17 December 2011

Jingle Bell Hell 2011 Race Recap



Getting up to run in a race holds a certain excitement...unless you know that you will be the only person showing up. This morning was the return of Jingle Bell Hell. I had told all my local running buddies about it. I had put it on my personal Facebook page in case any friends wanted to just come walk it or whatever. I had no takers.

Either people are intimidated by my competitive spirit, my speed, or my inane sense of humor. Or maybe they heard that I now have a sweatshirt from a scandalous company and are boycotting me. Whatever. I was running this race...even if alone.

I was so bummed as I was getting ready; feeling like a running pariah was, in and of itself, quite hellish. I contemplated sealing the 'hell factor' by wearing a jingle bell on one foot...just one. But I was concerned that the "step-jing-step-jing-step-jing..." over and over again for over an hour might drive me out of my mind. I scrapped the bell idea.

Pulling into the venue parking lot, I noticed several people who were heading out to run or walk, but none were there for Jingle Bell Hell...I could tell. I was so glad I had left my family at home. It was coldish (40º-ish) and windy, and since no one showed up there was no party atmosphere to take your mind off the cold. However, in the morning's defense, it was a lovely one.

I headed to the starting line. There was a beautiful woman looking at the maps...she seemed a little lost. We got to talking and decided to run together (I was so glad I had opted for no bell). She spoke of running a pace that would be a bit faster than I was entirely comfortable with so I figured "awesome... HELL!"

We ran the first 4.2 miles at an average pace of 8:38 minutes per mile, which is super fast for me.

I took no pictures because you've seen this place before. Though in retrospect, I should have taken a picture of the beautiful woman.

As we headed back from the turnaround, I noticed a couple running up a side trail that I used to enjoy running down. I thought, "Whoa...they're hardcore...running up that trail!" When the two trails merged, we tucked in behind the two trail runners. After about a quarter-mile, my new running buddy realized that they were the people she was supposed to have met earlier! We laughed.

The four of us ran together for roughly the next 3 miles, chatting (kind of out of breath because we were running pretty hard and up a long hill). They all belong to some local running clubs and meetup running groups that I never even knew existed...one of the groups even does trail running at night! I am so glad I ran into these people :)

With about a mile to go, Chris the Runner (and the only guy) started pulling away. My hip was sore, and I was pretty wiped from the speedy first half of the run. I was focusing on finishing as well as I could. I came in a close last with a time of 1:14:52 (avg pace 8:57) for the 8.35 miles.

As I had never met these people before, and they knew nothing of Jingle Bell Hell, you can imagine Chris' surprise at learning he had WON!

Congratulations, Chris the Runner!
Your name is now etched in ballpoint pen on masking tape and fastened to the bottom of that awesome trophy...memorializing your victory for as long as the adhesive holds!

Though I began the morning bummed and alone, I ended it laughing and smiling with new friends :) And while I did push myself physically, I need to work on the "Hell" angle for next year... because Jingle Bell Hell will be back!

Happy Holidays and happy running :)

A huge thanks goes out to all who are participating in the virtual version of this race! The collection of virtual JBH race recaps will be posted in my sidebar as I am made aware of them. If you've posted one and don't see it in the list, do shoot me an email (xlmic.tio [at] gmail [dot] com) and I'll be sure to link it. The various winners of the prizes will be announced December 26th so please get your write-up to me by the 25th!



32 comments:

  1. Love it! Next year wear the bells!!!

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  2. http://climbingthosehills.blogspot.com/2011/12/jingle-bell-hell-virtual-race.html

    My daughter took video (which I smushed into 18 seconds with credits and some still screen shots). The grins bely the hell factor of the mind-numbing 0.5 mi loop and hills. But I didn't run all of it. In fact, I forgot to look, but I think this might have been one of my slowest 5Ks yet (although I remeasured and I think it was a little more - the loop was 0.53 mi instead of 0.50) But I still appreciate the "nudge" that the JBH gave me to get out and push myself when I would have rather camped out on the couch all day. And it made up for a few of the cookies I had while baking with my daughter and her friend today.

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  3. Very cool you you met up with some other runners! Hopefully they will join you officially next year.

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  4. Sorry again I couldn't make it. :( I will post my recap when I find the time -- probably next week. ;)

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  5. My hell was the hills! Just posted my recap and sent you an email. Count me in for 2012 :)

    OMG! A bell? That would have driven me crazy!

    A great ending to a not so great beginning :)

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  6. I'm so glad that you found some people to run with! Way to go with an awesome pace for your run.

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  7. I think that run should be called Jingle Bell Awesome - you do need to work on the hell angle because it sounds like it ended up perfect.

    I did a (very short) hell run - I'll post soon...

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  8. That is so fun that you found those people to run with for your race! That has never happened to me, never. Nice job on that speedy race, too...I am very impressed - and happy - for you!

    I ran 20 yesterday...I think my "hell" will be trying to run today after. A 40 minute 5k here I come :).

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  9. What a great way to make new friends!!! I would have run with you if I lived remotely near you <3

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  10. What more can I say than that you are awesome!!! I'm glad that you didn't run it alone. Merry Christmas!

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  11. I still feel bad I couldn't make it up there. :( My only hell was almost being hit by a car and then screwing something up with the quick start. Silliness really. I'll try extra hard to make it next year.

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  12. Random workout meet-ups are always cool. It's never happened to me while running but happens on the bile all the time.

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  13. That is so awesome. I'm glad you had someone to run with and that you decided against the bell. I ran in the 12k's of Christmas one year being followed by a bell encrusted lady that I could not lose no matter how hard I tried. Insanity! Looks like a beautiful day too!

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  14. Aw, I'm so sorry you were left cold by your friends... but how cool to have met NEW ones!! We completed our JBH this morning and had 16 women show up. Simply fabulous morning... in which I would have never organized a hilly run if it weren't for YOU... so thank you! Recap here: http://www.runwithjess.com/2011/12/jingle-bell-hell-recap.html

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  15. Way to get out there and give them hell anyway! Next year I will come. Hope ur son is feeling better :)

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  16. I think the fact that you made new running friends renders it a win. You are way more gregarious than me...I probably wouldn't have made pals like that. Good for you!

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  17. Good for you for meeting new running friends!!!

    clearly your friends are scared of your speed and they could not bare to be 2nd best! :)

    I went for 8 today since last night I found out I got to prepare for a January Half...
    I cannot say it was hell..so I am out of the running...

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  18. I love meeting other runners. Glad it was a happy day!

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  19. I haven't registered anything on facebook in the last 2 weeks...but I bet the Hell race will grow and grow and grow and in 10 years it will be 500 people!!!!!!

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  20. My virtual race report (done somewhat punctually!)!! http://diaryofanaveragerunner.blogspot.com/2011/12/jingle-bell-hell-virtual-run_18.html

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  21. Sounds like it ended up being fun, and very cool that you met some new runners. I didn't end up having a hellish run, unless you include my 5K on the treadmill last night with a VERY full stomach, that included lots of laughing because I watched Jackass 3 while I ran.

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  22. Gah - sorry we couldn't make it. But at least you have a GINORMOUS tree and a fancy sweatshirt :)

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  23. Just reading this made me tired---signed a lazy person full of old jokes.

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  24. Congrats!! Over 8 miles, I was breathing hard just reading your post. The idea of running, laughing, and talking all at once. So cool that you made some new friends.

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  25. You runners astound me, always :) Happy Holidays!

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  26. Seriously anything under a 10 min mile is amazing! Let's start there and go into how lovely that you a. Didn't wear the bell, that may have driven you crazy too! B. that you met a new friend to run with and then 2 new friends. I often feel this way about work conferences but then end up meeting some lovely person who I would have never met. I wish you many more friendly runs and happy holidays!

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  27. I can't stand running at all, let alone in the cold! Good for you and glad someone kept you company.

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  28. You are all kinds of awesome. Merry Christmas!

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  29. Stopping by through Lovelinks. I can't stand running. So good for you for having the ability to stick it out even if no one was there to support you. I'd need a whole party to get me to run!

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  30. Well I'm proud of you and you did much better than I ever could. Happy you found someone to keep you company! Merry Christmas!! Don't go stealing any holiday lawn ornaments!

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