Wrapping up 2015!!

Since it's still early 2016, I thought it would be the perfect time to recap 3 races from 2015 I haven't talked about yet.  (Two of which I've signed up to run for a second time.)  I've figured out most of my race schedule for this year and I'm starting to get REALLY excited for what's in store race-wise.  I'm signed up for 6 long(ish) distance races--3 half marathons, 2 10 milers and a 12 miler!  (Along with some short races here and there too.)  But for now, the recaps!

St. Patrick's Day 5k
I ran this one with my parents and husband last year.  I had been fighting a cold all week and I learned my lesson:  If you have a respiratory illness, do NOT push yourself during a race.  We went out to eat at Family Meal for a late lunch afterwards, and I only ate half my sandwich.  I eat a LOT, especially post-race and this was totally unusual for me.  Once we got back home I showered, put on some sweats and slept off the cold for the rest of the afternoon.  
The race was a lot of fun despite fighting the cold.  It was a little crowded, but not horrible.  We arrived super early (about an hour before it was scheduled to start) so we got to see a lot of people leaving Sunday church services and watch final race preparations.  This race is actually small enough that I felt like we could've taken our time getting there.  There weren't any portajohns at the start, but there were a few restaurants that we could've used if needed. 
The race itself is mostly downhill for the first mile, then totally flat.  (Keep in mind though, this is a normally busy street so DEFINITELY look out for bumps and potholes!)  It mostly takes place around the Inner Harbor and goes down by Federal Hill and past the American Visionary Art Museum which is always fun to see.  It ends at Power Plant Live, similar to the Charles Street 12.  I've already signed up to do the B3 Challenge again this year, and this is the first race in the series.  (This race typically sells out, so if you're interested in running it sign up sooner rather than later!  Also, if you sign up for this one then decide to join the B3 you can just email the race organizers and they'll help you out.)
The premium was pretty nice--a bright green Brooks long sleeved tech shirt!  I still wear it every once in awhile.

Front of the St. Patrick's Day 5k shirt plus a reflective Brooks logo on the sleeve!

Back of the St Patrick's Day 5k shirt

Sole of the City 10k
I ran this one with my Dad (in a matter of speaking...We at least started  together.)  This second race in the B3 challenge race series starts and finishes at Fort McHenry Row, which is the home for Charm City Run's Baltimore location.  The race is fairly hilly, but nice.  It actually helped me figure out where to run around the Inner Harbor.  Some of the areas are fairly narrow but not too bad.  There are some parts that go through cobblestone so you have to be careful, but they keep these areas of the course to a minimum.  I found it to be fairly hilly until you got back to the Inner Harbor, which is pretty normal for Baltimore races in general.  (What a lot of people don't realize is that up from the harbor, Baltimore is VERY hilly.)  I loved running directly in front of the aquarium since I volunteer there in three different areas.  I got to high five one of the security guards I see regularly on my shifts, and later I found out that one of the people in an exhibit I help with was there cheering on everybody.
The post-race support was awesome.  Afterwards there were long rows of tables filled with sandwich wraps and other grab and go snacks like pretzels and granola bars.  The Greene Turtle (a chain of bars in Maryland) provided the runners with post-race beer.
I loved the premium for this race--an Under Armour Kaleidelogo hoodie.  It's fairly lightweight, and the logo for the race was embroidered on the back and a Charm City Run logo on the front.  It's one of the few premiums I wear regularly.

Race logo on the back of the hoodie

The front of the hoodie, showing the Charm City Run logo and Greene Turtle logo.  (The Greene Turtle is a Maryland chain of bars that sponsored the race and provided post-race beer!)

Cinco de Miler
This was my first trail race and I really enjoyed it!  If you've run the Across the Bay 10k, you've already been very close to where the race starts and finishes.  (It's basically on the other side of the office buildings by the finishing area for the 10k, which is actually a park!) The packet pickup was a breeze since it was at the Annapolis Charm City Run, and beforehand there was a free yoga class.  So I got up early, did some yoga, then got my shirt and bib.  (The logo is really cute--it's a great blue heron wearing a sombrero and holding maracas!)  

So cute!!

The race benefits the Midshore Conservancy and the post-race party was at the Jetty restaurant and dock bar.

This is probably one of the few races where you run on every possible terrain--you start on pavement, then a wooded dirt path, a field, a small wooden bridge and through sand!  I liked the challenge of changing my stride and really having to strategize about how to run on each terrain.  (I've run on all of the terrains before, but never all in the same course.)  
Afterwards, my husband and I drove over to the parking area for the park itself and spent part of the morning on the beach.  It was a lovely day for it too--sunny and just slightly warm.  The small beaches didn't have very many people on them, and we spent a few minutes sitting on a washed up log before we headed to DC to cheer on my Dad at his first marathon and stopped at Red, Hot and Blue just on the other side of the Bay bridge.