#RWHalf Day 3...Five and Dime Time

Rolling right into Day #3...The Five and Dime!!  If you missed my last two updates you can hear all about Rodale and Bart Yasso, as well as my first trail race with Altra!

After the trail race we headed back to the Arts Quest building for the expo and to pick up our numbers for the rest of the week.  I may or may not have chatted it up with Deena Kastor as her adorable girl got ready for the kids race!  We cheered her on and off she went!  The expo was just the right size...enough vendors to have most of what you could need but not too big that it was overwhelming!

Since we were doing the Hat Trick (5k, 10k, and half) we had one number for all (and another bib with my name on it---score!) and some fun swag (a winter hat with a ponytail hole--love--a long sleeve tech shirt, and a pair of Balega socks).  I ended up having my ankle taped up by the fabulous KT ladies just to make sure I wouldn't have to deal with it during the races (and a good excuse to meet and talk with the fabulous Sarah @lilmac2442).  Then it was time to grab dinner and head to bed!

From Sarah's pic after the half!

The next morning was crisp to be kind...winter is breathing down on New England in that creepy "I'm coming for you" way and even us New Englanders were not ready for it!  There were plenty of indoor bathrooms at the start line (sweet!) and a very easy bag drop.  Many layers later we were lined up for the 5k!  Bart was ready with his bike to lead the way!

While my roomie and a few others headed to the front in order to "not race", I hung back with Dani and crew knowing that in order for this Hat Trick to go well and have fun, I needed to be with her! She's done it before and knows how to do it right if fun is the name of the game!

The 5k was a little hilly but nothing compared to the rest of the races.  I haven't run a 5k in so long but since we weren't racing this one I was more than happy to let others set the pace and have fun cheering everyone on!  I may or may not have screamed wicked loud every time I saw my roomie Allie!

Oh yeah no biggie here...I'm going with my cheering helped Allie along to win the trail, 5k, and 10k in Masters...I told you she was legit!!!

A selfie at each mile marker later and we sprinted towards the finish to get in under 30 min!  I honestly had more fun than this very unflattering picture reflects!

We had about an hour to head back into the Arts Quest building, warm up, and gear up to run the 10k.

Same mission...have fun and take selfies...including one with Runner's World Editor-in-Chief David Willey who we also sang happy birthday to!

I really had a blast!  This was the first time I hadn't gone into a race and actually raced it, with the exception of a few 5ks that I helped friends and family complete.  I just went out and experienced all that there was there to take in of the town of Bethlehem and the unique features of the Runner's World race.  I will go into it more tomorrow when we wrap it up with the half marathon but I think it was a great way to experience a race!

After the 10k, we headed back to the hotel to shower and rest a bit.  We had a big night which included a pasta dinner with the Runner's World staff (seriously more amazing food!) and a talk from Ted Spiker author of Big Guy blog and the book DownSize and creator of the Sub 30 Club.  There were many of the club members at the dinner and it was really nice to meet them and talk about their goals.  It really sounds to me like an amazingly supportive group.  You can find them on Facebook!

After dinner we headed over to the casino.  Some of the crew were game to gamble a bit but the smoky air and my frugal thoughts kept me from staying.  A group of us were headed back to the hotel when we stumbled upon a club...featuring Pat Benatar live in concert!  As only would happen on this type of weekend, the bouncer had 6 extra tickets and before we knew it we were jamming out to an acoustic Pat and her husband!

Let's be honest here....Kristin, Larisa, and Karla were really the ones officially jamming out...like in the whole place!  It was certainly fun and a night of unexpected happenings!!  Just what we needed before running a half marathon!!!  Stay tuned....