Christmas Light Run

Talk about a way to get into the Christmas spirit! Wednesday night I met up with a few friends to participate in the 6th annual Christmas Light Run in downtown Washington DC. Think group run meets costume party meets Christmas caroling meets happy hour. It's a fun run, in every sense of the word, that runs past the Capitol, with stops to sing Christmas carols at the White House Christmas tree, Freedom Plaza, and the DC Police Dept's blue tree before meeting back at a bar in Union Station. There are no permits, no road closures, just hundreds of people dressed as Santa, elves, snowmen, etc... running through the streets and sidewalks of DC. Erin's friend brought an extra Santa hat, which I plopped on top of my running hat, so I at least looked like I had a little bit of spirit! Stuart meanwhile had stayed home, finding the whole thing a little too silly for his taste. Bah humbug, but I love him anyways!

Divided into three pace groups, Nikki and I planned to run with the Comets (10-13:00min/mi pace) - the group that typically does the most singing and has the most fun. The Blitzens (those 8-9:00min/mi crazies) tend to focus more on the running piece, and that's where Erin, Kayla and Kim started. But somehow Nikki and I got sucked into the Blitzens before we'd even hit the halfway point of the run. Meanwhile, Erin and Kayla apparently set the pace for those nutty Blitzens. Um, this was supposed to be a fun run, girls??? A bunch of DC Tri folks were out, too. Unfortunately, I didn't get to stick around the bar for a drink afterwards, but it was a blast. A great way to combine my love of all things Christmas with my love of running and being with friends. Sign me up again next year!!