YHC got to The Big House a few minutes early to relish some private quiet time to simply self-reflect.  Soon thereafter, Gomer arrived with a festive Christmas light necklace that could make Mr. T jealous.  Grunge arrived with some glow stick necklaces for everyone, and with the group looking and feeling festive we got on with our Decoration Exploration fellowship run (small disclaimer: at TBH this morning, a few of the Pax made mention that in their humble opinion, “fellowship run” is a bit oxymoronic.  To each his own, but my knees might agree with them).

Warm-Up

Slow shoulder rolls with deep breaths

Quad and Hammie Stretches

Imperial Walkers

Main Event

The men, complete in their festive regalia (and reflective gear) moved to BCP and took a right on Dark Forest.  Then down to a left on Bennett Ridge by the house with an actual model train in its front yard.  Unfortunately, the one house YHC really wanted everyone to see (synchronized lights & music, plus an animated Santa projected in its upstairs window) was unlit.  Bah humbug. We continued around to Great Ridge and headed towards the dog park.  At this point, the pack passed a tall gent with a mean, mean runner’s stride.  Our effervescent Grunge greets the potential recruit with a “Brother, come join us!”  Ryan obliged, and ran with us around Old Piedmont and up the hill on Juneberry to the linear park.  Here, we paused for a few merkins, bid Ryan adieu, and paid some props to our brother Sussudio for pushing his sleeping 2.0 up that hill in a jog stroller.  After the merkin recovery, we continued down Beacon Ridge and hit the Landover loop.  There was a house in the back of Landover that had a pretty impressive holiday display.  We marveled at it, and then took BCP towards Tobacco Farm.  Here, we bid farewell to Sussudio and his 2.0, who I’m sure had visions of sugar plums dancing through his sleeping head, and moved on down to Tarwick.  While jogging by Boyardee’s and Marky Mark’s houses, we tried to compel them outside using our powers of The F3 Force (and also Yanni flashing his headlamp into MM’s front door), but alas we had no takers.  Continued on down and around N. Serenity Circle and got Peanuts music stuck between our ears thanks to Stickman’s inflatables.  Up the hill, across BCP, through the Villas and onto Hillcreek.  Strode past Fieri’s and Closer’s abodes and then past YHC’s (where YHC had to run inside quickly as my laser light flashy thingy wasn’t turned on).  Back towards GRP, while pointing out the Iron Throne that is the castle of Yanni.  It was around here that Grunge suggested that we keep going for little longer and farther, so we trotted over to Bennett Mountain Trace to pass of few other brothers’ homes.  After our pass-in-review, it was getting to be about that time so we headed on back to The Big House.  Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a group of ladies who were preparing to do a similar “jingle run” of their own.  YHC made a note that we, the men, did it first.  We offered warm greetings, and then wound down with some cool-down stretches.  Total distance was around 4.8 miles.

COT

The holidays seem to help bring out the best in people.  Joyful decorations help us take stock of our community, our families, our blessings.  Frames of mind seem to be more positive.  Everyone seems to be a little kinder, a little more patient, a little more generous.  Make everyday a holiday, and strive to exude the same goodwill and attitude that this time of year seems to elicit.  Thanks much to everyone for the support.  Words cannot express my gratitude for the blessings that F3 and each and every one of you have given me.

Moleskin

As we finished our fellowship run, we were approached by a woman who wanted to take our picture.  Damn it’s hard being good-looking.