It's the day after tomorrow.

The "spree."

The "big dance."

Marathon runners would find it familiar.

During the early morning, alarms around the country will break the stillness of the hour. They will usher in a day filled with running, standing in line, huge crowds and competition.

No, it's not a football Saturday on a college campus. Students won't be rising from their beds to take part in beer pong or flip cup in preparation for the big game.

It's the day after Thanksgiving. Although teams won't be taking the field to engage in athletic battle, competition will be just as fierce in malls across the country. Shoppers will fight traffic, lines and sore feet as they drive, walk, jog and dash in a mad rush from store to store.

Every year, the day after Thanksgiving ushers in the beginning of the holiday shopping season. In some families, it's as much a tradition as the turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. In some cases, it might be more traditional than Thanksgiving.

It's become known as "Black Friday."

Not because it's seen as a sign of the apocalypse since people get so excited about buying stuff.

Instead, it's the day many stores finally make it out of the red and into the black. Holiday season means profit season for retailers.

There isn't really anything wrong with this. Giving and receiving gifts is part of what makes the holidays great.

It's just ironic that one day after we are all supposed to gather and be thankful for the things we have, people are willing to go to such extreme lengths to buy new things.

However, not everyone is out shopping all day. Some people avoid any retail establishment, as if setting foot inside will result in being infected by the plague. It's not dangerous, but there does seem to be a hostile atmosphere.

The Internet provides an opportunity to finish holiday shopping without fighting the crowds at the local mall. It also gives access to gifts that cannot be found in a store.

The lack of interaction the Internet creates would be a major loss to some people. Part of the fun in holiday shopping is simply people watching. Watching their peers scramble from store to store can provide endless entertainment for some people.

The reasons for shopping on the day after Thanksgiving vary. For some it's a tradition. Their family and friends are around because of the holiday, and it's another opportunity to spend time with them while they do their holiday shopping.

For others, it's all about the great deals and sales.

For better or worse, the Friday after Thanksgiving has turned into a holiday of its own.

Or an extreme sport.