Tale of Two Races

Good Morning, GSR.

Are we not off to a fantastic December already! Warm weather in the city, snow in the mountains... perfection all around.

Well, as most of you can probably tell by looking at our events, we are pretty much done with all of our events in 2012! (Baring any last minute additions.)

So thanks to any of you that came out and raced! We are looking to have an even bigger 2013! Which should kick off with the Resolution 5k/10k on January 5th!

Anyways, for those of you interested in a little recap of yesterday's TWO running events, keep reading!

Today, I will tell you the story of my run crazy Saturday.

So after waking up yesterday morning and feeling TERRIBLE... headache, sore throat, just generally not well... I did not feel like running at all. Yet it was supposed to be the big day, the day where I was going to run two races in one day.

After dragging myself out of bed, all I could thing was that I could not do it. I was too sick. So I went to my brother to see if he wanted to run in my stead. The answer was... no.

Now this is where my less then smart side kicks in. So The logical thing to do would be to just not run. Stay home. Rest. Feel better. However, being the money-conscious grad student that I am, I simply could not bring myself to this.

So I sat in my apartment,  40 mins till my first race of the day. What to do? I can't just waste the registration fee. So I talked myself into getting dressed, picking up my packet and seeing how I felt once I got there.

Popping some Tylenol, I set out for the first race of the day, the SLC Jingle Bell 5k.

Note how I am wearing the race shirt the day of the race... normally a running faux pas... but today I didn't care. I wanted to be Christmas themed 

So I picked up my race stuff... still did not feel great, but nevertheless we hung around and enjoyed the race atmosphere. It was quite the musical race as we all had jingle bells pinned to our shirts! Plus they had Christmas music blaring. It was just the right combo to put you in the mood for Christmas...and running.

Look at the cute little runners... If they can do it, anyone can!

So... we watched the start of the 1k kids fun run.

I am ready... I can do this

And when race time came I was feeling a little better... retrospectively probably the drugs kicking in... so, I decided to go ahead and run the 5k. After all, I don't have to run very fast, right?

I positioned myself toward the front of the pack to get a good picture of the starting line, in my mind having every intention of taking this run easy.

I am still loving this no snow December thing!

And so the race started...and I started in no hurry. Just thinking, "Take it easy." This lasted for the first mile or so... until I realized I was still passing people.

If this doesn't make you want to get out and run I dont know what will! 

And so... as I ran through the beautiful Liberty Park in the fall... I began to push myself.

And what do you know... I was able to keep right up there with the leaders.

Rounding the corner, finish line within sight, I found myself in 4th place, which is one of my best 5k finishing positions ever. (2nd best ever, actually.)

Post race tired Geoff

Finishing that fast was awesome! But, it certainly didn't make me feel any better... at least at first.

I have to thank my brother for this lovely shot of me

And well... I had to lay down for a bit. So the moral of the story is: running greatness can strike at anytime, so never shy away from a run. Also, if you're feeling sick, don't run! It does not help!

So it was a bittersweet victory. Overall though I had a great time. What a fun and festive run! Trolley Square and Liberty Park are gorgeous this time of year! 

However as festive as this race was... I think the Utah Santa Run takes the cake.

After a little lunch, friend gathering, and relaxing... I was actually feeling a lot better at this point...we packed up and headed to Provo for the second event of the day!

I feel like if I travel to a race, I have to take a picture to show you... even if it is just to Provo! 

And what a race this turned out to be! As you recall in the Utah Santa Run, every single runner is dressed as Santa! We all got suits with our registration! 

So after a little detour and scenic tour of Provo... compliments of apple maps.... we found our race locale and got "suited up".

Erik and Max by the car

I was digging the beard... at first

Don't Max and I just make stunning Santas? We may have just stumbled upon a part-time job opportunity ... we make Santa look good!

We're sexy and we know it

Point in case. At this point, if you weren't there, I am positive you're jealous.

But just in case you aren't yet, check out some of the other awesome things going on at the race... yep those are reindeer.

SANTAS ASSEMBLE!

Anyways I could go on and on about the pre-race festivities, but let's just leave it at they were a lot of fun! Soon though, we were all lined up and doing our Santa stretches (Ho Ho Ho Jumping jacks included).

Taken by me right after the race started! Have you ever seen so many Santas?!?

And then with a bang, we were all off! Never had Provo seen so many Santas running around downtown!

Max's aerobatics... because what is a 5k without a little areal action?

Cookies!!! Nom Nom Nom!

And what a fun race this was! With hundreds of Santas running and jumping and eating cookies... oh OK, so maybe we were the only ones jumping... but the cookies were had by all! (Note: eating cookies while running is more difficult then you might think.)

The belt on my shirt makes it look like my pants a ridiculously high...  only the most fashionable for race day :-P

Anyways, we have a TON of picture from this race, so I'll cut ahead and skip to the good part...

Hand in Hand to bring it home

We are boss Santas

We finished! And even though we ran the entire race together, we did pretty dang good with MAX taking 17th overall in women's!

Group photo after the race... it was getting dark

Well, anyways, to sum things up, it was a awesome race and great way to kick off the holiday season (and get a little running in at the same time!)

Oh, and just to share a little insight into our post race dinner... none other than $1.50 hotdogs from Costco.  It's the simple things in life you treasure. :-) It actually was pretty good post race... plus it's Costco, so you really can't go wrong.

I'll leave you with a few pics of Greensoles we saw at the race!

Thanks to all you Greensole Runners out there!

-Geoff@GSR