Love The Run You're With 5K

Yesterday was Pacers' second annual Love the Run You're With 5K race in Arlington, VA. This is a unique race because you have the option to choose from one of the following categories:

- Codependent (in a relationship)

- Stupid Cupid (single)

- Love 'Em and Leave 'Em (it's complicated)

Awards were given to the fastest times in each category.

It was a cold and windy day, although given the unseasonably cold weather the Washington DC metro area had been having, it could have been a lot colder!

I had the opportunity to check-in with a few of the ambassadors to get their thoughts on the race: Michael Lynch (stupid cupid), Alexis Tressler (codependent) and Brigid Cahill (stupid cupid).

Why did you decide to run this race?

Michael: I chose this race because it's the first Pacers event of the new year, also I enjoyed running it last year.

Alexis: It's such a fun idea for a race thought up by Pacers! I love running and I love themed events, so what could be better?!?!

Brigid: My friend and I were looking for a Valentine’s Day race to run. We liked the concept of this race.  Having the different categories and bib colors, as well as, being able to sign up as a team was fun.  We also enjoy karaoke so having the karaoke contest after made for double the fun.

Brigid post-race at champs

What was your favorite part of the race?

Michael: It was actually the satisfaction of volunteering with set-up and tear down.  Oh, and the race wasn't half bad either!

Alexis: This year I volunteered for the packet pick-up ahead of time and it was so wonderful to see all of the enthusiasm in the matching outfits, monkey suits.

Brigid: My favorite part of the race was getting to socialize with fellow runners after the race at champs.  It was a fun group of people and I enjoyed hearing about their experiences running.   

How would you describe the course?

Michael: Pretty straightforward.  Killer hill in the beginning, but it all works out because you can coast down said hill in the last stretch of the race.

Alexis: Little uphill. Lotta downhill. Little uphill. Quick drop. Sprint to the finish.

Brigid: I would describe the course as flat overall.  The course had one major hill at the start and a few rolling hills. But the good news was you got to run down the big hill at the end and finish strong! My favorite part of the course was the finish.  There were a lot of spectators there cheering the runners in! 

Did you have a goal for this race and did you attain it?

Michael: My goal was to finish without slowing to a walk (being this is my slow time of the year for running); and I accomplished it.

Alexis: A friend of mine who registered to run with her boyfriend was left solo when he had a last minute business trip. So, I decided to run for fun with her! And fun we had! Followed by an awesome brunch and some mimosas!

Brigid: Originally I had a goal to run the race at a 10 minute mile pace but after being sick all week I decided to just run it to finish.  However, after reaching mile 1 and then mile 2 in under a 10 minute pace I decided to push myself and go for a new goal of doing it in less than 30 minutes. So my goals changed as I began to run but I achieved all of them finishing at 29:55!

Alexis Pre-Race

What's next for you?

Michael: Next on the agenda, is the totally awesome Four Courts Four next month.  Though I'm hoping for less of a downpour this year!

Alexis: I'm thinking about a last minute registration for the GW Birthday Classic, but if not, then I'll be running the Disney Princess Half Marathon in two weeks.

Brigid: The Four Courts Four Miler!

If you are codependent, have you and your partner ever run together:

Alexis: Yes, and things can get a little competitive! What I mean by that, is I can get a little competitive!  We have fun though and it usually works out to better each of our times when we run together. We will have our own mini 2011 "Tressler race series" and the winner will likely get to pick our next vacation spot! It keeps running fun and adds a little extra incentive to out-kicking one another (which has def happened!!!) at the end.  The couple that runs together, stays together, right :)

Thank you to Michael, Alexis and Brigid for taking the time to be interviewed and congrats to you all on your races!