Minneapolis Halloween Half Marathon, 5K & 10K 2019 (Mr. T)

Minneapolis Halloween 5K (3.15 miles)

Let's not talk about pace this time ...

Good lord.  I just looked back in my blog history to try and figure out how to recap this race.  Doing so has forced me to acknowledge a sad fact: I haven't run in a timed competition since this 5K back in 2017.

Ooof.  Two years ago pretty much to the day.  No wonder why running sucks so much for me right now.  Which reminds me, I should state something before I get too far into this post: I'm not going to bother reporting my time or pace from this race.

Why?  Because I'm not running right now for speed.  I'm running for mental sanity.

In the last two years, I've dialed back my fitness routine WAAAYYY too much, and I've turned into a giant crab as a result.

No, not like the cute kind:

More like the stabby kind:

Yeah.  It hasn't been good.  And although there's other things making me generally crabby (issues at work, the stress of moving houses last year still wearing off, mom life, etc.) ... really, at the end of the day, working out less has contributed to my overall bad attitude quite a bit.

In an attempt to rectify my situation, back in August I decided to register for one of my all time favorite races with my sister.  (Side note, that's a spoiler for a future post).  While that registration did help me get back into a routine some  - I am once again holding myself accountable for 2 body pump classes a week, plus teaching my Tuesday night strength/cardio class, and have done a bit of running - I will fully admit I slacked more on the running part that I ought to have in the last two months.

Instead of faulting myself for not training enough for a casual 5K, I'm going to be positive and say: at least I got back into a fitness routine of some sort.  The rest I'll worry about improving on in the future, ok?!

In the meantime, let's talk costumes, because after all ... this IS a Halloween 5K.

Ok, yep - I skipped any kind of preamble and just spoiled it.

Let's face it.  After years of running races in pretty much any kind of costume imaginable, I've become somewhat unable to top myself.  I mean, think about it.  Here's my list (and this isn't even 100% of what I've actually done):

unicorns (yes, two different kinds as evidence here and here)
skeleton and calevera
flight attendant
mariachi
robot
Hamburgler
Statue of Liberty (with torch)
giant winged butterfly
mermaid
Wonder Woman
two different versions of a ball of flames (this and this)
ninja turtle
a rainbow with a pot of gold

Seriously!  What the hell is left BESIDES Mr. T, right?

I PITY THIS FOOL!

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Race day.

Since I already did (a very uneventful in-store) packet pickup the Thursday prior, my only job on race day was to show up.

Oh - side note, here's what the advertised race swag was:

FYI, that the shirt is actually more of a purple/gray space died tech t.

And being a Halloween fan, I couldn't skip out on the optional (for purchase) socks:

Anyway, on race morning ... since I am woefully OUT of practice on this, I hobbled together some sort of "what's supposed to be normal?!" routine of eating a smallish breakfast and trying to poop.

Yes, I said poop.  This is a runner's recap, you shouldn't be surprised by that.

After a quick coffee and peanut butter toast (my bananas were over ripe and I was afraid to try other "untested" fruits), my partner in crime showed up and we took off.

Following the parking guidance, we ended up on the wrong side of the river for race start.  Based on the course map below, somehow the organizers though having us park near where it says 5K (in black & white) was a good idea ... ???  I don't get that at all, because there are surface lots on the proper side of the river, within 2 blocks of the start line.

Oh well, whatever.  Since the walk from the parking lot (I think it was 5th & Washington) wasn't terrible, and we had plenty of time, I didn't bother moving my car.  And actually, it was an unexpected win, because I was only charged $3 upon exit.  #NOTBAD!

My co-runner in this race had selected the option of having her bib mailed to her pre race, so that meant she needed to do shirt pickup on race morning.  After grabbing her shirt, which was a painless process, we then headed over to bag drop.  That was ... interesting, to say the least.  Leaving your bag in a giant, unmonitored pile, in a public park's race pavilion downtown Minneapolis was a ... concept ... that's for sure.  I still can't believe there was no kind of check in / check out process with the bags, and I wonder how many things got lost or stolen.  So weird.

With all our pre race needs met, we dilly-dallied around for awhile, and even managed to talk some volunteers into letting us take pictures with the official finish tape:

While we killed time waiting to run, both my friend and I remarked how boring this year's costumes seemed to be.  Less than 50% of runners were wearing anything even remotely festive - and once you factored out basic things like tutus and leggings, the amount of actual costumed runners was maybe 25%, if that.

BOO MINNEAPOLIS!  YOU CAN DO BETTER!

Eventually, it was time to line up.  Not going to lie, I had a lot of unnecessary dread building up at this point.  Knowing I was in zero shape to run, I had no idea how this run would go.  My friend and I both kept audibly telling each other that "this is just a 5K", and that it would "be just fine".

Then the announcer said go, and we were off!

Surprisingly, the first mile went better than I anticipated.  Of course, running the two (smallish) hills, didn't help my endurance much, but I was happy to know I could manage.  Even if I was at a fairly conservative pace.

Of course, people watching as we went helped.  A few of the more remarkable costumes we picked out as we plodded along included various versions of Nintendo characters (Mario Kart, Classic Mario & Luigi, Yoshi), the typical Things 1&2, various character onesies or inflatable costumes and so forth.

Being passed by the tight pants guys on the second hill was entertaining:

And somewhere in the mix was a pretty good chicken & The Colonel (he was even carrying a real KFC bucket):

Speaking of carrying accessories, I had to give this duo credit (having run as Lady Liberty more than once, I know carrying something as you run is definitely a commitment):

Around the 1.25-1.35 mile mark or so, my running partner and I slowed for a walk break.  This is where I was disappointed to discover that the 5K course had no water stop.  In fact, after a bit of consideration, I realized there was basically no course support of any kind (aside from police at intersections).  While technically a water stop on a 5K is unnecessary, since I forgot my pre-race routine of a large glass of water, I was a little desperate for a drink. 

Of course, this grated on me a bit.  I mean - I paid $35 to run this thing ... is a water stop too much to ask for?!  LOL!  #BitterOuttaShapeRunner

Trying to bury my unjustified resentment, I redirected my focus.  Time to get moving again.

Prior to the 2 mile mark, it was time to run once more.  Since I was afraid I wouldn't make another continuous mile plus stretch, and didn't want my partner to suffer because of it, I told her to not worry about my pace and just go.  Mostly, we kept up with each other, though I was a bit behind and off to her right.  However, the crowd got in between us enough that I eventually lost visual site of her until after the finish.

No matter, I had other things to look at as I carried on.

Side note - don't you hate the jerks that bid $1 more?!  I do!

The final stretch of this race followed along the Stone Arch Bridge.  Knowing the finish line couldn't be far, I decided to force commit myself to finishing strong and held my (slow) running pace.  Which means I was thrilled to hit the finish being able to say I only took one walk break. Of course, it helped that the announcer called out "And here comes Natalie ... I PITY THE FOOL!!!"

Yes!  At least one person appreciated the joke that was my costume. 

Dang millennials not knowing 80's culture.  Maybe if they got off their dang e-phones and i-kindles, they'd know a thing or two.

Despite the lack of on course amenities for the 5K, at the finish line all was redeemed.  Picking up metals, water and post race snacks was a smooth process, and in fact better than most other races I've been too.  So for that ... OK fine, maybe I'll run this race again some time.  (wink)

But ... since it was the weekend before Halloween ... we didn't stay around much longer after finishing.  With all the other Halloween events in the cities going on, how could we?!

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And ... that's the story of how race bib #84 joined my collection.  Since it's been FAR too long since I've done this ... here's to another race soon!!

Happy Halloween!

Reddit Gifts Awesome Packaging 2019

I've already put a few posts up on this blog about Reddit Gifts, so I won't do a re-introduction on what that is.  Instead, I'll open today's blog by saying ... the exchange that most people get excited for on Reddit Gifts is the Christmas/Holiday-centric one that opens in November.

Me on the other hand ... I have spent the last 6 months fan-girling for the Trick-or-Treat exchange.  

Well, until my partner for that one specifically asked for a charitable donation.  And only a charitable donation.  

Whomp-whomp.

Lucky for me, I was overly tempted this round and actually singed up for two exchanges - something I never do.  But with an exchange open where awesome packaging was the end goal, and everything else was open to interpretation ... how could I not?!  I mean, that's the most creative I can be in all the exchanges!!!

So with my Halloween exchange thwarted, I decided to add a Halloween twist to my awesome packaging gift instead.  Being that my partner said they liked "hometown" type gifts, and I love Halloween sooooo much ... I mean, sending a Halloween themed gift is kind of like coming to my house for Halloween, right?!

With my "theme" of sorts planned out, my goal in mind was now: create a package that makes you feel like you're at my house for Halloween.

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First off, the main gift box.  

For my "real job", I work as a buyer.  Which means at the holidays, I'm inundated with various sugary treats.  So great for someone trying to manage their weight ... so great.  (D'oh!)

Anyway, a few years back I received some cookies in a wooden presentation box.  Actually, two years in a row I got cookies this way.  

It's a little hard to tell in this photo, but the box is essentially two pieces:  

     (1) a flat piece of wood that serves as a lid

     (2) a box base with an extended "lip" on two sides, which has a channel cut into it 

To close the box, you feed the lid into the channels of the box and gently slide it shut.

The above shows various box sizes, but the boxes I have are a bit smaller than a shoe box.  

These boxes were too cool, and I could never quite bear to throw them out.  Solid wood, with a sliding top panel?  How can you put that in the trash?!

So ... back on topic.  After simmering for awhile about what would equal "awesome packaging", I decided to repurpose one of these boxes.  A little acrylic paint, some Martha Steward stencils, and some orange raffia later ... viola!

Of course, I forgot to take photos of the box until I had already loaded it with goodies and tied a bow on it.  Dang it.  At least you get the concept.

Since one of my gifts to include in the package was too large for the wooden box, I wrapped it in a second side package.  And being that another add in - a sequin pumpkin - was cute even without packaging ... I left that one "naked".  The final gift collection looked something like this.

Not shown, an orange envelope which included a letter explaining why I selected the gifts.  Since you won't get to see that letter, the general gist is:

(1) I included a skull cross stitch made by me, with a sequined pumpkin to complement it

(2) Two squishy mystery toys (the item I'm actually handing out to trick-or-treaters that ring my bell), and some Halloween crackers for her kids

(3) Pearson's candy (the receiver specifically mentioned they like local treats), with napkins

(4) Halloween "Christmas" ornaments (the receiver specifically mentioned they like ornaments)

And since you now know the contents, may as well show you the end result!

So now I wait ... will I get something awesomely wrapped as well?  Time will tell!  (I'll be sure to update if I do).

Happy Halloween everyone!  

Get Boo-ing 2019

It's my favorite time of year.  Halloween!  You know me and costumes!!  And being extra!!!  And gift giveaway planning!!!!

All these factors combined, obviously I can't wait each year to kick off the boo-ing tradition my neighborhood.  Especially since I had so much fun with it last year.  And since October is here ...

Oh!  If you're not familiar with the boo concept, here's the summary - I borrowed inspiration from the internet but re-wrote the poem to make it less wordy:

Anyway, back on subject.

There seemed to be a relatively good boo basket participation in my neighborhood in 2018.  So in anticipation of repeating the trend for 2019, during Halloween clearance last year I picked up a TON of potential basket fodder.

Which of course left me chomping at the bit to dole out baskets October first.

Here's the two baskets I pulled together.  You can likely tell which house is primarily adult, and which has two tween/teen girls:

Now I wait to see ... did my excitement catch again this year?  Will boo-ing spread through the neighborhood?

If I get a boo basket myself, I'll be sure to update!  :-)


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Do you boo in your neighborhood?  What kind of basket do you build?  Add your comments below!