I hopped on the Metro and rode to Federal Triangle. The finish line was right there, and I like to think I crossed it first. Then I headed over to Au Bon Pain, which was the designated meet up spot for most of our team of reindeer.

Renee, Ray, and Jordon arrived and picked up their antlers…

and then Sharlene joined us and we headed out to the starting line to find everyone else.

Once we arrived, we found Marie, Gina, Bret and two of Gina’s friends.

The most interesting things about the Jingle All the Way 8K is the scenery.

And by scenery I mean our nation’s capital and the costumes. Mostly the costumes.

As soon as the race started we were lapped by Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Some of my other favories were the Santa that juggled, a man in his Christmas jammies (complete with very large reindeer slippers), the North Star, elves, reindeer, and bunnies (if you’ve seen A Christmas Story, that totally makes sense).

We walked up Pennsylvania Avenue, around the Capital building, behind a few Smithsonians, and then ended the race back on Pennsylvania Avenue at Freedom Plaza.

The race was 8Ks altogether and I really started to feel it by the last couple of Ks.

By the time we finished the snacks were gone, along with most of the runners, but what’s really important was that we finished. And not even dead last!

We hopped in Bret’s car and headed over to the Madhatter to enjoy a celebratory brunch.

My friend Louisa joined us. She had raced as well, but she’s fast, she’s like a blur and after she passed us in the race
we never saw her again!

Although there was a long (and by long I mean REALLY LONG) wait for a table, the staff kept the bottomless mimosas coming. By the time we did score a table, I didn’t even feel the pain!

A ride home from Louisa and a long nap on my couch were the perfect way to sober up and recover from the race! And I still have time to start Googling the next one…