Race reviews: Resolution Run and Karen Kicks Cancer #avlrun
I started the new year off with some mileage! I ran two races on January 1, and while I don’t regret the races (they both were benefited animals and personal friends), my body was not excited about the two races in one day thing.
In November, I signed my husband and I up for the Resolution Run. It was a 5k, I knew we could run together, it started at 10 a.m. (as opposed to 7:30 or 8 a.m.) and we could use the jogging stroller. The race benefited Brother Wolf – a local no kill animal organization (same organization we adopted Chloe from) and I just had a good feeling about it. My husband was halfway on board. And our son enjoyed it once we started moving.
The 5k started downtown (I love the buildings downtown) and it headed down Charlotte Street to Kimberly and back towards downtown.
Of course there were hills. You can’t run a race in Asheville without some brutal hills. My husband took over the jogging stroller for just a few minutes. He really isn’t used to running with it, and it can be hard to control. (My arms ended up with QUITE the workout!)
Our son didn’t want me to walk. He did say a few times, “look at all the runners!” It was a very cold race, and I was hoping to finish in decent time so we could get him back out of the cold. (The left photo just above is a photo of the three of us – our shadows count – running.)
There was beer at the end, and you could purchase food (proceeds went back to Brother Wolf.)
As we were driving home, I received a text from Melissa asking if I was running a race that afternoon benefiting a friend of ours who has been beating breast cancer. I’d been debating it, and I hadn’t yet told Carol that I didn’t think I was going to run it. I told Melissa I’d run it if she wanted to. And she had the same feeling. Seeing that our friend Carol is moving to Ohio soon (cue tears), we decided this would be one last final “race” for the three of us. #Team3Forever
The race wasn’t chip-timed, and it was through a super nice neighborhood in south Asheville. We signed up just before the start, and ran into a lot of former colleagues. (At one time or another, we have all worked at the newspaper.)
The race started and I wasn’t sure what I was thinking. My legs, arms and back HURT. We took our share of walk breaks. And encountered more hills. The hills in this race were brutal.
Less than a quarter mile before the finish, some women had set up a table with champagne and sparkling grape juice. I thought it would be fun to drink the champagne, grab/wear the beads and finish the race. Cheers to the three of us!
Note to self: Drinking champagne and running do NOT mix.
You know what mixes? Maple creme cookies from Earth Fare at the finish of any local race. Carol and I will always, ALWAYS run for cookies.
Did you run any races to ring in the new year? This was the first time I’ve ever done a Resolution Run – much less two.
What a fun way to start the year! I need to sign up for a 5k too
Two races in one day!?!
That is crazy amazing. You rock!
I am not willing to run for much…but those cookies do sound really good.
What a great way to start off the new year. Congrats on doing two races in one day. I wouldn’t be able to even do one much less two.
I am nursing a torn calf muscle, so no running for me for a few months. Glad you were able to do 2 races 🙂
Ugh. I knew you were injured. I didn’t realize it was a torn calf muscle!!
Bwahahaha. Yeah, alcohol and running = blah. Love the post.
I’d be hurting if I did two in one day! No races her until March!
Wow! I can’t imagine doing two races in one day! What a great start to the year!
I couldn’t run one race in a day let alone two! Good for you and it looks like it was a fun bonding experience with both your family and your friends!
You may be hurting, but you’ll have these memories forever. And your friend will as well <3 Kudos to you for kicking some major booty! Hopefully you're recovering and having another cookie or two…
congrats on the two-a-day!!! i’ve done beer during a race before, and i did Dr. Pepper this weekend. was the champagne too bubbly?
I think that’s what the problem was. It tasted great – until I started running.
Wow! Good for you. Running one race is hard enough, but two in one day?!? That is amazing.
This is really cool. What a great way to reign in the new year. I’ve only done one 5K and it was the Run or Dye 5k. It was so much fun.
Two races in one day? You’re quite the tough cookie! I love that you took your son on one of them.
Congrats on racing. I think it is great that you are teaching your son to be active.
I have never done a run of any kind before. There must be a great deal of training to do. You must be so proud of yourself.
I am not a runner (bad knees) I did a 5k once and thought I was dying. I can’t imagine running 2 in one day.
You Go! Good for you to take on and complete such a challenge.
Well done to you,me and running do not go together in the same sentence lol.Running and alcohol sounds like a fun mix.
How awesome! Now that is a way to start a new year! Two races is so awesome!
way to go!!! but no thank you 🙂
I am planning on a March 5k for a semi-local conservation office fundraiser then at least one or 2 over summer & then finish the year w/the State Fairgrounds 5k if they keep it in November (there is talk of moving it to August during the fair-ugh count me out!!) I love the fundraiser runs best!
That is a great way and cause to begin the new year. Congrats to you and the family/
I can’t believe you ran two races in one day! That is actually pretty amazing. Kudos to you for running them – all for a good cause.
You are amazing! Two races in one day?! That is so impressive.
“Will run for cookies” That must be on a t-shirt somewhere!
And two races on Jan 1, you’re awesome – even if your body was not loving you…
I’ve never run ONE race, let alone two in one day! You go!!
What great pictures! And I’ll take your advice to not mix the running and champagne!
What a great idea! I love that you are teaching your kids to be healthy and have fun doing it!