Monday, December 12, 2011

Race Recap: Jingle Bell Jog 5K

First off, can I just say that I LOVE 5Ks!!  Definitely my new favorite distance.  Of course, I'm not really taking them seriously or trying to sprint them but at the same time you get all those giddy race feelings without all the nerves knowing you will be done in 30 minutes or less!

source

I signed up for the annual Jingle Bell Jog in Seattle a few weeks ago with my running buddy, Sonia, and we had a great time just chatting it up for the whole race with a short sprint to the finish.  I was telling Sonia during the race that some day I would like to train and try to place in my age group at a smaller race or something but the Jingle Bell Jog is definitely not the race to try and do it.  The third place female came in around 19 minutes...I have LONG way to go!

Pre-Race: Another reason to love 5Ks...I don't have to get up insanely early to eat a huge breakfast so I don't starve while I'm running for 2-5 hours.  I woke up around 7, got dressed, ate a Luna bar and headed out the door to pick up Sonia. We parked a few blocks away for free in downtown Seattle and stepped right in line 10 minutes before the start.

The Race: The jog is really about people watching and hearing all the bells...so fun!  There were santas, reindeer, a grinch and even a couple guys in nothing but shorts and running shoes (I'm not sure how that is Christmasy)...BRRR!!  It was a pretty crowded course so we really couldn't run fast even if we wanted to.  The course started on a gradual uphill going through downtown before it turns back north on the express lane tunnels.  The tunnels would have been nice if it was raining (it wasn't!) and they were just kind of loud and a little smelly.  By the time you get out of tunnels you zip up a decent hill and then it's downhill to the finish.

Results: 29:29 - 9:34 pace
finish line madness


Post Race: For a 5K this race had the most extensive post races treats I've ever seen.  Water bottles, orange slices, bananas, bagels and Top Pot donuts...oh and a FREE beer. Sonia and I decided to skip it all including the free beer and head right to brunch at Pesos where I enjoyed a bloody mary and shrimp and avocado omelet.

You can't see our awesome socks in this photo...darn!

Raced a 5K, ate a delicious brunch, good time with a good friend and home before noon...great start to a Sunday morning.  So great in fact, I signed up for another holiday 5K next weekend :).

Oh and I'm still doing Jamie Eason's LiveFit trainer, I'm on week 8 starting today...last day of Phase 2.  I'll recap for you all after this week!

Question: Who out there is running holiday races this year?  Did you dress up?  I bought some fun socks and wore reindeer antlers.

2 comments:

Coy Martinez said...

I swear I love holiday 5k's the best! They're so easy to have fun in and everyone is dressed up!! That's a great time!!

Average Woman Runner said...

I haven't done Jingle Bell in YEARS. Maybe next year? Glad you had a great time!