Since the turkey trot 10K I ran a couple of weeks ago, my running has taken little dip in mileage. Last weekend I was able to run 14 miles with my running club, LA Leggers, and those went well.
This past Saturday, I ran the Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run 5K and 10K, and yes, I ran both the 5K and 10K. Why???
Well, deciding to run both the 5K and 10K was sort of an easy choice for me. Since the Leggers were running 9 miles this weekend, I figured I would get my 9 miles in by doing both races. And besides, I really don’t run many smaller races where people are given the opportunity to run both distances. Usually it’s been my experience they start together. The Christmas Run allowed runners who wanted to run both, to have the chance to run both. How could I not take advantage of that?
Because there was a Total Lunar Eclipse that morning, West Coasters got a lovely view of it before the start of the race.
Now you see the moon…
…and now you don’t.
Okay, you can still kinda see it. Either way, it was seriously cool to watch it disappear. About an hour later, it was time to get going to the start line since the 10K was starting promptly at 7:30AM with lots of eager runners ready to get their sweat on.
“Honey, just lift me up and flip me over.”
First though, we had a few minutes of warm-up. Here’s me doing some sort of lunging exercise during the warm-up:
“I haven’t done a lunge in 3 months!“
And then it was time to line up for the start and it was packed! No wonder I was the only one doing those lunges. Everybody else was already in line to start! I’m kidding, of course. There were at least 3 other people lunging along with me. 🙂
“Does that girl in the red long-sleeved shirt know she’s the only one lunging?“
Santa sent us off on our merry way.
Since this was a Christmas run, many people wore some Christmasy outfits, such as this fella with his festive red and white striped socks:
The course itself was great. Starting in Santa Monica, we wound our way to Venice and into the Abbott Kinney neighborhood, and back to Santa Monica with the ocean view. There were a few gradual inclines but no major hills.
There was a lot of excitement and energy in this event. In fact, I think I got caught up in a little of it because I managed to run mile 1 in 9:56. I don’t think I’ve ever run below a 10 minute mile in any event. I decided I needed to slow down just a little bit because I had to remind myself that after I run the 6.2, I had another 3.1 miles left to go.
Of course, when I hit mile 2, I saw my pace was 9:51. So much for slowing down. I seriously had to make the conscious effort to slow down just a little bit. I felt great though, but I know me. I will burn out quickly. This less than 10 minute miles is so uncharacteristic of me. Ooh, I could get used to this.
I honestly didn’t know if any other Leggers were running the race, but I did see John, one of the mentors from my pace group with his 4-legged running partner.
Leggers mentor John
And lookie here, I caught Wanda running the 10K as well! I had no idea she was participating. I did mention I was running the Christmas Run last week to her but I don’t recall her saying she was running it too. Way to go Wanda!
Because the event would be having water stations, I didn’t think about carrying my Fuel Belt with me.
Water!! I need water!!
The weather was absolutely gorgeous!! It was chilly at the beginning of the race with a temperature around 48 degrees, but we had perfect weather conditions. Lots of sunshine!
End of the 10K race.
Once I finished the 10K in around 1:03 (which by the way is a new PR for me. Yay me!), I saw the crowded madness of finishers. I’m sure there were some eager 5K runners in the mix ready to get their sweat on.
First though, I had to dash over to the car in order to switch out my bib and timing chip. Because I was running both events, I couldn’t wear both bibs and timing chips at the same time or else they’d both register my 10K time.
Wardrobe change for the 5K race.
I also took off my red long-sleeved shirt, and switched out my Red Sox cap for my Red Sox visor. Luckily, we got to the event early enough where we parked close by. Even then, I still had a good 35 minutes before finishing the 10K and the start of the 5K. I hung around the 10K finish line so I could catch my sister finishing and then it it was time for me to get going.
“Man, this running stuff is stressful.“
The 5K course was really no different than the 10K course. Well, it was just half the distance. Once we get the ocean view, it was all familiar territory since the Leggers tend to run this area often.
There was one small incline at the end of the race and that was it. By the time I got to this hill the second time around, I was tired. Those first 8 miles really drained me, but I was really excited to finish.
Before I knew it, I made those last couple of turns and the finish line was in sight…again.
9.3 miles later and I was happy to have done this Christmas Run! I honestly had a great time and I can understand why this race is popular. The course is great and the finish line festivities were nice. Although my only complaint was that there were no bananas! I don’t think I’ve ever run a race without bananas at the finish line. Of course, this is also the first time I’ve run a 10K and 5K back-to-back so I guess there’s always a first for everything.
