Race Report: Naughty or Nice 5K 2016

I ran Naughty or Nice last year, so this marks the first time I've run the same race two years in a row. This is a fun costume race with free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a candy cane stilt walker. Last year there were 373 finishers; this year that number increased to 513!

Training & Goals
I haven't been keeping up my base miles at the end of the year so I had no great expectations for this race. I just hoped to run better than last year's Naughty or Nice (36:07). It was the first race I'd run with my new Garmin 235 running watch, which was fun.

Race Day: December 17, 2016
Getting to the race start in Lake Mary was uneventful. It was 61° (15 degrees warmer than last year's race!) with 94% humidity at the start.

Mile 1: 11:03
It was so crowded at the start! I stayed closer to the back of the pack and I spent a lot of time dodging around people. I was also running intervals myself (2 | :30) so I did my best to signal and get out of the way when slowing to walk.

Mile 2: 10:44
Seeing the lead runners coming back is so motivating to me. So is seeing everyone who is behind me, haha! That's my reason for liking out-and-back courses.

Mile 3+: 10:49, 1:56*

Chip time: 33:05
Placement details: 22/49 in Age Group; 259/513 total finishers
Race Amenities: Cotton t-shirt and finisher medal. The shirt and medal were almost the same as last year's swag, which was a bit disappointing. I don't think I'll run this race again.
Cost: $25.50

*I often forget to turn off my Garmin after a race, so the final time is skewed.

Report written December 19, 2016

Running photo (c) Almost There Photography