I’ve been running (for fun) for about 10 years now. Being that it’s something I enjoy, I usually try to get in runs on special days like Christmas. It doesn’t always happen due to traveling (and hangovers…back when I was younger!) but the runs I have done are pretty memorable. With Christmas coming up on Sunday I thought I would share a look back on 5 memorable Christmas runs!
The first time I remember running on Christmas was 2006. I had moved to Baltimore that year to start grad school and was working a job with weird hours. As a newer employee, I got scheduled to work on Christmas from 2pm-10pm. Rob was going home to see his family (we had only been dating for a year) and my roommates were going home as well, so my parents came to visit. We were able to celebrate on Christmas Eve and then go out to breakfast on Christmas morning before I had to work. I remember running around the harbor and Federal Hill that morning for about an hour. It was so quiet and peaceful! Of course there are no pictures from that actual run. I don’t think camera phones were really a thing and I didn’t run with a phone back then anyway!
The next time I remember running on Christmas was 2011. Rob and I were engaged, but didn’t spend Christmas together. We went to see his family in Michigan for a few days and then I flew back on Christmas Eve. I went to my parents’ and then drove up to NY on Christmas morning to see our extended family. We left at like 6am on Christmas and I remember running 3 miles around their neighborhood at 5am. It was really dark and I had a little too much wine the night before!
In 2012 we spent Christmas in Michigan so I ran on the treadmill in the hotel gym. I don’t remember exactly but I think I did 6 miles or so. I was glad to have the treadmill as an option. There is snow or ice and freezing temps 99% of the time I am there for Christmas!
For Christmas morning in 2014 I woke up in my own bed and got to run around the city. It was about 50 degrees at 5am and I ran 5 miles before heading to NY. I remember wearing my new PRO Compression leggings and headlamp!
Then there was last year (2015) which was also unusually warm and we were in our new house for the first time! Rob and I ran 5 miles together and didn’t have to travel that day (other than a 30 minute drive to my parents’) It was so nice to have a nice, slow, relaxing morning and I hope it will be the same way this year!
[Tweet “A look back on memorable Christmas #runs! @milebymileblog”]
Do you like to run on holidays/special occasions?
What was a memorable holiday run for you?
I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running On Happy for the Friday Five 2.0!
I do like to run on Christmas morning! It’s so peaceful and it’s a great way to start off the day. My family is a little intense, so it helps set the tone of calm for me for the day.
Running definitely helps to start out the day on a positive note! I have a feeling there will be alot of running for me over the next week:)
Aww what fun Christmas memories! I’ve never done a run on Christmas day. I did however run last Christmas eve and I do remember how gloriously warm it was!
The weather last year was so crazy! Hopefully we have decent weather this weekend!
I do love running on Holiday Mornings too! Hope you have a great day
Thanks, you too!
I’m so impressed that you have memories of all of these! I guess it helps to have different landmarks, like where you worked, or travels, to help. Hopefully you can get one in this year too!
I do think that being in so many different places each year has helped me to remember these runs! And how having a blog makes it even easier:)
It’s so cool to see all these photos! I usually do a longer run with my friend Lora every Christmas Day, but we can’t make it this year, so I’m heading out to meet her today for just a quick 5 miler. Merry Christmas Lisa!
Hope you have a great run with her today and a wonderful Christmas!
I didn’t think to mention this in my blog post, but last year I did a short (1-miler) run on the golf course by my house. We hadn’t had any snow until the day prior, so there was just a light dusting of snow on the grass. It was so beautiful, peaceful, and tranquil.
Running in a light dusting of snow is the best! I dont think Ive ever gotten to do that on Christmas!
I always run on Christmas morning. It feels so special!
Agreed! Im excited to run tomorrow and the weather looks like it will be pretty good!
Merry Christmas Eve! I hope you have a great day tomorrow with family and get to relax and enjoy the morning like last year!
Christmas Day is one of the only times per year that I wake up excited to go running. The weather is usually at least a little bit crisp and I love to run easy and feel happy. I don’t know if the weather will be crisp this year or not but I am sure I will wake up excited to run anyway!
I hope you have great running weather tomorrow and a wonderful holiday!!
I remember it being so warm on Christmas last year. I wore shorts! It was amazing!
Yes it was so crazy but a nice surprise to have such warm weather at the end of December last year!