Jingle Bell Run RR

I had initially planned to head down to Bellingham to race this past weekend, but a little time on the internet and I found the local Jingle Bell Run was yesterday, and being the start line was just across town, I decided that I'd stay local.

I wasn't quite sure what my body had planned for me, but I was going to take it out conservatively and pick it up later on if I could. Fortunately the course was pretty much dead flat so I didn't have to worry about an impending hill.

Because it was a charity run and sponsored by a gym, there was the usual aerobics warm-up before the start. I still don't understand why they do this, but I just stand back and let them do their thing. Unfortunately they packed the people right around the start line to do it and then started the race right when they finished. This left me at the very back of a BIG group of joggers/walkers so I patiently waited until I saw a clearing and took off.

Once I made it through the crowd I could only see one guy ahead of me, fully decked out in costume with bells on his feet AND his hat. I knew I needed to get by him and drop him because the jingling would drive me bonkers. I got by him at around mile 1. He tried to stay with me, but that was short-lived :) Not long after that I noticed Santa on his bike leading another guy around. He was way too far up for me to think I was going to catch him so I focused on me.

Despite feeling a little nauseous and having somewhat labored breathing, I felt really good the whole run. Unfortunately, they weren't too clear on where the finish line was so it snuck up on me and the course was a bit short which totally bums me out (doesn't surprise me though). I did consider running through the finish right to 3.1miles on my Garmin, but based on the gong show that was registration, I decided that the volunteers would flip out if I did so I stopped.

I felt MUCH better post-race this time around than I did my last race, but that makes me think I have another gear that I didn't tap into. Coach was pleased with how it went so I'm not going to dwell on it. The AMAZING breakfast we went out for after to celebrate his birthday and the enormous DQ dipped cone I downed after that made up for any negative feelings on my performance :)

I don't think I'll be satisfied with any performance until I reach my goal, but that's a long ass way off right now so it's back to work this week. Diving right back into training from where I left off... that's my punishment for feeling so fresh today!