Yesterday I ran the inaugural Tom Taylor Trail Ten Miler (aka "4T"), put on by a group of local runners on our favourite park trails. A brand new race just minutes from home? Yes please!
Unfortunately I woke up sick with a sore throat and cold on Friday and was feeling less than 100% come Sunday morning. Saturday's Bootcamp also kicked my ass in ways I have not experienced for a long time and I was feeling it in every single muscle. Needless to say, I was not in stellar racing shape. Good thing I was running for fun with a friend... in costume!
Yes, those are M&M's on my (pajama) pants.
We brought treat bags filled with candy (including fun-sized M&M packs!), which we intended to hand out throughout the race.
Headed to the start to line up.
We lined up around the middle of the pack since we were planning to take it on the easy side. There were about 200 registered for the 10-miler and we knew it would be a bit crowded in the beginning, but we weren't in any hurry.
Pretty soon we were off and winding our way along the paved park trails. As suspected, it was crowded, especially since the path was divided for the out and back.
It was freezing (literally - 0C/32F), but the M&M's did a pretty good job of keeping us warm and we felt comfortable. I expected them to be pretty bothersome to run in, but they weren't bad at all. It helped, of course, that we weren't concerned about our pace; I wouldn't necessarily recommend them for a PR attempt. ;)
We worked the crowds who were loving the outfits and we tossed candy to volunteers and spectators. It was a big hit and surprisingly, not bothersome at all carrying the goodies. I would definitely bring even more next time because we ended up running out in the second half.
I was tired early, which I expected, but had a really awesome time running just for fun, enjoying all the costume compliments, thanking the volunteers and chatting with my blue "m" buddy.
That being said, I was definitely ready for the finish line.
making our way to the finish
Overall, the race was a big success. We were really impressed with the local group who put it together (it was their first time) and there was a ton of support from the community. There were PLENTY of volunteers who were all wonderful. I loved the route, but this could be because the entire race ran along my usual stomping grounds. The start was congested, but it would have been fine if we had started closer to the front. Things cleared up quickly and we didn't have any problems. We'll definitely be back next year - in costumes, with more candy!
10.0 miles
1:30:52
77/180 overall
22/105 females
6/18 F20-29
52 comments:
love the costumes...and love m&ms! nice work on the run. I can't believe you're sick again. take it easy and maybe I'll see you on the weekend. where are you planning on being?
the picture of you two walking to the start line cracked me up!
great job now get some rest and get better!!
You had to stay together, what would one 'M' look like running??
I love it! It's so fun that you not only dressed as M&Ms, but you handed them out, too. Feel better!
You girls look great in your costumes!! It was super cold here yesterday so i can imagine it was colder by you!
Now that is what you call HAVING FUN. :-)
Awesome costume, Marlene!!
love that you were giving away candy! thats great.
and u stil managed a pretty good time :)
super fun! I think I have both of your treat bags in my Halloween arsenal! Lord know I have the m&ms!
that sounds like so much fun! i always love interacting with the spectators, and candy would make it even more fun!
and i LOVE that medal, by the way. i love it when they break out of the circle and go for a more unique shape.
Wow 6th in your AG and dressed as an M&M! Awesome.
Love the costumes - great AG placement for a not very aerodynamic suit :). Nice job!!
First off--they have to go with 4Ts b/c that is one serious mouthful to pronounce! And secondly, way to go, in costume no less!
Go M&M go!!! awesome outfits!!
Love the costumes and it looks like you had fun on the run. Rest up and feel better chica!!!
loce the costumes! good idea with the candy!
LOVED the costumes! So awesome that you were able to run in those outfits. And handing out mini-m &m's such a cute idea! Way to rock your 10 miler!
Nice job! Loved the costumes! How fun!
Excellent work once again, Marlene! LOVE your costumes - so cute!!
I hope you're feeling better soon - for GOOD this time!
Well if anyone knows how to run a race for FUN, it's definitely you :) Handing out candy in an M&M costume?! AWESOME. Haha, glad you gals had such a good time!
how fun!!
so fun!
Way to go Marlene! I love the costumes! Hope you're feeling better soon!
Nice job on the run! I love the costumes too! :-) so cute!
That is seriously awesome! I was smiling while I was looking at your pictures :)
Looks like fun!! Love the M&M costumes!
You always get the best race shirts/medals! I think I may have to make my way east for some hardware.
I love that you handed out candy while running!
I love the costumes! Your pjs are awesome!
You run in costume, handing out candy and still do great. You are a running machine girl. Great job.
Congrats! Never have done the costume running thing. I believe the Sweat Factory known as my body would disintegrate any costume I tried to wear before the first mile was done.
To nit be feeling well you sure looked like you were having a blast. TOO CUTE!
That's awesome Marlene. What a great idea to hand out candy. I'd love to do that. Bet the volunteers loved you.
That is a true fun run!
I like that your shirt and medal got to pose with the fun-size pack. But seriously? M&M's? Gross!!!
I dont know... I think I might get tired of that bubble in 10 miles. LOL. I am a whiney runner!
Way to go Red m&m! And blue, even though I don't like the blue ones.
Love the costumes! Love the pictures! Hoping you feel better soon!
Looks like a lot of fun! Love the costumes and the fact you passed out candy!
How cool is it to hand out candy?? Awesome!!! I want to do that!!!!!
Love the costumes!
First off, I hope you are feeling better.
Second of all, how awesome that you ran in costume and handed out candy! Love it.
Congratulations on another race and get well soon!
That is some awesome stats for an 'easy' pace!! 22/105 females?...and dressed as m & m's?! AWESOME! love the throwing candy that goes with it!! Fun times.
Great job and what fun! Love the costumes. How many races have you run this year? You are such a fun and dedicated racer/running star.
Great Halloween spirit! Those costumes are making we want to make another dive into the treat bucket here! Nice job on the race!
Great costumes!! I would love to run a race in costume one day...it sounds like so much fun :o)
Fantastic idea - I hadn't thought to hand out candy. Next Halloween that will definitely be on the racing agenda!
I love that you gave out M&Ms!
It looks so cold!
Great race though!!
Ahhh love it!!
Great costume!
I thought about running this but my son was singing instead. I'll mark it in the books as a possibility for next year.
Sorry that you're under the weather again. Now, get under the covers, warm up, rest and feel better.
You look good in red! Love the costumes but I think they'd have a bit of a parachute effect - could be great for training and building strength.
Awesome costumes, I hope it wasn't too windy because they look like they would cause a lot of drag :)
AWESOME!! Costumes and giving out candy? Just too fun...
Lovely costumes and what a great way to run a fun race. Your time is not that bad for handing out candy runners. Well done!
Totally awesome!! I had a friend who would eat M&M's during races instead of GU and whatnot. I should try it. I bet it would be aweosme! Although it might leave me thirsty, or wanting more...
Looks like a blast!!
You are TOO CUTE in that costume! And such a trooper with the cold and your cold! Loved that you passed out M&M's, too!
Nice work on the AG finish, too! And you weren't even "trying!" Have a good Tuesday!
I love the costumes and what a great idea of giving candies while running...your awesome..nice work...
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chaco
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