Rescue Run 2012

Before the end of the year, Mark, Sophia (my daughter) and I registered for the 2012 Rescue Run, the annual New Year’s Day run in Palmer Park that benefits the El Paso County Search and Rescue (EPCSAR). This is a pretty challenging course for both the 5K and 10K with the first mile being a long uphill climb, after which the 5K runners turn around and the 10K runners continue through some rolling hills before heading back down.

I tried to talk my boys into running the 5K but they were both skeptical about a post New Year’s Eve run (even with the later start of 10 a.m.) – they opted to sleep in on the first day of the year. Waking up after a late night ringing in 2012, I definitely appreciated the wisdom of my sons and was tempted to sleep in instead of heading over to the park on what was a pretty chilly morning (temps in the 20s, windchill around 10 degrees but plenty of sunshine).

I fought the desire to stay in my warm bed, fueled by Sophia’s enthusiasm and joined the 800+ runners for the 5K/10K. I am very happy that my daughter motivated me to run this first run of the new year – it was a beautiful course that I had never run before – it was great to be out there and bring in the new year right! Sophia did a great job completing the 5K and Mark ended up having a great 10K race!