Jingle Bell HELL recap

The infamous Michael Sonnemaker statue was
our start/finish line for each hilly loop.

Last night I gathered up all the red, green and white that my running wardrobe had to offer in preparation for the Jingle Bell Hell.  I wish a trip to Berkley, California was in my cards to run the JBH with XLMIC herself.  Instead, I created a local fun run and invited my Sole Sisters to join in.

The objective of the Jingle Bell Hell run was to put together a challenging course of hills and run a 1/3 marathon (8.75 miles). I designed a winding course of 4.45 miles through Springdale Cemetery and Glen Oak Park.  I wanted to give the option of 1 or 2 loops, depending on individual abilities.

So this morning, we all bundled up and met at 8:00am to complete our hellish run.  It was a chilly 24 degrees at the start, but the sun was shining so brightly!  It was a beautiful morning and by time we were done, it was up to 40 degrees already.

Now I've been giving my foot a lot of rest this week - no running, all biking and boxing.  So I wasn't sure what to expect of my Jingle Bell Hell run.  The roads through Springdale aren't the best (broken cement, rocks, uneven), so I watched my footfall and concentrated on my steps.  The foot feels sore, but no pain, so I'm happy with that.

Eighteen ladies showed up to run Peoria's first Jingle Bell Hell.  We broke up into a couple different groups based on pace and tried not to get lost on my winding course.  I was so impressed on how everyone trudged up those hills.  Even with hill interval training on the bike the last two weeks, I could feel every muscle in my legs working to get up those hills.

Two loops of up and down, up and down = 1/3 Marathon baby!

There's a reason there is only one letter difference 

between the words HILL and HELL!

On the second loop, I started to feel the hills a bit more.  As my legs started to scream, I focused on a halfway point up the hill ... and crawl towards that until I slowed to a walk.  Even with a couple walk breaks on the big hills, my group maintained a pretty good pace of 10:31 average.  I was pleased with that for my first run back and ahem... the hills!

My Jingle Bell Hell stats

8.93 miles in 1:33:50

"Don't look up!"

Once we were done, I promised the gals hot chocolate waiting at the finish.  We laughed (mandatory for XLMIC!), we hugged, we snapped pictures, we told stories and discussed holiday plans over yummy hot cocoa.  Despite the hellish run, it was AWESOME to spend a Sunday morning with my Sistas.  I think we'll make the Jingle Bell Hell an annual tradition in Peoria.  Thanks for the great idea and hosting the virtual event XLMIC.

 We all look funny squinting into the sun!

 Happy to be done with Hills!

 Yeah, she's a crazy Bears fan, but I still love my Steph!

Hot chocolate for all - perfect warmup after a chilly run!