Here’s to the first of many

This week, I had the privilege of running in the A&F Challenge 2010 5K Run with my sister and my mother.  It was my sister’s first 5K EVER, and she finished with an awesome time of 34 minutes and 07 seconds total or a pace of 11 minutes and 01 second per mile.  Hats off to Mollie for a job well done!  My mother, who just ran her first 5K a little over 2 weeks ago, made her first PR by knocking over 2 two minutes off her total time and keeping a 14 minute and 58 second per mile pace.  As always, my father was there to cheer us on and hold the bags!  I am so proud of my family for the determination and dedication they have shown in running and getting healthy.

THAT being said….bring on the awesomeness!  Yes, I said awesomeness because A&F really knows how to throw one heck of a party!  It started with the shirts (it’s all about the shirt), which looks like this:

FRONT

 It is super-soft and super cool and NOT white and it is the first time EVER that an Abercrombie shirt has fit me):

BACK (the sponsors are the smaller words in the middle)

My race packet came in a bag that smells like Abercrombie’s Fierce (as does the shirt that I can’t stop sniffing because I have apparently developed an addiction.  Oh no!?!  What happens when I wash it!?!?!) and looks exactly like this:

The race was extremely well organized, efficiently run and took place on the beautiful A&F headquarters campus in New Albany, Ohio (can we say State Park here and more pictures of gorgeous people everywhere?).

Not to mention, the food, drinks and live post-race entertainment were phenomenal.  How could it not be with a menu like this?  We tried everything:

Snacks: Homemade Potato Chips & Root Vegetable Chips
Assorted Seasoning Salt Blends
Bruschetta Trio (Tomato & Roasted Garlic, Sundried Tomato & Olive Tapenade, Prosciutto & Parmesan)
Herb & Spice Roasted Mixed Nuts (Cashews, Almonds, Peanuts, Brazil nuts roasted in Olive Oil and Rosemary)
 
Main Courses:
Ground Sirloin Sliders (Provolone Cheese, Mustard, Pickle, Red Onion)
Lemon Pepper Grilled Salmon (Tzatziki Sauce, Salsa Verde)
BBQ Pulled Pork (Aged Cheddar Crisp – Served as slider option or entrée)
Grilled Chicken Breast Tenders (Black Strap Molasses Bar b Que Sauce, Herb Pesto)
100% All Natural Beef Hot Dog (Grilled Onions & Bell Peppers, Whole Grain & Yellow Mustard, Sweet Pickle Relish)
 
Side Dishes:
Classic Pasta Salad
Creamy Dressing
Italian Pasta Salad
Vinaigrette Dressing
Lemon Herb Cous Cous (Fresh Bell Pepper, Spring Onion, Lemon, Basil)
Garden Salad (Mixed Baby Greens, Mustard Vinaigrette, Cherry Tomatoes, Feta Cheese, Cucumber, Carrot)
Corn on the Cob (Grilled, Finished with Herb Butter)
Antipasto
Assorted Olives, Shaved Cured Meats, Fire Roasted Vegetables
 
Dessert Station:
Freshly Baked Cookies & Brownie Assortment
Mini Keylime Pie Shots
Berries & Cream – Assorted Berries, Vanilla Whipped Cream
Chocolate Mousse Shot – Raspberry Coulis
Miniature Tres Leches – Fresh Whipped Cream & Berry Garnish