Training Tuesday – focus on Positive Prevention 5k/12k at Biltmore

I’m doing a little different Training Tuesday post today. I’m focusing on an upcoming race (and why you should consider running it, if you’re in western North Carolina.)

Last year, my friend Carol and I ran the Positive Prevention 12k. It was the last of a string of races I ran over the course of 3 or 4 weeks and it was one of the most fun racing experiences I’ve had at Biltmore.
The Positive Prevention 5k and 12k benefit the Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP). This year, the race is being held on November 3. End of October/early November is such a great time in this area, and November 3 just happens to be when we “fall back” with the time change – so you essentially get an extra hour to sleep before the race! (Looking back at last year’s race report, I noticed that the time change excited me a lot. It’s the little things.)

Last year, the course description mentioned one challenging hill. The estate grounds are fairly rolling, unless you’re doing the marathon. and then you’re just crazy. Because of everything being on the estate grounds, it’s difficult for spectators to actually be out there cheering you on. My advice? Sign up with a friend and have a great time.

So that hill? I don’t know if I actually got a picture of it. There were several hills like this:

And this photo? One of my favorites of any of the Biltmore races.

New this year? Teams! From the press release:

WNCAP encourages businesses, organizations, and community groups to register for the Positive Prevention 5k-12k as a team. Prizes will be given to the team with the best time, as well as, the team with the largest fundraising amount.

Please send pictures of your team or a blurb about your team and training progress for WNCAP to post on the WNCAP Facebook page. WNCAP also encourages businesses, organizations, and community groups to post on their Facebook page about the 2013 Positive Prevention 5k-12k.

Also new? Packet pickup is at Highland Brewing. (Pretty sure my husband will go along with me even though he won’t be running the race.)

I carried my own water bottle last year since there are only two water stations on the course. I was glad I did that, and I intend on carrying my own water this year. The volunteers were great and I couldn’t have asked for a better day. (I could have asked for a better finishing time, but maybe I’ll work on that this year.)

Oh and the race shirt was one of my favorites. Sometimes the shirt is all you really need. (And you can sign up for the race on imathlete.com)

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Now, my training this past week has been so-so. I went to water aerobics twice, I ran 3 times, and I have plans to run with friends this week. I definitely run more often when I’m meeting friends. So tell me, do you tend to run/work out friends to remain accountable?

Finally, do you have a post about training this week? Link up!