Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Holiday Races - Fun Times with Friends


Have you ever done a holiday run? And, if so, did you dress the part?

Myself? Busted. Every single time.



The Jingle Jog
My first experience doing a holiday-themed run was the Jingle Jog. The year was 2010, and the temps were cold. We had a lot of beautiful sunshine, and there was a huge turnout of racers. Myself and a few co-workers had matching red and green velvet skirts (adorned with jungle bells).
Jingle Jog 2010 with some co-worker runner pals
I had not done much for racing (a few half marathons and a handful of 5K's at the time), so I didn't really appreciate the uniqueness of the course...we ran around Grays Lake (Des Moines, IA) and had the option of doing one lap (a 2-mile distance) or two laps (four miles).
My first-ever First Place!
Low and behold, I actually won my age group! That was my first -1st Place piece of hardware! I went back and ran this event in 2011, 2012, and 2013 (placing 3rd, 2nd, and 3rd respectively). And I dressed (somewhat) in holiday costume each time.




Jingle Jog in 2012 (upper left) and 2013
The Jingle Jam
Another fun holiday run I have done was the Jingle Jog. This was sponsored by the South Suburban YMCA of Des Moines and was a 5K. I ran this race only twice, but was able to win a 2nd place AG in 2012! I also ran it in 2013, and it has since been phased out.



Nothing too festive about this race outfit, but I did make us scarves to match the awesome graphics on the event shirts
The Santa Shuffle
I ran this event in 2014 and 2015. Although they had a time clock at the finish line, it was not a "timed" event. Instead, all the "winnings" came by form of raffle prizes. It has a max capacity of 350 participants. Naturally, it doesn't attract a lot of competitive racers,but this event sells out every year and has a great post-race party.
with Barb and Santa in 2014

In 2015, the temps were warm enough to wear shorts!
Ugly Sweater Run
This was a rather spontaneous event in my home town. A bunch of us gathered on a Friday evening, dressed in ugly sweaters, and ran for about an hour. We marveled at the Christmas lights and took our time enjoying each others' company.

Got friends? Ugly sweaters? Let's run!

Running a Virtual run
Since there is not a huge selection of holiday races in my area, sometimes I have to do my own thing. I have done real "races" as training runs, and I have done fun runs as "virtual events." It's all good. Last year, my friend, Barb, and I got dressed in our holiday running gear and ran a 5K in honor of an event that we weren't able to attend in person. So what if we were the only ones dressed in festive Christmas colors in the middle of the day?

Although it didn't actually rain, it was misting the entire time we were running

 What's so great about all of these crazy outfits? All of them were worn while doing an activity I absolutely LOVE...RuNnInG! Some of these races were for charity, and some of these runs were just for fun with friends. None the less, all were done in the spirit of the holidays...which is a blessed time of giving. A time of giving not only to others, but also giving to ourselves.

So, tell me....do you ever dress in costume for running? Have you done many holiday-themed races? Have you ever sweated (profusely) under a Santa hat?

I'm linking up with several wonderful peeps:

Deb for the Wednesday Word...today's featured word is Giving....



....and  Suzie and  Debbie and Rachel and Lora for the Running Coaches's Corner....



....and Meranda and Lacey and Rachel for the Friday Five 2.0...and we're talking about holiday races and memories.


 I invite you to head over, check out all of these wonderful hosts, and enjoy some great blog reading!



30 comments:

  1. You are one of the most festive runners I know! I've only run in costume a couple of times. One was the Polar Express 5k I did last year with Wendy when it was like 70 degrees and I was sweating my knee socks off. :P

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    1. As much as I embrace the warmer temps, they do throw us a wicked curve ball this time of year LOL

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  2. For the last couple of years, I did ran the Underground Polar Express with your ultra gal pals. It sold out on the first day this year, and I missed the boat! Those holiday runs are super fun!

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    1. I would LOVE to road trip out that way and do the Underground Polar Express ;-) I wish all of you chicks lived four hours closer.

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  3. You are all about the holiday spirit and I love it!

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  4. Love the costumes!

    I do tend to dress up for holiday runs. I love the Xmas themed races.

    I have been varying Ms Clause for most of the races I have done. I think next year I will go the elf route.

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    1. I got the idea for the elf thing last year...and wore my green shirt also for a ST. Pat's race ;-)

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  5. I've only one one jingle jog and it wasn't officially a race. I always want to do them but when the time comes I never seem to remember to sign up! I always enjoy the costumes...of course, I never have anything good to wear! It's just looks like a really fun time :)

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  6. So fun! I have an ugly sweater run planned for Saturday morning but now I'm wishing we had planned it in the evening to see holiday lights! Ah well, Christmas eve morning run with my friend is a tradition I can't miss. :)

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    1. Your run still sounds like a festive time, even without the holiday lights ;-) Bring along candy canes and hand them out to all the peeps you see ;-)

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  7. I have only ever done one holiday run. It was the surf n santa ten miler, since then they have changed it to a 5 miler and I have been wanting to do it, but it hasn't worked out with my schedule. Maybe next year.

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    1. It's hard to imagine running costume for 10 miles LOL....all of my holiday runs have been 5K's. I'd be up for the challenge, though ;-)

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  8. I love all of your holiday spirit! The ugly sweater run looks like a blast I don't know if there is one by us. I might have to plan my own next year too

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    1. I cannot believe the popularity for "ugly sweater" anything these days! And, the scary thing is some people still think the sweaters are "hip." I'm glad I've hung on to a few of my "better" ones ;-)

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  9. I want to do a Christmas run! I didn't even know those existed! Super cute idea!

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    1. A lot of bigger towns have them...usually the events benefit a charity of some kind. They're fun!

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  10. Holiday runs are so fun and You must dress the part, right? -M

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    1. ummmm, yeah, one MUST dress the part LOL I say "Boo" to the Scrooges who show up in "regular" running clothing ;-)

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  11. So many great runs and outfits! I missed my Santa run this year but I'm planning to run in some festive tights and Santa hat this weekend :)

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    1. Well, that's just as good! A bunch of us are meeting up and going for a Christmas run tonight as well ;-)

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  12. Fun ! There are not too many holiday themed races here. A couple but not very close by, and early in December. There are very few races until end of February. It seems like everyone takes a break here for the winter. Have a wonderful weekend !

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    1. I wish there were a few more holiday race options in my area. Losing those two races (a couple years ago) really tapped out the December gigs. Sometimes we just gotta make our own fun, huh!

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  13. You are very festive! I love it! I did not run our Jingle jam this year- that would have made for 3 race days this month and I could hear the hubby grumbling about that! You make running look fun! Keep it up! :)

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    1. It's fun being festive! I always wonder why some people flat-out refuse to get in the spirit of the event...it's not like these events have a huge cash pay-out for the top finishers. There's no need for a competition LOL

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  14. You've done so many fun holiday races! That ugly sweater run is a great idea!

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    1. Hey, we all have a few ugly sweaters hiding in our closets, we might as well wear them!

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  15. I've run in Christmas themed races for the last four or so years and love dressing up for them!

    Thanks for linking up!

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  16. I seem to be always traveling around the holidays and haven't done a Christmas race before. I have done a New Year's race and it's a great way to start the New Year!

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