Jingle Bell 5K, 2012

Have races become so passe that I really would let one go by without blogging a race report that day?

No. But it’s 11:50 pm right now, so I almost let that happen. 🙂

9 months ago when visiting my brother John in San Diego, we ran a hilly 5K in the morning and then went for a 12-mile run in the California sun.

For the first time since then, I ran a 5K and then ran another 12 miles in freezing December Maine sleet.

It was a good day, and I needed a good day. I got to see lots of trackie and tri friends and burn off a ton of pent-up energy. And remind myself that yes, it is possible to be cold when running (I dressed for the forecasted 50 degree day — it was 33 and raining).

Random observations
– I love how 5Ks are over before I feel like I’m even getting into the race. What’s up with that? I think I could do a lot better if I felt like I knew how to measure myself over the distance better. I’m still surprised when it’s over.

– I love endurance running. I can’t imagine/remember a time in my life before that. I totally just busted out a 10-mile run after a heart-thumping race. ‘Cause that’s my idea of a good time.

– Corollary: The best days are ones that go straight from spandex to sweatpants. Amirite? (Tony Reaves, don’t answer that for me.)

– I am so lucky to have so many amazing running friends and while I was missing some of them today (sniff) it was good to see others. My friend Steve helped pace me through the first two thirds of the race and I got a new 5K PR! Yay!

– I said before this race that the worst weather is 33 degrees and raining, but I think I take that back. This wasn’t that bad, once I had done the driving to get there.

– I can now say I know the long way between Freeport and Brunswick.

Pattie Reaves

About Pattie Reaves

I'm a new mom and renegade fitness blogger at After the Couch. I live in Brewer with my husband, Tony, our daughter Felicity, and our two pugs, Georgia and Scoop.