Hot Chocolate 15k Atlanta

A lot of "firsts" today. First race of the year. First 15k. First race in Atlanta. First race with my best friend.

 

It all started yesterday at the Expo picking up my race packet. This is before I figured out exactly what I'd gotten myself into. :) Just kidding.

 

 

 Beautiful sunrise to start a cold, beautiful race day. No better way to hang out with several thousand of your closest friends. :)

 

This is the Moms Run This Town-Rome Chapter. Had a great time meeting these ladies this morning. Now I'm going to start meeting them on Saturdays (hopefully) to get in some long runs. Only four weeks until Disney Princess Half Marathon!!

 

This is my bestie, Elizabeth, and me after the finish line. We are training to do the Disney Princess Half together and this is the first race we've run together. It was great being able to push each other. Special shout out to her husband, Aaron, for pacing and pushing and motivating today.

 

Nine long, grueling miles through Atlanta, starting at Turner Field, going up through Georgia Tech and by Centennial Olympic Park, then back to Turner Field. A lot of hills. I'm so no used to that. :) Though I must have to say that the downhills seemed to be longer than the uphills. I'm ok with that.

 

 

And here it is. My bibs and medal from today. I love that it's a chocolate bar. :) They also had souvenir  finisher mugs that had a banana, a marshmallow, mini pretzels, a rice krispie treat, and a wafer cookie all to dip in delicious chocolate fondue. And let's not forget the hot chocolate. :)

 

 

Overall a good day. A bit sore tonight, and probably will be for a couple of days, but it's going to be good. I have a good sense of where I am in my training for Disney and what I really need to work on in the next four weeks.

 

Here's to a new year, a new me, and new adventures. :) :) :) :)