A Halloween Run

October 31st, 2009 | Posted by Alison Spath in Breakfast

I had the most fabulous run this morning!

But this fabulous run actually started yesterday – with an innocent homeschooling Halloween party where Mama went as a Dirty Hippy and Maxine went as a ballerina.

The Dirty Hippy and the Prima Ballerina

I don’t know that this was much of a stretch from how we dress day to day, but whatever.

There were lots of fun treats and goodies.

Pumpkin Rice Krispy Treat

Including some Mama Averie inspired raw donut holes, available in both chocolate and pumpkin.

Chocolate Donut Holes Pumpkin Donut Holes

Lots of fun games and activities too.

Ghost Ghost Goblin anyone? Hmmm, this seems a lot like another game I know with a duck and a goose…

Ghost Ghost Goblin

And who doesn’t love some salt dough fun?

Salt Dough

Giant rice krispy treats and Halloween chasing games aside, the climax of my story has yet to come! I know you’ve been on the edge of your seat since my opening line.

Yesterday’s party was held at the home of some friends who happen to live in our soon-to-be-new-neighborhood. Their house is just a block and a half from our new house, and yes I totally went the long way around and drove by like the house stalker that I am.  Thanks for asking!

I peppered our hosts with all sorts of questions about city living and our new stomping grounds.  The husband of my friend happens to be a runner and mentioned the neighborhood running group that meets regularly just a block away.  They run three days a week at 6am, all year round. Four to five miles, down the city streets, through the university campus, along the river path, over the foot bridge, through the cemetery to grandmother’s house we go!

Oh!  And they’re going tomorrow morning?  Wanna come along?

Do I want to come along? Do you know how many times I’ve driven by my new house? And now I get to RUN by? Getting my sneaks on now!

Fast forward to this morning – picture me dragging my butt out of bed at 5am to get dressed and drive into the city (and by the new house – of course) to run 5 miles with a group of strangers in the dark and in the rain.

Now picture me doing a little dance of joy! I loved it despite the fact that our route did not in fact take us by the new house. That’s ok, I can just drive by on my way home. No big deal – I do it all the time.

One of the biggest concerns I’ve had about moving to the city was how living in a more urban area was going to affect my running life.  All of my concerns were laid to rest this morning. I can’t even believe the new house comes with a built in running group.  Why wasn’t that a part of the house description?

Hardwood floors, new furnace, updated kitchen, running group… SOLD!

Home again and back in Suburbia, I put together a cereal parfait worthy of eating on Halloween morning.

Breakfast Parfait

Bottom Layer: Pumpkin, agave, cinnamon and nutmeg

Middle Layer: Kashi Cinnamon Harvest. I’ve been avoiding boxed cereal like Swine Flu but bought this for the girls and as far as boxed cereals go, I find that shredded wheat is far from addictive.

Top Layer: Sliced bananas, sliced almonds and flax.

All while being observed by a black cat. I know what you’re thinking – she looks like she’s annoyed and ready to claw me in the eye. But really she’s just showing her support for my attempt to create a Halloween feel for today’s post.

Cat Watch

Take it from the top!  A good pour of hemp milk.

Let's Take it From the Top

So that’s it! I’m officially ready to move!  Right now!  No time to Trick or Treat – let’s PACK!


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13 Responses

  • maria says:

    I’ve never been involved with a running group before. But I get so jealous of all of you who are lucky to have the opporutnity. I would love someone to push me and inspire me in real life.

  • Erin says:

    That’s so awesome!! Heck yes for new friends, yummy cereal, and dirty hippies!!

    I ran with a friend who is new-ish to running this AM and it was so fun! It’s making me want to join a group in my area too!

  • Julie says:

    That’s so cool!! Knowing you have all this awesome stuff waiting for you in the city must make you want to move tomorrow!! Keep all this in mind when your packing up your family’s life into 8 million boxes. :)

  • Bernadette says:

    Jackpot!!!
    That is so awesome, you’ll have to tell us more about the running group. Did you like the people and how was it to run with a group??

    There is a running group that meet at the local running store a few blocks from my house 2 evenings a week. I have wanted to run with them for a while but am so nervous to do it for some reason.

    Have a Happy Halloweeny!!!
    xoxo
    Berni

  • Mama Pea says:

    I’m so glad you found a little running group! Now will they be sympathetic if you have bananas and soy milk stuffed in your pockets?

    Have fun tonight with your gals!

  • Cindy says:

    Could that running group have been the most perfect PERK…or sign that your new home and neighborhood is the right decision?

    I am so happy HAPPY for you Ali!

    LOVE your hippie outfit! I think I wore that to work a few Friday’s ago..You dress like ME now!
    jk

    and Hubs wants to know if you want a new twin Kitty…(ours has been naughty) we’ll ship her overnight,…

    let me know!

    Happy Halloween M’ Dahling!
    xo

  • Erica says:

    Oh my gosh- how cute does Maxine look in that top picture? Love it. What a fun party- I want to try a donut hole. Enjoy your halloween chicky

  • First, thanks for the linky love and glad the donut holes not only looked like they turned out, but turned out beautifully. How awesome and I hope they tasted as good as you made them look :) Did you like them?

    As for your built in running group and fitness concerns moving to a new city? Girlfriend, upon moving to AZ I was so worried about finding a yoga studio (still havent) and that running outside would be too hot (it wasn’t). So I am 1 for 2. The yoga situation is b/c driving 30 mins one way to a decent studio is not gonna work in my life. Soo…guess I am an at home praticer for now.

    LOVE your hippy attire btw and soooo glad you have found some peace w/ a built in running around that is awesome & sooo happy for you!!!!

    • Alison says:

      Oh yes I didn’t even say it! (I was too excited to get on to the run portion of my post apparently) but the donut holes rocked the house! The chocolate ones were everyone’s favorites and I’m totally making them again. Who needs a larabar when I can make my own? (But I still love you Larabar!) They were awesome, thanks for the inspiration! 😉

  • Liz says:

    That’s really awesome that there is a running group that meets right near your house!

  • Jennifer says:

    Oh, that is SO awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See! This move was meant to be. :)

    Happy Halloween!!!

  • Woot, woot! A new house that includes a running group. It sounds like this new neighborhood was meant for you and your family!

  • Lizzy says:

    a running group!? Alison thats awesome! :) i foresee plenty of amazing runs in your near future! i’m so happy for you love!