After I ran the Jingle Bell Jog, which was part of the MCRRC low-key race series, I decided to join MCRRC myself! The club membership is only $35 for the whole year. As a member, all the low-key race series races are free! So as long as you do four, you’ve paid for your membership! Plus, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities and everyone just seems so darn supportive!
Yesterday morning, we loaded up and headed out to the New Years Day 5K. I haven’t run a 5K in a while, but knew I could obtain a decent time based off a training run John and I completed on Christmas day. There’s no time to be nervous for races when you’re taking care of a baby the night before, overnight, and the morning of the race, so you kind of just DO IT now. I find this refreshing, even if I am tired from teething baby antics. Thankfully John handled the worst antic last night, since he knew a little extra sleep would do me well for the race.
This low-key race was less than 10 minutes from our house, so I definitely didn’t want to miss such a convenient race. We parked the car and walked to registration together. I obtained a shoe tag and bib number to use for the entire year (no pressure or anything), and then we waited for the race to start! It was a little delayed today because more non-members than expected came out to run! So exciting to see so many people starting off their year in a healthy way.
I thought I had passed my friend Stephanie prior to registering, and as luck would have it, I found her when we were lining up to start! We ran a little over two miles together before I told her to go ahead. I developed a side stitch one mile into the race, which is completely unlike me. Honestly, the side stitch royally ticked me off. I’m confident I could have broken 30 minutes with Stephanie, along I am still pumped and proud of myself for completing this race with sub 10-minute miles.
The course was through a regional park with rolling hills. The volunteers were encouraging and plentiful. There was one water stop and a few port-a-potties set up at the race start/finish, along with bathrooms in the visitor center.
My side stitch lingered on throughout the day (odd?), but this race kept me in a wonderful mood all day. I’m so thankful to John and Xander for being the best support system and I love when we all run together on the weekends. Big thanks to Stephanie for running the bulk of the race with me and I’ll see you soon for more run!
Official time was posted last night! I finished this 5K in 30:48 for a pace of 9:55. I placed 238/366 overall, 77/164 for females, and 5/7 for my age division (hmm, perhaps my age group is a more NYE celebratory bunch?) I’m so pleased with my performance and this race. I’m thrilled to be a member of MCRRC and can’t wait for more races – the next one is January 12th!
I hope you all had an amazing New Years Eve and Day! I’ve loved having John home so often for Christmas and New Years; back to the routine today!
How did you kick off your New Year? Anyone else race yesterday?
Congrats, Katie – you did awesome! And you look great – so happy!
Happy New Year to you and your family – hope this is your best year yet.
Thank you Heather! I hope you and J and C have an amazing 2013! I certainly hope this is my best running year for sure!
Congrats!! That’s such a cool program. Philadelphia’s probably too money-hungry to have something like that.
I wanted to do the Commitment Day race, but apparently they canceled the one in Philly? I couldn’t register and my boss said it was cancelled. I was super bummed.
It was cancelled
Hopefully next year registrations will be higher to keep Philly! Spread the word about Commitment Day!
I might be joining you on 1/12! I need to beef up my winter races!!
Yes please! It’s a 4 miler
Great work! I ran a free 5K yesterday too! If you are a member of my local running club you get a number of free races for the year, I always like going to free races!!
Have a great 2013!
They’re the best right!? My running club has free trail races too – but I’m a little nervous to try one! I definitely don’t want to miss out on the free road races though! Have a great 2013 as well Amanda!!
Congrats on your race! I love the look of your Garmin!
OMG I love the Nike running top! Congrats on your race-what a great way to start of the New Year! Cheers, Tara
nicely done!! Love the pics, all smiles
I was bummed I couldn’t find a New Years Day race near me, but in retrospect it was probably a good thing
Great job!!!! You look adorable. Love that shirt.
Aww thanks!
Congrats on the awesome time! I will be checking out MCRRC!
Way to Work it Mama!! And a great time to boot! You are going rock 2013
Thank you Krysten!
Awesome time!
Awesome way to kick off 2013. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thanks David! You too!