Sunday morning the boys and I headed out early to watch the Women’s Half Marathon in downtown St. Pete.

We got there a little later than I had planned, due to forgetting that Snell Isle would be blocked off, but we got a great FREE parking space next to the Vinoy on Beach Drive. As we were walking towards the start we heard them playing the National Anthem and then the start. We stopped near the one mile marker and watched the pack coming.

I watched many of my friends run by, all happy at mile one. IRunMommies!

The boys were really into spectating.

After the pack passed us at one mile, we knew we couldn’t see them again until they had done the loop out in Snell Isle, so we headed to Starbucks to get some breakfast. I let the boys get hot chocolates and pastries.

Then we walked back down to the Vinoy, passing the baby Jesus…

and picked a spot near the mile 7 marker.

Tampa Bay Lady Blogger friends at Mile 7:

IRunMommies friends at Mile 7:

Yeah, I knew just about everybody running this race. It was great to see so many friends pass us, looking so strong. The boys helped me yell encouragement and rang cowbells while I held a sign.

Thanks for the photo Carrie!

After most of the runners had passed mile 7, we took off across the city to try to catch them again at Mirror Lake. I ate my spinach and feta wrap from Starbucks while we walked.

We got to Mirror Lake in time to see most all of my friends run past again.

Then we hightailed it back down First Avenue South until we were just before the turn to the finish line and I caught up with my friend Ali who had done the 5K and was now spectating.

We watched all of our friends come around the corner towards the finish line, then the boys and I hit up the Hilton rest rooms and walked back down to the finish line.

We congratulated everyone one their medals, then headed back to the car. We made a brief pit stop to check out Santa’s sleigh in the park.

The race festivities weren’t over yet, because then we met up with a bunch of our friends at Harvey’s for brunch.

I got the walnut chicken salad croissant sandwich and potato salad which I shared with the boys.

We had a fun and exhausting day spectating the WHM this year! It was bittersweet not to be running, but we still really enjoyed being a part of it.