Yes, this is normal!

This morning I ran with the PR Fitness group run for 6 miles.  This afternoon at 4:30 I plan to run the Holiday Hustle 5K in Dexter, MI.  I've run the Holiday Hustle for quite a few years now.  I will be decked out in lights, reindeer antlers and a jingling bell necklace to annoy anyone running near me!  After I finish the Holiday Hustle I will return to my car, change in the back seat into a dress and will be off to church for an Advent service.  That is totally normal isn't it????  What??  Doesn't everyone do this???  Isn't that why tinted windows were invented?  Isn't that why Burt's Bees invented their little packs of wipes?  Isn't that why Bath & Body Works sells little mini bottles of body spray?

Runner Nerd
changes clothes in the car all the time

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 Sweaters

Tonight was our running group holiday run and party!  The person who made the Facebook invitation threw in the option to wear Christmas sweaters!  I just happened to have one that I bought a few years back at a thrift shop for a party or some occasion that called for wearing ugly Christmas sweaters. 

This is 3 of us with our sweaters!  I look strange; I'm not good at trying to pose like a fashion model!! 
My sweater zips up in the front and halfway through the run I had to unzip it.  It is very strange running with a sweater flopping around!! 
So that was the 2012 edition of the holiday light party!  Hard to believe that another year has rolled around.  Since Christmas and New Years fall on Tuesdays there will be no running group the next 2 weeks.