Celtic Solstice 5 Miler 2013 Recap

This past Saturday was the Celtic Solstice 5 miler, which is a big annual local race in Baltimore with over 4,000 runners and usually gets a mention in Runner's World like it did a couple issues ago.  The forecast was calling for cold weather and snow. Don't worry, they wouldn't cancel-back in 2009 the race became infamous for runner's completing the course in the middle of a BLIZZARD. 

This was my 2nd race ever 2 years ago and a bunch of friends and co-workers were doing it so I figured it would be fun even though I hate the cold. It's always my last race of the year, and they happen to give out my favorite premium of the year. It's always some sort of half zip that is gender specific. I love the bright blue color of the women's Asics pullover this year!

Sorry for the reflector glare!

I still haven't really been running much since the marathon-I think I have the cold-weather running blues so I was feeling a little under prepared. I had some pizza the night before so there were definitely some carbs in my system to fuel me.  The race was at Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, and the race director warned about the parking options and as always to get there early. I hate being at races early and always cut it close but decided to play it safe and get there an hour early. Luckily, I found some of my friends, but it literally took me about 15 minutes to get my timing chip and use the bathroom and make my way into a huge tent set up where it was slightly warmer due to all the people inside. 

Don't want to leave the car!

I'm not always good at judging what to wear when running in the cold, so I was banking on the fact that I'd be warm once I started running.  I was wearing a short sleeve shirt, Under Armour coldgear pullover, long pants with compression socks underneath, knee high Christmas socks,  and a Brooks ear warmer.  By start time I was still freezing and couldn't really feel my toes-great. 

They always start the race with bagpipers in kilts and all which is super fun. However, my friends and I waited a bit too long to line up so we just kind of pushed into the crowd at the start line. 

This lead to the first mile being AWFUL because I was stuck behind so many people across the entire road. I did what you're not supposed to do in a race which was zig zag around people and icy snow patches to try to get to a clear spot where I could run the pace I wanted to run. My first mile ended up being right under 9 minutes. 

There was a big hill somewhere between miles 2-3, but honestly my legs felt like giant ice cubes I was trying to move so it sucked. I finally got into the groove around mile 3 and felt okay at my faster pace.  I was running around a 7:20-7:30 for the rest of the race after the first mile and following my friend who was just a bit ahead of me.  Once you get to miles 4-5 the course loops around the lake and then is downhill until the finish line.  I found a girl around the lake who was running just a bit faster than me so I used her as my pacer and then eventually pushed by to pass at the end. My last mile was 7:02, and I was giving it all I had. I definitely was huffing and puffing at the end and need to add some more speedwork back into my running routine before the spring! 

Druid Hill lake

I finished in 38:41 (7:45 overall pace), which is pretty good for not really running much since the marathon. It's barely a slower time than the last two years I've run the race, but I'll blame that on the first mile! I was still 16/189 so that's pretty darn good for a race with people running sub 6 miles and all.  The girl who I used as my pacer around the lake came up to me afterwards and told me I ran a great race and just beat her in the end, which is always a nice feeling. 

Even got to chat and meetup with Sarah in the tent after the race

I was super sweaty and warm after finish so I think I did a good job layering. This race always has great post-race eats (aka the important things) including soup, coffee & hot chocolate from Zeke's, hot mulled wine from Boordy Vineyards,hot vegetable soup and lots of delicious cookies from a local Italian bakery, along with typical fare like fruit. I met up with some friends and eventually made the trek back to my car. 

Overall it was a good race, and I loved having lots of friends run it with me this year. I think it took all day for my toes to thaw, but I'll be back next year! 

Do you run any winter races? What is your favorite piece of winter running gear?