Resolute Runner 5K – Post Race Recap

I have so many blog idea running through my head! If only you could see my computer and purse. I have a million “sticky notes” on my mac and half a zillion pieces of papers with notes written on my them sticking in my purse and planner. I just need to get the time to sit down and write them. I’ve decided to start with my first race of the year.

Usually, I like to post a pre-race review before I run in any race; this time however, I didn’t decide to do the race until about a day and a half before I ran it. I’ve definitely registered for some races on race day, but It’s typically decided beforehand that I’m going to run it. Not this time.

I got a text from my friend over at CO2 Photography, and he asked if I was running the race since it was in my neck of the woods. I actually hadn’t even thought about running any race that day; mostly due to financial issues. I WANTED to do a new years run but wasn’t sure if I could budget it in. I thought about it over the ~~day~~ few hours and finally decided that it was worth it – the benefits outweighed the costs.

I registered the day and a half before the race…..and then it was New Years Eve. Running a race on the first day of the new year sounded like a good idea at the time…. It was the Resolute Runner 5K held by the 3W race series. They have a lot of events throughout Arvada and the surrounding cities. Their mission is basically to offer local racing events that support local businesses and benefit local charities. You can, and should, check them out here.

Since New Years Eve is actually one of my favorite holidays, I had to go out, but because I decided to do the race, I took the duty of being DD, aka Designated Driver, while my friends took the roles of being different DDs: Designated Drunks. I’m glad I did it though, not just because I didn’t want to run hungover, but also so that my friends could have fun, safely. And fun they had! But I also got to catch up with friends from college that I hadn’t seen in awhile.

After making sure my intoxicated new years buddies were home safely, I met up with a another friend who was unfortunate enough to have to work New Years Eve. Needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep, and couldn’t believe my alarm was going off when it did at 8am in the morning.

After snoozing for way longer than I should have, I headed to my hometown: Arvada, CO! I currently don’t live too far from Arvada, but it’s far enough away that I don’t have to venture into it very often…mostly so I can avoid seeing people from high school. (I don’t know how much everyone knows about Denver, but there are a lot of suburbs surrounding Denver that basically they all just mold together. Sometimes it’s two different cities on either side a major street). Luckily for me, it was New Years Day, early morning; unlikely chance to catch a former classmate out and about.

Don’t judge: It’s the morning after New Year’s Eve and I’m not wearing much makeup.

I bundled up in my omni-heat base layer, that I normally use for snowboarding, under sweats and a long sleeved shirt. I put on my smart wool socks and still felt the chill through my shoes. Unfortunately, I don’t really own any headbands or warmers to keep my ears warm, so my friend let me borrow his – even though I warned him that I would probably return it with sweat as an interest rate. I picked up my race packet, pinned on my bib and dawned my new racing gloves. Being so cold, I stayed in my car as long as I could. Even when I left the warmth, I didn’t stop moving. I jogged around the park, hopped in place, and actively-stretched (OH YEAH! Using terms from school!) to stay warm.

I spend the time waiting at the start line talking with the other runners. I “bragged” about my blog, listened to a lady about her running stories and complained about how cold I was!!

Finally! The horn went off and we went running! I’ve actually never run a race (or run period) in this cold of weather. I couldn’t feel my toes. It was quite ridiculous. It wasn’t until I was MORE than halfway through the race that the feeling came back to my extremities and I exclaimed to the guy next to me, “oh! I do have toes!” He laughed and we talked about how hard it was to run without that feeling. I hadn’t really been running that much in general at the time, so I felt heavy and stiff, but I kept running.

As I neared the finished line, I picked up the pace and carefully ran over the ice towards the banners. I actually didn’t do too horrible. Nowhere near my PR, but I’m happy with the outcome. My final time was: 26:43! Not too bad for my muscles being frozen! I was 5/19 in my age/gender group which was 20-29 years old.

Looking down the at the finish line

I hung around afterwards to watch the awards, because I think it’s polite and because the lady I was talking to before the race placed 3rd in her age/gender group! Overall I loved this event! Super nice people, it was put together very well and organized, and the loot was awesome! Handmade mugs from a shop in Estes park as well as the racing gloves I used to run! There was a couple local vendors there as well including Olde Man Granola, a local business…mmmmm delicious…I tried the sample granola mixed with my greek yogurt! They also sell super cute colorado beanies (ironically) that I REALLY want!