Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run, you’re one of my favorites. This was my fifth year running this race. I was just a baby 25 year old the first time Alaina and I signed up to run! With a course change, and the 5K and 10K starting at the same time, I was a little skeptical, but Christmas Run, you did it again. Good times, great weather, and incredible freebies.
Check out a few photos from over the years 🙂
I’m finally back in running business. I started my first week of intentional workouts, rather than random three and four milers. I love running with a purpose, and having goals for specific workouts. I went back to the track on Tuesday for the first time in nearly 2 months.
This morning I met Peter and his friend about a mile from the start. We jogged over to avoid paying for parking and met Ellen there. I ran into Bri running with Team Nutribullet. Marta was there but I didn’t see her at the start. She took the race easier and ran with a friend.
I started the race towards the front, and about a half a mile in looked down and saw I was running a 6:30 pace. It felt good. I wondered if I’d crash and burn, but didn’t really care because I didn’t have a goal and you can crash and burn at a 10K and end with a decent time. The miles just kinda kept going and I was still feeling happy. I finished in 41:07, nearly a minute PR. Apparently the combination watchless running for a month after a marthon and beer + tacos for dinner the night before a 10K is the way to go. Peter ran in 43ish minutes and Ellen ran EXACTLY 45 minutes and got third in her age group!
Free massages!
I think I’ve got snacks covered for a while. Alaina, the skinny pops are yours.
Pros:
- Fast course and cool temps in December
- Running on the beach path
- Everyone in LA runs this race and everyone is happy and in the Christmas spirit!
- T-Shirts, medals, and free photos
- Flushing bathrooms on the beach
- SO MANY FREEBIES!
- Corral starting
Cons:
- Start and finish about a mile away…although it gave me an opportunity to warm-up and cool down
- 10K and 5K start at the same time so you can’t do the double run anymore
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