Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Hula Hustle 10K

Over the years I have learned that running races in the summer heat is not that much fun. This summer Millennium Running changed all that with promises of a post race luau poolside at the Executive Health and Sports Club. There's something very appealing about grass skirts, leis, and a dip in the pool.


So, to celebrate turning another year older, I treated my birthday-boy husband to a 10K at the Hula Hustle 5K/10K. The Hawaiian themed event benefitted New Horizons for New Hampshire.

We arrived at the event about 30 minutes before start time and found that parking was much further away from the festivities than we thought, but we still had plenty of time to pick up our bibs, race shirts, and grass skirts and head back to the car to get ready and drop off the shirts.


As usual I did not look at the course earlier and learned on race day that the 10K was two laps of the 5K. I'm not a big fan of this kind of course, but it allowed me to see my amazing friend Ellen, who was volunteering at the water stop, multiple times!


After weeks of sizzling hot weather, we had a break in the temps, but with the sun shining it was still a hot day for running. The race started at 10AM, which is nice because you can sleep in, but earlier starts in the summer are better. So, even though it was an super fun race, we were ready to cross the finish line and receive our leis.

Photo by Keith Tharp

After the race, we grabbed our swim suits and headed to the pool for the post-race luau at Sizzle's poolside tiki bar. We were able to rinse off and change in the locker rooms of the club even though we aren't members (but boy do I wish we were!). We found some lounge chairs and then grabbed some food: burgers, chips, and watermelon.


This was the best summer race I have ever done. If you are going to try to run in the heat, it's nice to know that you can jump in the swimming pool to cool off afterwards.



Do you like to run races in the summer?



There's still time to enter my Reebok Spartan Race entry giveaway! 



18 comments:

  1. That sounds like so much fun! I ran a 5k on July 4th and would have done anything for a pool and some watermelon afterwards! I generally don't like to run in the summer but if I do I try to choose a fun run and not run it for a PR :)

    Karen @karenlovestorun

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  2. see? IM A MISFIT :) I was hoping there would be hula HOOPS in the race too.

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  3. How fun is that? I don't do a lot of summer racing b/c it's so hot/humid where I live, but I don't mind shorter events.

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  4. I agree...I could've stopped at 3.1 on this one!

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  5. Oh yea, no PR attempts for me either. Just out to have a good time!

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  6. Thanks for the great summary and recap!

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  7. I've got a colour run coming up real soon :) Looking forward to that!

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  8. Racing in a hula skirt? But of course!

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  9. Where I live, it's pretty much always summer, so I don't have a choice but to like summer races. I do try to stay out of the July and August ones, though. This one looks like fun!

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  10. For fun is the only reason to do one in the summer!

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  11. Thanks for the great photos!

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  12. I do like running races in the summer. I usually use them as my slow runs :)

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  13. Burgers, chips and watermelon? I need to come and run with you. :)

    I'm in the Bay Area, so my summer races are cold.

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  14. Anytime! I have a feeling there are many on the East Coast who would love to see you, and in a grass skirt!

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