For the last few years my mom has ran the Jingle Bell 5K alone. The race always falls the weekend before we travel to VA for Christmas. I told my mom several months before Christmas that we would plan our trip around running the race. My mom’s birthday is also a few days before the race.

The morning of the race it was 24 degrees in Little Washington, VA. I bundled up in my new running gear! The hubs and I exchanged gifts a few days before we traveled up to VA from SC.

My mom and I drove over to my brother’s house and he was waiting for us on the front porch. This would be the first race that the 3 of us would run together. I was so excited that he was coming. As adults living in two different states we hardly get to hang out.

I usually try and set a time goal for any race that I run however; I knew this was going to be a challenge. With being a new mom, I have really struggled finding a consistent schedule for working out and running. I told myself that I would just have fun.

The race was cold but gorgeous. Rappahanock County is absolutely stunning if you have never been. There is also something to be said, running in your home town!

After the race everyone met up in the old school house for announcements and prizes! The race was extremely well organized and there were tons of door prizes. They even made sure those who had lost their raffles got new ones before they did the drawings. The prizes ranged from wine tastings, fitness memberships, too helicopter rides, and much more. I would say that almost everyone left with a prize!

Then they started to announce the age group winners! I was so proud of my brother for running the race with us. This was his second race ever and guess what? He won his age group!

I placed third in my age group! Did I mention that I am a medal fanatic? I never thought I would be that way until I got my very first medal years ago. This race gave all finishers a medal and then those who placed or won in their age divisions got another medal!

I think this race will become a tradition for my family!