On Saturday I did two things I have never done before. I ran a 5K race (#1) in costume (#2). All 2400 runners in the Santa Jingle 5K dressed in Santa Suits. With jingle bells affixed to our shoes. Actually, 2396 runners dressed in Santa Suits and four party poopers wore their usual running gear. And no, a red/green/white top with black tights does not count as a Santa Suit. Experienced Santas brought their own black belts. Mine broke after about 30 seconds of use. This Santa has enjoyed too many cookies. The site of so many Santas running along the shores of Lake Ontario was … totally awesome. One little kid cheering on the sidelines nearly lost his mind with excitement. I think he’s expecting 2396 gifts under the tree Christmas morning.
My pre-race good luck smooch to Husband felt a bit odd with him (and me) in full beard. Like I was kissing a stranger. I’m still coughing up white fur. In our wedding vows he promised to love, honour, and never grow a moustache and/or beard. At least I think he did. The vows were in Spanish. I do not speak Spanish. We ran together at a relaxed pace (i.e. about 20 sec/km slower than my usual tempo run), although after a week of illness related starvation and sleep deprivation “relaxed” didn’t feel so relaxing. We did not wear our timing chips, so my curious cyber stalkers will need to sleuth a little harder than usual to uncover my time.
Kit pickup was a bit slow race morning as tons of people like me descended on the tables at the last possible moment. The race was delayed about 15 minutes, I thought because of the mass tardiness but there are rumours about a car accident on the course. The waiting area was brimming with festive excitement and good spirits and no one seemed terribly bothered by the late start. The lady who decided to change the words of our national anthem into a Weird Al style parody of the cold weather, however, bothered my over-tired and grumpy brain. So I gave her my stern look. She stopped. Hordes of optimistic walkers toed the starting line unintentionally causing a red and white pileup over the first 500 metres. As soon as we turned onto lakeshore the route opened up and it was easy to pass and be passed. The air was crisp but the sun bright as it bounced off Lake Ontario. By kilometre one all the overdressed cold-fearers were shedding layers like they were trained in the art of exotic dance. The Santa belts were flying.
Although the sacred race rule is never let a costumed runner beat you I modified the rule for this particular race. Never let a kid or a pet in costume beat you. I’m reasonably certain I beat all the dog-deer. But damn, some of those kids are fast.
p.s. Check out the race footage. I’m the one in the red suit.
Title Reference: Jimmy Boyd – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. 1952.
I was asked to marshal at 3k (3.25 – was there with a cop, where you make a right turn – did you see me, I cheered and clapped loudly despite my freezing fingers!? I don’t know your image but I did look for woman in child’s suit although – there were 2400 people, a rough go at looking for a stranger!
Hope you had fun.
My wife and daughter switched chips by accident so mrs finished 2nd overall master… and daughter missed out on 1st in her age group. Other than that, a good day.
Ah, you were relocated. I looked for you in the finish chute as I was reasonably certain I could recognize you amongst the volunteers. (You didn’t even have my short pants to help distinguish me from the other 2399 Santas … I’m 5’7 and to my surprise the kid suit fit perfectly). I vaguely remember that 3K corner and the clapping. I may have been focused on trying to chase down a dog dressed as an elf around that time. Seems my memory for 5K races is as sparse as my memory for marathons.
p.s. Congrats to the family and their Freaky Friday antics
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That smiley face looks really strange. I meant that as a happy face, not a creepy weird face.
heh
By the way, did you get brekkie? Kinda crowded.
We waited for about 30 minutes, but eventually went to a local cafe. I like the idea of breakfast, but the race might be outgrowing those little perks.
gah! I too ran a jingle bell run for charity this weekend, quietly cursing the walkers in costume who lined up ahead of me and slowed me down. I should have just enjoyed myself. I really am a scrooge. Thanks for the reality check!
I felt a bit scrooge-like when I silently shushed the woman butchering the anthem. I blame the 5am wake-up call. Running without a chip is liberating … I would not have been so gracious to the poorly positioned walkers if I was chasing the clock.
This is now my favorite race of all time.
(And I suspect Professional Runner Husband never expected YOU to have a beard either.
And, yes, sadly this likely will happen to you anyhow in a decade or two. Sorry.)
He was too busy twirling his moustache evil villian style to comment on my own beardedness. Today’s to do list: price laser hair removal. I’ve gotta start saving.
Mmwwaaaa ah ah ah!
Your evil laugh still needs some work.
Do santa suits cause unusual chafing?
Wait, I don’t think I really want to know the answer.
Let’s just Santa hasn’t gone high tech with the fabrics. He’s still waiting for the Nike sponsorship.
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