holiday run for toys 5k - rerun: race report

it occurred to me that last week i mentioned what a twist it was a race was held twice in the same year (the 2008 edition of the norfolk pub 10 miler was moved into 2009 because of a snowstorm). now, just a week later, i'm amazed to note that the very same race was held on consecutive weekends! the original 2009 holiday run for toys was effectively cancelled because of a snowstorm. but that didn't stop the dozen (one of whom i was not) runners who braved the weather from doing the course anyway!

then came notice later in the week from marty, the race director, that he'd put on the race ("again") on sunday. in addition to the actual race, collecting the toys and clothes that didn't get picked up the first time around was a motivating factor. we were blessed with incredibly perfect weather - high 40's and sun - this time around. the field grew to 20 runners (well under the traditional turnout for this great holiday race). the course didn't include the short trail section through the pine creek recreation area.

the redrawn course included a double loop of the streets next to the scandinavian club. i ran that initial double loop with emmy, kelly, and roy. we reached the first mile split in 7:07 - way faster than the "fun run" pace i had planned (7:30's). the next mile, astonishingly, was even faster in 7:03 - a 14:10 split for two miles. i spent the last mile chasing emmy, who maintained a good 50 yard lead over me. mile 3 was an easier 7:17 - and i finished up in just over 22 minutes (22:13).

the post-race festivities - which included awards for every finisher - included bagels, coffee, tea, vitamin water - and sweets. on the topic of sweets, i traded my sobe polo shirt award with for emmy's ghiaradelli chocolate gift basket (which had been donated by darcy)! but the best part of the award ceremony was shrieking from the first time runners - who added awards to their first races :D

here are some race photos.