HMRRC Winter Series # 1- 15K and The End of 2014

It’s that time of year again, time for the Winter Series races! These are some of my favorite local races because they are 1) free for members, 2) have varying distances to run during the winter, complete with water stops and refreshments, and 3) a majority of my favorite runners do them with me.

Christine and I got to SUNY early to do a warm up campus loop of three miles. We averaged around 10:30 pace for the three miles while we chatted away. After warming up, we went into register and hung out inside for a bit before the race began at 10AM.

Thankfully it was warmer out than it has been lately, although it was cloudy and then started to mist during the last few miles of the race. I had zero plans for this race other than just to get the miles in for the day. I started out running with Meredith, and eventually she took off while I ran with some other running friends who I met at Trail Running Camp over the summer. We kept a steady pace around a 10 minute mile for the whole 15K, and I was very happy with that. I felt great during the race and our conversations over the 9.3 miles made the time go by fast!

I’ve been aiming for 20 mile weeks lately, just to get myself a strong base for some upcoming marathon training. I’m about 90% sure I’m signing up for a Spring marathon–stay tuned for more details. 😀

I did a lot of races in 2014, including seven half marathons (I think that’s the most I’ve ran in one year), and one full marathon. There have been a lot of significant changes in my life this past year, but the one thing that remained consistent is my running. Running makes me feel so fulfilled and happy with life, especially because I’ve made some really great friends through the sport and I’m glad I have them.

So let’s recap this past year shall we?

Favorite Race of 2014 – After the Leaves Have Fallen Half Marathon, Lake Minnewaska State Park (Also my slowest half marathon of the year, but who cares? – the views were amazing)

Hardest race of the 2014 – the Marine Corps Marathon, also wins for the largest race I’ve ever run

The race with the most swag – The Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon, 10K and 5K (Hat Trick)

The fastest and most flat half marathon of 2014 – Asbury Park Half Marathon

The hottest race of 2014 – Saratoga Springs Half Marathon – humid, humid, humid!

Race with the most frogs on the course – Dippikill Froggy Five, a 5 mile trail race around Dippikill in the Adirondacks, with frogs around every corner.