#chasingawaywinter

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Hello February

February 2024

February is a fun month. C’mon, it’s short; it’s got Groundhog Day, Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day, just to name a few. This year it even has Leap Year! And it’s not January, which seems like the longest month of the year. When it comes to racing and outdoor running in January in Georgia, it is always a crap-shoot. You never know what kind of weather you’re going to experience. It could be sunny, snowing, raining, warm; sometimes all on the same day!

 This January lived up to it’s chaotic reputation; starting out very cold the first half of the month, then switched to monsoon season. I started off with a bang by completing the New Year’s Day 5k followed by the Championship Races the next weekend. The New Year’s Day race has become a very popular one and it’s good to see so many people starting off the new year with fitness as a priority. The Championship Races draw a smaller crowd and thereby offer me and other slower runners/walkers a shot at the prized trophies. Both of those races were very cold; temps in the 20-30’s, but I have to admit that when the Ugly Pajama 5k came up on January 20, the single digit temperatures kept me from going out that morning. We registered for the virtual option and waiting until later in the day when it wasn’t quite so bitter cold. 

But January wasn’t done with me yet. It still had some snake eyes to throw my way. All my racing plans were derailed by two family emergencies that took me away, mentally and physically. I wasn’t able to do the Java Jog on January 27th or the Surf & Sun 5k on February 3rd as planned. The Surf & Sun at West Bank Park on Lake Lanier is one of my favorites. However, I’m looking forward to another of my favorites this month: The Super Sunday 5k at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Dawsonville on Sunday, February 11th. It’s a Super Bowl themed race that ends with the option of spiking the football at the goal line. Last year the football field was being repaired so we spiked on the basketball goal. Still fun!

Also that weekend, on Saturday, February 10th, is the Chasing Away Winter. I’ve done this 5k several times over the years and have mixed emotions about it. It’s in the North Georgia mountain town of Dahlonega inside beautiful Camp Glisson. Scenery along the course is phenomenal but the hills are no joke. It will offer you an excellent workout and also benefits good organization, Dahlonega UMC Mothers Morning Out & Preschool. There’s a virtual option that fits more for me these days which I will take advantage of. 

Finally in February is an opportunity to take celebrate 2024’s Leap Year with the Leap Day 5k on February 29th in Atlanta along the Atlanta Beltline. This is an after work evening race at 6pm and any ‘Leapings” (a person born on a leap year) can run for free. How fun for you leap year babies!

Happy February & Happy Running!

Kerry