NatNews

Many athletes—and humans, in general—often develop beliefs that certain actions or aspects played contributing factors to specific successes in their lives. Suddenly, the socks you wore when you pitched a no-hitter become your lucky socks; the pen you used when you aced an exam becomes your go-to pen; the meal you ate the night before your best race is forevermore your pre-race dinner; the three dribbles and one deep breath you take at the free-throw line become the sure-fire way you’ll hit the shot. The list goes on.

Runners often become routine-oriented, especially when they have successful long runs and races when wearing certain gear or after eating particular foods the nights before or mornings of their achievements. Dallas resident Ben Sewell, who is running the California International Marathon on Sunday, said he never tries new equipment or clothing on race day because it is not worth the risk of something going wrong after months of tough training.

“I think routines and rituals are great, and for runners, it can provide extra peace of mind and motivation by sticking with things that work, even if the edge is psychological,” he said. “Because the body can react differently under stress, having a routine or a lucky hat for longer training runs and races has a lot of benefits.”

In addition to specific clothing items, some runners prefer to stick to certain foods, as well. Dallas-area resident and Brooks ambassador Kyle Burnett said he eats a bean burrito every night before a race, something he has been doing for more than 20 years now.

“It’s my one superstition, dating back to high school cross country,” he said. “It’s just a mental thing, but I probably would have it on my mind mid-race as a reason if things went poorly.”

Dallas-area resident and Brooks ambassador Carolyn Macduff, who describes herself as a very routine person, said she typically eats a bowl of Frosted Flakes before her races and that she has worn the same racing singlet in her last two marathons, running personal best times in each.

“I think I feel more comfortable when I’m racing in clothing I’ve raced in before,” she said. “And I’ve always pulled off PRs when Frosted Flakes and my racing singlet are involved. Physically, I don’t think it does anything, but mentally? That’s where it counts for me.”

Rachel Balthrop Mendoza, who said she does not necessarily have many superstitions or routines but that she “obsessively” checks her watch prior to a run to make sure that the GPS has synced properly, also said that routines and superstitions are more about mentality than anything.

“There may be physical rituals/routines, but it all has to do with your mindset going into a race,” she said. “There are plenty of ways for a runner to get there mentally. Some of them just become more habit than others.”

Macduff, who is also running CIM on Sunday, said she would be OK if she ate or wore something different but that she might feel slightly off simply because she would be doing something that was not part of her norm.

“Runners have rituals because it’s something we can control, and it brings us peace on a nerve-racking day,” Macduff said. “We can’t control the weather on race day, but we can control our breakfasts, and we can incorporate our favorite racing clothes into the mix somehow.”

For Burnett, though, the explanation is much simpler.

“Runners are already a weird bunch,” he said. “Routine and superstition just add to it.”

Kentucky is home to the largest cave system in the world.

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it’s time for Christmas lights and holiday festivities to take over—and there are certainly a variety of places throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for residents and visitors alike to feel like they are waltzing through the North Pole or down Candy Cane Lane.

One area that typically draws many light seekers is Highland Park, where one can see multimillion-dollar homes lit up in extravagant displays up and down its inviting streets. Families and individuals can pay anywhere from $215 to $562 for horse-drawn carriage rides (or between $195 and $465 through NorthStar Carriages), or they can hop in their cars, mount their bikes, or walk or run to save some cash and see the holiday-decorated homes on their own accord.

“Highland Park in a carriage is my jam—bundled up with blankets and hot chocolate,” Dallas-area resident Madison Royal said. “I haven’t been in years, though.”

A bit north of Dallas, there is another well-loved neighborhood on many people’s list of places to see this holiday season. Deerfield, located in northwest Plano between Preston Road and Coit Road, offers holiday cheer in the form of twinkling lights, dancing Santas, and a variety of additional extensive displays. Deerfield also offers carriage rides, with prices ranging between $185 and $435.

Plano resident Josh Odegard said that he and his Thursday Night Social Run group make sure to run through this sought-after neighborhood each year before Christmas. This year, the run will take place on Thursday, December 22.

“At the center of the neighborhood, almost every house is decorated, and some streets even coordinate several houses together so that they light up and play music together,” he said. “You can drive the neighborhood, but there is always very heavy traffic. If it’s not too cold out, it’s much better to walk.”

And then there are some lesser-known attractions that capture people’s hearts. Dallas resident Laura Hays stumbled upon a scene-stealing home (located at 714 Newell Ave.) when she needed it most.

“My favorite hidden gem is a home in Old East Dallas that completely transforms into an extravagantly glittery Christmas display that looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book,” she said. “It is called ‘Electric Lizzyland,’ and I first discovered it in 2020. At the end of a dark year, it really brightened my spirits and warmed my heart. After going on hiatus last year, I hear Lizzy is back in 2022 with plans to be better than ever!”

Additional metroplex holiday lights attractions include Holiday at the Arboretum, featuring the 12 Days of Christmas, the popular Christmas Village, the Dazzling Musical Tree, and much more; Enchant Christmas, including a maze, charming village, ice skating rink, live entertainment, and more; the Interlochen Christmas lights display in Arlington, which includes decoratively lit homes that have drawn thousands of families and individuals for more than 40 years; and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s Lightscape, which features a 1-mile-long path with suspended strands and tunnels of light, a fire garden, singing trees, and much more.

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

Mac Allen is the real deal

Monday, November 28: National French Toast Day
Tuesday, November 29: World Cup — USA vs. Iran at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, November 29: Dallas Mavs vs. Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center
Saturday, December 3: WRRC Saturday run at Taco Joint
Saturday, December 3: Dallas Holiday Parade in downtown Dallas