Friday, January 4, 2013

First Run 10K 2013

Once again, my running partner Daisy and I made plans to kick off another year of running by signing up for the First Run 10K in Lowell, MA. We ran this race last year and I started the year with a shiny new medal and 10K PR.  



It was also a great way to ensure that we racked up some Chilly Challenge miles for Team Escapades. We weren't the only ones to have that in mind. While waiting for the start of the race, we ran into several people planning to log miles for our team including Bill (who I might have guilted into joining) and Dani and some members from that other team. Just kidding, it is always fun to see what Janine will be wearing!



At the last minute, my husband decided to join us and run the 5K. He's planning to re-start his own running adventure and begin training for his next half marathon. I really love having a fit-husband.



More than 1600 people participated in the 5K/10K combination race this year. The unchanged course was a neighborhood loop that started and finished at the local Elks Lodge where pre and post race amenities were held. During the first loop it was very crowded, but since they offered pace corrals the glob of runners surrounding us moved at a pace I was comfortable with. From the 5K split to the finish it was much easier running, if you could ignore the occasional bitter cold head winds. 



One of the fun parts of this race is the crowd support including my husband right at the finish ready to get the best shot! And there's my Simple Hydration water bottle in action, too. That little gem let's me cruise right through the water stops and without the aggravation of carrying it in my hand.




Katherine also surprised us by signing up for the race last minute and despite arriving last minute (barely getting her bib on when the race started), she took her speedy self right past me to the finish. I think it is because she joined the Mizuno club...check out our #brilliantrun gear.  


Spending the first half of New Year's Day running with my husband and friends is nothing less than awesome. Even though this race seems to have outgrown it's facility, the course, the volunteers, and the community make it a fun one to do. So despite only finding some granola cereal and Emergen-C packs, I was very happy to discover that I tied my 10K PR at 56:23!





How did you start your new year?

How do you feel about poor post race experiences?



Want to know more about how to join Team Escapades in the Chilly Challenge? Check out all the details here or skip right to the sign-up part and be sure to choose #TeamEscapades! Already a member? Don't forget to follow #ChillyChallenge on Twitter and join the Facebook group.



24 comments:

  1. Congrats on the PR tie! Love your shirt!

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  2. Let's go #teamescapades! Looks like a fun run!

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  3. Great recap Amy! Ya - we do sometimes fly by the seat of our pants! It all depends on whether or not we can find a sitter for the kiddos! LOL. Thanks for telling me about the race. Very glad I did it. One of these races I'll hang out you ladies before and after!! Nice job on the PR!

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  4. I can't believe you tied it exactly!! Great way to kick off the year. And I'm excited to be part of team escapades!

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  5. Hi Amy! New to this weekly hop and I love finding inspiration at each blog. I am in California and I am freezing here. I could not imagine running outside with snow. Brrrr! It's lower 50's and I am all about the treadmill. LOL! Great start to the new year!!

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  6. Sounds like a blast! I continue to try to get my existing local friends into running, but I plan on joining a local running club in the spring, and to join a local running shop in their group runs. I hear running with people is a great way to pass the miles. Your experience sounds great! Go Escapades!

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  7. Sounds like fun! I started my year with a 5K

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  8. That is amazing to tie your PR!! It will be fun to train with your husband too!

    I started the New Year running up one the volcanoes that are dotted around our city - reaching the top and running down on a high was the best feeling ever!

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  9. Great way to start the year! Go Team Escapades :)

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  10. Nice job on the PR.......and you guilted me into it!!! :>)

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  11. Oh wow! A volcano? Sounds crazy fun!

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  12. I love running with friends much more than on my own - including virtual friends ;)

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  13. Thanks for hopping by! It's all about perspective, isn't it? 50s sounds so warm to me right now...My fav is 40s - long sleeves and shorts ;)

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  14. Crazy, I know! Glad to have you on my team!

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  15. Definitely! When else can we talk about the Browns & the Reds? ;)

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  16. Looks like we are off to a great start!

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  17. Thanks! It's so comfy & soft too!

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  18. Found your blog through Jill Conyers Fitness Friday. I love your Chilly Challenge. Wish I would have heard about it sooner so I could join!

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  19. Hi Andrea! Thanks for stopping by. You can still join if you want. Just add your name to the spread sheet and log your miles! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ag3aabP_S4nVdF9zOUxuV1RWN1ZsNDBjWmxzRmtHWUE#gid=0

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  20. I knew I would kick myself for not joining the Chilly Challenge! Great recap and love the photos. I started the new year with a run date with, who else, my husband. I agree with having a fit husband. It's nice that they just get it :)

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  21. Shorts and 40's sounds like an oxymoron to me! LOL!! OMG!!

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