outrunningthefork

The Greater Hartford Quarter Marathon – April 1

No foolin’! This is a quarter marathon route — about 6.55 miles – – a double loop around the West Hartford Reservoir. It’s a gorgeous course that I’ve run as a 5K and for this event.

Put on by the same folks who bring us one of my absolute favorite half marathons – Sonic Endurance. All of their races have a real family feel and this one is no exception.

The weather for April 1 can be unpredictable in New England and we were on weather watch for this one for sure! Friday afternoon packet pickup was held in Glastonbury so I headed over after work. Grabbed my bib and tshirt and came home to get ready.

Event Shirt back and medal – my ribbon fell off but it’s still pretty!!

Rain was in the forecast. Or snow. But there was definitely going to be precipitation. Because of this the post race festivities were being cancelled so the awesome volunteers wouldn’t have to hang around in the rain.

It looked like I was going to have to pull out my Toasty Tights again, but forecasts said it would be less cold than my St. Patricks Day races had been so I went with some Go The Distance tights, my Toasty Girl Vest (Skirt Sports saves the day again!!), and a plastic rain poncho! When I left the house, it was rainy/drizzly

When I woke up on April Fool’s Day — the weather was….still pretty unpredictable.

On the drive up to the race, I went through some rain. And some sleet. And, was that a little bit of snow? When I got to the West Hartford Reservoir I found a good parking spot and settled in. And watched the icy rain/snow slide down the windshield.

Start time approached so I pulled on my plastic raincoat and headed to the start line – it was a bit drizzly and quite windy and chilly! Someone asked if I planned to wear the plastic the whole time and really I had no idea!

Spoiler: I did keep the poncho on the whole time – which was good since the weather changed every couple of miles!

There was a small section of mud running which I do NOT like – I’m clumsy enough as it is and feared falling in the cold mud so walked that bit both times I went through! Otherwise I managed to keep to my intervals pretty good and while I didn’t set any records I had a good time!

Post Race — one day I will not make dumb faces in selfies!!

Post race I grabbed a cupcake and headed home to shower and warm up!

My next race was coming up the next week – my first time running the Hershey 10K!

**This post contains affiliate links. As a Skirt Sports Ambassador I receive my awesome running clothes at a discount – and so can you!! Just use code SPRINGCPT20 when you shop at Skirt Sports – either online or at the Boulder store!**

Tags: #affiliate, April Fool, Quarter Marathon, Reservoir, SKirt Sports Ambassador