Santa Run

Last minute, (1 week before the race), I made the decision to participate in the Santa Run. My friend Angie wanted to do this, so I signed up to be her Santa buddy. Our daughters, Jacque and Tia, also signed up to be the elf helpers. On Wednesday we drove to Ogden to pick up our Santa suits and the girls elf shirts and elf hats. Jacque and Tia decided to bling-bling their shirts. Our Santa suits were a little snug. Angie ended up getting some pj pants to run in, and I took her Santa pants.

Super duper last minute, (Thanksgiving night), I talked Krista into doing this race with us. We picked up Krista's Santa suite about 30 minutes before the event.

Jacque and Tia's volunteer assignment was to be at the finish line. They were typing in bib numbers as runners crossed the finish line. Jacque got so cold at the finish line. Her toes were like ice cubes!


At 4:15 Angie and I headed over to the starting area. I am guessing there were about 500 people dressed like Santa. We knew that our friends Heather and Jason were going to be there. We both were trying to focus on faces, looking for these two. For some strange reason, I found them.
We got our picture taken with them. They are in our Race RX class.

An announcement came that we needed to head to 22nd and Washington, for the official starting area. While we were waiting for the start, a Santa came over to me. It was Stephanie. A girl that I have met on facebook, that is in my running group.
I was so surprised that she was able to find me, let alone recognize me amongst all those Santa's. I guess she got lucky, just as I did when I found Heather. It was time for the Santa warm up; ho ho ho jumping jacks, then boots, tummy, beard and hat. The course was on Washington Blvd, from 22nd street to 26th street. Back and forth, back and forth. There were two milk and cookie stations along the way. People were lined up on the sidewalk, cheering us on. Washington Blvd. was closed, so there were Santas running in all directions. If you wanted to cut it short, you could, just needed to not cross the finish line.

3-2-1, and the Santa's are off.
Krista ended up having a wardrobe malfunction (her Santa pants were not cooperating). She had to hold her pants up the entire route. She cut her route a little short. Angie and I continued along the path. Grapevining or running backwards along the way. Just having a jingle ole time.

There was a Christmas Lighted Parade immediately following the run. Jacque was so cold though, we went to the car, and just sat in the car with the heater on until she got warmed up. We ate at Maddox on our way home.


Would I do this run again? Yes. I would plan a little better though. I would take some chairs and set up along the route so that we would have a spot to watch the parade. Jacque would dress warmer. I would also take a thermos of hot chocolate to warm us up. It really was fun watching all the Santa's run this way and that. Ho Ho Ho.....

Gobble Gobble

Today I was lucky enough to share a special moment with one of my running friends, Marian.
It was her 50th race..
Justin Pope organized a Gobbler Games 5k in Nibley. There were about 80ish people who showed up. More than I thought. It was fun to see so many families out on Thanksgiving morning.

After the race, I came home and got ready to head to my parents for dinner. What a wonderful feast I was treated to! I was so hungry too, after running in the morning. I enjoy spending time with my parents. Jacque told me the other day that one of her friends asked her where she was going for Thanksgiving, and her reply was out to my Grandma and Grandpa's. The friend then pulled a face, and said, 'I hate going to my grandparents house.' Jacque in turn replied to her, 'I love going to my grandma and grandpa's!"


As I was running this morning,
I reflected on the many things that I am thankful for. Here are just a few of my thoughts:

My family: a Mom and Dad who are the best, and I love them dearly with all my heart.
My children: 2 of the most beautiful girls in the world.
My sisters: who are 2 of my bestest friends.
My spouse: who loves and supports me and the girls unconditionally.
My friends: who I share my successes and failures with.
My pets: who love me whether I am happy or sad.
My health: which enables me to do the things that I never thought I could do.
My country: where I am able to choose freely the things I want to pursue in life.
My faith: which I rely on daily to get me through life's battles.


Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Dash for Dallin 5k

Girls are swimming the Thanksgiving Invitational at the Davis Rec Center Friday and Saturday, so I decided to spend the night. Super decision, as last night we got hit with a killer snowstorm!



I really wanted to run a Turkey Trot somewhere, so I looked in the Bountiful area, and found a local 5k. Dash for Dallin. I signed up to run this on Saturday morning.

After the swim meet Friday got over, I went and had dinner with the MC Swim Team. As they were gathering everyone on the bus, I decided that I would just head to the hotel. I was staying at the same hotel as the team. I debated on whether or not to follow the bus to the hotel, as I did not know where it was, but decided to just go find it on my own. Big MISTAKE. I had typed in the address on mapquest, so I figured no problem. After 10 minutes or so, and ending up in SLC, I realized that I had typed the address in WRONG!! Where is my loo hoo when I need her. (She is my navigator when I drive.) I can't believe I did that. The freeway was a mess, and I could barely see the lines of the road! I figured out where the hotel was and now I had to backtrack to the Woodscross area. I didn't want to go back on the freeway, so I opted to stay on State Street for as long as I could. Finally at 9:30 I made it to the hotel!! I was so wound up that I had a hard time getting to sleep, even though I had an incredible room with a really comfy bed and heavenly pillows. I set my alarm for 6:45 am, and figured I would make the decision if I race in the morning.

7:00 a.m. decision made:
I will run the Dash for Dallin 5k in Kaysville. The weather was nice and sunny. I thought it would be colder than it was. I wore my under armor tights with my running skirt, my heat gear long sleeve top with a t-shirt over that, a Brooke's neon jacket, gloves, and my ear warmers. My upper body actually got hot. The race started at the Davis High School. When I arrived at the starting area I walked into the school to stay warm until the start time. I talked to a couple of people at the start line. Even though I did not know anyone, everyone seemed so friendly. I've noticed that at many races. The course was pretty hilly! First half was all up hill, zig zagging back and forth. Then the downhill began! Yeah! Love the law of gravity.

I learned that Dallin is a teenager who was diagnosed with cancer in July. He was at the starting area, looked about 16. Really cute young man. When the Dr.'s went in to remove the tumor, they noticed it had grown. His best chance was to amputate his leg. This was a fundraiser that I just happened to find on the internet. There were about 150 to 200 people who came out this morning. A mother's group was matching donations up to $1,500.00; the t shirt company donated all shirts; and the food was donated by Smiths. Sounds like the community is really supporting this family. I wonder why certain people, especially children get cancer. It is not fair. I spoke with Dallin's aunt and introduced myself, as we had been corresponding via email. Like I said, I did not know a single soul at this event, and yet I never felt out of place either. Hmm? Interesting.

Warning...sappy moment. When Dallin's aunt was introducing Dallin and was saying to him and the crowd, "When you have your dark days remember all these people who are hear today who love you, and support you." I started getting all choked up and teary eyed! Families, children, toddlers, babies in strollers, teenagers, adults of all ages, sizes, and abilities, and of course even dogs came out to support this local young man.

I tried to take a photo of me while I was running. Is this what I really look like??
I'm sorry morning runners. I didn't realize I look this bad! Oh, and the neon jacket does not photograph well. I look completely off balance, like I am in a dream. Note to self..wear some makeup in the morning!! My time today 30 minutes. I am grateful that I can run.


I realize that I have been blessed with health and strength to overcome not only the miles on the road, but also to overcome the hard times in life when you want to throw in the towel. When I cross the line now, it is a celebration of the fact that I didn't quit.

Tasya Lacy, U.S. Navy Human Resources Officer

Scaling Back

Even though I am just a novice runner, these past couple of weeks of cutting back have felt good. I still am doing my Race RX class 3 times a week. I was kind of getting a mental burn out from running, but now I feel rejuvenated, and am looking forward to my upcoming run this Saturday.

Yesterday I got my Runners World magazine in the mail. So excited. I really enjoy reading this magazine. One of the articles talks about how taking a break is both physically ans mentally good for you. Cutting your miles to zero and do light cross training gives your body time to repair tiny muscle tears and restock levels of hormones and enzymes that facilitate muscle regeneration. (page 31) Another point that was brought up in the article says that the number of days you should back off after a race is equal to the number of miles you ran...half-marathoners should take it easy for 13 days. That makes sense.


**From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. From the inside looking out, you can't explain it.

First run after Half

Monday the 7th, I was able to do 10 miles on the exercise bike, then Race RX that night. Wednesday was Race RX. We did lunges up the ying yang, and my glutes and hamstrings are sore to the touch. In fact, the last set of lunges that I did, my legs were quivering.
Thursday morning I did not have to go to work until 11, so I took advantage of the extra time and did a 3 mile run in that morning. It was cold. About 25ish degrees. Although it was really sunny, I never did get warm. This was my first real run since the Halloween Half on October 29th. Did not really push it, 3 miles in 34 minutes. I ran the 1st mile, then just walk/run the other 2.

Someone asked me today if I thought that I would ever run a full marathon. Certainly something to think about. When I ran a 5k, I thought maybe I could do a 10k. When I ran a 10k, I thought a 15k would be a challenge. When I completed a 15k, I knew that I could complete a half marathon. Now that I have 2 half marathons under my belt, ........

Proud of those who are running the Javaline Jundred in AZ this weekend. 100 mile Ultra.

I run for_________________. Still working on that one.

Testing Results

Thursday I went in to Race RX to complete my final testing for the MC squared exercise program. I was very surprised by the results. I was part of the testing group for 2 months. When I first started I could only do 16 push ups in one minute and 11 sit ups in one minute. Now, 32 push ups and 22 sit ups! Major improvement. My grip strength went from a 50 to a 70. My body fat percentage went from 20% to 18%. When I was asked to do some squats while holding a bar above my head with my arms straight, I had to lift my heels. Now I can do it w/o lifting my heels. And for some strange reason I lost 3 pounds!! Interesting Results!

Sore legs

Four days post-half marathon and my legs are still feeling it. Went to my Race RX class tonight. I ended up wrapping my left quad with an ace bandage. To my surprise exercising and stretching sure felt good. Well......except for the side lunges on the rip 60 cable bands. It was not a good feeling.

Ahh, my left knee finally popped! Been waiting for that.

I enjoy the freedom and positive energy I get when I run. I'd like to stay healthy enough so that I'll be one of those old ladies who is still out there running, like our local Julia Barrett!