Lightfest 8K

I'm finishing up another post in my attempt to get caught up on blogging.  I keep starting posts but don't get them finished.  I guess I'm a failure as a blogger! 
A few weeks ago was one of the most fun events I do every year, the Wayne County Lightfest Run through the Lights 8K.  They set up a big drive through light display on Hines Drive which runs through a series of parks.  The 8K is a fun run with no timing on a Tuesday evening and draws a surprisingly large crowd.  It's only $18.00 and you get a long sleeve t-shirt! The drive through display opens on the Friday after the run. 
I met up with running group friends before the run started. My lights were on but they don't show up very well in the picture. The lights on Larry's hat really show up.

Decked out in lights

The run went well.  Miles 2,3, and 4 were all under 9 minutes.  Mile 4 was 8:37, how I did that, I have no idea.  I never felt like I was running fast.  I was tired out by the end.  My overall pace was 9:00 even.
After the run I met a local running celebrity!!!  His name is Doug Kurtis.  He has quite a list of accomplishments.  He made news this year when he ran the Detroit Marathon in under 3 hours for his 200th sub 3 hour marathon.  He is 61 years old.
My first running celebrity photo:

Just hanging out with my BFF after the run!! 

My running group friend, Larry (in above picture and wearing the same thing) knows him.  They are both on the staff of the Detroit Turkey Trot.  (They are both wearing their staff jackets and hats)  Larry took our picture and I told Doug that it was my first picture with a running celebrity!  I told him about seeing Dean Karnazes at the Chicago Marathon expo and that I didn't wait in the line.  He then proceeds to tell me that the Thursday following the Chicago Marathon he had lunch with Dean Karnazes in Dearborn! 
I could hardly believe that I had just run another Lightfest 8K.  This year has just flown by.  I felt good afterward, especially for the pace that I ran.  I am feeling more confident that I will be able to come in under 2 hours in Key West. 

Runner Nerd
runs through lights wearing lights

Running in Lights

Last night was one of my favorite events!  This is the 5th year I've run it. It is the Wayne County Lightfest Run Through the Lights 8K.  It's a 5 mile long drive-through holiday light display that is along a road that runs through a string of parks.  Every evening during the holidays for certain hours it is closed to regular traffic and cars drive one way through.  They always have a run on the Tuesday of opening week.  It will open on Friday.
This run is just for fun.  There are no bib numbers, no chips, no timing, no winners, no age groups or anything but an unbelievable number of people show up for this!!  They allow both running and walking, strollers and dogs too.  They say it's a dress rehearsal but I think it's a way to get extra money for the electric bill this thing must ring up!!  It doesn't cost as much as most races, I think I paid $15.00 and they give a nice long sleeve t-shirt.  I like the long sleeve t-shirts!
They give each person a glow necklace.  You will see people wearing all kinds of light up things.  A couple years ago I got the idea to attach a short string of battery operated lights that I use on a wreath to my shirt.  In other words, I run wearing Christmas lights!!!!
This is my friend and I with our lights and glow sticks: 

 Here we are by one of the light displays:

 Here we are helping the elves:

We had so much fun!  My friend in the pictures is also running the half in Key West.  When I run with her she pulls me along faster than I'd normally run.  I ran with her and running group friend who usually runs a lot faster than me.  I ran the 5 miles in 49:22, a 9:52 pace, quite a bit faster than I have been running on my own.  My foot behaved and the weather wasn't as nice as last year (mid 50s); it was 35 degrees, which isn't bad for running. 
I have two more holiday themed races, one is in the evening so I will get to wear my lights again!!  The other is in the morning so I will just wear my red and white knee socks!

As for the other part of my life - college - I will be done with classes in 3 weeks!!  I will be graduating in 31 days!!!  I'm almost done being the world's oldest college student!!

Runner Nerd
runs wearing lights