First Run of 2012 w/ the Boston Triathlon Team

Elle: For NYE we went to a small party hosted by our long-time friend and running buddy Sean. Not only did we get to see some friends we have not seen in awhile, but we also met new friends who share our triathlon addiction.

Webb: We had planned to run for 1:25 at an endurance pace on New Year's Day. As luck would have it, we met Ed from the Boston Triathlon Team at the party. He invited us to join him and other triathletes from several teams for a 9-miler the next day. [The actual route was closer to 11 or 12, but we were only going to do 9ish. Some of the other runners did longer runs, up to 20 miles.]

Ed & Elle post New Year's Day run

THE WORKOUT: 85:00 Endurance Run (HR Zones 1-2)
Boston Marathon route from Woodland T stop to Crossroads pub.

Webb: Today was the greatest day in the history of new year's day in Boston. Super bright, sunny day in the mid-40's. In the sun, it actually felt ... warm? We even saw one guy running shirtless.

Elle: We met up at Crossroads at 11am and rode the T out to the Woodland stop, which dropped us right on the Boston Marathon route (which means we got in all of the hills of Newton). In addition to the super fantastic weather, at the top of Heartbreak Hill, I couldn't believe it, but there was Karen Smyers handing out Gatorade, which couldn't have come at a better time.

Webb: It is not everyday you get to have an Ironman World Champion hand out refreshments to you on a training run.

Elle: It was truly a great way to start the year, a nice, easy run on a gorgeous day.
When we got back to Crossroads, they had pitchers of water and delicious, hot, steamy vegetable soup, which really hit the spot. As people poured in from their run, the place got packed with runners and triathletes, including Karen Smyers and Dede Griesbauer. It was so cool to be surrounded by people you can talk to about triathlons and racing, who share your same interests. Let's hope this is a sign of good things to come in 2012.