Runner's World Heartbreak Hill Five & Dime Race Recap and your chance to RUN your own RW Hat Trick before the year is over! YAYYYYYYYYYY!

Runner's World magazine paid for my race entry, dorm accommodations, and some meals. All opinions are mine.

After all the craziness of the "Back of the Pack" talk this past week. I wanted to let you guys know how completely awesome the Runners World Five and Dime races were...

On Saturday me and all the #ROOMIES woke up in our awesome dorm rooms and started getting ready for the 5k and 10k. Staying in the dorms on campus was like the smartest thing EVER. The 5k started at 7:30 and it was a short 5 minute walk from the dorms to the start. BRILLIANT!

Yes, Melanie, Presley, Dani, and I look more awake at 7:00am than my roommates and I ever did in college. HMMMMM! We took a quick walk to the start and I headed over to the 9 minute mile pace marker to meet up with Amanda.

We snapped some quick pics and Melanie and I made our way back to the 12 minute mile pacer. We knew we were taking it easy all 3 of the races, so that's where we felt comfortable. One thing that is awesome about a Runners World race is that there are all different types of runners that are running it. So you never really feel out of place no matter what your pace.

The 5k was around the reservoir and it was gorgeous. I have never been a fan of the 5k distance, mainly because I don't feel good until around mile 4. Taking it easy on the 5k was smart knowing we had a 10k starting at 8:30. We crossed the finish in 39 minutes. It was slow but it was a blast. I went to go find David Tratner, the man who is in charge of all the blogger craziness this weekend, to congratulate him on his very first race medal.

Shortly after the 5k ended, it was time to line up for the 10k.The 10k course was an out and back on Heartbreak Hill. It started out downhill and it was amazing until I realized I had to come back up the hills, lol! Of course living on the Gulf Coast, we don't really have any hills, but I was excited to "conquer" the hills. There was quite a bit of crown support to along the course. I knew I had to stop for a pic with this guy...

Yep, that's Heartbreak Hill Bill!

The 10k was an amazing course and the finish line was awesome. Love seeing this guy at the finish cheering everyone on.

Bart Yasso, chief running officer for Runners World Magazine. Yeah this guy has run thousands of races, and still motivates people to run like no one can. If you ever get a chance to hear him talk, you must go. You will feel inspired the moment he starts to talk.

After the "Five and Dime" was over, we met up with the roomie some other bloggers for a quick pic.

Amanda, Dani, Melanie, and Kimberly. Love meeting Kimberly for the first time. I have been following her blog for a while. She is Ah-mazing.

After the race we also ran into the ever inspiring Sarah Reinertsen. She was the first person in history to finish an Ironman with a prosthetic leg. AHHHHHH! Since meeting her every time I think of an excuse as to why I don't want to train for my Ironman, I think about Sarah. One of the things she told us in her keynote speech, was to always smile. I have been smiling since.

We, of course, had to make our way over to Dunkin Donuts for our post race treat. I had to take a medal pic in line while waiting on my green ice tea and free doughnut. Oh yeah it was National Doughnut Day, #Boommmmmm!

Overall the "Five and Dime" was a blast. I would tell anyone who may not be ready for the Hat Trick or even a half, to try out the 5&10. Its amazing what your body can do if you allow it.


Runner's World Magazine can put on a race and guess what you wont have to wait till next year to go to one...

The 3rd annual Runner's World Half & Festival in Bethleham PA, is coming in October. If you guys have been following me for a while, I attended the RWHalf  2 years ago and it was an amazing race. I am hoping to get out to PA for this years festival. Its after my half Ironman attempt, so I may be needing a runcation. I would love to hear if your planning on going out to PA. Here's more about the RWHalf...

The Runner's World Half Marathon & Festival

October 17-19, 2014
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Runner's World is pleased to kick off the 2014 Runner's World Half Marathon and running Festival in our own backyard–Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The festival weekend includes a 5K, 10K, half marathon, kids races, seminars, live music, and the return of the Hat Trick!
The racecourses feature Bethlehem's historic neighborhoods, including some of the town's original 1741 settlement, two renowned colleges, Lehigh University and Moravian College, and the former Bethlehem Steel complex–where the backbone of the nation was literally forged.
The festival weekend next year will include:

• Seminars
• Live music
• Running films
• Prerace dinner with Runner's World editors
• Kids races, children's programming, and a children's competitive mile with prize money going to the top 6 winners' schools (Friday)
• 5K and 10K races (Saturday)
• Half marathon (Sunday)

And if that's not enough for you, take on our multiple-race options – the Hat Trick (5K, 10K, and Half Marathon) or the Five & Dime (5K and 10K).
Once again, HQ for the weekend will be on the grounds of the beautifully refurbished Bethlehem Steel Mill and ArtsQuest SteelStacks campus

 

I hope that you guys will check it out and go see the gorgeous city of Bethleham. Trust me its amazing. Until the Keep Running and Keep Smiling...

 

 

Have you ever run multiple races in the same day? Weekend?