It’s funny, the main reason I initially was coming out to Boston was to run the Black Cat 10 Miler with Tina. But that became less important in my mind in all the fun this weekend!
None-the-less, the race must go on and this morning we woke up at 5:25am to head to Salem, MA. First, I fueled up with some bagel thins. I love staying with friends that have the good food I love.
My pre-run fuel is always bread, PB this time with Carrot Cake jam and iced coffee.
Then, it was off to the race!
As we got closer I realized this is my first race I’ve ever done with snow on the ground!!!
It is a smaller event so packet pick-up was a breeze. Except – they didn’t give Tina a shirt 
because they ran out. It was random because she pre-registered and had a race # before Chandras.
After packet pick-up we went to the car to drop our stuff off. I wanted to stall in the warmth, but we had to go out.
Surprisingly the weather was good! It’s been a lot colder over the weekend so I was happy it wasn’t too cold. 
Yeah, despite the snow around the Start line, I faced my fears and showed up 
Before the start we were in high spirits, but decided to each run our own race since we run at different paces.
Tina and I stuck together for the first 3 miles! Hi!
I did pretty well considering I wasn’t going “balls out”. I saw a girl I wanted to stick with and kept up with her until close to the end.
10 miles – Average Pace 8:16
Technically – 9.72 miles – 1:20:23
My Garmin was super confused because the last time I used it was in California, so it took .25 mile to load up. That’s why my stats are for 9.72 miles. The course wasn’t short, I just couldn’t start it until I’d been running for a few minutes…
As soon as I finished I made a beeline for the food and had half a Cinnamon Chip bagel. It was glorious. Then, I went back out to see Tina and Chandra come in.
We did it!!!
Post race we headed for the infamous Marylou’s Iced Coffee.
Yes, it is the best coffee in town.
Traveling can be hectic. Running a race can be nerve-wracking . When you combine them it can easily make for a very stressful situation.
Here are some basic tips for Traveling for a Race:
1. In addition to your usual “Packing List” make a “Race List” to make sure you pack all the items you need to run. This should include everything from shoes and socks to extra safety pins in case you don’t get them at the expo.
I put my non-clothing running stuff in a big plastic baggie. It has things like my headphones and spibelt. 
2. Print out your Race Confirmation before you travel. You probably won’t have access to a printer while you’re out of town and it’s helpful in case of registration mix-ups.
Print it with your airline confirmations and keep them together.
3. Pack an extra plastic bag for all your sweaty post-run clothes. You don’t want drenched-in-sweat-gear to be touching valuables or clean clothes.
This stuff makes everything it touches smell like a boy’s locker room. Sorry.
4. I didn’t remember to do it this time, but I often travel with dryer sheets in my shoes to help them from stinking up the rest of my stuff!
Speaking of, I realized my shoe has a hole this morning. Hopefully, I am getting new ones soon.
5. If you’re staying at a hotel make sure you have enough time to get back and shower before check out. I cut this way too close in Arizona!
6. Have Fun! Traveling and running are two of my favorite past-times. They should be enjoyed Don’t let a bad race ruin a good trip!!!
thanks for share!
That race is on my 2012 list! I ran the Salem half this past September and it was HILLY!
Dude, you are SO fast! Good job with the race! Sounds like a super fun weekend!
Drier sheets in sneaks.. that is smart!
Oh my word…I just moved to the cape from Salem!!! My friends company B&S Fitness was in charge of that race and I was going to run it but had my nieces party….man we could have met up!!!
That would have been cool to meet up! Next time for sure 🙂
Congrats on a great race! It was nice to see you at the start 🙂
Yes! Good to see you too! How’d ya do?
I would have turned around in the other direction after seeing the snow- this California girl is scurred of the cold and snow! You did a fantastic job and good lordy you are fast!
I had to no choice but to run in the cold since I was there with girls who thought it was “warm”! They are hardcore!!!
OMG! You smoked that thing! That must have felt great 🙂
Congrats and thanks for sharing the great tips 🙂
It looks like you had a fun trip! Great job on the run….your times are so speedy! 🙂
Congrats; great job! I’m so happy for you. You’re fabulous…
Congratulations on another great race! I’m still a little nervous to travel far for a race…maybe one day soon thought 🙂
After my race (10k) today I stopped at DD for coffee and got super bummed when I dropped it in my driveway….major fail!!!!! That coffee shop looked super cute!
Keep up the great running-you really are getting faster.
Dropping DD is totally something I would have done.
Then, I would have went out and got another one (or two). I’m addicted.
Dude congrats on the race! I wish I could run half that fast, you’re a machine!
Looks like you guys had a great time! Congrats on doing well on the race! I LOVE MaryLou’s!
You are so fast! I would be really stressed out if I were traveling to a race. Knowing me, I would end up forgetting something really important, like my shoes 🙂
I usually triple check for my shoes like someone with OCD.
Girl you are speedy! I second Kara — not believing you any more when you say you are slow.
Glad you enjoyed Boston. My hometown is the start of the Boston Marathon — it’s a great area!
You can no longer say that you’re not fast! We all know you’re speedy 🙂
Great job on that race and enjoy the knowledge that you’d totally whoop me in a race!
Congrats on your race and good for you for showing up even though there’s snow on the ground 🙂 I remember once I ran a 5k with my sister at home in NY around Christmas time… little did we know that the whole course was an out and back covered in ice!
Great time! I hate when my garmin takes forever to load up.
Nice job and great time!!! I love travelling for races. It’s like a vacation with a big event 🙂
Me too! Traveling for races is my favorite 🙂
Awesome job on the race – it sounds like you had a great time in Boston. I can’t wait to see what is coming up next!!
Congrats on the run- it looks/sounds like you girls had a blast!!
awesome job on the race!! that coffee shop looks cute!
Congrats on a great race! And in the cold weather no less.
It looks like you’re having a great weekend with your friends.
I wear those same Asics 2150s and get holes in the toes just where yours are.
Enjoy the rest of your day…and have a safe trip back to California!
Yeah, my holey shoes are the 2150s. I guess it’s just what happens?
Glad you are having such a great weekend, it’s been hilarious to follow! Running in the cold just makes you tougher =). Congrats on your time!
Thanks 🙂
Congratulations on a great run! Looks like it was fun! 🙂
Me thinks your Garmin was just sluggish because of the snow. Makes me pokey, too. Congrats on your race time!!
Yeah, I think my Garmin didn’t want to get out of bed and into the cold yesterday 😉
Hi friend, you are my hero for running a race with snow on the ground. BRR!
All of your iced coffee escapades make me want to find a place in CA with good iced coffee. I never make it right.
Amanda, seriously. We need to find good iced coffee around SoCal. That stuff was so good.
Great race! I totally bring extra baggies when on any trip. I know that if I work out at all I’m going to want to put those stinky clothes in something. 🙂
Congrats to you girls on the race!!!!!!!! That coffee place looks so cute!!
Great job on the race!! I’m hoping for nice weather like the for my half next weekend! 🙂
I’m sending good weather vibes your way 🙂
You seriously need to change your little motto from “I run far but I don’t run fast” to “I run far AND I run fast.” SO impressive!
Thank you. This comment totally made me smile 🙂