziness.
My husband is a landlubbing 5k runner today. He has 4 5k’s scheduled in the 3/4 of the year before the marathon to up his speedwork. His goal is 20 mins today.
So yesterday at 3:00 we got the kids from school, then drove over to the expo at the Tampa Convention Center’s East Hall. I saw the basic stuff as at Disney – a few additions… an area to donate blood (the day before a run?!?!?), a speaker stage with an American Red Cross rep talking about heart disease to an audience of 3.
One of the sponsors is Publix, the supermarket chain, so there was more free food than Disney. My kids pointed out that the samples were larger portions too. Healthy Choice was microwaving meals and giving out taste tests, Sargento cheese was putting cheese and turkey on whole grain crackers – and handing out string cheese, T.G. Lee gave the kids chocolate milk, Publix had 2 organic juices to try. Glory (canned southern soul food) had samples of 2 kinds of beans, another I would avoid before race day. And a local Church bookstore had my favorite – endangered species chocolate bars cut up to try. www.chocolatebar.com
Tampa General Hospital offered complimentary blood pressure testing and total screenings for blood sugar and cholesterol.
Adventure Babe was there with Gracie’s Gear. The $40+ Gracie’s long tanks were $19 I think. We know the Adventure Babe family from the kids’ school. Nike had tons of shoes, New Balance was there, my $120 Brooks were in a booth for $69!! I’ll remember that next year!
Most of the gear and accessories were not marked down – socks were still $9/pr, etc. Clif was not there. “The Stick” was and I think a knock-off Stick was too.
Asics had a bunch on sale. One girl was smarter than me and came in clothes tiny enough to try the sale stuff on over. I was in jeans and a blouse from work. That made me want to go back today. I would get a Gracie’s long tank and a long sleeve Asics running shirt. I don’t have anything long sleeved, and they were 50% off, but I wanted to be able to try one on. But in FLorida the long sleeve stuff at Sports Authority must get marked way down.
Verizon and Geico were there, the local news station was signing autographs (whatever…)
And my favorite – Feet First – had a row of booths. It was at regular price, but I’m sure it was for the exposure because people don’t think of Feet First first. Especially in Tampa, with Fit2Run in the mall (and they were there too.)
There was a Jeff Galloway training booth, and 3-4 Tampa Bay area running and race booths. I saw Parent Guide magazine and 1 school. A couple dermatologists and weight loss clinics. 1 relationship coach gave me a bookmark listing ways to improve my relationship.
My daughter flipped out because she’s been wanting one of those bumper stickers that says “Coexist” on it made from religious symbols, and the Church bookstore booth had one. Ironically they are located less than 2 miles from our house. But we got one and now we know where we can get more ($3 if you want one.) They also had little locker sized ones and flags with the photo of the orig from the John Lennon Wall.
Best of all, we saw a couple friends there too. It’s nice to be in a big room of noise like that and bump into people you know.
So, to everyone at Gasparilla, ESPECIALLY Deb, Kim, Lori and my DH Brian, “Run like you stole something!”
Lots of luck!
