Red Dress Dash

February 4, 2014

I was reminded about the Red Dress Dash via a post on Facebook.

From their Facebook page: Throw on your favorite (or not so favorite) red dress over your winter clothing and Dash around Monument Circle in support of women’s heart health. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman, we need your support to fight the No. 1 killer of women - heart disease. The first 50 participants to complete the dash will receive a goodie bag.

I also did this event last year.  And just like last year, I waited until the night before to “put together” what I was going to wear.  I was tempted to just repeat last year’s outfit but I didn’t want the Fashion Police to call me out for wearing the same thing twice.  I had a red dress in my closet that I wore to an America China Society of Indiana event but the “pleather” portion of it got a little jacked up once it was dry cleaned and since I doubted that I’d ever wear it to something fancy again, it seemed like the logical choice to use.  I tried it on to make sure that I could run in it and it was perfect!  But since it was sleeveless and the morning temperature was predicted to be about 20 degrees, I figured I’d better put something on underneath.  I had a long-sleeved white T-shirt but it needed jazzed up.  So at 8:00PM Monday night I got in the car and headed to Party City and Walmart!  I picked up a red hat and some red heart sunglasses at Party City (never wore the sunglasses)  and got some Red Heart Tape at Walmart.  The tape worked out better that I had expected.  If you look closely at the neck, it doesn’t really match up but the sleeves were easy.

The event time was listed as 8:00AM but I knew (from last year) that the “run” would not start at that time.  Still I wanted to be there on time.  Plus I’d get a goodie bag if I was one of the first 50 people!  I parked in my work parking garage and walked over.  It isn’t far but it was cold.  I only wore a light jacket because there really isn’t any place to store anything inside so I didn’t want to have to hassle with bringing too much stuff.  Once inside the building (Emmis Communications) I signed my waiver, got my goodie bad (YAY!) and then just waited for things to start.

I saw that the firemen from last year were there again and had my picture taken with them.  The guy that took it for me wasn’t the most pleasant person and I think he was annoyed that I asked, thus I don’t think he cared how it turned out and it’s a little blurry.  Also, there wasn’t much room to get us all in!

The program started with several performances from the dance teams from the high school by where I live.  Then one of the local news/weather personalities began the other formalities.  Then governor's wife spoke and talked about the heART work that she did.  She took our state flag and fashioned the 19 stars into a heart around the torch. This is what the flag normally looks like:

And this is her “heart/heART” version:

Clever idea in my opinion.

It was then time to go outside and run (or walk) around the circle.  I purposely wore my Garmin so I would know the distance and completely forgot to turn it on.  #fail.

This “race” isn’t a competition.  Although last year I finished first so, yeah, it WAS a competition.  But this year 3 of those young dance team whippersnappers finished before me.  Hmmm…I still say that I “won” because I was the first RED DRESS to finish.  Lets be real, everything IS a competition to some degree.

Here are some photos from the Red Dress Dash Facebook page:

I was a little worried about my red chapeau but it stayed on fairly well.  I only had to hold it once on the northern side of the circle where the wind can be stronger swirling around the buildings.

I went back inside to get warmed up a little bit then went and had my complementary picture taken.  It’s a little washed out but…it was free.

I also had this one taken of me and the red dress sign:

I love this picture of the Indianapolis Power & Light Building.  They always have different “light displays” depending on what is going on downtown.

It would have been better having someone to do this with me.  So next year I hope my friend SJ(C)P will do it.  She mentioned that she thought it looked fun.  Most importantly I do this event because it is important to me.  My family has a long history of heart disease so I try to participate in many of the things that the American Heart Association put on.  Keeping my ticker in shape is one of the most important things that I can do for myself.  I’m glad that running helps me with this.  And of course I take my blood pressure every month. 

Do you know your numbers?