Today’s race was fun, but the weather left me chilled to the very core!!
(WHY am I not wearing long sleeves???) Now, starting from the beginning…
Maggie woke me up at 5:20 and I blindly stumbled in the kitchen for a warm and filling breakfast.
I had coffee + banana oatmeal.
My oatmeal contained:
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 sliced banana
- Toppings: mixed nuts, granola
I knew when I left my house that today’s race was going to be a challenge. I think it was about 35 degrees — and even by a non-Floridian’s standards, that is really, really cold!
My lips were literally chattering by the time I got to the race and found Meghann and Melissa. They were sitting in Meghann’s warm car!
(She’s cold).
Now, the race was a 5.2K because it was being sponsored by a very good local restaurant called Seasons 52. I guess they thought a 5.2K would be "cute." At least they had a chip timer at the 5K mark, as well as a clock!!!
One thing I love about 5K’s (or 5.2K’s) is that they are so fast. You can really give it your all, and it’s OK. I do try to pace myself, because I don’t want to burn out, but you don’t have to be so cautious as if its was 15K or Half Marathon. I left it all on the road!
Unfortunately, I didn’t PR (personal record) this time around. I set my PR at the Dash of the Elves 5K on December 14, 2008. I ran that 5K in was 23 minutes and 42 seconds, but I finished this 5k in 25 minutes and 26 seconds. I finished the 5.2K in 26:19.
I know I tried my hardest, so I don’t feel bad about not PRing. It was a tough race! The cold weather was definitely a factor — my thighs felt like frozen chicken breasts! Plus, I was racing with Meghann and Melissa, who BOTH smoked me! Way to go, girls! They definitely pushed me as far as I wanted to go!
The post-race event was crazy! There were more than 3,000 runners in attendance — plus family and friends!
Yay! 
I snagged a free fruit cup, which I ended up eating on the drive home:
I’m going to go take a long hot shower, drink a hot tea, and curl back into my warm bed next to my still-snoozing husband!
HAVE A GREAT SATURDAY!
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{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
congrats on your race!! stay warm the rest of the day
Awesome time, at least you made it through the cold! TIme to get back in bed for sure!
Great race – it’s hard to get going for such a short distance when you’re chilled. Usually takes me about 3 miles to get warmed up…doesn’t do me much good in a 5K.
Happy Saturday Caitlin.
what a way to start the weekend! you could do nothing else all weekend and still feel like you were productive
. enjoy your hard-earned snuggle time!
Way to go on the race! I am on my way out the door to run the Frosty 5k….the temp right now? 0*. -18* wind chill. I am going to call it an extreme event!
Love the pics. Glad you guys had fun on the run! Enjoy your day and get some relaxin in
Congrats!! Haha – I love the description of your thighs during the race! Too funny
i didn’t smoke you…!
great race! we’re troopers for doing it in such cold conditions!!!
WAHOO!!!! And hey, don’t worry about the PR – you’re an inspiration, always!!
congratulations on your race!!!
although i have to say… i went running in 2 degree weather today. needless to say, that was not fun. i wish i was where you are!
congratulations, caitlin!! yay for hubby time!
Nice! It sounds like a fun race
Congrats on a great race!
Take a nice nap today – I always want one the day of a race
congrats on the race! 35 degrees is dang chilly; cuddling in a warm bed sounds mighty tasty to me over in california.
Congrats on finishing the race in the bitter cold! Looks like a good time
congrats on getting out there in the freezing cold and still making amazing time!
I feel the exact same way about my thighs when they get super cold…that’s funny
Great job running in the cold! Crawling back into the warm bed sounds like a great idea.
Enjoy your weekend!
I laughed and almost spit out my oatmeal at the “my thighs felt like frozen chicken breasts” comment.
You and Meghann are the cutest, talking about the cold weather.What is going on in Florida??
Also, I’m really jealous of everyone’s blogger meet-ups. If you girls are ever in Central IL…
How fun! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Sorry about the cold weather
I can’t believe you wore a tank top!
Congrats on the race time and I’m glad you guys had fun!
Brr!
looks like you guys had SUCH a fun time!
happy weekend
Congrats on your race! I’m thinking of doing a 5K next weekend and looking to improve my mile time – I’ve only done long distances before! Hope you get some good rest now.
Congratulations on a great time!!! If you think that is cold … my husband is running in what is called a hypothermic marathon this February (freezing cold!!) He trains in -25 to -30 degrees C weather (about -15 F)!!
I am a little worried that it is not so healthy for him!!!
Jolene
jolene – AHHH that is crazy! your husband is seriously hard core. make sure you buy him lots of warm workout clothes
he should always take his cell with him on his long runs though, just to be safe.
i think you should be TOTALLY proud of that time! I probably can’t even run a MILE in 20 something minutes. seriously haha. running is a gift!
that’s awesome, it looked like so much fun. I find 5k fun but hard because it takes me so long to warm up – by the time I finish I’m just ready to really start giving it.
You deserve a congrats for racing in such cold weather!
What a fun race – so many people!
Congrats on the race!!
congrats – you are a speed demon!
Congratulations on having a fun race!
I start training for my half on Monday! eek!
Great job on the race!! Burrr…cold!! I was hoping to run this one but haven’t been running as much as I’d like lately…hopefully we’ll be able to meet up at a future 5k in the area!!
Will have to check out the vegan restaurant in Orlando…it sounds great!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!
Hey Caitlin!
This is my first comment on your blog! I’ve been reading it for awhile now. Congrats on getting married! I finally ventured into the blog world to hopefully join this wonderful community =] You have inspired me to keep running even through the tough times. After you ran that half marathon I am DETERMINED i will be able to do that oen day. You have helped me get a passion for running. Thanks girl !
Way to go on the race! So awesome to be able to share it with some amazing girls!
trust and hope – thank you so much! your kind words were very nice to wake up to today
good luck on running your half! stay strong, stay injury-free, and rock it out! you’ll do great.
You go girl! You did it even in the cold temps!
Awesome race!!!! Sorry you were so cold!!!
Great job and BRRRR why were you not wearing long sleeves?! Congrats on the race and I love getting back into bed after a race because I always CONK out hardcore.