Podium day!!! 1/172 in Age Group
Race 14 of 15 Elliot Millennium Series
Race 3 of 4 NHOC Holiday Hat Trick (my 3rd consecutive Hat Trick Series)
3:15 race start before Manchester City Holiday Parade. 3.0 miles out and back on Elm Street. I considered wearing shorts, but changed into tights with the cold headwind on Elm Street. Number pick-up was easy at the Center of NH Expo Center, Radisson in Downtown Manchester. Full Santa Suit, Sam Adams beer tickets. Saucony had a booth (official shoe of the race) and got to talk their Product Performance Analyst, cool!
BASC Santa Shuffle Start/Finish
Race warm-up around Elm Street, pre-race nerves… kids’ elf runs took place first, pre-race ceremony and WMUR was filming the start for the news that night. Count down, gun fired and we were off!!! I try to not let it get to me how others go out much faster… chilly, lung searing air, just keep strong… distraction seeing the lead car & everyone coming in out/back. As I tried to keep pushing towards the finish line, the black & white inflatable Millennium arch coming into view… hearing my name called out by WMUR Sports Director Jaime Staton is such an amazing awesomeness… then over the line, phew!!
Final kick to finish line
Keep moving and check in with friends about how their races went, congratulating each other.
With Pat and John Mortimer, Founder & CEO Millennium Running
Fortunately, super-fast friend Pat gave me a headstart (and wore the Santa suit) and she still nearly beat me. I try not to get too jammed up about my time and pace… unless you are the current world record holder, there is always someone faster!
Long warm down with Pat along the course… people lined up to watch the parade at 4:00… kids with high fives, cheerleaders, then we went back to Millennium Running timing trailer. Totally surprising and such a rewarding gift to see my placement in division ”1” – holy cow, holy cow… I was so lucky for this one and feel very grateful. Millennium had water, Powerade, American Flatbread pizza, organic fruit from Whole Foods, Stonyfield Yogurt, Muscle Milk. Plus runners could redeem Samuel Adams beer tickets at 7 different spots and watch the parade!
Celebrating Awards with Pat Bourgault, 1st & 2nd in AG
Back to my car, but not warming up, checking messages with friends… fun hearing marching bands starting down the route! I feel very, very fortunate and grateful for the race today… it could not have turned out better.
Full race results 22:24 7:29, 1/172 in division
Age Group Results
Elliot Millennium Series
842 earned their Series Jacket (26.2)
274 people achieved Ultra status (40+ miles)
35 still on All Millennium track
Points Chase
1st in Age Group (1 of 874)… somehow still 3rd F (overall)
