Dallas Jingle Bell Run 2014

12.21.14

take 3. 

This event will remain on our annual calendar, as we really enjoy the run,  the friends we are able to see, and the afterparty.  

This year, Griffin was registered to run the 1 miler, but, alas, time with his cousins proved to be more appealing.  

Kirk and Dinah, Lisa and Craig, and Melody and Bill joined us for this one.  

As per usual, Lindsi and I checked into the hotel for a night away from home.

I had completed the Some Like It cold 10k the previous day, and was interested to see how my legs would react to another race.  Going into this one, I believed  I would feel good about a 26:30 or better.  

When it was time to stage for the race, I moved up towards the front, so as to avoid strollers and dogs on my run.  However, my late(ish) arrival to the start line, kept me from stretching much.  When the horn went off, I got out to a good pace.  I was pacing at about 8:00/mile.  I continued to pace fairly well, and, surprisingly, found myself with lots of room to run, as I'd separated from some of the traffic.  With my pace, I believed I could finish in the "25's".   At the 3 mile mark, I felt a little pull in my right hamstring.  This is the 1st time that I've ever felt an injury occur in a race setting.  Cramping and blisters, yes, but, a pull, no.   I slowed just a bit as I didn't want it to worsen.  I continued to run, and crossed the line at 25:58.  I'm pleased with the time, especially considering the hamstring issue.  

While I'd considered another race next week, I need to see how a few of these nagging injuries feel in the next few days (I'm still feeling the effects of Dallas 13.1 as well).  

My time in these events has improved significantly over the past few years:

2012: 33:41

2013: 27:11

2014: 25:58

The afterparty moved this year to another ballroom.  It was set up to be an incredibly kid friendly, and it's a no brainer to bring the kids next year.  

This event was my 43rd of the year.  yikes.  I may get one more in next week.  However, I need to "buckle down" on my 70.3 training, so the racing may have to stop for a bit.