Winter Solstice Christmas Tree Run Race Report

Runners at the Starting Line with rain ponchos and umbrellas

On a rainy shortest day of the year morning, at the Winter Solstice Christmas Tree 5 Mile Run, the Green Girl's boyfriend joined her and did his very first race.

The race was held at a very soggy El Dorado Park.

It was amusing to see so many rain ponchos and umbrellas at the Starting Line.



It was a relatively sluggish start because most of the runners were slowing down and going around the large puddles.

I tried to keep up with my boyfriend but I lost him and the crowd of runners around him before the Mile 1 marker.

At a blazing 13:30 minute mile, however, I managed to leave all the walkers in the dust mud.

I maintained a steady pace as I ran around the park. I couldn't stop blinking because of the pelting rain and I regretted leaving my baseball cap at home.

After awhile, I started wondering if I was even on the course anymore. There wasn't a runner in sight.

I decided I was officially lost when I reached a dead end with the largest ducks I'd ever seen in my entire life.

I suddenly realized this was the Summer Solstice Watermelon Run all over again.

Once again, since I'm familiar with the park, I started heading in the general direction of the Finish Line when I felt the mileage was appropriate.

I ended up having to go backwards through the Finish Line and then I quickly turned around and announced I was actually finished.

All the finishers received a full sized Christmas tree.

My boyfriend enjoyed his first race and he said he's ready for a 10k!

The Green Girl's Holiday Race Series

'Tis the season to be running!

For those of you who stay on top of The Running Green Girl's Race Schedule, you may have noticed that the Green Girl is doing a holiday race series this year.

It wasn't my intention to do every Christmas run in Southern California but I have a hard time saying no to really great causes.

This Saturday, I'm starting off my holiday race series running with Santa Claus at the beach at the Santa Monica - Venice Christmas Run. I even splurged and paid an extra $5 to get a technical shirt.

The following Saturday, I'm going to be doing the Santa Fun'd'-Run.

This race is organized by some fellow Sole Runners so I want to go out and show my support. Plus, we've all been promised a cupcake at the Finish Line.

And I'll follow the Santa cupcake run with a Winter Solstice Christmas Tree Run the next day.

The cool thing about this race is that every finisher will receive a Christmas tree.