Race Report: The Sale Santa Dash 2019

Probably the only time I’ll ever podium in a race

I was very relieved the stepping stones weren’t on the race route

What could be better, after three parties in a row, than a 5k race through mud and freezing water for charity?

No, don’t answer that.

My friend Laura got in touch with me about doing the Sale Santa Dash, run by the Mile Shy Club for Prostate Cancer UK, back in November. Running races keeps us training, and these smaller events are often the best: the atmosphere is lighter, the sense of camaraderie stronger maybe. We both had parties scheduled the night before, but since it was less than £10 to sign up, why not?

As it turned out, I had a run of Christmas social events that week and for an introvert it was more like a marathon. Neighbours gathered on Thursday, a friend’s birthday on Friday and then a big Christmas party on Saturday. Even though I left early, I didn’t sleep well, so I wasn’t that well prepared.

These big race reports on r/running always feature an essay on training. I don’t think you need one for a 5k dash in a hat if you’re used to running, do you? I’d run two 10ks during the week, then had three days between that and the race itself. Then I did something very stupid indeed.

I ran 6.5km to the race itself.