New Year's 2025 - Two Race Experiences!

To celebrate the arrival of 2025, I ran races on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. They say you should start the new year doing what you want to do throughout the year, so I started my year running!

On New Year’s Eve I traveled to Athens, Georgia, for the New Year’s Eve at Noon 5K. I was in the mood for a costume, so I put together a “formal” look with a long-sleeved Vegas Gold tech shirt and a running tank to which I added bib magnets (inside out) to make it look like a vest. A sparkly bow-tie and gold hat completed the look. I was one of fewer than 5 people who dressed up, but I’m used to being the silly one in the crowd. I brought Prince Choreo for some pre-race photos but did not run with him. He’s still very new and hasn’t been broken in yet - very hard to perform. The race itself went quite well today. I enjoyed the beautiful park that contained the entire race course, especially the part that took us over a dam with great views of the lake it formed. Added bonus to park running: no traffic issues! I ran well with the fastest average mile pace I’ve had in years. My costume provided some amusement for everyone while I was amused at taking 3rd in my age group. Well-organized race all around. It was a great way to end the year.

I started 2025 with the New Year’s Day Half Marathon in Cumming, GA (near Coal Mountain, GA). It wasthe first of 5 half marathons and 1 full that I will run in January. I may have lost my mind.

This race provided me quite the run - once I got there! I had a two-hour drive there and had allowed plenty of extra time - or so I thought. If you have ever driven through Atlanta and the surrounding areas you know that anything is possible with the roads. Today was a random shutdown of a limited access highway just 200 yards ahead of me. I still have no idea what was going on - no accident, perhaps trying to stop a vehicle or maybe keep us all away from a problem much later down the road. I was relieved when we were finally allowed to move. I made it to the race with 45 minutes to spare, but since I prefer a full hour before race time I felt rushed and uncomfortable.

It was quite cold for Georgia - 39 degrees, damp, with a sharp wind. I was very pleased with the multiple layers I had worn and doubled up my gloves. There was a long line for bib pickup, but the organizers did a good job of keeping it moving. A larger problem was the porta-potty situation: 3 of them for more than 400 race participants. Not good planning. I managed to get in and out of the potty line before it got too out of hand.

This race used a four-loop course through a school complex and a nearby fairly rural road with some small hills. There were 349 people for the concurrent 5K but only 64 or so for the half. We had to do a bit of dodging through the 5K participants, but it was not a problem. I ran great and continued to improve my half marathon time. I even placed in my age group again, 2nd this time. The award was a 2nd Place pin to go on the medal ribbon. I really like this idea for awards. My new year is off to a great start. All the best to you for a wonderful 2025!