This month’s customer spotlight is the one and only man of the month, Santa Claus! It seems only fitting to feature Mr. December himself for the =PR= Post. Santa doesn’t shop with us often but you can always count on him to drop into his favorite run/walk speciality shop come December. I mean where else would he go to shop for all the nice runners and walkers on his list? When Santa’s not preparing for his “big race day” on the eve of December 24th. He is training for his favorite race, the Run with Santa 5K and 1 Mile Race. This year he will be lacing up his boots and running his 5K virtually from the North Pole alongside Mrs. Claus and his team of elves. This year he is hoping to set a new =PR= and will be paced by Rudolph.
Q U I C K Q U E S T I O N S
Runner/Employee Full Name: Santa Claus
Age Category: Ho, Ho, Ho, Santa is ageless… Let’s just say I am a proud member of the master’s club.
Favorite PR Race: Do you even have to ask… The Run with Santa 5K and 1 Mile race.
Favorite Race of All Time: There’s only one race that matters and it’s the Run with Santa 5K and 1 Mile race.
First Race Ever: I did a race down the chimney once when I first got started, it didn’t turn out too well….
Best Race Memory: My favorite part of the Run with Santa 5K is standing at the finish line watching all the runners come in. It makes this a lot easier when I am checking my list twice… if you ran, walked, or raced you can guarantee a spot on Santa’s nice list… no coal for you.
How did you get started running or walking? I eat a lot of cookies in December and Mrs. Claus started noticing my belt was a bit tighter than past years… so I took up running and before I knew it I was asked to be a part of the =PR= Races Run with Santa 5K. The rest is history, now I can keep eating as many cookies as I want.
Favorite Running Event/Distance? I don’t have a favorite distance but I do enjoy a night run. Blitzen and I go out a lot and crank out a few miles under the stars.
What is your favorite part about running/racing?
Running: Knowing that each day I have a nice break from the workshop to de-stress from the holiday hustle and bustle. The entire crew, elves, reindeer, and even the Mrs. gets out for a run daily.
Racing: The fans. I don’t want to toot my own horn but when I race you wouldn’t believe the number of fans, loud cheers, and Santa selfies I have to stop for mid-race. You’d think I was some sort of big deal, hot-shot runner.
Who is your biggest cheerleader/supporter? Mrs. Claus, she is my number 1 fan and cheerleader. And the funny thing is she’s faster than me too! She can crank out a sub 20 minute 5K in heels and a dress.
What is your Spirit Animal? Reindeer, easy!
What is your life’s motto? Words to live by? Never stop believing.
T H I S O R T H A T
Distance – Long or Short – Both! Running, I’d go short, delivering packages, long. I log a lot of miles on December 24th. Let’s just say it’s an ultramarathon type of night.
Post Race Snack – Banana or Bagel … Neither. Cookies and Milk. Great for a speedy recovery and a full belly. For a healthy snack, I nibble on the reindeer carrots and celery here and there.
Running Company – Alone or Together – Most of my miles are with the elves or the Mrs. for speed days.
Time of Day – Rise and Grind (Morning) or Night Time is the Right Time (Evening) It’s hard to run during the day I am usually busy with photo appearances at the mall or working on my naughty and nice list.
Location – Road Runner or Trail Crusher… neither Snow Cruncher. The North Pole has a lot of snow.
Run – Workout or Long Run.. Gotta get those workouts in so I can keep up with all the kids for the Run With Santa Race.
Top Shoes/Spikes Picks:
1) Boots
2) Oofos recovery sandals for the summer vacay at the beach.
3) New Balance 1080, love myself some cushion.
Top 3 Items:
1) Honey Stinger Waffles the next best thing to a cookie
2) PR Gift Card… then I can pick out what I really want!
3) Nathan Candy Jar Strobe Lights… a little something extra special for Rudolph
Top 3 Fun Facts, Tell Us Something About Yourself!
1) I’m a size 15 in boots.
2) I have a lot of look-alikes.
3) I make a mean snickerdoodle cookie, just ask Mrs. Claus.
Favorite place to run or train:
1) The North Pole
2) The Reston Town Center 5K course.
3) On the beach when I’m on vacation.
Racing is . . . hard when you’re all suited up.
Running is . . . magic.
My last run was . . . with Rudolph to prepare for the Run with Santa 5K Race.
My favorite thing about running is . . . knowing that I can enjoy an extra cookie afterwards.
If I wasn’t running I’d be . . . delivering packages to everyone on the nice list.
