Out There: ‘Tis The Season To Stand Up

There are two things I’m confident in my ability do very well: running and making a giant ass of myself.

‘Tis the season, friends! For ugly holiday sweaters, that is.

Last weekend, I took on a local holiday triathlon. Instead of my standard race kit, I wore something a little more festive: a red gingerbread-man swimsuit, Santa socks, and a too-big sweater vest that can only be described as “Christmas Vomit.”

Yes, I was the only one who wore such gosh-darn festive getup. Yes, I looked like a complete tool. And yes, I’ll be bringing out some more holiday spirit for a 5K race this weekend.

There’s a method to my madness: My ugly holiday outfits are really a superhero costume as I work to destroy cancer.

In December, hundreds of friends will dig out their finest in fugly attire, all in the name of raising funds and awareness for Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C). One hundred percent of funds raised go to saving lives by funding innovative research to finally get rid of cancer once and for all.

What is typically reserved for an evening holiday party in the company of friends and lots (LOTS) of liquid courage is now brought out in the harsh sunlight of the day — all for a good cause. Wearing an obnoxious holiday sweater once is funny – wearing it for weeks is dedication. When friends, family, co-workers, and training partners cock their heads to the side and ask “Just what are you wearing?” we’ll stick our bedazzled chests out with pride and declare:

“I’m wearing this beautiful behemoth to Stand Up To Cancer.”

Listen, I’m a humor columnist. I’m not nearly intelligent enough to understand science or medicine, nor do I pretend to be. But there are two things I’m confident in my ability do very well: running and making a giant ass of myself.

If wearing a jingly, jangly, festive-snowmen-with-lassos monstrosity to a race can raise money for the smart people to find a cure for cancer…well, then so be it. I’m happy to do my part.

I hope you’ll join me – Stand Up to Cancer in your ugly sweater at your holiday 5K this weekend, and tell the world about your cause. If you’re feeling game, Tweet the photos using the hashtag #uglysweater. Or, you know, you could just wear your boring ol’ tech tees – but at least donate, would ya?

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About The Author:

Susan Lacke does 5Ks, Ironman Triathlons, and everything in between to justify her love for cupcakes (yes, she eats that many). In addition to writing for Competitor, she serves as Resident Triathlete for No Meat Athlete, a website dedicated to vegetarian endurance athletes. Susan lives and trains in Phoenix, Arizona with three animals: A labrador, a cattle dog, and a freakishly tall triathlete boyfriend. She claims to be of sound mind, though this has yet to be substantiated by a medical expert. Follow her on Twitter: @SusanLacke