On New Years Day I ran the Resolution Run in Virginia Beach. For the last several years the race was called Hair of the Dog.
I’ve run it several times (2012, 2013, 2015), but the 2016 race changed race directors with a new name. Dad and I decided to try to win the formal wear title. Sadly we did not win. The women who won was far more dressed up than us and deserved to win! The dress I chose is actually from Wet Seal.
The race started at 10 and honestly I was okay with the later start. Normally that is a little late for me, but I was exhausted and preferred to catch up on an extra few hours of sleep. I warmed up two laps around Mount Trashmore which was about 4 miles. I saw several local friends which was nice.
I quickly changed into my dress and headed to the start. The race went off at 10:02. Even though it was an “inaugural race” it didn’t feel like it and everything went smoothly. Immediately after the race started, I found myself as first women overall. There was a pack of several males in front of me, including local legend Steve S. I felt better than anticipated and hit my first mile in 5:47. After I hit the first mile, the wheels began turning that I could possibly PR. I was actually more shocked than anything. My fastest mile in over two years (granted I really haven’t raced a mile all out).
The course was out and back, and I knew the second half would be windier. I hit the turn around in 9:06. While making the sharp 180, I lost traction and nearly wiped out. One male took the turn much better and passed me. After the turn around I focused on the two men directly in front. I passed actually passed them and hit the second mile in 5:55.
The third mile consisted of riding the pain train home. I wanted a PR, so badly. By the third mile, I knew I was in contention to earn it. We passed many people going the opposite direction who were cheering. I zoned out and hit the third mile in 6:04.
As I saw the clock strike 18:00 during the last .1, I knew I was going to PR. I had the last .1 to stare at the clock and relish in my personal victory. A complete course is important after my near miss of a PR with a short course at the Bone Run. I crossed the line in 18:22 which is a 13-second lifetime PR and 26 second recent PR.
Thoughts:
I still cannot believe I Pred. It honestly feels surreal. I felt good, but the race didn’t seem effortless. I do think I have a faster race ahead sometime in 2016, but it feels awesome to start 2016 off with a solid race.
Questions for you:
Have you ever done a themed race?
How was your New Years Eve and New Years Day?
Congrats on the PR and the win! Sounds like you really got into the zone and got it done.
Wow. Just wow! Congrats on the PR!! I’m hoping to break 20 minutes this year. I started my year off with a New Year’s Day race as well with a 20:40 which was a 16 second PR for me. Only 40 more seconds to lose… Ha! In the 5k that’s tough. Our race wasn’t themed though. Maybe one day I’ll be as speedy as you. 😉 here’s to a rocking 2016!!
I need to make a point to do that race next year. HUGE congrats on the PR!
Yes! It was fun and there was free beer at the after party.
Wow! That’s an amazing time and a great way to start your year. Congratulations! 🙂
wow, that is an amazing time – i am working my ass off to get a new PR this year, its been a while and I am ready for it!
What a great start to 2016! Love that you did it in a dress too! I PR’d my local 5 mile trail race which was brilliant. Finishing amongst some guys with very fast roadrace times.
That’s so awesome and congrats on PRing, especially on a trail race 🙂
Congratulations on your new PR and a great race- I love that you PRed when you didn’t really expect to and when wearing a formal dress (I do like the dress and you and your dad look cute in the photos). That’s a big breakthrough for your to PR by so much and I hope 2016 continues to go your way!
SO SO SO happy for you!!! You’ve worked so hard to get to this point and nobody deserved that PR more than you. Congrats!
Congratulations on your huge PR!! I love that you did it wearing a dress – I cracked up looking at the picture on Instagram! It just goes to show that our best races aren’t always on the days we expect. You have worked so hard this past year and all of it finally paid off! I love watching your progress. Maybe you’ll break 18 minutes in 2016?!
That would be a dream come true. Thanks for your support Danielle! I’m glad I could provide you with the LOLZ.
I can’t believe you ran that time in. a. dress. Mad respect, girl!
Congrats Hollie!! I suppose it’s always important to dress for success lol. Can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store for you!
yay for hitting that PR!!! New Year’s day must be a day for great races, my half marathon that day was one of my best times ever. congrats you have worked so hard for that and you were in costume!!
That’s awesome and I’m glad to hear about your half. Which one was it? I know of the hangover half!
it was in Allen, TX the New Years Double. half or full on NYE and NYD
Oh that’s awesome!
That is a look of pure determination on your face during the home stretch there. Congrats on your PR! Very impressive.
You are so awesome! I needed some motivation this afternoon to get my butt off the sofa and do my strength workout. Dayum! Girl you are inspirational. And, I love the fact that your dad runs races with you, that makes my heart happy. Keep going Hollie, there are some big things in your future, I can feel it 🙂
Thank you! My dad has actually been running far longer than I have 🙂
So awesome! Congrats
Congratulations you have worked so hard for that PR! A lovely way to start the year.
Congratulations! What a way to start out the year! Can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds for you! Have a great week! 🙂
Wow, awesome way to start out 2016 Hollie. You must be thrilled with your performance. Plus, your dress would have caused a little extra time due to the wind and it blowing a bit! That is my theory anyway! My big race, Mickey Marathon is coming up this weekend!
Congrats on your PR! I sometimes think PRs hit us when we least expect them. Nothing beats that feeling of seeing the clock and knowing you’re going to make it!
Now THAT is a pretty freaking epic way to start out a new year, and hopefully it’s just a sign of what’s to come 😀 Congratulations on an awesome race and PR, Hollie!
HOLY HELL that’s fast, Hollie!!!! I love how you called the last mile the pain train. I’m so curious to know how I’ll feel next week when I run the 5K. When I do shorter distances I always feel like throwing up, so I don’t think I’ll eat anything beforehand. My race starts at 8, so it’s doable but if it started at 10am then I’d have a much harder time not eating. Anyway, congratulations again and I loved the description!
Congrats on the new pr, that awesome,great way to start the new season.
I was SO HAPPY when I saw this on FB I actually gasped and scared my husband 🙂 You so deserve this woman!! You work so hard and I love that you were able to start relishing your PR in that last .1 Pain train be damned!!!
Saaa-weeeeeet! Big things to come in 2016 for you!