I expected many things from this almost-over (!) 52 Weeks, 52 Runs challenge. I expected that I would run 52 races. I expected that I would be out of breath—a lot—and that my face would frequently be as red as a tomato. I expected to be hot. I expected to be freezing. I expected to always be at the back of the pack.
I never, ever, ever expected that my name would wind up on Cool Running under the title “5K Age Group Winners.” (I was third, by the way.)
OK, you can stop laughing now. (It took me about a week.)
I am a logo.
The occasion of my dubious glory was the Wolf Hollow Half Marathon and 5K in Nashua, NH. This wasn’t a race I was particularly prepared for (although when has that ever been the case?). I had run the Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day 5-miler a few days before and that had pretty much done me in. (Note: It doesn’t take much to do me in.) Also, it was really freaking cold. Thankfully, we were allowed to take pre-run refuge inside the Nashua YMCA, which is the Taj Mahal of YMCAs. It put our poor, long-suffering (albeit in the middle of a major makeover) Quincy Y to shame. So much so that all I wanted to do was hang out in the well-appointed coziness until Hubby finished the half (they started before us 5Kers). I was wearing my bib; that counts as a run, right?
Brisk, baby.
Thankfully, my desire to actually finish this challenge in 2012 outweighed my desire to stay toasty (although not by much), and so I hauled my annoyed body to the start to join a small-ish group of fellow short-distance runners.
Once I got going, it wasn’t too bad. I was glad I finally busted out the CW-X tights, even though I am convinced they make me appear about a foot shorter than I actually am (which is pretty darn short).
It was a trail run of sorts, through the Mine Falls Park, so I spent an inordinate amount of time staring at my feet and dodging tree roots that would definitely have spoiled my party. The scenery was quite lovely though.
There were hills, naturally, so I walked a bit. I’ve entered a new zone of zen when it comes to slopes. The shame I once felt about being so lousy at them has given way to a desire not to have an asthma attack and wind up prone on the side of the road. I can walk a hill almost as fast as I can run one, so I’d rather conquer it in a dignified fashion rather than splutter and swear all the way to the top. (Note: I use the term “dignified” very loosely. I am rarely dignified while running.)
Mine Falls Park in Nashua, NH.
What happened next was … I got lost. OK, maybe not technically lost. But for a couple of heart-stopping minutes I couldn’t figure out which path to take at an ill-signed juncture in the course, and there was not a soul around to ask. All the half-marathoners had peeled off, and I was in a huge gap in the 5K pack. (So, this is what it’s like for the guy at the front.) Good thing the scenery was still quite lovely. And there was a water source if things got really dire.
I eventually figured out the route and scrambled to the finish. Little did I know that there were only two other people in my age group—two!—in front of me.
Yes, before you ask, there were more than three people in my age group. And yes, my time was pretty slow. (You can start laughing again now.) It’s pretty funny that I won an age group award with the pace of a drunk tortoise. But, hey, I’ll take what I can get. Coincidentally, Hubby was also third in his AG, but much more legitimately so.
Three more to go!!!
The event: Wolf Hollow Half Marathon and 5K
The location: Nashua, NH
The date: November 25, 2012
My time: 32.27 (pace: 10.29)
Hubby’s time: 1.35.53 (pace 7.18)
The cause: Nashua YMCA and three local schools
The T-shirt: Black cotton
The aftermath: Bagels, bananas, pizza
* This run had a fabulous set-up with boxes full of goodies out of which you could take what you want, rather than getting a whole lot of stuff you don’t need. Genius.
Stride and Joy 
Hahaha! [pause] Hahaha! Funniest past to date.
And an age group winner is an age group winner. Yay for you!
Heehee. Thanks!!! Looking forward to Pittsburgh. Yay!
Congrats!!! I don’t think I’ll make an age group winner until I’m the only runner in my age group. 🙂
Thanks! You’ll still be one though! 🙂
You still amaze me!
It’s a surprising turn of events, that’s for sure! 🙂
Drunken Tortoise eh! Maybe in 2013 you can do a guide to the fine art of mixing running and adult beverages. After all, hydration is so important.
If only I could figure out how to do this! The mixing, that is.
Another great post. And a legit third place is nothing to mock, regardless of how many people were in the race. Genius idea about the boxed goodies too.
Thanks!! I loved the boxed goodies. I wish more runs did that. I mean, I appreciate the freebies, but I hate throwing things out I don’t want.
That is beyond fabulous. Congratulations!
Thanks so much Beverly!! x
So freaking awesome! Good for you!!!!
Thank you thank you! Love that you’re posting again. 🙂
Thanks. Me too! I haven’t read your latest and greatest yet (I am getting ready to), but I was thinking of you this morning and wondering….what is she going to do in 2013? I hope whatever it is, that you blog about blog. I love reading your post! Happy Holidays!
Take an AG placing when you can! I finished first in my age group at my first marathon! … There were two of us…. on a brutal trail course… my time was 5:24:00. But I’ll take it 🙂
Awesome! Now THAT is a major accomplishment!!!
3rd place with 3 to go – brilliant work, xx
Why thanks Miss Tash. You’re an excellent cheer squad! 🙂
Congratulations! Nothing better than an unexpected AG placing! The scenery looks gorgeous. I agree about hills… sometimes it’s just as fast to walk them as it is to run them.
The scenery was lovely. Made for a nice change, that’s for sure! Although, nice scenery has been known to accompany some of my toughest runs. Don’t know what that’s all about!
Congrats!! And that trail looks gorgeous
Thanks!! I don’t think my photos did it justice, but I loved running there. Would like to revisit when it’s not so freaking cold.
You got lost and STILL placed in your AG? That’s quite the feat! I don’t like passing people in trail races because almost every time I lead myself — and the people behind me — off-course. Congrats on the AG award!
Haha. You would never, ever want me to be leading you anywhere on a run. I am seriously directionally challenged. Thanks!!
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