Another new race for me. My first night race also. The route features a beautiful course through Capital Holiday Lights in Washington Park and a spectacular fireworks show so I thought it was be fun.  Even though today was my long run day, I wanted to be fresh for the race so I’ll do it tomorrow.

My blogger friend Amanda had signed up as well as my friend Mary. The race sold out at 1200 several weeks ago and I was glad I signed up early.

My hubby came and we got there early so waited inside where it was warm.

Before the race

Yes, I look like a giant pumpkin.  This was a Holiday race, why did they choose ORANGE? It was a nice wind shirt, though.

At 4:45 pm, we went outside for the fireworks display.  It lasted 15 minutes which seemed like forever when you are cold and anxious to run a race.

Then all of a sudden, they ended and I heard the mayor say “Start.” I was just watching the fireworks with my hubby and nowhere near the start.

I took off like a flash and tried to fight my way through the crowd and get into the race.  I even had to go on the sidewalk.  Obviously I lost a lot of time here but this was such a fun race, I didn’t mind.

It wasn’t cold.  In fact, I felt over dressed with my layers, hat & gloves.  Many of the racers were dressed as elves, Santas, etc.  We ran through the park which was  decorated with light displays.  I had recently  seen it through my car window but this was so much better.

The route was rather hilly, not steep ones but annoying ones.  I felt like I was running at a good pace all the same and taking in the scenery.

The mile 1 marker read 9:40 which wasn’t bad after the late start but mile 2 said 21:50 .  That’s slow, I said to myself but there were lots of hills.  Then all of a sudden, the race seem to be nearing the end. So that wasn’t really mile 2 – how deceiving!

The race which started uphill now ended downhill – Hooray!  I crossed at 29:15. Two minutes slower than my recent 5k PR but still a good effort! (I came in 456 out of 1200….4th in my AG)

After the race, I had been invited online to have drinks with 2 Daily Mile.com racers.  So I stopped by the restaurant. It was fun meeting them in person.  We chatted about running, of course.

So my year of racing has ended.  21 races in 2010!

Happy Running!