The weather cooperated for our holiday lights run last night giving us a cold, but clear (and precipitation-free) evening.

We strapped on our yak tracks (well, not me...I'm hoping for some from Santa this year) and ran for the hills. Glenwood Hills, that is.

Unfortunately, there weren't a lot of holiday lights to see -- at least not what I think we all expected. As we ran along in the dark, we lamented the fact that there were not many houses lit up, then sheepishly admitted that not one of us had really put up any outdoor holiday lights either.

Lights or no lights, it was still great to run outside in the fresh air with friends. In this crazy holiday season, when tensions are running high all over and my stress-level has reached max capacity and I have no patience or tolerance left, nothing -- nothing -- can calm me down like a run.

It gives me strength in more ways than one.