My 2nd 5k for 2012

The weather forecast was not good this morning. According to Mallory Brooke, it will be snowy and rainy and slushy. Yeah, right!

The temp is still in the freezing point and it is still snowing and raining outside as of this writing. And as of this writing, I am having a warm bowl of shrimp wonton soup with noodles to keep me warm. I threw in some fresh veggies from my salad bag into the soup and it's a perfect after race meal.

Yes, I did the Polar Bear 5k this morning. And yes, Mallory is right... it was snowy... it was rainy... it was slushy. But one thing she didn't know... it was awesome!

I thought it was early enough when I left the house at quarter to eight. But given the wintery situation, I had to drive slowly and carefully in town so I didn't get there as I planned to. I had only 10 minutes to take a breather before the race took off.

The route was breathtaking despite the foggy scenery I had from the mixed snow and rain on my face which gave me blurry my vision of the scenic vista. Anyway, my only goal is to cross the finish line and not to do sight seeing. So I ran on my own pace not minding those people who passed me. After I gained my senses and focused on the road, 3 more people passed me at the mile 2 mark. It was then I realized that the 3 people who passed me were old ladies running on a steady pace.

I started losing control of my feet as I ascent the 100 feet elevation. It was then, I started to panic and thought of changing my plan. Earlier I planned to overtake the elderly lady in front of me since we left the start line. After 20 minutes that she was only a tiny image in my eye at a 200 yards distance, I thought I will just keep running my pace. But after those 3 old ladies passed me by, I just thought of pretending that I had an injury and will just walk limping to the finish line. hahaha

But just as I was about to walk limping... I heard the voice in the microphone saying - and here comes Ruthinian Gregoire of Standish. Then, I sped up and clocked in 39:07 making me 9th to the last. Whew, another finished race, indeed!

And just to set the record straight... I didn't do the plunge. No way! I am not that too crazy yet. Maybe someday. Wink***

The Winter Runner

I don't do New Year's Resolution. It doesn't work for me and I don't operate that way. But one thing I'm sure about me is that - when I decide on something... I do it.

This year I want to run as many races as I can. Last year, I didn't start running until winter is over. Now that it is winter and winter this year feels like spring, I have more opportunity to run outdoors. The only problem is that - I work 12 hours a day. So the only time I can run is on weekends.

I have never thought that winter running is fun. The internet is a great resource to feed you with all the information you need to gear yourself up for winter running. So I take every opportunity and resource there is to train. After my first race for this year at Scarborough, I signed up for 3 more races. One for February and two for March. What am I thinking? Oh well, it is a good motivation for me to get my bum out and run.

So, armed with petroleum jelly slather sparingly on my face, a dab of Burt's Bees lip balm, a warm fleece head band or hat, a pair of comfy mittens, another pair of thick wool socks and an appropriate winter running outfit... I'm good to go until the next snow storm falls.