What a great race! With temperatures in the single digits and 20 mph winds, we piled on all of our winter running clothes and joined a couple friends for the Polar Dash. This turned out to be one of the best organized races I’ve ever run. With wind chills hovering around -15, the race organizers did everything they could to help make us as comfortable as possible. What could have been a cold, miserable day turned out to be a whole lot of fun.
We parked in our assigned lot and immediately got on a toasty school bus to take us to the race area. Here we are in our Yellow Limo, as the race organizers referred to it:
After we were dropped off, it was just a short walk to a warm tent where we waited for the start of the race. Here I am with my two running partners, Deb and Beth. Beth just started a blog because she is going to run her first marathon in 2011! Head over to her blog and check it out. She’s a fantastic swimmer and has a contagious smile, so it will be a lot of fun to be a part of her adventure. Beth is in the middle in red and Deb is on the left.
We stayed in the tent until the last possible minute and headed out to the start. Mike saw Julie as they were lining up, but I didn’t get to see her. Sorry, Julie! She was up front with the speedy people while we were in the back. Right after we passed the start line, I heard Steve calling out to me. He caught this picture of us. Thanks for all of the support, Steve! It had to be tough just standing out there in the cold watching the race. What a nice guy!
Because of the cold weather, it wasn’t as crowded as it was last year. We had to do some passing but it wasn’t too bad. Deb is training for the Chisago Half Iron with me, and all three of us are trying to get into Marine Corps Marathon, so it was great to start off the year running with Beth and Deb. The course was sheltered from the wind and I was pretty warm by mile two. My goal was to beat last year’s time of 1:01:43. We finished in 59:40 which was great. I felt good the whole race and feel totally ready for my half marathon next weekend.
Here are some pictures after the finish:
What a great way to start the new year! Great race, great friends, great husband, and I felt great, too. Happy New Year and may all of your dreams for 2011 come true!
{ 18 comments }
Beth that is a wonderful start to 2011. Great that you were able to run with friends. It was VERY COLD this morning and windy – Bravo to you for heading out! I had thought about running in a New years dash – but the cold weather kept me home. ;-(
Hoping for good health to you for 2011. Have fun preparing and traveling for your 1/2 marathon!
oh my goodness I’m freezing just looking at your pictures!!
Looks like we have parallel goals this year!! Happy New Year Beth!!
…and great smiles! I cannot imagine as a sailor like me can survive such icy race. 2 minute less, a very good job!
Good luck on the half and I am sure you will do very well.
Brrr! I’m cold just looking at those pictures.
Looks like a great way to start the New Year though, especially since you beat the goal you had set for yourself.
I hope 2011 is a great year for you and your family!!
I am so bummed that I missed you Beth! You look so darn good…I love your running outfit:) It was a tough one for me…I felt aweful…live and learn! I forgot about the wind that hit me in the face running up those hills:) My mask/scarf thingy kept falling off my face. At one point I said, screw it and left it down. I have wind burn on my face now:)
Good luck to you next week in Florida! Take lots of pictures:)
Happy New Year! Love and hugs:)
Beth, what a fantastic way to ring in the New Year! That was a chilly morning, and the pictures are wonderful. You all look like you are having so much fun, which is the way it should be. Much success to you in 2011!
I can’t believe it turned out to be a good run given the weather. Thanks, it was fun to be included!
FANTASTIC job Beth! Happy new year to you too!
okay you had me at “great race” but then lost me at “single digit temperatures and 20 mph winds” I thought for sure it was a misprint but no i kept reading saw the snow pics and your smiling face and all i can say is you rock and congrats way to start off the new year.
Nice work Beth – you just keep on truckin!! Enjoy Disney
Wonderful start to the year!!! Have a wonderful year, Beth. Look forward to following your adventures.
Great job in the race. I love to see other crazy runners like myself out in the freeezing cold.
Good Luck this year with everything you do! I can’t wait to read the next chapter.
Gosh, Beth, you ladies are SO TOUGH! Brrrr, everyone looked so cold but you pressed on! Awesome job! I can’t wait to see what wonderful surprises life has for you this year, you deserve to have a fabulous year! Happy New Year!
Good to see you’re back doing the things you love and the new things that will frustrate you (XC skiing — Julie is sharing the same frustrations) for a while.
Have fun in Fla. be sure to take one of the uninitiated specators under your wing and show them the ropes.LOL.
Oh yeah, and get a sunburn too…
Nate
Ugh, that looks painful….but congrats to you for accomplishing it!
That is just too cold! I can’t imagine running in that weather. Congrats on beating last year’s time!
Hi Beth!! I ran the last 4 miles of the Disney half with your husband yesterday!! Very nice guy! He told me about your blog, I have one too so ofc I had to check it out. Hope u had a great race and I hope your husband did well with the Goofy. Hope you are both enjoying your time in Disney World!!!
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