Like every year for the past 5 years, I stayed in on New Years eve to reflect and introspect. And on New Years day, I woke up at an earlier than usual hour and met Maureen for our trek up to Salisbury Beach.

Bevie B’s bar, which serves as race headquarters, was as crazy and chaotic as every year in the past. The wonderful folks from Winners Circle Running Club were good about making sure everyone was registered in time for the 5K and 10K. Because the weather was so cold, most runners opted to stay inside the bar, rather than lounge outside, making it even more crowded than usual. But with about 10 minutes to start, we found our way to the start-line, trying not to push and shove other runners.

The race began on time and we wound our way through the now familiar streets of Salisbury and along the marshes and back to the finish line by Bevie B’s. The weather had definitely grown colder over the 30 minutes we were outside and some of the late finishers of the 10K race had to run in the cold sleet.

Soon after we finished, before we would cool down, Maureen and I headed over to the beach to jump into the ocean. The tide had gone out and we had to run further to the water than usual. A quick dunk and the rush back to dry towels and warm clothes. I noticed Maureen actually lingering in the water for a while and thinking she was positively crazy! We bundled up quickly and claimed our mugs.

Sixth year in a row – its going to be a good running year!