It's been a while since I've run a New Years Day race. I used to run them every year until I got divorce, because I ran them with him. I saw this race online and liked the name of it so I decided to sign up. As advertised it was a frosty run. This was a good opportunity to get back into the habit of running the first day of the year.
After signing up I got and email about a race series and this was the first race in the series, so I signed up for that too..double motivation.
I woke up too early, and a bit irritated and conflicted not really knowing why. So I showered and had a tea, watched the news and tried to kill time, but was feeling a little antsy and anxious to go. Eventually I just gathered my things and headed out to the door.
It was frosty!!! There was a strange feeling in the air. As I drove down the street there was trash and debris everywhere. Odd. I didn’t hear any commotion or celebrations last night, even though I went to bed at 9:30…ah the exciting life I lead. Driving through town it was deserted, so unusual for a week day.
When I got to Salem it was about the same there, very desolate and
deserted. Parking was a cinch. I went in the Tavern and wandered around a
bit. I was over an hour early, lots of time to kill.
I love running in Salem. It was a cold, windy morning. The race is a nice course from the center of Salem to the Willows. I was having a conflicted morning not sure why, but I felt irritated. I warmed up at the restaurant as it filled to capacity. Headed out to the start and felt over dressed so I took off a layer and thought of taking it to my car. Then standing in the shade I got cold and put it back on. I lined up at the rear, which is always a mistake. Ugh.. starting in the back of 700 runners and walkers. So I had to weave in and out and around a lot of slow runners and walkers. By the time I got a mile out I was too warm again. Meh!!! So I took off my jacket and tied it around my waist but it was twisting and irritated me and I couldn't find my pace or stride. My clothes were twisting and flapping on my leg adding to my irritation. As I got to mile 2 I was still feeling a bit irritated. It was a tad cool around the Willows area, but not bad. I stopped at the mile 2 water stop took a water, and a breath tied my jacket tighter, and started again and felt much better the last two miles. I ran the last two miles more comfortable than the first two. At mile three a car pulled out onto the course into a group of runners...why do people do that?? Can you not see all the people running?? As I came to the finish line I was really warm, took off my gloves and hat and breezed to the finish. Saw the finish time of 35:50 and felt ok about my run not my best; not as good as my last 4 mile in Maine, but under 9 min mile. Happiness!! And a great way to start the year. But when I finished I forgot to turn off my watch, so my watch time wasn’t accurate.
I headed to the Tavern for the post race. It wasn’t too bad at first. I grabbed a banana and a water, but as more runners finished the place filled up quickly. I got in line for the free post race pint which took forever. It was so crowded with barely any room to even stand that I decided to take off and head home with a quick stop at the running store in Lexington.
I love running in Salem. It was a cold, windy morning. The race is a nice course from the center of Salem to the Willows. I was having a conflicted morning not sure why, but I felt irritated. I warmed up at the restaurant as it filled to capacity. Headed out to the start and felt over dressed so I took off a layer and thought of taking it to my car. Then standing in the shade I got cold and put it back on. I lined up at the rear, which is always a mistake. Ugh.. starting in the back of 700 runners and walkers. So I had to weave in and out and around a lot of slow runners and walkers. By the time I got a mile out I was too warm again. Meh!!! So I took off my jacket and tied it around my waist but it was twisting and irritated me and I couldn't find my pace or stride. My clothes were twisting and flapping on my leg adding to my irritation. As I got to mile 2 I was still feeling a bit irritated. It was a tad cool around the Willows area, but not bad. I stopped at the mile 2 water stop took a water, and a breath tied my jacket tighter, and started again and felt much better the last two miles. I ran the last two miles more comfortable than the first two. At mile three a car pulled out onto the course into a group of runners...why do people do that?? Can you not see all the people running?? As I came to the finish line I was really warm, took off my gloves and hat and breezed to the finish. Saw the finish time of 35:50 and felt ok about my run not my best; not as good as my last 4 mile in Maine, but under 9 min mile. Happiness!! And a great way to start the year. But when I finished I forgot to turn off my watch, so my watch time wasn’t accurate.
I headed to the Tavern for the post race. It wasn’t too bad at first. I grabbed a banana and a water, but as more runners finished the place filled up quickly. I got in line for the free post race pint which took forever. It was so crowded with barely any room to even stand that I decided to take off and head home with a quick stop at the running store in Lexington.
Race 1- 4 miles 35:53 ( gun time) 35:05 (chip time)
Good race…finished 12/58 in my age group 316/730 overall with a gun time of 35:50 and chip time of 35:05. Even though I didn't run this one as well as my last race, I'm not disappointed. It is, after all, the start of the year. Was a lovely way to start the year. I really enjoyed it.
Good race…finished 12/58 in my age group 316/730 overall with a gun time of 35:50 and chip time of 35:05. Even though I didn't run this one as well as my last race, I'm not disappointed. It is, after all, the start of the year. Was a lovely way to start the year. I really enjoyed it.
I stopped by the running store and got 30% off my purchase (toasty running tights that I sorely need) for running a race on the first day of the year!! YAY!! Score!
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