Jingle Bell Jog 6k with The Christmas Ballerinas

A post about a race so early? Oh yes. Tons to be excited about!

Way back in October, when I signed up for this race I knew I wanted to dress up for it. I found an amazing red mini-top hat headband and some red Elvis sunglasses and that's where it started. Originally, that's all it was going to be. A red or green top with maybe some festive socks. Done.

Then I found out my long-lost running partner was going to be in town and I successfully convinced her to run a race with me! When would I have an opportunity to dress up for a race WITH my P-I-C again? (That's partner-in-crime.) I had been thinking about it and even though we have been running partners for a year now, we had never run a race together. So, I got really excited. We had to make this an extra special event.

Fine. I'll admit it. I went a little crazy with the tulle. I couldn't help it! Who knew making a tutu was going to be so cheap, easy and fast?! Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you The Christmas Ballerinas! (According to the announcer when we were crossing the finish line)

Abby and Anna Banana together again!

It was a super fun race. Even though she kept me out way passed my bedtime to go to the Z100's Jingle Ball the night before ( I forgot how much energy this woman has!), we had a fabulous race. I forgot my Garmin on the charger and guess what? It wasn't the end of the world. Both of us were easing back into running from a hiatus so we ran on feel and it was great. We only had one scary moment where an extra large twig got in our way, but we overcame and finished strong! I had a little bit of tightness and a little bit of pain but I need to be better about warming up, stretching and cooling down anyway. This race really boosted my confidence, especially for Disney. Now will I run the half marathon next weekend that I was planning to? Who knows? But I feel better. Thank goodness. Three weeks without running is a scary sight.

We got to run with our favorite Philly-res, Megan.

 

 We were celebrities. We wanted to take pictures with all the costumed runners and via versa!

And it was a beautiful change of scenery.

We all had a fabulous brunch in my part of Brooklyn at the way popular brunch spot, Egg. Don't ask me how we got a table. Megan works magic (and I'm sure the fact that it was super early and it's Santacon helped a little).

It took a second, but I think the fact that it's winter and the holiday season has kicked in. Hope everyone is enjoying it, too!

Red and white.

Not a Santacon costume, but close.
:)

Window Shopping.

If you ever make it to NYC for the holidays, the window displays are a top priority to see (or so I've heard). There is even a walking map, which it a really helpful tool if you decide to do this. I am not a people-person, as we all should be aware, so a crowded 5th Ave. has never been something that would appeal to me. That's just asking for a homicide.

But alas, this year, we decided to give it a try late on a Sunday night. I'm not going to lie, it was still a little crowded (mainly around Macy's. The higher uptown you went, the more it thinned out), but nothing compared to midday. Being that it was around 50 degrees (soooo not December weather) and neither one of us are too into Christmas, it wasn't as romantical as I had imagined but I'm still glad I got to experience it especially with my person. We stopped at Bergdorfs, so I don't know how Barneys or Bloomies stack up, but Bergdorfs was by far my fav and it would take a lot to top.

There were sooo many pictures taken, but I'm going to give you a few highlights.

Macys:

Lord and Taylor:

Bendel's:
The model's dress was made out of jelly beans.

Harry Winston:

I'm not sure if you can tell from the pic, but there the display is empty. I don't know if they take the jewelry out at night or if they were being ironic.

Mikimoto:

I loved that this is a jewelry store specializing in pearls and they used it in their design.

Louis Vuitton:

And last but not least, Bergdorfs:
These windows had so much detail it took multiple pictures to get all of it and I'm sure I missed a lot.

 My fav, "The Brass Menagerie"

Seeing as this is New York's equivilient of driving through neighborhoods to see decorated houses, I hope yall got to do that this holiday season!

The Holiday Marathons: Thanksgiving Edition

I did it. I woke up extra early on Thanksgiving morning, I went to the Bronx and ran through the woods for the Thanksgiving marathon. And I got my fork.

Can we talk about what a cool concept this is? It's a free race supported by runner's donations. They have a race for every holiday. I think I might run the Labor Day one so I can get a hammer. . . only if they change the course.

It was a gorgeous day for running. The sun was out and it was a little too cold not to have a throwaway but I survived. After getting into the groove, I was warm enough in what I was wearing but I did wish I had long sleeves for a good portion of the beginning of the race.

Now can we talk about what's not cool? Trail runs. This race taught me that no matter how cool a trail run sounds, never ever sign up to run one again. My god. Why did no one warn me about Van Cortlandt Park? Those hills nearly killed me. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of hills. Harlem and I are BFFs. I just wasn't ready for the challenges these insanely steep inclines were giving. Plus, I'm still injured here. I did not want to risk it. . so I walked a lot of it. It took me a long time to finish and I'm ok with that.

Another not so cool part? The course map online said the 10K (or 6.5) was supposed to be one loop. Apparently they didn't mark it that way and it was actually two loops. I am not a fan of that. Why? Because it's too easy to quit, which I almost did after the first round of inclines, wet leaves and mud. I wanted to finish it out by doing 2 loops of the 5k course, but I didn't know how strict they'd be if I decided to make my own course. I mean, granted, this race wasn't timed and everyone's bib read "1". oh well. I survived.

On to the photo tour!

 The Tortoise and The Hare statue: The meeting point.

 Slow and Steady wins the race.

More runners showing up. There ended up being a nice size crowd.

 

The Start Line.

 The start of into the woods.

 Lots of the path was covered with wet leaves, which = slippery.

 Some parts had slippery mud, too.

 But my favorite part was the unexpected hills.

 I really hope you got that as sarcasm.

 But I got my fork! (Who else thinks this is the opposite of safety?)

I was a little disappointed it wasn't engraved. Oh well.

 And I made my traditional photo.

And I used it for Thanksgiving dinner.

Kidding.

The End.

How people can still vote for a bill banning this is beyond me.

Brilliant speech.

Awesome or disturbing?

I can't decide but I'm leaning towards the later. I think I've seen Toy Story too many times.

Don't worry, I bring my own fork.

My "medal" from the quarter marathon this morning.

Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday!