Guys, I did it! 10K! When I got back to my car and unfroze my phone, the weather was -4F with a windchill of -18F. I am an official badass.

I'm not a big person for race reports because I don't remember much. I get tunnel vision. But what I do remember:

I got there with plenty of time. Parked and took a shuttle over to the starting area. The "warming tent" was an empty warehouse with very spaced out heater pole things. NOT EFFECTIVE, guys. Plus, they messed up some bib/chips, so I had to go switch mine out. Not impressed so far. They called us to go to the starting line with 15 minutes to go, so out into the frigid temps I went. My toes were numb. Ouch. I waited for my Garmin to lock on and bounced on my feet. My goal time was 1:15 with a reach goal of 1:12, so I lined up between the 11m/m and 12m/m markers. Before I knew it, time to go!

My toes killed me for the first mile or so. I caught sight of a woman with bright striped knee high socks--stripey socks lady-- running just slightly faster and decided to keep an eye on her. I was running slower than I would've liked as I tried to get my bearings and warm up.

Mile 1: 12:07

I finally warmed up and the first hill came. I have the instinct to power up hills a bit, but I tried to reign myself in so I wouldn't burn out. After all, I've only run this distance once in my life.

Mile 2: 11:42

By this time runners are already cruising the other way and I'm getting my first real urges to walk. Nope! I'm skipping water stops. Who needs frozen water for a 10K? I keep to the left and keep truckin'.

Mile 3: 11:41

Ah, the turnaround! Here we go! I can do this! Now I'm heading back and watching the slower folks bringing up the rear and the 14 milers cruising for a loop. Crazy bastards.

Mile 4: 12:05

Now it starts to get hard. There are a couple hills somewhere in here, one of which I make the mistake of charging and really lose my juice towards the end. But I catch up to stripey socks lady!

Mile 5: 12:17

The last 1.2 feels like FOREVER. Stripey socks lady pulls ahead and I'm holding on for dear life. My left hip flexor starts to tell me what's what a little. Amazingly, my runner's knees and shin splints are silent this whole way.

Mile 6: 12:01

Time to pick it up. I can do this. There's the finish line. I pump my fists for the photographer but he's not even looking. Ha. In I go, across the mat.

Last .2: 1:42

Chip time: 1:13:39. I got a bottle of water, a bag of snacks, my medal, and best of all, a cup of rich hot chocolate. The volunteers and markings and support were great the whole way, despite the unimpressive pre-race.

That's all she wrote! Happy 2014!

Great job!  Congrats!

First 10K at -18 windchill must be a record.  Great job beating your goal, Obie Badass.

What a way to kick off the year! I have friends who were there,and loved their frosty photos on FB!

Congratulations on getting out there in those conditions, and on achieving your goal.    Next time you do a 10k, it will feel much easier.

Congrats, great job!

Congratulations, Obie!   Its hard for me to imagine anybody would show up for a race with a -4*F temp.  You really are a badass.  You did great.  Love the smile and the metal!  WTG!

Holy crap that's cold! Congrats. Your splits look pretty darned good for being so cold to start.