CrossRoads Blog

Halloween is suppose to be ‘Spooky’ and ‘Kooky’ - and this year fit the bill. Only from a little different slant than is typical I guess. The kooky part was running down a dirt trail at 5:15 a.m. in the cold morning with a headlamp on your head to meet your wife in an hour so you both can do another 12 miles in addition to the 9 it will take to get to her. I think there are some that may say that’s a kooky way to start a Saturday Halloween morning?

By midday we were still scrambling around trying to find us a costume for an event we had later in the day. Seeing a 21 mile run in the morning was not enough, we had signed up for a 5K run at the new City North at City Center (a new local retail and urban living development) called “Freaky 5K“. While it was not a requirement to run in costume - how could you not? I was hoping to be a Sheik and Kimberly a Belly Dancer type that matched (kind of). Sadly there was nothing even close to a costume like that and we went to many place. Seeing nothing else was appealing we decided Kimberly would still go as a Belly Dancer (I know a stretch right? But she would have an awesome costume!) and I found one that while would not be as easy to run in as a Sheik gown, would be very funny to look at. It was essentially an ostrich that made it look like you were riding them when wearing. It even had a little motor to poof out the tail and rest of the bird. Very funny stuff - I therefore looking like I was cheating on the run as I was riding an ostrich.

Let’s just say it is not too easy running in a blow up bird. Though the looks I was getting from the 2-6 year olds was worth the price of admission. We both had a real good run and time too considering the costumes and the length of the morning run. But having already been a nonstop day we were well ready to do some chillin’ and hanging with friends and family at Kerry and Mike’s get together in Anthem.

Sis and Brother in law do like we always do for the spook night - they setup shop (food drinks, chairs, fire pit, the whole nine yards) out in the driveway and hang with the friends while the little trick or treaters swing by for the high fructose buzz in a wrapper stuff. It’s a great way to meet (or see) the neighbors and a perfect reason to partake of good food and drink. Speaking of which, Mike had some good chili made up and I brought some too. Along with some other way good food goodies from everyone, I think I ate and drank back the 24 miles worth of calorie burn :-).

It was also great to see Mike and Joleen and their furry one again. Heather was there and in great spirits (little credit for working the ’spirits’ into the blog?) - she looks amazing and is doing so good on the path toward her first Marathon!! We are thrilled for her. Louie was hanging looking good, the fire was cranking, the chili was spicy and my ‘Reese’s peanut butter cocktail drinks went over pretty good (though not exactly what I had hoped for from a taste perspective). All in all a great night, that finally ended about 20 hours after it started.

Oh yeah, the “Spooky” part of the day I alluded to….. I give you: