It was December 31st, 2013 and at around 9 pm we started the whole process of getting dressed to go out. This wasn’t a “I am gonna wear my most fabulous”-getting-dressed -frenzy all over the apartment as it usually happens right before the end of the year. This was a “how many more layers can I manage to move to put on and still be able to bend my legs to run?” hour long debacle. We wore it all. We were going to be out there for 2 or 3 hours, and this is what the electronics spit out:

If I am going for a run, I will wear layers of dri-fit. If I am not going to run, well, warm clothes…. but this would be both… I decided to skip all running clothes and go with the warmest stuff I could think of, that would still let me move. Two pairs of tights, an underarmour heat layer, more layers, a goose feather jacket and all the night lights I had. Plus my new Brooks Pure Flow 3. We had even bought night sticks and finger leds… We looked ridiculous. Luckily, we love that.

As we’re a bit over a mile away from the start, we run to the park to get there. What a surprise to see Fred Lebow all dressed up of the occasion! Festive Fred!

So cute. I tried running. My lungs were frozen… It hurt. Then we did this little jog so we wouldn’t sweat and then had to be out there all wet. Got there soon enough. The music was SO loud! there were TONS of people…. Tons! There were lights and people dressed up… a very festively event!

We put our over jackets in baggage and went to meet up with Elaine and Tom. Meeting people there is NOT easy. Note for next year, meet people BEFORE you go into the park… We took some pictures so we wouldn’t freeze. It was like 10:30 when we got there and we still had an hour and a half to start running… let’s not freeze, let’s not freeze…

oh yes, I also had a pink tiara, which would prove to be not so aerodynamiky to run with!

Midnight Glowy Runners!

Elaine and I had decided to wear our tutus. Because there was no time (or intention!!) to figure out costumes but this is better than nothing!

Tom, Elaine, me and Juan. Glowing in the dark!

We met up with other friends, Michelle, Kat, and Joe, and here is just a few shots!

Soon ehought it was 11:50 and we HAD to rush to the corrals! I am also not sure how we forgot we had to head over there… At 12, the race started, and there were FIREWORKS!!!!

OMG I LOVE FIREWORKS!

and. OMG. FIREWORKS IN CENTRAL PARK… that’s just the most amazing thing in the most amazing place.

and. OMG. FIREWORKS IN CENTRAL PARK while I am RUNNING. emmm; PERFECTION

Photo Credit: Ben Ko.

I lost all excitement to run and wanted to stay there and STARE. mouth open and all. If there’s fireworks, I AM A CHILD.

Oh well. We run. It was fun. A lot of runners were wearing costumes. There was a LOT of people  in the park spectating and cheering looking at the fireworks so it felt more crowded than a regular race. We had a very easy pace so it was just fun really, I wish I could all races like that…. HA

Soon, we had done a mile (in like 12 minutes or something!) and we went by Fred again. We attempted a shot but it was CROWDED and I was scared for my life while taking the shot so it came out like CRAP:

Tom, Elaine, Juan, Kat, Michelle, and Joe. And Frrrrred behind!

Kay, ours came out nice… thanks Tom!

We kept running, slowly, and by Mile 2 we were starting to warm up. There was a PARTY on the transverse!!!! It was crazy, at least for me, as I haven’t gone to a club in like… 5 years? They were handing out cider, which I grabbed, though I didn’t like it, and then there was this tunnel of lights and sound and smoke… Like when you are 14 and going dancing is fun. Now, I see smoke and I freak out. I am OLD. Sorry. But I tried to pretend I was young again for those 10 seconds!

Nice shot by Ben Ko! I saw him on the side taking pics and went to hug him and he got this shot. Here you can appreciate the awesome tights I had bought the previous week and used to go out the night before… and then for a run. I am getting my bucks worth! HI BEN!

Of course then everyone stopped and we JUMPED. Photo Credit: Ben Ko

Soon, very soon, we were back in the 72nd transverse and it was over. I thought about running past it, but our friends were going to stay. We had to recover our jackets, run home… so we just zipped to the finish!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We didn’t even come close to a PR. I think I actually doubled my time!!! But… we know that is not what matters, right? 50 minutes!

A few more shots by the finish, some ate some bagels, I couldn’t even think of putting anything cold close to me. Water was frozen so we just kissed everyone, a few more pics, and we loved starting the year like this: outside, cold, with fireworks, 5000 friends, photos, tutus, runners, fred Lebow, and in the middle of the dark Central Park. I had wanted to do that for a few years, and as I am always in Argentina for the holidays, I hadn’t been able to. All worth the wait.

We zipped up, and walked home on Fifth Avenue. It was like 1:30 am. People were coming back from their parties, with their little party hats on, some were too drunk to walk, a lot were peeing in the streets, and many more were wearing cute clothes that made them freeze. One girl had a short skirt on, no tights and a bleeding knee.

We? We had 5 miles in, a drop of cider, a lot of smiles, shiny warm outfits, and a midnight run high. Way to start the year.