silvesterlauf

They say the way you spend your NYE holiday is the way you'll spend the coming year. If that's really the case, I'm in a for a year full of fitness and fun with friends!

I somehow managed to convince Sydney, Erik's girlfriend, to run the 2013 "Silvesterlauf Innsbruck" 5.6K with me. Soon after, we'd have another recruit in our friend Jenna, a fellow volleyballer currently playing for a team outside of Munich.

After a day spent foam rolling, stretching, and bundling up for the frigid temps, we made our way into the Altstadt where we met up with our friends and supporters, Emilie and Stefan.

The group of racers was a mixed bag, with half of the runners in super serious mode and the other half dressed in costumes of all kinds. My personal favorite was a group of Ghostbusters who appropriately had the theme song playing from their backpacks.

Our route started near the river (and a beautiful Christmas tree made completely of Swarovski crystals) before taking us on a double loop of the Old Town. Thanks to our personal cheering section and the promise of warm drinks at the end, we cranked through the race and finished with a respectable time. Upon finishing, each runner was awarded a finisher's "medal" - a gingerbread reindeer hanging from a ribbon - that was promptly consumed après photo.

After showers and a homemade pizza party, we headed back into the city for a concert on the platz and fireworks display over the river. It was a wonderful way to end the year and ring in a new one. Cheers to 2014!