Jingle Bell Run/Walk For Arthritis

I initially signed up for this race because I wanted both a distraction and a health/​physical challenge. Though, running a 5k isn’t a giant endeavor and I didn’t exactly train a whole lot beforehand because I ended up having to have a biopsy around two weeks beforehand. But I run the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge every spring and this sounded like fun and with holiday spirit and for a great cause! Arthritis!
I also asked if my friends would like to join and Steph P. felt the need to redeem herself after her first 5K got rained out and Anna F. seemed down with the idea as well. Yay for jingle bells and helping arthritis.
The actual race was pretty good. It was a mostly flat track and there were carolers and a bunch of people urging you on along the way. Only major complaint was freezing to death before the race started. Early winter races are a little cray. I didn’t dress appropriately. I only had on 2 t-​shirts and my pants were falling down. Long story. But overall, I was pleased. I finished at almost exactly 26 minutes, near the mid-​front of the pack and eagerly waited in a heated tent with a chocolate frosted donut until my friends finished. Which, I kept track of on facebook with their 5K jingle ball stroll pictures. LOL. So happy that I got the chance to do this and will most likely try to be a part of more charity races.

So one of my many goals this year (not resolutions, because those are for wussies) was to complete a 5K and knock that off my bucket list. I’m not a runner, hell I can’t even jog for long distances because I’ve got 2 heel spurs and bad knees due to 7 years of soccer, 14 years of martial arts and a bunch of other random activities which all contributed to giving me calves that could crack walnuts but knees that in an x-​ray would resemble those of an 80 year old.
This summer I thought I was popping my 5K cherry with the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge but leave it to Mother Nature to make it rain (and not clear it out) and after it was cancelled I ended up at a friend’s apartment drowning my woes with microwavable takoyaki balls and procecco.
Fast forward to this fall when Ingrid S. noticed on Unilocal that Dorie and a few other awesome Unilocalers created a team to support the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Walk/​Run.
A 5K YOU SAY?! WHERE I CAN OOZE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT OUT OF MY PORES, WEAR BELLS, IS LESS CROWDED THAN THE JP MORGAN CORPORATE CHALLENGE?!, IS LESS NAUSEATINGLY CLAUSTROPHOBIC AND RAISES MONEY TO HELP THOSE AFFLICTED WITH ONE OF THE AILMENTS THAT MY GRANDMOTHER PASSED AWAY FROM APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO?! It’s like all the stars aligned and I immediately signed up along with Ingrid and Anna F.
Ingrid finished in like 26 minutes (and unlike me, was rewarded with complimentary doughnuts which they were thankfully out of by the time I strolled across the finish line), but I was just happy that I beat my predicted time of 4.87 hours (lol). Was so excited that I was able to successfully «STROLL FOR THE CURE».
I easily kicked this 5K’s ass in less than 45 minutes. Anna F. and I probably would have done better had we not stopped a few times for sightseeing purposes, taken Mile sign photo ops, saved cats from trees, carried old ladies across the street, pulled people out of burning cars and done a few laps in the river as we searched for possible remnants of Atlantis… but alas, it was a really fun time with my two favorite girls and it was for a fantastic cause {3.
Can’t get better than a warm and fuzzy 5k in which you’re encouraged to wear bells. 5 stars for the Jingle Walk/​Run!

my first real running event and if it was not for the cold it could have been superb.
running to help the people with arthritis and find solutions to their issues when dealing with it.
for $ 35 we got the opportunity to participate and help with our donations. We got a dri-​fit shirt by doing so.
Plenty of people and vendors giving away food and water.
It was so cold, it started a bit late and like Dorie mentioned, bikers on the running trails. not closed off and walkers should have been put to the back so the runners would finish first.

On a cold cold cold Saturday morning in December I got up EARLY to run outside with a bunch of strangers, and I had a good time, Go figure! This run/​walk event is pretty laid back and composed of some of the most colorfully decked out runners you’ll see in any race. Arthritis is definitely a bad deal, so it’s nice feeling to raise awareness and a bit of $$$, get in some exercise, and see some Santa colored tutus and elf hats as well! Dorie was legit in her Elf socks, Elf hat, and fancy Santa gloves! Jingle bells were included in the race packet which was a cool addition to my normal running gear. The race course snaked around various paths in Riverside Park with amazing views of the Hudson river… I definitely caught myself thinking ‘why don’t I run over here every Saturday’ a few times!
Bottom line is this is a great race for any level of run/​walker, and a low registration fee ($ 25-​$ 35) makes this race a must!

I’m not a runner — but I’ve been training with Dorie to run for this. I’ve been running better and better since then.
This charity benefits Arthritis for all types of it and it’s a problem that isn’t seen as a big problem. I’m adverse to anything painful — and this is as painful as it gets.
Anyway — I had a great time running this run. Everyone was nice and it was a lot of fun. I’m glad i was able to keep up and go a little faster than the pace of the race. I’ll update the review with my time as i didn’t want to be carrying around my cell phone for the running tracker.