Parades and running for a cause
November 15, 2009
Have you ever taken part in an honest-to-goodness Santa Claus parade? I haven’t! But tonight, I got to see one.
The area of town I live in is teeming with young families and many children, and I guess it’s both a big and small enough area that they were able to have this parade. It’s been ages since I’ve seen a parade so it was pretty neat to see floats(!!) and bag pipers and santas and decorated cars and trucks making their way down my long street, turning the corner and marching on through the main streets of the city. I actually thought I was dreaming when I was woken from my pre-dinner nap by Christmas music and flashing lights that were reflected on the walls of my bedroom (since I still don’t have curtains up).
I took a few pictures but it was dark out and I still don’t know how to use my camera in those sort of settings, so the pictures are pretty blurry. I’ll add a few to this entry if I get my act together.
Despite all the people in the area, you don’t really get to see them, especially as the weather cools. Thanks to tonight’s mild weather, there were HUNDREDS of people out, with strollers, blankets and folding chairs. I’m sure some next-door neighbours met each other for the first time too. I didn’t stick around long, just enough to snap some pictures, but next year I may sit on my stoop for a bit and talk to my neighbour as we watch the floats pass by.
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Thanks for the comments on the last entry. I know I can do the 5km run/walk, but I don’t want to do it unless I destroy my time for last year’s run/walk (50 minutes, 4 seconds). That will definitely not happen unless I commit to a fairly rigorous schedule, one that should involve joining a program like the Running Room’s learn to run program, I’m thinking. So, this isn’t an actual dilemma so much as a decision waiting to be made by me. There’s also the part of me that didn’t enjoy asking for sponsors last year and is reluctant to ask again, but it’s not like the money’s for me, right? It’s for the cause!
Is there a running room in Barrhaven? I can't recall…that would be convenient if so.
Do you like the bagpipes? People think I'm weird but it's one of my favorite sounds in the world. The sound gives me chills. And I secretly would love to learn how to play. :)
This reminds me, we totally have to go to Denver's Christmas parade this year. So excited.
I'll sponsor you again ^_^
just a thought though – while i think its very admirable to do the actual run itself, don't sell yourself short if you end up volunteering instead! At least you're getting out there and doing your part. There are lots of us who don't even manage to get out and cheer, let alone help out (yes I'm talking about myself).
@Shannon
No there isn't a RR in Barrhaven, and there isn't a learn to run clinic until the new year so I'll have to do something until then.
I do like bagpipes! I wouldn't say it's one of my favourite sounds in the world but I'm not one of those people who can't stand them. I learned something new about you – that's awesome!
@Jess
Oh, I hope you enjoy it!
@acidtrix
Thanks for the pledge to support me again – I do appreciate it. And you're right that volunteering is still doing something…I guess I'll feel a bit like I'm copping out because I should be challenging myself to beat my time from 2008.