This afternoon I ran in the inaugural Santa Run created to help provide funds to keep Christmas in the Park going in downtown San Jose. There were about 2,700 Santa's out there!

Here is the view from in front of me


and here is the view from behind me


I had my son and daughter-in-law join me. This is my son and daughter-in-law. She has lost 50 pounds in the past year or so. She said she was inspired by me. I am so proud of her!


My son hasn't actually run since high school, so I figured he would just walk the 5k since he was pushing my grandson in his stroller, but he ended up running most of the way and did really well

This is my grandson after a Santa carrying a red bag gave him a candy cane. I was sure he was going to start screaming because he doesn't usually like anyone in a costume, but he did well and was smiling and playing with the candy cane.


My daughter-in-law wasn't feeling really well and has anxiety, so I told her I would stay with her during the run. We ran parts and walked parts. She told me I could go ahead when she saw that there was lots of police coverage keeping the area safe, but I told her I would stay with her and for her not to worry about me and that I would walk when she walked an run when she ran and I would keep her pace. We finished the 5k in 44 minutes. I was very happy to stay with her. She started to have an issue with her asthma and I didn't want her to be alone if she had a larger issue and needed help.

All in all, we had a great time. I paid for tickets to let Everett ride on the train they had at Christmas in the Park. He LOVES trains. He came off crying though. He was in the car behind the lead engine and the children up there were able to ring the bell. He wanted to be able to do that, but couldn't, so that made him upset. Oh well! Maybe next year

Speaking of next year, the goal of the organizers is to make this the largest Santa Run around. They think they will be able to reach this goal in less than 5 years. I hope I will be able to continue participating in this run until they reach this goal - and beyond