Here comes Santa Claus

I have no idea how it happened. But guess what? Christmas is 3 weeks from Yesterday!??  It's true. Santa is coming very very soon and I quite sure, his elves aren't fully prepared.  It's time for them to get busy!!!!

So....where have I been? Hidden away behind my desk working like a little elf. 'Tis the season of preparation. I'm busy working away putting together thorough annual plans for the athletes I'm coaching right now. I love seeing the grand plan all laid out. However, moving through the calendar week by week just reinforces to me how fast time flies. Speaking of which, only 50 minutes until I pick up my 3 little boys. A few quick stories/ updates before I start the next part of my day...

Yesterday was a 1st for our family. All 5 of us ran a race together. The Jingle Bell 5K in Freeport, Maine and we had a blast! At least Mom and Dad did. We were super proud.  It was extra fun because my parents were there cheering us on along with my 8 yr old neice. My brother ran with one of his sons too. It was a great family day.  As I told a friend, my kids enjoyed it and did a great job but honestly, I think they mostly loved the free access to the post-race food for athletes. I can't tell you how many races I've crossed the line and been greated almost instantly with, "Mom! I'm hungry! Can I just get one of those cookies? " And so on... I admit. I sneak post-race food for my kids sometimes. I'm guilty. Not yesterday! They earned it!

pre-race

Team Bancroft pre-race

Tommy (red shorts)& Cameron in black 10 steps back

ready to go...

post-race lunch at Grammie & Grampa's



Nick in the orange shorts w/Daddy in yellow...

The Small-Bancroft Team

I've decided my shirt is a bit too orange. I definately won't get shot by hunters on my training runs though!! 

awards--1st age group, 2nd overall

Jack finishing (in blue, bent forward in front of guy in white (my brother) with Nick and I cheering him on.

Tommy won 2nd age group with a 23:45

The race was a blast!  It was a beautiful day with sun and warmth.  I must say, I wasn't sure how I'd pull out a fast 5K. Since Kona, my training has been light and pretty easy. As it should be!! I have been 100% FINE with a relaxed frame of mind since that awesome October day. That said, I compete hard every time I race. Tommy,  Cameron and I lined up in front. Mark and Nick were back a few rows.  I told the kids to just do their thing and I'd see them at the end. They were nervous and excited.

Off we went!! 5Ks are just hard.  I went off Fast to start!!! My legs responded and turned over quickly! In fact, I have a one minute period that I was going sub5. Ha!! I got passed by a woman right off who was absolutely flying. I looked at my garmin, 5:28 pace.
Ok Momma...slooooooow down.  I guess I got a little excited.

Within the next minute, I could hear myself breathing. I was wheezing and sniffing and gasping and just .....running as hard as I could. I knew it would be over before too much could go wrong.

I made the lollipop turn and came back towards the other runners. I saw Mark and Nick and Nick and I High Fived! Then I slapped GO JACK to my little nephew! Cam and Tommy weren't far behind since I didn't see them on the turn around. I was 2nd woman and just decided to hold onto that.

Up a hill, HI To Mom and neice Audrey, Hey there's Dad, woah there goes a KID that looks younger than my son...up the hill....look at the watch 19:45.

I laughed out loud. I had asked coach Kurt whath to shoot for. I've only run 2 or 3  5Ks in my life and since this is Not what I'm out training for I had no real clue what to expect or hope for. He said, "how about mid 20?"

So...I crossed the line in 20:42. there.
good deal.

I turned around and ran back to see Tommy FLY over the hill for the finish. He was RIGHT there! He looked so fast.

23:45

Cam was right behind him in 24:15. He told he me he had to stop to fix his shoe at one point. So...little bro beat him. :)  No big deal. He handled it with a calm cool and collected attitude.

Nick and Mark were only minutes behind in sub 28!

Jack and Jeff were right there only minutes after!!!!

THe kids were all so proud but not as proud as their parents!

I know that running this distance at these ages isn't necessarily the best for the athletic future. There are better things to focus on with children at this age and I intend to do just that. ( Less focus on endurance and more focus on speed,agility, balance etc....). This isn't something I've focused over the years because it didn't cross my mind. Now, it's important. I'm being taught just how important and I'm grateful for that education.   However, this one day was a great family bonding time.  It was nice to have the kids wear the race numbers and be just as much a part of it as Mom and Dad. I'll keep teaching them to be active, eat well and to have fun moving around a lot. But long distance racing (which is what a 5K is to a small child like Nick for ex) won't be happening too much until they're older.



THANKSGIVING!!!! 


Thanksgiving was at my house this year. I had 30 family members and friends over and we had a blast. ( at least I did. )  I won't lie. It was a TON Of work leading up to it. Tons. But, I pulled it off. Except for the fact that the antique chair I was sitting in at dinner BROKE and left me in a heap on the floor. I'm pretty cool aren't I? Yes, other than that it was a lovely day.

yes, I am posting this hideous picture of myself. It's good for a laugh. right? I was chopping onions and my eyes were KILLING ME!!!!!! I have my goggles on. Yes, I really do. and, It helped!!!

Mark and his Dad carving the turkeys ( we ate 2 x 22lb birds in one sitting!)

Mark's parents with all their Grandkids

Mother Nature was awesome and gave us 15 beautiful inches of snow the day before --making a fun distraction for the kids

Cameron played his trumpet for the whole group!!



my guys

And that's that!!!! Time to go buy Christmas wreaths and get the kids!