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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. Jeff's department is sending two doctors this year. For now it looks like he won't be going.

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


32 comments:

{The Christian's} said...

Kristi,

This is such a great story! I was just looking on runnersworld.com about training for a marathon. I would love to do the USAF marathon next September. I didn't realize you had done 4 marathons, such an inspiration. I am so glad you received a new stroller, you are so deserving!!! Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us!!

Keep running,
Karyn C.
www.thelilpeanutpatch.com

everything pink! said...

Karyn,
Sign up. just sign up seriously that is the first step.

i have only run 3 (using the word run very loosely) Baltimore will be #4 unless of course I can find one to do before that.

{The Christian's} said...

Kristi,
If you feel like running #5 in September, let me know...I would be honored to run with you and you could have free room and board! :)

Sarah B. said...

What a great story...I am in the process of training for my 2nd Marathon. "Wow", impressive that you carried your daughter the whole race. And how wonderful that someone gave you such a great gift...I love that Christmas brings out the giving in people.

Staci said...

Oh wow. That story totally made me cry. How wonderful. Congrats on signing up for your fourth. That's awesome!

Nikki said...

You so deserve to be on the recieving end this time- you do so much and care so much for others. I am so happy for you!

denise @ little ant design said...

Isn't it wonderful how Heavenly Father knows each of us?

Congrats on marathon 4 - I need to be more like you - my desire to run a marathon is strong but the motivation is seriously lacking.

Mary Elizabeth said...

that is amazing!!!!! what a great santa you know. i love that sweet giving of the season!!! thanks for sharing and inspiring me even more. you rock girlie! and so does your family!!! madi has truly enjoyed swim team this year and i can honestly say it was inspired by all the great stories of your girlies. she loves to swim and you gave me the courage to put the extra hours into the drive we have to make for it. thanks and enjoy your running. :) Chrostmas smooches to you all!!!!

April said...

What a great story! I'm so glad you shared. Keep up the good work on the jogging. I am so impressed. You are an inspiration for us all to just get moving. Thanks!

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

Thank heavens for Santa Claus.

Price Cream Parlor said...

This is such a great story! I love that Santa gave you a gift that keeps giving back to you and your family! How can you not believe in Santa after this?

I love that you took the time to take photos of your stroller on the freeway!!

** hot toy alert - Ocarina's - they are flute like toys inspired by the game ZELDA - you find it at music stores and they can't keep them in stock easily. They are about $6.00 each.

LJ, DC and ML said...

Merry Christmas to the Cutlers! Woohoo! That's so sweet.

Will Murdoch said...

I loved this story. I'm going to use it in my YW lesson today. I think this is just a testament as to the type of person that you are. Thanks for sharing the story.

Lauralee said...

no way! that is amazing.. yay for you and yay for running.. oh and yay for blogging!

Rachael said...

Wow that is touching! What a great person out there to do such a generous thing for you! Guess you better get training and not disappoint!

Christie said...

I love stories of Christmas Miracles! Awesome!!!

tootie said...

Wow! What an amazing story!

I love hearing stories of generosity like this. Even with all the crazy things that happen in our world, there are so many good and wonderful people out there. And I'm glad that one of them surprised you with the stroller!

Kathleen said...

what goes around comes around! you certainly deserve that act of kindness!

Amanda said...

You are so deserving....I'm so happy for you!

I remember when you bought that stroller - of course through your blog. You and that red sleigh have been through a huge transformation together.

Glad to see you will still be able to keep running.

Charity said...

I echo many peoples sentiments and say You deserve EVERY SINGLE BIT OF THIS!!!

Merry Christmas

Jill said...

Wow, that's a seriously generous Santa drop-off!!

kelly said...

see santa has been watching and you have been a very good girl!! What a great story..RuN, Girl RuN!!

andrea said...

You have the most amazing stories. This made my day.

Liz said...

Beautiful story Kristi!

Anonymous said...

what a story!!!!!!!! I can't believe it!!! Now THAT needs to go in your book that you're going to write someday!!!

Jennifer said...

What a great, great story!

Tasha said...

I can't believe you carried the kids, well, I can! You guys are an inspiration and I am so touched by the stroller. People love you Kristi, you DO bring out the best in people.

Natasha said...

Kristi, I am so glad you decided to share this story.

Cara @ Gardenview Cottage said...

You deserve it! You would do it for someone else in a heartbeat and not think twice! I'm so happy for you ♥

Anonymous said...

AHHH!! That is so amazing. What an incredibly thoughtful and generous gift. {{fabulous}}

Holly said...

I can just picture your joyful, and surprised face when you opened your door! What a wonderful gift.

Congrats on signing up for #4 girl. Whoop!

michelle said...

No WAY! This is the best story I've heard in a long time, Kristi!

You totally deserve it. And what great motivation to keep running, eh?