Important things (like Santa and dinner with my parents) since we last talked and YOUR running accomplishments!

We found Santa.

While they were a tad bit nervous when they first saw him (below Knox can see him through the window of the Santa house), they warmed up quickly.

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They didn’t want to leave him.  Knox told him that he wanted tools and Brooke told him that she wanted everything in the American Girl Doll Catalog.  Not just one thing from the catalog, she wanted everything.  Good luck Santa.

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It was freezing out of course but the lights are beautiful at Riverwoods (if you live close, make sure to go).

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Oh, they also delivered their letters while we were there.

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Wednesday night we had this meal and Thursday afternoon for lunch we had this meal.  Turns out it is our jam.

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Thursday morning we were in the treadmill mood (mainly so I could watch This Is Us while running) and wanted to run at the same time so we did for 65 minutes and 12 seconds (aka 8 miles).  It was great and this week’s episode of This Is Us of course made me cry.  It was snowing a lot when we went into the gym but not so bad when we came out.

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Before that we stopped at Mer’s house to help her move some things around and my nephew was there too.  Why suck on one of your thumbs at a time when you have two of them?

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For dinner last night my mom and dad came over and sweet and sour chicken was on the menu!  This is one of my mom’s favorite meals so we were excited for her to try it.

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The kids stuck with pizza and carrots.

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After the million meals she has fed me over the years it is sure fun to feed my parents.

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Cream Cheese Pie for dessert.  It was amazing.

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And then the three of them had a very competitive game of Monopoly.

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THANK YOU for sending in your amazing race accomplishments!! If you want to be featured please send them in to [email protected] (the next set won’t be published until the week of 12/11 because we will be gone… thanks)!!

GOOD LUCK to everyone running CIM this weekend!  GO TINA!!!

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Sara!!!  “I ran a 5k Turkey Trot in Oak Bluffs, MA for the third time.  This time I have a LOT to be thankful for.  Two months ago I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with no reconstruction after a third diagnosis of breast cancer.  I can’t stress enough how in all three instances a yearly mammogram saved my life with early detection.  Please, if you haven’t had your mammogram, call for an appointment and get a friend to go with you to do IT! I had this race as my carrot during my recovery and I’m thrilled that I felt great as I ran the whole thing only 2-3 minutes slower than my usual 5k time.  I attribute my speedy recovery to the amazing support of my friends, family and walking 6 days after surgery to running at 6 weeks.  I can’t wait to build back my foundation and have bigger goals for 2017!”

PS if there are any woman that have had a similar situation that are runners… Sara, would LOVE to hear from you!

SaraYoung 5k

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Deb!!!  “Well I did it again- this time in a costume no less!  I ran the Ashburn Farm Thanksgiving Day 5k with a time of 23:52 (7:41 pace) and won my age group (55-59).  I was thrilled since I hadn’t been able to get my 5k time down below a 25:00 for the last two years, and despite wearing a costume, I ran pretty close to my PR from 19 years ago, back when I ran mostly marathons.”

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Jarrelle!!!  “I ran the Charlotte half on 11/12/2016.  The weekend before we left for Colorado!  My husband is studying for his CPA and I knew this year would be filled with extra “ME” time while he studies his brains out! I have run a few half’s before but I wanted to beat my time.  I trained hard this year and hit the finish line at 2:13.  I beat my last time by 13 minutes!!!  It was a perfect start with it being 45 degrees and it was 50 when I hit the finish line.  The best part is the smiling face waiting for me at the finish line!!! Don’t you love crossing the line and seeing someone who loves you so much smiling and cheering you on!!! Its the BEST!”

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Ashley!!!  “I ran the Seattle Marathon 1/2 this past Sunday.  I moved to Seattle one and a half years ago and haven’t done a race since the month before that due to a chronic annoying ankle issue that I have.  It has been feeling a lot better the last few months though, so I decided on a whim to sign up for this race.  I had a goal to finish in under 2 hours and was really trying for 1:55.  race morning was COLD and I was so nervous! I fell pretty hard on mile three (clumsy should be my middle name) and had a bloody knee and elbow for the raining 10.1 miles.  The first half of the race was easy peasy and I was on pace! I had heard however that the last 6 miles of the race were notoriously hilly and boy were they! It was six miles of hills, no flat at all.  There was even one last pretty tough hill right before you turned into the finish area! It was hard, but I finished in 1:57.  I was so happy to be done and had forgotten all about my bloodied knee and elbow.  Lol!”

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Alli!!!  “I started seriously running January of this year, after I decided I could just ‘easily’ run the 6 miles to the library.  It was hard, but once I did that, I realized I could run farther than I thought.  I started running regularly, and eventually my dad would let me run with him!  He has always been faster than me, and no matter how long I keep up with him at the beginning, by the end he is always finishing first (unless of course, I cut corners on the way back:)  He would even call me “Dot” I was so far behind!!  But then.  Thanksgiving morning, Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 10k, something strange and wonderful and unexpected occurred.  I beat him.  By 8 whole seconds.  In a race.  There were no corners to cut, no excuses, and definitely no going easy (I asked).  I had won.  And not only that, I was 6th in my age group!!  That was also my longest race, and just made me so excited about my running!!  My time was 46:20— I’ll never forget it!!”

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Heather Livingston!!!  Just wanted to say hi and that I hope you have an awesome weekend:)

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Also, last thing I wanted to talk about today is something Andrew and I are doing this December.  It is called Light the World and each day there is a way/example/ways to get involved to serve others to celebrate Christ’s birth!   The advent calendar on all of the different ways to serve is HERE!!!!  Join in with us:)

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Have any fun weekend plans that you are looking forward to? Anyone else have a parent that runs?  Ever run together?  Race together? The meal that you eat the most often lately? -Grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup.

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42 comments

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The costume in the second accomplishment is extraordinarily offensive. I suggest you take it down, or I am completely uninterested in reading this blog again.

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Thank you, that was very kind of you.

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2016 the year where everyone is offended by something. I love threatening, I will be uninterested in reading the blog. I would say good riddance ….

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I just had the best run of my entire life! I saw a rare and protected species. It was beautiful and I got a picture! I’m putting it on my block in about an hour if you want to see it. It’s a Florida bobcat

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I just wanted to say to Sara, you’re incredible! And your message is incredibly important. Wishing you the best on your continuing recovery!!

Those kids are too cute Janae! Good luck to Santa getting the ENTIRE American Girl Catalog. ;-)

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These Light the World ideas are great–thanks for sharing!

I’m excited to watch the conference title games this weekend in college football, and I’m going to a chili cookoff on Saturday after my friend’s annual toy drive event (she does this in place of a birthday party, and it’s so awesome because then all of the presents are delivered to children’s hospitals). Then I am FINALLY getting another massage on Sunday, and I cannot wait!!

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The thing I ate most this past week was pumpkin muffins and coffee. I made a huge batch on Sunday, and I’ve been teleworking all week. Which means that I eat muffins for breakfast, stay in my pajamas, and when lunch time rolls around, I figure, why not just do breakfast all over again? It’s been fun.

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We are headed to Louisiana for the Baton Rouge Beach Marathon. My husband is running the full and I’m running the half. It’s supposed to rain the whole race, so that should be interesting. My mom and dad don’t run regularly, but they both did a 10K w/ me a few years ago. I have very special memories from that day. My mom and I walk together a good bit now. She gets after it! Grilled chicken and sweet potatoes seem to be my go-to meal lately (or all the time really). Have a wonderful weekend!

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I love having my parents over for dinner too. Last night was Christmas on 5th at Baylor where my husband works, so we rode camels, took carriage rides, drank hot chocolate and sang Christmas Carols with the students of Baylor. Tonight we dress in pjs, drink more hot chocolate and look at Christmas lights. Tomorrow we are taking friends to the Baylor Mens Basketball game and Sunday is church. I wish my parents would run with me but they have come to a few races to cheer me on and their support means the world to me. My favorite food lately is mongolian shrimp. We have been making it at least once a week. Have a fun weekend!

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Hubby and I have been trying to see Moana — we think it’s going to be soo cute!

I wish my parents ran — I do have a sister and brother in law that run, and whenever I get the chance I’ll go for a run with them.

Lately I’ve been eating (and craving) a ton of soup! French onion soup and tortellini soup are my go -to’s. I just cycle between the two until my hubby begs for a change.

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I have my last race of the year tomorrow night, a 5k that runs through a light festival in our town. It’s always so pretty! :)

We have a lot of pizza – homemade and otherwise lol

My parents don’t run, but I hope my daughter will run with me when she is able to (right now I am running after her a lot lately lol)

Have a great weekend!

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It’s my little guy’s birthday party this weekend! We are spending the afternoon at a kids place with his school friends and dinner at home with the extended family. Lots of work for mommy but what don’t we do for our little ones?! Sandwich and soup is my go to dinner lately. Quick and comforting.

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A good grilled cheese and hot soup never fails! Meal I probably eat most often though is toast with peanut butter and/or almond butter. Sometimes with a few banana slices on top!

Thing I’m looking forward to most this weekend – My friend’s annual holiday party! It’s always such a blast and I’m excited to rock the new penguin printed tights I bought :)

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My parents don’t run but they are training for a year end race for us to all do together. I’m so excited!

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Hi Janae! First of all it’s always great to see your mum. I’m a big fan of hers.
Secondly the kids look so happy hanging with Santa! They are adorable.
Lately i’ve had soup everyday for dinner and vegetables (peas, broccoli and stuff like that) with avocado and sweet potato for lunch. I love it. And besides that I was diagnosed with a weird thing on my esophagus (I’m not sure I’m spelling it right) and I can’t eat much else .
Anyway have a great Friday and an amazing weekend.

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Congratulations Sara. My husband’s cousin had a double mastectomy and reconstruction this past year. I know she’s been looking forward to getting back to running as well.

My parents didn’t run but they took us on walks and hikes. My mom always exercised so I would join her, it’s a great habit to pass along.

I have a party tomorrow night that I’m looking forward to. One of my friends hosts an end of season party for our running teammates. It’s a nice way to catch up, see each other in “real” clothes, and show off the race bling.

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I love reading all your readers’ accomplishments each Friday! Such inspiring stories!! I’m in my 3rd week of marathon training for marathon #3, having a foot issue :( so reading inspiring stories is really helping me to stay positive! Thank you!!

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Weekend plans: my oldest turns 9(!) so we’lol be partying! And hopefully finding a house. We sold our house way sooner than we expected and now we’re going to have to scramble to not be homeless in January. Yikes! ?
The meal I’be been eating nonstop is egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches on Food for Life english muffins. They’re kind of perfect for any meal.

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My father has always been a runner and we used to go to the track together. I became a runner once I moved away from home. But this December he’ll come to visit and we will run a race together. He will run the half marathon and I’ll run the 10K.

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Both my parents used to run. My mom no longer does and my dad is currently dealing with an injury. I will say I love running with both my parents. My dad was originally who got me into running!

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I am running CIM this weekend – wahoo!!

My dad is an ultrarunner. When I was a brand-new runner, he ran my first marathon with me. This year, I took my 3 year old to California to crew for him at Western States 100 this year. So fun!

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Have a great race, Kristi! CIM is a fantastic course & the weather will be perfect! Mile 10 is about 2 miles from my house!

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Oh that’s so fun! Thank you!! The pre-race nerves are setting in, but the weather is PERFECT!

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my dad used to be a runner – he ran a ton of half marathons, 10k’s and 3 nyc marathons. I wasn’t in to running back then but we did run a few times together when I was like college-aged! I love tomato soup lately but instead of grilled cheese I make roasted potato wedges with it to dip and sometimes I melt mozzarella cheese on top!

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We are taking my xc team to Magic Mountain for an end of the season bash! Then I have 12 miles on the docket Sunday. That’s the longest I’ve ran since my marathon almost 3 weeks ago. Eek.

My dad did track and field in high school, but nothing after. That would be so cool to have a parent to run with. I am pretty lucky in that my hubby runs with me and it’s pretty much the best ever.

My could be every day meal is a baked sweet potato with smoked chicken breast, garlic sriarcha bbq sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, and plain Greek yogurt.

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Hmmm, I was kind of looking for a “costume picture” from the above and then I see it was removed from the comments (now I am even more curious???) Janae can you send me a copy?

;-)

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My boyfriend (who lives in another city) is coming into town for the weekend…and, by great coincidence, we’re having that sweet and sour chicken dish for dinner tonight – you posted about it before and it is definitely one of my favs – thank you!!

And I want to say a huge congrats to Sara – and I wish her continued health!!!

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Oh. Mailing letters to Santa! My youngest did that for years. So cute. I loved those years for sure. He’s a Marine now so I don’t think he’d do that just to make me happy. That’s probably where he’d draw the line.

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I have been looking for that “cheesecake” recipe for a while. I used to make it all the time when I was a teenager but I forgot how to do it so thank you!!

Congrats to Sara, you are inspirational. Thank you so much for sharing your story, you are helping others.

The running accomplishments is my favorite thing to read, please continue with this as part of your blog. Hopefully I will be able to contribute something soon!!!

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Our family is doing #LIGHTtheWORLD too! We made a list and each morning we choose our item. Today was to “Say hello to someone you don’t know.” I got to do that TWICE when my daughter and I got rear-ended at a stoplight this morning (once to the very apologetic person who hit us, and then again to the police man). Ha ha, the opportunities we are given when we choose to think of others first. ;)

Also, Sara, I am in AWE of you! So inspirational. And also, I add my voice to hers about mammograms. I had my first this year (Yay 40th birthday) and I was dreading it because so many of my girlfriends said how horrible it is to do it. Not my experience at all! My mammographer was so sweet and did all she could to make it a positive experience. And the peace of mind is worth any 4-6 second discomfort. Go do it, ladies! It’s SO important. Best wishes on your continued recovery, Sara!

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I absolutely love This is Us, not going to lie but every episode makes me cry.
The things I’m looking forward to most this weekend is putting up my tree with my little cousins. Nothing beats family time, Christmas music and of course cookies :). Enjoy your weekend!

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We’re taking our girls to two outdoor Christmas-y events . . . so excited! :) Love seeing all of your Christmas traditions, too . . . your kiddos are a few years older than mine, so it’s nice to get some ideas. (Is it weird that I totally plan on copying other people’s traditions? It’s just a lot of work to think up ALL new ones on my own . . . haha.)

Sadly, I’m the only one in my family who runs. In fact, the first time I told my cousin I went on a five-mile run, her response was, jokingly, “What on earth was chasing you for that long?!” Haha.

Since last week, I’ve had a ridiculously huge smoked turkey wrap for lunch, followed by pretzels and fruit for dinner because I’m too full to eat another actual meal. My husband and his brother smoke a turkey (with a different theme) every Thanksgiving, and they’re amazing . . . it’s always a bummer when the leftovers are gone! :(

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I am loving butternut squash soup for lunch these days. There is just something about a warm bowl of soup!

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Janae!!!!!!! How fun to be featured today! I love reading all the stories on Fridays!!
Can’t wait to try the sweet & sour chicken recipe! I have it saved to my Pinterest!
And I think I could eat Pho’ at least weekly if not more!!! The Vietnamese sure now how to do it!!!!
Enjoy your weekend! Xo

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Way to go Sara!! You’re an inspiration! And YES to mammograms and self exams!!

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The service advent calendar is a great idea! I’ll definitely try to follow along with that :)
Have you heard of She Reads Truth? I’m doing an Advent study with their plan right now and it is awesome – it’s free on their website! (I’m not affiliated with SRT in any way, I just love their studies).

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Neither of my parents run but I always thought it would be cool if they did. A few of my friends parents were big runners and I envied the fact that they were able to share that. I am loving simple stir-fry’s lately.

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This is Us made me cry this week too. :)

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My fiancé and I are headed into the city to see The Little Mermaid broadway musical! I absolutely can’t wait, as I have been waiting to see this musical for at least three years now!!

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That’s my girl – Alli! She’s been telling me about your blog and I’m so happy that you featured her here. She was so excited about this Turkey Trot. It’s a very big deal! Thank you!

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Oh my goodness- your family is just the most darling in the world!! I love how you featured the other runner’s and shared their stories. It was really a treat to read through them. Hope you have a wonderful week- so excited I found your blog!

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Congrats on beating you dad, Alli! Loved that story! :) And that’s an amazing time!

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