Dashing through December with Jingle Bells

By | December 22, 2019

Where on earth did this month go? How is it already Christmas week? Apologies for a comments blitz of late. I’m trying desperately to catch up. One of these days I’ll either put email on my phone or figure out how to blog. Not gonna happen.

It’s not even technically winter yet as I type this on Wednesday, but I’m already smelling spring as I got into the Cherry Blossom 10M. I ran this in 2018 and this was when I first “met” some of you when Coco found my recap. While I’m not sure I can actually go in April due to some travel on either side.

First I need to get my cranky IT band back to 100%. Baby steps.

If you celebrate something this time of year, enjoy it.

Race recap: Delray Jingle Bell Jog.

build your own Santa

Hysterical, but impossible to run in

I eyed this race last year when I was in Fort Lauderdale but I decided it was too far for a 5K. Hmm, sounds like the reason I haven’t done Brooklyn’s. This year I was actually staying in Delray and the calendar worked, so I signed up. Rather than a tee shirt, this race provides you with a Santa suit. I’m 5’2 and it’s sized to fit someone a foot taller and wider, so it never was practical. Luckily Delray has all the chains and I hit up TJ Maxx, Ross, Stein Mart, two running stores and Target to find a red shirt to run in. Spoiler, I should have just gone to Target first.

The race begins (and ends) in Anchor Park so I had a nice two mile run from the condo to the start. I left a little later than planned, because 6:30 is early and as a result I hit Delray “traffic” aka the drawbridge.  As we waited, I met another runner out for a morning run and we got to chatting. While Delray isn’t a particularly small town, the running community felt it — everyone chatted or waved. Due to the bridge and generally late start, I got to the start just before we set off and I lined up with all the other Santas, elves and winter holiday finery.

all the Santas, all the palm trees

We set out at the sound of a loud jingle bell and were off, up Casuarina and onto AIA where we ran for a mile and change before turning around and coming back to Anchor Park. The lead / escort vehicle was a surfing Santa in a red sports car. Awesome! There was one water station that served the out and back and really, is there a better combination than palm trees and Santas?

penguins!

beer and water bottles

When we got back to Anchor Park there were medals – I won’t lie, the main reason I did this race – beer and ice cream. Not typically a breakfast beer person, but this was cold and refreshing. I also won an OrangeTheory water bottle. Once I’d cooled down, I didn’t want to start running again so I walked back to the condo via a delicious breakfast at Another Broken Egg Cafe.

I’d do this race again if I was in Delray that weekend, but it’s not (nor is it meant to be) a destination race. However, it has multiple locations and I’d certainly try another location too if that worked. A fun, local fun run.

Double Weekly Run Down with Kim and Deborah:

Week of 12/9:

  • I missed a Monday, but I knew I would with the gala. It went well.

running friends are the bestest

  • Tuesday: I had full blessing from my boss to sleep in and show up when I wanted to given the long hours/late night for the gala. Not only could I not fall asleep, but I was wide awake at 5:30. Luckily I have a dear friend who is also a morning person and was happy to go out with me. We walked, ran and forgot to pause the Garmin while we chit-chatted on a beautiful December morning in Central Park.
  • Wednesday: bupkus. Much delayed flight to Florida.

Look Ma, no layers!

  • Thursday: new location, old running habits. Had to find the shortest route to the beach that didn’t involve running on US1. Check!
  • Friday: lots of walking errands to try and find a red shirt for the Jingle Bell Jog as the Santa suit was way too big.

Jingle Jogged

  • Saturday:  Delray Jingle Bell Jog. So much silly fun that started off with a gorgeous sunrise over the intracoastal and ended up with ~1200 Santas. This should have been a longer run with the beginning of half marathon training, but determined not to get injured again.’

Florida hood ornament

  • Sunday: would have been a beautiful morning to run, but my Achilles were feeling the hills and not enough (OK, any) stretching, rolling or PT so I walked to the beach and sat there four a couple of hours before watching Eli Manning’s amazing swan song.

Week of 12/16:

 

  • never miss a Monday: one last Florida run with some crazy birds before a return to reality.
  • Tuesday: aforementioned icy rain reality. Digging out of my inbox and a lovely evening catching up with a friend over sushi.

definitely a different look!

  • Wednesday: beautiful winter morning and the last day before it turns to the teens so I scooted out for four wake up miles. Knee cranky after standing during holiday party and more no stretching so I hit the gym after for some PT.
  • Thursday: holiday lights, long foam roll.
  • Friday: time to start shopping
  • Saturday: long foam roll
  • Sunday: tried to run, knee wasn’t great but walking was better than it had been so taking that as good sign.

Plan for the week: run if I can, foam roll a lot.

22 thoughts on “Dashing through December with Jingle Bells

  1. Zenaida Arroyo

    A Santa suit instead of a race shirt? Now that is something I’ve been seen as race swag. The medal is pretty cool. So sorry to hear about your knee. Hope it isn’t anything serious.

    Reply
  2. Wendy

    We have a Santa 5k here where everyone wears a Santa suit. It’s really funny and the Santa suits don’t weather the race well! I would think they would be a bit warm for Southern Florida!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Liz said the same re: their suits. I saw some torn felt at the start line.
      I’d wear a red sweatsuit for a Santa 5K here, or maybe some of the christmas PJs. warm weather options are limited

      Reply
  3. Chocolaterunsjudy

    I hope the knee starts to feel better. The race sounds like a lot of fun but a 2 mile warmup run? Eek! That’s a lot.

    I’ll bet coming home to NY was a rude awakening.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      THank you! I think it will with some babying.
      Less a planned two mile warmup and more a “start line is two miles away” situation.

      Reply
  4. Kim at Running on the Fly

    The Santa Run sounds fun…but suits? I’ve never heard of that LOL There are a couple races I’ve done where they give you a Santa hat…but it’s a very cheap-looking felt thing. I always wore my own “velvety furry” one…but I haven’t gone back (not sure those races even exist anymore?).

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yep, felt. Same one that Liz has seen over in the UK.
      I have a NYG santa hat I got when I went to Giants/Jets on Christmas Eve a few years ago that would have been too warm for hot Florida. DIdn’t think about my blue sequin one, but I should have.

      Reply
  5. Deborah Brooks

    hope both of us can get our injuries under control and train for cherry blossom. It would be fun to meet up! Enjoy your time in Florida

    Reply
  6. Darlene

    Hope the knee pain is temporary.

    Looked like a nice break with warm temps in Delray.

    Back to frigid reality.

    Reply
  7. runswithpugs

    We have a Santa suit race here and it looks hilarious. I’ve never done that one because we have so many holiday races and it’s hard to choose.

    I am so excited for you for Cherry Blossom! I think I”m going to have to put in for the lottery for next year.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Do it! I’ve been lucky enough to get in the twice I entered. Knew I coudn’t do it this year so didn’t enter
      Florida and santa suits don’t go well together. LOL

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yes. And now I’ll pay it forward in the warnings, although I’d totally do the race again

      Reply
  8. Marcia

    Ha! We are the same height. Like Wendy said, we have a Santa race here and yes, the suit is entirely too large. Cute medal though! Even though it’s mild here, I could use some Florida about now!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yeah, I can’t complain about our winter, but there’s something about oceanfront running. I said to Darlene, so many of us are Sagitarrius and minis. Short folks rule the world.

      Reply
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