Monday, December 19, 2011

Jingle Bell Hell Virtual Race recap


This last weekend, XLMIC hosted the Jingle Bell Hell 1/3 marathon.  Unfortunately due to the lack of a plane ticket, and the lack of training (Stupid PF...did you know I had PF?  Probably not, because I NEVER whine about mention it...I'm stoic like that) it was impossible for me to join her in real life for the fun.  Luckily, there was a virtual option AND she even said it could be as short as a 5k - so I was in baby!

The rules for the race:
 
  • Must be at least 5K in total length...no maximum.

  • Must be done on a challenging course (and if you hate treadmills, that means it could be on a treadmill) because the idea is "Hell" ... that is the important part.

  • Must be done the weekend of Dec. 17-18, 2011... any time of day or night.

  • You must laugh at least once... can be an evil laugh, a laugh of futility, any kind of laugh but laughter is a MUST.


  • So - with my PF (again, YES I have PF...) I am limited in distance as well as terrain.  I couldn't be all badass and run a 5k straight up hill because I've been PT ordered to to lay off the hills.  I had to find a short and flat course, but somehow needed to incorporate in the hell factor.  I am one of those freaks who LIKES running hills because they break up the course a bit - so flat is not my favorite.   In my neighborhood there is a flat loop that circles the park.  Check out the elevation:


    Brutal, huh?  Yeah, flat as a pancake.  Not very interesting.  In order to up the "hellishness" aspect, the loop is only a half mile long - to get a 5k in I have to repeat it 6 times.  I hate passing the end point of a run and not being able to stop.  Ok.  Hell course accomplished.

    Leading up to the race I made sure I properly hydrated


    and fueled:


    And then it was race morning:


    I got up at the crack of dawn:
    I'm trying to make this sound really "hellish", but in reality this is
    about an hour later than my normal weekly runs.

    I met Michelle and Barbara and we ran the loop...6 times.  Here's some highlights of the run:

    Not monotonous at all.  We actually tacked on another mile for good measure, making it four total in 37 minutes for 9:15 average pace.   I guess we're gluttons for punishment!

    So, the Jingle Bell Hell came and went.  There was laughter and it was a good morning run because of the awesome company.  If anyone thinks that I just took my normal morning route and played on your sympathy to turn it into a hell-worthy race report you might be right on. 

    Thanks for hosting the race XLMIC!  It was fun and I will definitely join in next year - HOPEFULLY for the 1/3 marathon option and a truly difficult course!

    16 comments:

    Rachelle Q said...

    Loops are torture for sure. Not to mention, if you happen to pass by your house during each loop, the urge to turn into your driveway is always there:) Nice job! Glad you had company!

    Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

    Way to get it in and early too! Wow! Pre race fuel of frosted sugar cookies for sure!

    Penny said...

    Love the recap!! I wish I had known about it - I'd have done the virtual version as well. Sounds like you did it justice!!

    Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

    I totally missed out on that too, although I guess since I got a migraine on my run this weekend that could count as Jingle Bell hell! Ha!

    Great job on yours and with getting properly fueled!

    XLMIC said...

    I LOVE the pictures!!!!! So freaking hilarious that you photo'ed each loop!!!! I love it :) Thanks so much for participating :)

    Jamie said...

    Great job! I love the photos of the same exact spot, so funny!

    I hope you recover quickly so that you can get back out there on some long runs soon.

    jillconyers said...

    I laughed at how you made everything sound hellish. A loop 6 times would be hell for me!

    Enjoyed reading your recap (:

    Kathy said...

    Woops! Full disclosure here - the photo collage was actually the same picture duplicated...I didn't photo each loop - it was totally dark and foggy when we actually ran, so no photos - I walked back up later in the morning and snapped the photo of the starting/stopping point. :)

    MCM Mama said...

    I hydrated the same way. Always makes for a good "hell" run. ;o)

    Laura said...

    Good idea to use loops as torture... nice attempt to make it hellish, even if it wasn't! This was a fun read. :)

    Sweat Is My Sanity said...

    Yeah, looping past your finish line 6x is hellish to me. :) You're a trooper for even doing it and I love the repeat pic...clever. ;) Jess

    Unknown said...

    The time you got up is brutal enough for me! haha!

    I like your fuel, that is my kind of fuel!

    Julie D. said...

    Ha!! wine and cookies...you mean there is other fuel to have in December?! I emptied the cookie box on my way to the gym last night! :) Nice run, kathy. Have a great Christmas!!

    AuburnAFWife said...
    This comment has been removed by the author.
    Suz and Allan said...

    I'm a glutton for punishment because I love the short loops. The hills kill me! Great pace on your run!

    Suz and Allan said...

    That was me accidentally posting earlier under my sister's account. Sorry!

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