Saturday, December 13, 2008



Turkey Chase 2008

Oh my! I am reminded why I love blogging. This morning Santa came to my house and I can't keep a story like this to myself!!
So, I have two stories.

First, Thanksgiving Day.
I was so excited to be getting our family up early to drive to Bethesda to do the Turkey Chase. I still relish in the new me who stops hearing about athletic families doing stuff like this together and taking the initiative to do it myself even though I don't look like I can. I was so prepared. I had lunch boxes of snacks for the kids. Pre-made chocolate milk for the drive there. Their clothes all laid out. Their soupies in the car. Ahh it was going to be great!


Then on the drive to the beltway we watched our red sleigh, our double jogger, fly out of the back of the truck and roll down the freeway. It was seriously a Thanksgiving miracle that no one was behind us and it did not hit another car. The roads were quiet on Thanksgiving morning at 7:30 am.
For Jeff I think he saw dollar signs rolling down the freeway and land by the median. For me I saw that wonderful stroller that helped me train for 3 marathons and gave me the freedom to run with two little babies. I can honestly say I love that stroller and all the wear and tears on it. (i get way too attached to items)The race day then ended up being kind of crazy. Annie Kate was really looking forward to running, really running. But since we now had no stroller we ended up having to carry the girls for the entire thing. Jeff ran with Sally Jane and Annie Kate. I am not a fast runner when it is just me so can you imagine me carrying a 5 year old.
Turned out I ran into our friends. He also is at Walter Reed and just got back from his second tour in Iraq. So I walked with them and I got to hear all his stories. Huge salute to that family. During his payback in the Army he has gone over there twice leaving 2 little children and his wife each time.

Since the finish of the race I have been trying to figure out how I am going to get another stroller. The red one we bought with almost all of Jeff's graduation money after he finished his residency. (poor guy goes to school for 10 years and then buys his wife a jogger) I have called insurance to see if there was anything they could do. I have called baby jogger to see if they would just sell me a new frame as I had just bought a new rain cover and canopy for my red one. I told the girl on the phone my big sad story - i had hoped she would take pity on me, but she is running a business.

Second part of the story today at 8:15 am
Today at 8:15 I popped right out of bed - oops I had slept in. Today at 8:00 am was the first day of sign up for the Baltimore Marathon for October 2009. I wanted to be one of the first people to sign up and they have a Christmas special that saves us money. (poor Jeff said he would do it with me again)
As I was signing up for my 4th marathon - wow, I just have to type that again, my 4th marathon, I was thinking - how the heck am I going to train for this thing, I have got to get motivated to fix or find another double jogger. (what can I sell on ebay?) I signed up anyway despite not knowing how I would train for it.
Ok here comes the great part.
I finished signing up and it is about 8:45 am. Seriously seconds after I pushed the "pay here button" Jeff opens the door to go to Basketball practice with Ak and sitting on our doorstep is this...
A brand new double jogger!
with a card that says,
Merry Christmas!
We love you guys.

speechless. seriously speechless.
sniff, sniff. wipe tears.

Dear running Santa,
I don't know who you are or why you did such a generous thing for us, but we are so grateful. Not only for the stroller but that you believe in me that I will continue to run.
much love
Kristi


9 comments:

5 Miles Past Empty said...

Wow! How cool is that! How wonderful to know that you have someone out there rooting for you! You don't hear about these things happening that often and it is a testament to you and your family! :)

Good luck on you FOURTH marathon! That is amazing!!!!!!!!

Kelly(M&M) said...

I just cried with you. How wonderful! You so deserve it! You have inspired all of us and many more you don't know about, through your running and through your life. I can't wait to meet you one day.

Run Mommy said...

What a great story! I almost had a little tear at the end...so you really don't know who dropped it off? Wow, that is a wonderfully spirited story for this time of year! My hats off to you for completing three marathons already - with two little ones! I am just about to do my first and my children are 3 and 6 years old! I hope to read more of your posts. (great pictures by the way - I especially enjoyed the one of the computer screen with your registration). :)

Robyn said...

That is an amazing story. I can't imagine how great it would be to open the door and find that new stroller waiting! I know that you do all kinds of wonderful, giving things for other people so you totally deserve it! Plus, you have earned it training for 3 marathons with children in tow- it's hard enough doing it on your own, never mind pushing a double jogger. Congrats on registering for your 4th marathon!

Ang said...

Wow!!! That is so awesome!

rebecca said...

Awesome story! Do you have any clue who it could be? How wonderful! Marathon training is going to be amazing thanks to someone with a huge heart. Wow.

Unknown said...

I would consider that a miracle! I read that with my mouth open. . .Honestly this kind of thing doesn't happen as often as it should. I am so happy for you and for your family. Go Marathon #4!

Jamie said...

That is such an amazing story! Thank you so much for sharing. Good luck on training for marathon #4 with 3 kids.....so inspiring!

JP said...

I just got chills and everything. What a cool story!!
I'm so excited for you. For the stroller and especially for Marathon #4. YOU are my hero...