Every year after Christmas Eve mass, our family drives around our neighborhood admiring all of the beautiful lights, and at least once during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve Bill and I try to fit in a evening run to enjoy the lights again. During my early morning runs in December, however; I’m disappointed that most of the lights have been turned off overnight (ours included), and my run isn’t as beautiful as it could be.
Last week while on one of those early morning runs, a great idea popped into my head! Why not organize an evening run with my MRTT friends, where we could take a leisurely run through one of our neighborhoods? Why not, indeed!
Eleven of us met at the same place our group meets super early one morning a week, and I was surprised to see the parking lot was almost full on a Tuesday evening at 7 PM. It’s a huge parking lot, but it’s also a very large and extremely popular restaurant. Before we started our run, we asked someone to take a few pictures of us in front of one of the two giant nutcrackers in front of the restaurant.
We took off for our run, decked out in reflective vests, headlamp, and tail lights to make sure drivers could see us. We headed down each side street, admiring the Christmas lights as we ran; and if we saw something extra pretty or unique, we snapped a picture.
A few times we posed for a group picture. That would be me on the left who forgot to turn my headlamp off!
A little farther along, we saw another particularly beautifully decorated house. I suggested that we take a picture standing on the sidewalk, not on the lawn, but was overruled. Unfortunately, the decorations are blocked by runners, but trust me, they were cute! Luckily we weren’t arrested for trespassing, and were free to continue our run.
As we neared the end of our run, we saw Santa waving us over, so we decided to oblige him, and take some pictures.
Erin gave him a high-five…
And then Santa got a little too friendly with us when we posed with him for this picture. Where is his right hand anyway?
Before we returned to our cars we passed Santa on a motorcycle. Had I seen him earlier in my run, I might have hitched a ride!
We completed our 4.5-mile run maintaining just under a 10:00 pace, stopping our watches often for pictures.
If you’ve never gone on an evening run to admire your neighborhood Christmas lights, I highly recommend that you do. Be sure to take all the safety precautions you can, and make sure you’re lit up as much as the Christmas lights before you head out. Have fun!
- Questions:
- Do you put up Christmas or Hanukkah lights in your yard?
- Do you prefer morning or evening runs?
- Do you and your family go to any of the huge Christmas light tours?
That’s a fabulous idea! We have lots of houses with lights in our neighborhood.
Courtney @ Don’t Blink. Just Run. recently posted…Thoughts On 2014 And 2015
Such a great idea, and such a fun run with friends!
Typically we go to our government grounds (we live in our province’s capital city) with Harold and hot chocolate and walk around to take in all the stunning lights! I’m not sure if we’ll go this year though. Despite very mild temps, the sidewalks are covered in salt which really hurts Harold.
Abby recently posted…Running {and workouts} through pregnancy – second trimester
Aww, poor little Harold’s feet. Are there little booties that he could wear? And if there are, would he wear them?
What a fun idea wish I had thought of that! Oh well next year. Looks like you had a blast
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…December Dare You To Share Campaign
We did! You should definitely plan it for your chapter next year.
What a great idea! I’m lucky that some people in our neighborhood leave their lights on overnight. On my predawn run, I am treated to my own beautiful light tour. It’s quiet and serene. If I could get everyone to do it, I’d be in heaven.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Christmas 5k (ish)
I’m guessing that only about 10% of the houses still have the lights on during my early morning runs… You’re lucky to see so many!
What a great way to see the lights! Love the idea!
Betsy recently posted…RunDisney Star Wars Half Marathon Costume
What a fun idea! I prefer morning runs; after the sun is up ;). When I was younger, my mom took us to the Bull Run Festival of Lights 🙂
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Whip up some of this DIY body butter
We were just talking about the Bull Run Festival of Lights on our run this morning. I can’t believe that I’ve never been to it!
This is an awesome idea! I may have to steal this for myself 🙂
Kristen recently posted…Would You Rather: Holiday Edition!
Yes, please do! 🙂
Fabulous tour!! When I take the bus in the morning, your pictures are one of the first I see of the day – so motivating!
Jennifer recently posted…Building Your 2015 Schedule? Helpful Links
Aw, thanks, Jenny! 🙂
That was just so fun!!! What a lovely evening.
It was fabulous, wasn’t it?
What a great idea for a group run! It looks like a lot of fun. You sure are getting a lot of use out of your Ragnar gear! 🙂
Meagan recently posted…Christmas Traditions – Part 1
I am loving having a reflective vest and all my lights. They sure do come in handy for my 5:30 AM runs, too!
I saw your pics on IG when you guys did this! It looks so fun! I will have to get in a night run in the next couple days too !
There is a huge Christmas light neighborhood a couple miles away. We have gone the last 2-3 years but not this year. The traffic is crazy around there and you have to park like a mile+ a way (which would be faster to just run it!) and then once you get to the area, you are pretty much shoulder to shoulder through out the streets. The houses will sell hot chocolate, coffee, churros, etc. Its like a small street festival.
Lindsey @One Mother of a Day recently posted…“Rainy Day” {at-home} circuit workout! {2 versions!}
The place you mention sounds like a great place to run to and from, with walking around enjoying the lights while there. We have a community like that about twenty minutes away. I thought about planning our run down there next year.
Merry Christmas!