It’s no secret I run to eat. I love food and should be concerned much more about calories. I’m secretly envious of those that follow the perfect paleo diets or my friends who’ve lost tens of pounds following Atkins and eating eggs and bacon all the time. I even admire those who complete juicing cleanses and drink lemon water with cayenne pepper. (I lived near Los Angeles for a while and this was very popular among the trendy SoCal residents.)

I don’t have such willpower. I tell myself one day I’ll do a detox and see what happens to my body. Maybe I’ll become such a faster runner as all the toxins will flush themselves right out. But that day hasn’t come yet.

This is why I adore races that take place on holidays because I get to burn the calories off and then a few hours later eat them back. Because yesterday was the Superbowl, which is basically considered a U.S. holiday, I list my favorite races to do on holidays.

Superbowl Sunday 10K: I don’t mind getting up early on the weekends if it means I’m heading to a race. While most people sleep in (which I do if I’m not racing), I enjoy having my workout done before 10am. Such was yesterday when I participated in the annual Superbowl Sunday race. Runners come dressed up in their jerseys and the post-race spread is sports-themed. I can then retire to the couch for the rest of the day and eat submarine sandwiches and cheer on the teams…or just watch the commercials.

Turkey Trot: As the greatest day in the country for food, I appreciate the ability to burn off approximately 700 calories in a 10K before the Thanksgiving dinner. I also love the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and typically, depending on how fast I run, I can get back in time to see the Broadway teasers. I also love running with Tom the Turkey and the special feeling this day brings.

Skirt Chaser for Valentine’s Day: While I am single, Valentine’s Day means nothing to me.  In fact, I call it Single Awareness Day and while I usually feel complete apathy toward Hallmark, I very much dislike them on this day….except for my salivation over all the candy. I love conversation hearts, gummy hearts and pink M&Ms.  Luckily, I participate in a race to burn it off. The Skirt Chaser generally falls around Valentine’s Day in my town. For those  unaware, the Skirt Chaser is a 5K event that allows women a three-minute head start. Men always catch up, at least to me, but I don’t mind.