"Okay, get him out of here." -Santa, A Christmas Story

As a parent, most traditional Christmas activities aren't high on my priority list.  Yes, it's fun to go pick out a Christmas tree; however, I buy the first one that looks halfway decent and get everyone back in the car.  The Elf on the Shelf is freaky as hell and if anyone is going to scare my children into good behavior it's going to be me, not some plastic doll named Bobo.  I'm not encouraging everyone to curl up with cocoa loaded with marshmallows to watch Rudolph or Frosty; frankly, the voices are irritating.  Before you dismiss me as a complete Grinch; however, there is one holiday outing that makes my small heart grow three sizes- the annual photo with Santa.  

I recognize that to a small child Santa is an initimidating unnatural character.  The aggressively rouged cheeks paired with the round glasses, beard and booming HO HO HOs... I get it.  He's scary and hell no, you don't want to sit in his lap, but guess what, it's a Christmas tradition and good practice for all the future times Mom will make you suffer through doing something you'd rather not.  

So, to get you in the holiday spirit, I present six years of warm Christmas memories.  Grab your cocoa, crank up Burl Ives and enjoy.  

 2010

 2011

 2012

 2013

 2014

2015

2015 B.A.A. Half Marathon

On Sunday, I ran the B.A.A. Half Marathon.  I love running B.A.A. events because they are so well run (note: pun is a happy accident.)  I woke up at the crack 'o dawn and secured a prime spot in front of the Oriental House restaurant on Washington Street.  The shuttle buses to Franklin Park were already lined up at 6:15 AM and I had the pleasure of riding in a school bus for the first time in quite awhile; however, you know you're older when you try to find the seat closest to the door vs. in "way back."

The course is scenic, but pretty brutal for the last 4-5 miles as it's quite hilly.  There are plenty of water, Gatorade and GU stations, and plenty of volunteers passing out the goods.  My goal was to finish the race pain free and I tried not to think too much about the clock.  Mile 11 was the toughest, by far.  My strategy was to keep my head down and focus on my breath.  I sang the ABCs (in my head) until I saw the signage for Mile 12, and at that point I was able to put my head up and take a peek at the animals as we ran through the Franklin Park Zoo.

My final time was 2:12:34 and although it wasn't my quickest, it definitely wasn't my slowest.  The last time I ran was in 2013 and I could barely finish due to neck and shoulder pain.  Since that time I've been seeing a chiropractor regularly and more recently have incorporated hot yoga into my conditioning routine.  Both of these have helped tremendously (and the fact that I'm no longer hauling around my twins' infant seats) and it's incredible to finish pain-free.

Here are some shots from the race.  Thanks to all the people that stood along the course and cheered!  It really helps!  Also, big shout-out to the November Project dudes on bikes.  Your shouting and encouragement really made me laugh.

 Pre-race around 7 AM

 Port 'o Pottys as far as the eye can see.  A runner's dream.

 Pre-race around 7:30

 Waiting for the starting gun 

Finished!  Time for a nap.  Oh wait, that was my 2007 race self.  I mean, time to go home and spend the afternoon in a bouncy house with my kids.  

It's been awhile...

Just dusting off the ole blog.  Blogger has changed a lot in the past 4 years...  I logged in in anticipation of potentially starting to train for the 2016 Boston Marathon with Team Eye and Ear again!

This Sunday I'll be running the BAA Half Marathon; can't wait!  Any readers running?  Any readers still left?  Is this thing on?