Hangover Half & 3.5 miler

This year (like most years) we go to a friend's house party on New Year's Eve. It's always nice to see good friends. Seems like that doesn't happen enough. We were having a nice time eating yummy food and having some laughs, but I was tired. I wanted to get a decent night's sleep since I was doing a race the next day..granted it didn't start until noon, but I don't normally stay up until midnight so I was doing my best not to yawn..I hadn't mentioned anything at the party about the run, but around 11:00 a friend asked me if I had planned on starting off the new year by running the next morning. That's when I said, "as a matter of fact I am..would you like to join me??" The person that asked is a good friend and also a runner, but I knew she had no plans of running the next day. But, to my surprise she said yes! Now I was really excited. My brother was coming into town for the run (he lives about 90 minutes away). He was doing the half marathon (and hoping to finish with a 7:45 overall pace..he's in a whole other league!). Anyway, now my friend was coming with me, too? I was thrilled. Running makes me happy, but throw some friends and family into the mix..there's nothing better!

So, my friend and I did the 3.5 mile race. The options were 3.5 mile or the13.1. A half marathon was way out reach for me. I am definitely not in half marathon shape right now. In fact, I haven't done a lonr run further than 6 miles since the 26.2 in October. Sad, very sad ;-)

Anyway, I told my friend I would happily run with her..I really didn't care what our time was going to be. I was just happy to be out there and running with someone. I let her set the pace, but I also tried to push her just a tiny bit. She did great and we ended up doing just under 10 minute miles. I was pleased with that and I know she was, too. Here is a shot of us in the home stretch..

I am very smiley, aren't I? Well, I should be..it was a good day all the way around. This race was free for me since I'm a member of the running club..plus they had free pizza, bread, soda, soup, coffee, fruit afterward. My friend only had to pay $5 since she came with me..she ended up buying a membership herself that day. Anyway, we hung around until my brother finished. He ended up doing an 8 minute pace & he was highly disappointed! I think his finishing time was something like 1:46? Isn't that awesome?

I did a 3 mile run the next day (Monday) and today I did a 5 miler in some snow flurries which was actually a really nice run. It wasn't too cold (about 30) and not windy, but we were getting some light snow flurries. It felt really, really good..so far, I am pretty pleased with 2012..hope to keep it going :)