Great New Year's Eve Race Recap

Photo by OHventures

"What are ya doin' New Year's Eve?"

This question, appearing as a lyric in a popular song of the same name, often has an answer involving parties, confetti and booze. Of course, all of those things were a part of my New Year's Eve 2014-2015 celebration, but what if I told you that I also incorporated a 5K into the mix?

It's probably not surprising to most people that know me or follow my blog that I managed to find a 5K on New Year's Eve - of all days! However, the fact that I was able to actually find a race that took place on NYE in the area was a testament to just how popular the running craze has become in Ohio! I wouldn't even call it a "fad" anymore, folks. Running and 5Ks are here to stay - every day of the year, even holidays. We don't take breaks!

The event I signed up and showed up for was the Great New Year's Eve Race, a 5K that takes place in Stow in Summit County (the same city where the Birthday Bash Dash took place) and is organized and hosted by the Summit Athletic Running Club (SARC), of which I am now an official dues-paying member!

My great friend Anna from undergrad at OSU flew in ALL the way from Colorado to ring in the new year, and it was actually HER idea to do a 5K race on NYE (I may have a reputation for running races, but I suppose it's rubbing off on my friends). 

Given that the race was to take place at 4PM, it meant that it would be done and over with early enough that it would not interfere with our celebratory plans later that evening in Canton. It also meant that the sun was out in full force (maybe that's a bit of a hyperbole). It was indeed warmer at 4PM than it would have been if the race was early in the morning, but it was still frigid as F!

Photo by SARC

The course was an "out-and-back" design, which I have not seen too often nor run much. But, I found that I actually really enjoy that type of run. The course was also really hilly. It's nice that we ran DOWN the hills on the first half, but became treacherous and grueling when we had to run UP the same hills on the second half (when we had less energy).

We did choose to walk a couple of times on the course. One reason for this was because the extreme cold was affecting our breathing! Secondly, those damn hills. 

There was no shame in walking at portions of the race and thus clocking in at just over 30 minutes. It was nice to be active and cap off a fantastic 2014 with a 5K. I think it made the midnight champagne taste THAT much better!