New Year's - the time of year where you reflect on the events of the previous year and where ambitions/resolutions for next year are forefront on your mind.  My goals and resolutions for 2002 were already in motion when my friend and training partner, Tom, asked if I wanted to do the Midnight run in New York Central Park. Cautiously, I said yes. 

	“	New Year's -- the time of year where you reflect on the events of the previous year and where ambitions/resolutions for next year are forefront on your mind.”
		— Lida Letowt

In the past, celebrating the New Year was always a quiet time with close friends, not running 4 miles through Central Park with 5,000 people.  My excitement for the run grew as I found myself at the start of the run at about 11:30 p.m..  There was so much energy, enthusiasm, and warmth in the crowd.  Our little group of 11 were dressed in multiple layers of warm clothing and lots of jingle bells attached to wrists, ankles, shoelaces, and in my case my waist.  Between the 11 of us most of us were running, but there was Sara (she's 11 years old) who was going to walk/run with Tom as her chaperone, and others just intending on walking the entire route. 

At midnight after a brief "Happy New Year" and hugs and kisses, the run started.  Unfortunately, as a result of Sept 11th the fireworks for this year were cancelled.  We clattered along decked in our jingle bells when my friend Annette spotted Santa Claus.  She yelled "Santa, Santa!" and ran faster to catch him.  The faster she ran, the faster Santa ran.  I guess Santa didn't want anything to do with a crazy lady wearing bells and Rudolph antlers?! 

I maintained my pace and we never saw Santa again.  There were lots of other folks in costume though - Miss America, a man in a barrel, a group dressed as the flag, some in pajamas, a variety of wacky hats - but mostly, there was just average folks with all different levels of physical abilities out for a good time.  We all finished felling wonderful about our completion of the 4 miles. What a wonderful way to bring in the New Year!  And I'm sure there will be fireworks next year. 

Happy New Year.