The holidays are finally here! Let’s talk about holiday running and racing. I have been waiting all year to post this picture!
Oh Elf, how I love you. With the arrival of the holidays comes holiday-themed racing. Thanksgiving Day 5K’s (or longer), Jingle Bell and Santa Shuffle runs pop up all around the country this time of year.
I love this time of year and especially love the holidays. There’s nothing better (in my opinion) to get you into the spirit of the season than a holiday-themed race. It’s also the time of year when that big goal race you trained for all summer has probably already taken place, so it’s a good time to relax and run a race or two for fun (sans training plan).
I am registered for the Drumstick Dash 5K on Thanksgiving Day, and my dad and I will be headed up to Roanoke for that. What better way to kick off a day centered around giving thanks and stuffing your face sharing a meal with family and friends?
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| From the 2012 race |
December is right around the corner, and that means it’s time for the Jingle Bell 5K! This year I tricked roped Barry into running the race with me. I think he will run a PR for sure. Everyone ties jingle bells on their shoes for this race (which I love) and it is going to drive Barry nuts. So his only option will be to run very fast out in front of everyone else. Seriously, he’ll probably win the race.
One of my most favorite movies (not even favorite holiday movie, just favorite movie) is ‘A Christmas Story’. In the December issue of Runners World I read about a themed race in Cleveland, OH, centered around the movie. Runners actually get to run by the house and then get free passes to tour the ‘A Christmas Story’ house & museum! Someday I will drive to Cleveland and I will run this race! Google Maps says it’s only 6 hours away.
One of the main reasons I love the holidays so much is all of the family time. Spending time with family and upholding traditions is really important to me. We are often busy around the holidays, which can make it difficult to maintain a regular running routine. I am usually coming off of a fall race, so I’m not following any sort of training plan. But I do try to make sure I get in 3-4 runs per week. I find that the best way to do so is to run/workout in the morning/before the day’s activities so that nothing can get in the way. You have to make it happen.
And you can’t let the weather get in your way, either!
Do you like to run any holiday races?
How do you maintain your workout routine during the holidays?
Do you have a favorite Christmas/holiday movie? If so, what is it?
It’s hard for me to pick one. My all time favorites are A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, The Santa Clause, and Elf to name a few.
Turkey Runner 
I’m doing a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning and then will promptly stuff my face the rest of the day 🙂 The jingle bell race sounds so fun!! Haha poor Barry but that’s a good excuse for a PR!Home Alone, Elf, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas are definitely my top 3!!
Fun! It’s going to be cooold this year!
I think you forgot to mention your first ever organized race was the Virginia Run Turkey Trot in Centreville. I remember that as a cold early morning, and as usual it was you and I. And look at the monster that created.I usually let the workout routine, which is mostly treadmill in the yucky weather, slack off during the Holiday season. Not enough hours in the day.I think you hit all the Christmas movies (apple and tree thing) except The Grinch, and I like the classic cartoon version with Boris Karloff.See you in a tomorrow!LUD.
That Turkey Trot was my first ever organized race with you! 🙂 But it was my third-ever road race, behind the Country Music Half and the Rock N Roll Half.
Yay for Turkey Trots! I got D to run a 5K with me on Thursday. I have to run with him so I won’t be going too fast and that is more than OK with me 🙂
Have fun at your race! 🙂
Ha. I’m like Barry – there’s a Jingle Bell Run in Rochester (same one), and I can’t STAND the ringing. Also, the first year I did it, I looped my bells onto my shoelace. Halfway through the race, the rough part of the bell loop cut through my shoelace, sending the bells flying and leaving my shoe half untied. Ugh. Also, this race always coincided with the first really cold, snowy day in Rochester. Somehow, I always still registered and ran. And I somehow miss it….???I’m old-fashioned, so my favorite Christmas movie might be the ORIGINAL How the Grinch Stole Christmas….
Oh no! I will have to be careful of the jingle bells. I would be pretty miffed if it sliced my shoe lace. Isn’t it funny how despite all that you still miss that race 🙂
Oh my gosh, I LOVE the Elf picture! I just stole it and posted it to my Facebook wall. Elf is my favorite movie ever. Holiday running is so much fun! I don’t have time for a Thanksgiving race, but a bunch of people in my hometown are joining up at 7:30 to do a group run. Can’t wait! Enjoy your races!
Glad you love it! I found that darn thing in the middle of January of this year, right after I started my blog. I made myself wait until now to use it 🙂 That took a lot of self control.
Looks interesting, ill be sure to check it out. Cheap property in Turkey