The Fro Fro Blog: Race Report: ING Miami Half Marathon

On January 25, I ran the ING Miami Half Marathon -- but since I've been quite busy and haven't written until now (as if you hadn't noticed), much of the experience is already a distant memory. So this race report will be less like a half marathon and more like a sprint!

Arrived in Miami on Friday night and checked into the brand-spankin'-new Kimpton hotel in downtown Miami -- called Epic. Choosing that moniker is always a risk, but this hotel lives up to it. Beautifully designed and every detail attended to. Great restaurant, too -- Area 31 -- where I spent most of my meals over the course of the weekend. Its focus is on the sustainable ingredients of its namesake region, as designated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

On Saturday morning, I went there for whole wheat pancakes. They were thin and tasty -- what you'd get if a thick pancake and a crepe had three little pancake babies. Then went to the Expo on to pick up my bib, chip and other accoutrements, including a t-shirt emblazoned with my new motto: "Shut up and run." Perfect -- since for me running is a solitary pursuit and a chance for me to be at one with my mind and body. I don't need to hear you yapping about your friend's boyfriend's friend, or the addition you're putting on your house, or whatever else you hear people blab about as you're trying to enjoy a race. The motto also has broader applications in life. Don't whine, just get the job done!

By the time I was finished at the Expo it was lunch time, so I made my way over to the South Beach outpost of LA's Table 8 for one of Govind Armstrong's famous Beef Short Rib Grilled Cheese sandwiches. Yes, that's a side salad and not fries in the photo. Hadn't earned that particular reward yet.

Although I'd wanted to get out and explore Miami more (read: shop), unfortunately I was hit with a pretty bad case of jet lag. So most of Saturday was spent Epic-ally napping. Big mistake, because I wasn't able to sleep that night before the race.

When I awoke, I did a quick investigation of restaurants for pre-race pasta. There was one called Fratelli Lyon that looked good, but I just couldn't bring myself to leave my hotel. Another big mistake, as I've since learned Fratelli Lyon is not to be missed. It's on my list for next time.

Epic was conveniently located about five blocks from the American Airlines Arena race start and finish. That was nice because the race started at 6am to beat the heat, so at 5:30 I didn't have to go far. I think it was about 60 degrees, which for me was downright balmy, but most of the conversations I overheard involved how cold it was. I ate my Peanut Butter Builders Bar, blissfully unaware that it would be one of my last for a while. In response to the salmonella scare, CLIF has voluntarily recalled all of their Peanut Butter Builders. None has tested positive, thank goodness, since I eat one every morning for breakfast. Or I should say ATE, since I won't be again until they put new ones on the shelves in late April.

I can hear you now...we thought this report was going to be a sprint! Well, this race proved that even when you think you're going to go fast, sometimes it doesn't work out that way. Despite the fact that the course was mostly flat except for a few bridge crossings, I clocked in at one of my slowest race paces in a while (2:28:48). But I'm fine with that. I enjoyed the beautiful scenery, including Miami Beach's Ocean Drive, and the pleasant weather. I would do the race again in a heartbeat, and recommend it to anyone considering it for next year.

After the race, I showered, napped a bit more, then headed back upstairs to Area 31 once more. It was time for my traditional post-race burger and, yes, reward fries.

P.S. Later that week, while I was still in Florida on business, I continued the theme of eating only in numbered restaurants by having dinner at Prime 112. Thanks for the tip, Miss Lauren! Though the restaurant was noisy and scene-y, and the wait staff made us wait so long that even I couldn't stay awake for dessert, the food we did have was choice. My app was a creamy tomato soup with a mini grilled cheese sandwich plunked in the middle. My main was a beautifully prepared petit filet mignon, accompanied by a side of the most amazing vanilla-infused sweet potatoes. Don't let the photo fool you -- the side order portion was large enough for two to enjoy at dinner, and each have a container to take home.