Final 5K of 2016

Well, it's that time of year -- the end!
I ran my final 5K of 2016 with my friend Carolyn at the Lakeside Viking 5K. The forecast was for cold and rain, but luckily the rain held off, so only some chilly temps to contend with.

We finished!

I was slower than slow for the race, slower than I was two weeks ago! But, it's OK. It is the time of year I usually take a small break from running and I've really taken a much longer break than normal. With my pulled leg muscle and the busyness of the holiday season, I just haven't run.
I got a nice bonus medal in the mail this week, since I ran two Rock N Roll Half Marathons this year: New Orleans and Denver. The Double Beat is cute — and heavy! I guess it really is a heavy medal. :D

The Double Beat heavy medal

I also found a quarter along the 5K route Saturday. I tallied up my "found money" for the year. It came to only $1.24 this year. Not enough for a cup of coffee! Oh well. Maybe my eyes aren't as sharp now or maybe I'm not paying that much attention as I used to.
Still, it was a great year of running. I ran in four more states and met up with old and new friends along the way.
See you in 2017!

Back in the groove, sort of

I ran One Love, One Heart 5K this morning in the Medlock Park area of Decatur.
I really enjoy this race, which starts at 10 a.m., but not the course, which is so hilly!
What I didn't realize until just now is that it has been a MONTH since my last race. No wonder I was so slow this morning!
Well, that and I've managed to injure my high hamstring. So, I really do have a pain in my butt. And I think I did it two weeks ago while getting into the car! Getting old stinks.
It was my first race at the age of 53, and I came in second in my age group (which was 50-59) but in this race it's win or go home. So I went home. LOL No second place plaque for me!
My next race is in a couple of weeks, but I'll be getting back in the groove. I've got to. I've signed up for the Anchorage Half Marathon in June of next year! I'm going to Alaska!!