Races and runs

2013 Running and racing goals
2012 review: Went from a 36 minute 5K to a 28:45. Ran a 7:58 mile, but don’t have the endurance to sustain it. My longest race was a 10k, which I did two of. My best time was under an hour. I also did a triathlon, but got a minute added because my swimming stinks.
Running goals: Build endurance
and speed. Have fun. Do more hill work.
Race goals: Compete in enough local grand prix events to get a certificate (did five out of nine this year); do a half-marathon; compete in another triathlon and not get a time penalty), and join a running or multi-sport group.

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Race: Freezin’ 5K
When: 9 a.m., Dec. 8, 2012
Where: California, Pa.
Weather:Mid 50s, overcast
Course description: Two laps through the California University of Pennsylvania campus. We started by Eberly Hall — on a flat — then proceeded up to a large hill that led behind campus. We continued downhill toward the other end of campus until we go to a parking lot. There we cut through campus and looped around Eberly. We did the loop twice.
Race notes: A class organized the race as its project for the semester. They did a good job. They gave out medals for the top three places in each age group. They also had drawings for gift certificates and California University T-shirts. My daughter won her age group (0-20), while my husband placed second in his and set a record the year (under 24 minutes). As a family, we broke our record, completing the race in under 37 minutes.