Runaway bride!
This morning’s 10K kicked off Nicole’s bachelorette celebration. The day is divided into two parts: the healthy bit and the unhealthy bit, if you know what I mean. The healthy bit, of course, involved running the Hit the Brixx 10K.
I made sure she was decked out in bachelorette gear!
I have puffy paint and I’m not afraid to use it.
Hit the Brixx 10K started off like all races – with a way-too-early wake-up call, a peanut butter sandwich, and a big coffee. It was truly chilly this morning – 55 degrees at the start – and drizzling. But honestly, as long as you’re dressed well, I think that’s perfect running weather.
When we arrived at the starting line, Nicole, Jen, and I picked up our timing chips and stretched for a bit.
Our game plan for the 10K was to: run together and have fun. I left my Garmin at home so I wouldn’t worry about my time. This race was truly just a celebration of Nicole’s upcoming wedding and our ability to run 6.2 miles!
I really enjoy running races for time, of course, but sometimes it’s nice to just dial it back and have fun with friends.
And actually, this race fit PERFECTLY into my half marathon training plan. I know it would’ve been so much harder to motivate myself to run a 10K solo today. Today’s race brings my weekly total to 17.2 miles, a number that I haven’t hit for a very, very long time. Wahoo!
Anyway – the gun went off and we started to run!
The course was beautiful – one of the things that I like most about Charlotte is how green and shady it is. Although we didn’t need the shade today, it was so pleasant to run along the tree-lined streets. The 10K was moderately hilly – lots of short, rolling hills – but we only needed to take three short walking breaks.
Plus, the race was pretty small. We were around other people the entire times, but there was no crazy jostling.
My favorite part, of course, was listening to people congratulate Nicole and yell out funny things. “Run, bride, Run!” or “Hey, bride! It’s all downhill from here!”
One guy even ran alongside Nicole and serenaded her with an old country Western song about a runaway bride.
Before I knew it, we had passed Mile 3…
And the second (and final water station)…
Just like that, we were running back to Uptown Charlotte and crossing the finish line.
The crowd went nuts as Nicole sprinted across the mat in her little veil! So very fun.
Grabbed some bread and an orange…
And we hightailed it home. Once we stopped running, it felt REALLY chilly outside!
Our final stats:
- Distance: 6.2 miles
- Duration: 1:03:44
- Average Pace: 10:16
All in all – a wonderful race with wonderful friends to celebrate a wonderful event! What more could a girl ask for?
Came home, took the hottest shower that I could stand, and ate a goat cheese and double egg sammie…
Whew! All that before 9 AM. And we still have so much more celebrating to do!
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{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
What a fun way to kick off the festivities! Hoep you all have a ton of fun tonight
That definitely sounds like fun! Can’t wait to see what part two holds for you guys.
Such a great idea to start off the weekend! Enjoy the fun
Fun post, Caitlin! That is totally the way to be a batchelorette if you ask me. I think I might propose the same when my day comes around.
ALSO — I’ve been meaning to stop by since HLS and say it was really nice talking with you. Not sure if you remember but we chatted on Friday as the big group headed to lunch. Anyway, I’m so glad you girls put that together a few years ago. I had such a great time and am so grateful to have found such an uplifting hobby filled with such positive, encouraging people.
Yes! Thank you so much Ericka for such a sweet comment. It was wonderful to meet you too and I totally agree… the best thing about our blog community of bloggers + readers is how so many of us supportive and encourage each other. Thank you!
Hey Ericka! I just discovered your blog through this comment, and I love it! You have a new reader
I was also at HLS — wish we could have met!
Thanks Amanda! I will definitely check your site out as well. Look forward to it..thanks for writing
That looks like so much fun! Have an awesome night!!
Love it, what a fun morning!!!
I just finished my long run of 9 miles with my running group and it feels amazing to have it accompolished before many people are even awake. Wonderful feeling!
Enjoy the rest of the day!
9 miles?!! Way to go!
Thanks!! Training for RNR St Louis.
I love the outfit you made her and that everyone was so supportive! thats why runners rule. This is getting me so excited for my first race, a 10k soon!
I SO wish I had gals like you all to run with!! I am thankful, however, for my running ‘uncles’ (all the guys I run are 40-55!)
I wish I had thought of doing that for my bachelorette party! Would have been nice to have done one thing healthy for the day. LOL!
WOO awesome going! Ur running game is back in full swing!
What a fun way to start a party! I love the veil, great touch! Great post, you can have a good time racing…it isn’t always serious
I love the idea of doing something a little “different” to celebrate the bachelorette! I’m sticking this idea in my back pocket!
AWESOME idea for the start of a bachelorette party! I may have to yoink that for my bachelorette party next summer!
I want to have a race for my bachelorette party =D I’m not getting married anytime soon but it seems like it would be so much fun. Pft a race with friends would be fun too!
congrats on a great race, caitlin! 10k is my favorite distance. not too short where you have to sprint, but not too long to be daunting.
have fun tonight!!!
Awesome time. You guys don’t even look tired.
Eek, Nicole looks adorable! I have to say too, you have the kind of handwriting I was always so jealous of as a kid!
Wooo awesome job on the 10k!! Sounds like it was so much fun to run with your bachelorette friend
Love the puffy paint!
How fun! The only way I would do a race would be for fun. Unfortunately, they are all so darn early! Or they are way too late. C’mon where’s the race for the girl who likes to get her sleep? You know with a 11am-1pm start time, lol.
How fun! I love Nicole’s outfit!!
Fun! I’m loving the little veil she was wearing, too!*
Is that a Five Bamboo hoodie? I love those, they are so comfortable and great for workouts!
What a fun way to kick off the celebrations. I hope you guys are able to stay awake for tonight!
That is such a cool way to start off bachelorette festivities!!
I never would have thought of something like that.
I am loving Nicole’s veil and the utilization of puffy paint!
I love the race running as part of the bachelorette party! Too fun!
Oh wow-what a way to kick off a fun weekend! I love running for the FUN of it
And I love goat cheese–thanks for introducing me to the crazy deliicious stuff. I am slightly addicted. hehe.
Have fun celebrating you earned it!
I also took the hottest shower I could stand post-workout today. I can’t believe the chill has already set in!
That is such an awesome way to start out a Bachelorette party. I did not race this morning, but I have some friends who organized a race in their hometown for today. We had plans this afternoon or I would have run it (our friends are a 3-hour drive away!)
How Fun! What an awesome way to kick off bachelorette celebrations! I am missing my friends bachelorette festivities this weekend
you’ll have to celebrate for me!
I love this idea as part of a bachelorette party! And there is even more fun to come
I love that you guys ran a race as part of her bachelorette party and that she wore a veil. Awesome.
umm, so the way you dress to run in 55 degree weather is the way I dress to run in 30*. no joke. In 55* I wear shorts and a tank top!
hahah really?! i saw people in shorts and i was like, WTF aren’t they dyyyyying???
You guys are awesome! Well done and all before 9 am, nice~
Awesome way to celebrate your friend’s bachelorette party!
What a fun race! I’ve been meaning to ask…how to you capture photos during the race? Do you carry a camera with you? It’s such a good idea!
I carry a little P&S with me and snap pics! I just hold it or put it in my pocket.
This looks like a great way to kick off a bachelorette party/day.
I love her shirt, I can only imagine the comments she was receiving!
Love this so cute:)
It was so fun catching sight of Nicole’s veil at the finish line today. Also, nice to see ya’ll at the race. I love friendly faces around town! I hope the rest of your day is a blast!
Nice to see you too! How was the 3 miler?
It was much colder walking than running! Yea for hot showers.
What a nice race. Looks like you all had a blast!
Nicoles outfit is way cuter than the one I had to run behind in my
Half Mary today. A guy in a Borat Mankini. With nothing else but his trainers and a fuel belt. I almost lost my breakfast. Not what a girl needs to see on a Saturday morning! Hope the rest of the celebrations are going great!
Wow, that is a great running total for this week – well done! Sounds like a great morning – enjoy the rest of your weekend!
That is such a great idea to run a 10K to start off the bachelorette party! Granted, my friends would think I’m crazy and not participate… I need some running friends. Haha. oh yea, and a guy. Have fun today!
Looks like a great way to start off a bachelorette party! My cousin’s is next weekend. We’re keeping it low-key, but I’m getting excited!