FirstRun 2013

What a better way to start 2013 than with a 5K? I signed up for the FirstRun right after Thanksgiving with my friend Gil. Lots of people run in costumes, so Gil and I decided to be "Team USA." He wore a USA Hockey jersey and I wore the Pratt family Olympic jersey that we ordered off of a cereal box circa 1995. I also wore my homemade "London 2012" gold medal and carried a bouquet of (fake) flowers. Running in costume is so much better than wearing just running tights!

The actual race was great, albeit freezing cold. 16°F when they started the race with a feels like temp of 1°F. BRR! I layered up with almost all of my cold weather running gear all at the same time, including 2 pairs of running tights, 2 long sleeve tech shirts, a cotton long sleeve shirt, a zip up jacket, a wind breaker and my jersey. Pair that with a fleece hat, cotton neck warmer/sweat wiper/nose wiper and mittens and I was ready to go!

It was sunny the whole time and I actually warmed up pretty nicely. My toes were cold the whole time, but I shed the hat and mittens and could have done without at least one of the shirts. 

The course was great, hardly any hills and a good number of spectators. Gil and I kept a decent pace (for me...) and finished with an official time of 35:04. I'd say we were at least a minute quicker than that with the congestion at the starting line, so I was pleased with my time in such cold temps!

It was really the epitome of a good run - my legs felt fresh (despite 90 minutes of Jazzercise the day before!), a big smile on my face the whole time, pretty good control of my breathing. What a great kick off to 2013!