Holly Jolly 5k RR

Holiday Attire

We headed up to Orchard Park Saturday morning. It was a noon start for the 5k and we got to the packet pick-up at Runner's Roost at 10:20. My mom and I picked up our numbers and looked around a little bit. We had some time before we had to be at the starting line, so we headed to Marshall's. I found a pair of orange (Texas Longhorn orange) Nike Tempo shorts for $12.00. My son also picked out a pair of socks for me to run in. I had red and white striped ones with me (as did everyone else) and he liked the black with presents and red faux fur. Yes, new socks and a cotton shirt for a race.....

mom and me

My husband dropped my mom and I off at the start and I did a mile warm- up ~8:45/mi. I headed in to a construction zone to use the port-o-potty because there was no other bathrooms. Lined up at 11:50 and then gun went off at 12:00. I am not really in 5k shape and wasn't sure how this race would go. I sure did positive split the heck out of this race though!!!!

Mile 1 6:46 Started with an uphill and then down and flat and little up. It was definitely a rolling course! At the end of this mile my left hip flexor/Quad/above inner knee decided to quit working. I am not sure what the heck was going on. I have had problems with the hip flexor but this covered more area of my left leg. I felt like I couldn't lift the left leg.
Mile 2 7:43 By time I hit 1.5 was hoping to hold sub 8 pace because my leg was not cooperating. It was so weird! about 1.6 miles you turn so you can see the people behind you. I also could count the girls ahead of me and I was 5th female. I just wanted to hold on. I felt great except the darn leg! I kept trying to go faster and it was like I couldn't no matter how hard I wanted to because of the leg.
Mile 3 8:12- At this point, I just wanted to finish. We came out of development and headed up. The last 600m were uphill. I got through it! It wasn't pretty but I was pleased with the overall considering how much trouble my hip/leg gave me
.12 :55 (7:33 pace)- As I was finishing uphill the announcer announced that I had the best skirt, socks, and shirt and then best costume (made me show everyone in the awards ceremony)

23:37 I was 2nd in my age group and 7th female.

having to show everyone my "costume"

Medal and Number

from result board

It was a great race with Awards in The Well (bar)! They were quick with the results too!

Today, my hip is still tight and my lower quad/upper calf are sore. But was able to do an easy RUNch.

Have you or are you doing any holiday runs?
Do you like dressing up for races?