Reflections on Running and Races in 2012

Last night, I went to an ornament exchange party and ran into a friend who ran a race I was running in September. She told me she hated running and wondered if something was wrong with me. I just replied that I like torture but that is not necessarily the true reason. . .

This urge to run and race happened in January 2012. On December 27th 2011, I lost a huge part of me. My best friend, sister-in-Christ, and mother passed away. I did my first race on April 2011 and I called her after my 5 mile trek and told her I finished even when I got shin splints right around mile one. She praised me and consoled me. I was probably never going to run again because I did that one experience and all the "races" I did after in that year were walks or run/walks.

In January of this year after all the memorials and travel came to a halt I was in the bed. I didn't want to wake up. I didn't want to continue forward. Prayer was not an option. Nothing was. My husband said something out of the blue that snapped me out of my mourning funk- "Hey, are we still doing the Shamrock Shuffle together?" We then went to purchase running shoes and began to train for the Shuffle. I got back into the training circuit and did Yoga Sculpt two times a week. The month before the race, my husband pulled his muscle and I had to go on my own. After that, the flood gates opened and I was determined to get in 8-9 races.

Nine bibs and a medal

Shamrock Shuffle 8k

Cinco de Miler 8k

Chicago Women's 5k

Terrapin 5k

Bucktown 5k

The Color Run (5k)

Hot Chocolate 5k

Run for Obama 11.6k

Santa Hustle 5k

Mourning the loss of my mother, running seems to be a refreshing way to start. After these races I am now more fit, building back my relationship with God and more into fitness than I was a year ago. There is truly something to be said about 2012. Thus far, I am not sure of my goals of 2013 but I am still in a "honeymoon" glow from the fact that I did NINE races. Each one was individually different and special. A poster will be created for my nine bibs and a slot for my "first" piece of bling as one may or may not be made for my husband's two bibs and will include my first ever race- The Shamrock Shuffle 2011.

Full running circle

Race #9 was "Santa Jolly"

As the Autumn season is dwindling down there is one more race I just had to complete and for good reason. . .

Now, THAT is a lot of Santas!

As I detest trying to get a ride to Soldier Field I regret asking my husband to drive me because we had a "blast" driving around downtown and the South Loop trying to get there. As I walked to the line, I jumped into a corral not knowing which one it was. I asked some nice Santa's and they told me 12 min/mi which is not usually my time but oh well- what can you do? The race route was similar to that of the Terrapin 5k. . . 

So, I knew when I should take off to the finish line.

Here are more pics that I took  WHILE RUNNING ( this time) to show all the running Santa's!

The volunteers were dressed as elves, there was a cookie station and a candy station which might not have been the best for me because as I raced into the finish line I caught a cramp right before the 3mile marker. It got worse as I ran and ran into some family members. I kept pushing to the finish and when I got there I so wanted to vomit. I took deep breaths and walked it out and eventually got way to more people to take pics with and all the lovely costumes and decor of the post race events.

How adorable were these runners! Santa and his reindeer! Now, Fleet Feet did NOT disappoint. . .

Yup, this is a pic of REAL reindeers. They were oddly calm as I would be freaking out if I were one of these reindeer.

I thought this was highly amusing! Especially since I am a Bears fan and formerly a Packer gal!

Me catching up with some BGR! ladies that for many of them this was their last run in 2012- same as myself.

How this race was different? I did not use my runkeeper app on my phone. I did, however, use the phone to take pictures and listen to music as I ran. I pushed myself a little more. If I felt tired I would slow my run but for the most part I ran the majority and walked for a few seconds before taking off again. I should not have had a cookie because my mouth was already parched and I slowed down towards the end for my candy which I still chucked because it was slowing me down not trying to let them spill. All in all a very fun race and a great way to end my running season! Another post about my experience of all these races will come up soon!

Stay jolly and bright while you run!

One side note- there are a few other locations that this race will be. If you live near the Chicago area- Milwaukee is having there Santa Hustle on the 22nd of December. Ho ho ho!

* New Side Note- official time- 30:12:53 which beats out my PR of 31:44*