Fresh start for 2014...and Bold in the Cold Race Review

I just looked back over my last post, which was last JULY?! - so much for my plans to do a race review for every race last year.  I definitely ran a few more in 2013, but I'll admit that my fitness level definitely deteriorated after September - just lots of life changes that I let get in the way.  In an effort to get back to climbing, crawling and running shape, I'm signed up with a new gym/trainer and I've already put together a Spring schedule that includes a race a month through July.  I have races planned for the latter half of the year, but those are longer distances, so I'll be re-working a schedule for the fall later in the year.  Here is a list of the races I am targeting:

2014 Races

January 11, 2014 – Bold in the Cold 15K - DONE

February 2, 2014 – Too Cold to Hold 5M – not registered yet

February 8, 2014 – Hot Chocolate 15K

March 29, 2014 – Women Rock ½ Marathon – not registered yet

April 19, 2014 – Hit and Run 5K

May 11, 2014 – Gladiator Rock N Run 5K

May 18, 2014 – Spartan Super

July 13, 2014 – Too Hot to Handle 15K – not registered yet

September 13, 2014 – Savage Race – not registered yet

October 5, 2014 – Tough Mudder – not registered yet

November 8, 2014 – Nashville Marathon – not registered yet

Date TBD – Spartan Beast – not registered

Date TBD – Spartan Sprint – not registered

I have high hopes to get in a full marathon this year and I am DEFINITELY getting my orange headband at Tough Mudder this year.  I was registered for 2013, but a number of elements came together and I wasn't able to make the race.  I start the year with a few road races, middle of the year are some OCRs, then it mixes up a little.  

First race for 2014 was the Bold in the Cold 15K out at Lake Grapevine.  I have not been running much, just a few short ones here and there (officially on schedule now), so I was nervous about a 10 mile race.  Turns out, no problems!  I have been working out, so I was not in completely terrible shape, and I took a few short walk breaks at the water stops, but overall, it was great.  I had never run out at Lake Grapevine before and I have to say that it's just beautiful out there.  The course was pretty challenging - who knew there were hills in Grapevine? - and the weather was perfect.  Theresa and I had a lot of fun, we talked the entire race and it was over much faster than I expected.  The shirt is a really cute, women's sized tech shirt, which is always a plus - especially since this race is very reasonably priced.  I think they had cotton shirts last year, but those runners also got beanies, which several people were wearing.  I was happy with the tech shirt instead.  

For a small-ish race, the organization and support were amazing.  All of the volunteers on the course were cheering and saying nice things, the police officers were very friendly and the water stops were so clean and set up well.  I was really impressed with the overall feel of the race and how nice everyone was.  The LGRAW group did a really great job and I will be keeping an eye on their events going forward.  It was nice to run a new place and I would love to see more events like this.  Here is a pic of me and Theresa at the start line and a screen shot of my final route from mapmyrun.com: 

Great start to the new year!