Kelsey Social: 5k

Last weekend, in an attempt to reduce our round little bellies that shake when we laugh like bowls full of jelly, 10,000 runners dressed like Papa Noel to run 5.5 kilometers through the streets of Madrid.

We were dressed all in ~~fur~~ felt from head to foot but instead of being tarnished in ashes and soot… we were soaked in sweat. It's not easy running with a full beard, baggy clothes, a belt and a floppy hat!

I went with a few friends that I also joined for the Holi Run. While this race was slightly more serious, we still took it pretty easy and just had a good time jogging with the crowds of Santas and little green elves. It began at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and then looped around the festively decorated streets of the city. And of course we celebrated after with well-deserved hot chocolate and beers!

I've met a quite few runners here and there has been a lot of talk about signing up for upcoming races in Madrid... 10k? Half-marathon? Marathon? Eeek!

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This past weekend, I joined 10,000 Madrileños (and fellow wannabe Madrileños) for the first ever Holi Run in Spain.

Just like the Color Run in The States, the Holi Run is a 5K run/walk which features a different color station full of powdered paint at the end of each kilometer.

I had expected to do much more running than walking, but everyone's main focus is on the paint rather than speed -- which is more fun anyway!

By the end, we had multicolored hair, teeth, tongues, clothes and shoes. I wore my iPhone in my armband to take some pictures and video and I still can't get the orange powder out of the cracks.

Overall, it was a great time. I got a little exercise, made some new friends, and picked up tips for the next Color/Holi Run: