The scene outside of the Christopher Martins Restaurant on Sunday morning in New Haven, as cold as it may have been, was warming. Toys being donated to less fortunate kids, like, a lot of toys; people were decked out in red, green & white, there were ugly sweaters, Santa hats galore, a few reindeer get ups & even some Ginger Bread people. (they seemed half baked! Ha!)

This race was extremely important to me. 2 years ago it had been my very first race. It was an odd time, I had just lost an uncle that Tuesday & my head was a bit foggy, but after I crossed that finish line, my life changed. It was my first realization that running, for me, was an escape of sorts. I felt connected & a part of something, but still on my own, experiencing an elated solidarity. I feel that more & more with every run & of course, on race day. I'm an island. (Whoa dude, far out.)

Well this past race, was race number TEN for me!

The route provides perfect screen shots of the city of New Haven. Some really wonderful architecture, great buildings & you really get that feeling of running through a big city. The course is flat, with one mild incline somewhere after mile 2.

It's a full on race experience with the right amount of silliness, a friendly route & the challenge of cold weather. It's the type of race that truly captures the spirit of Christmas, the holidays & that magical "December in the city" feeling.

Oh, those bells that I mentioned... so I had my headphones in, playing Christmas jams & in between each song transition, where there would just be the sounds of my breathing, feet hitting pavement & general city noises, I heard all those chintzy bells. Well that right there, put a giant smile upon my beard.

Bloody Mary's at the start line & at the finish?... tables of those glorious Sea Hags that I love so much.

New Haven, JB Sports & Christopher Martins - you did it again! Cheers to you!

I'm Tony Cankles, reminding you to always say Please & Thankles.

#RunRoadsStayGrounded

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