SandRidge Santa Dash 5k: Recap

The SandRidge Santa Dash was my last race of 2011 & my first running year. It’s been a great year. I don’t love running, but I LOVE races. The excitement, the crowd, the butterflies--every bit of it is so exciting. Sprinkle in some adventure races & you’ve got a spectacular running year.

This race was #9 for me. I was prepared to run it & excited that Phoenix, Caroline & Joey would also be joining me that day. Phoenix had a Kids Santa Dash at 10 am.

The 5k course was one of the most boring courses ever. it was just a straight out & back. I thought we would never get to the turn-a-round. Once we made our turn, it was smooth sailing from there. I could see the Devon building & I knew exactly how much farther I had to go. I could envision the end. I realize I make a 5k sound like a marathon, but hey, I never said I was the Positive Polly of running. 

Once the finish line was visible, it was time for the sprint to the end. I looked over at Caroline and asked if she was ready to go--she always finishes first, I always chase her to the end. This time, her asthma was getting the best of her & she yelled ‘It’s your turn to finish first, sister.” (If you knew how competitive she was, you would know this is a big deal & her lungs really hurt.) 

When I sprint to the end, there are three things going through my head:

-Don’t trip

-Stretch your legs out so you look like an Olympian

-Smile so you don’t look like a moron if they snap a pic

I did all three! As long as no one got a picture of me not looking like an Olympian, I can pretend that I did.

Shortly after our finish, the little guy was ready to run! There was a 100 yard dash toward Santa for kids 8 & under. Phoenix was so excited. The look on his face was priceless. I stood at the finish line & cheered him on as he ran his little heart out. We took a picture with Santa & grabbed his goody bag.

Phoenix is in the white sweatshirt. I wore his snowman hat because he said it 'got in his eyes.'

All the Santa's downtown ride segways. It's great!

All in all, it was a perfect ending to my first racing year. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my running partner, Caroline, my participating boyfriend Joey, my sweet mini runner, Phoenix & the support of my parents. I know my dad wanted an athlete, but at least I gave him a mid-twenties running enthusiast that only does it for the costumes. ;)

Breakfast at Cafe do Brazil. Breakfast after a race is a must.

What were your accomplishments this year? Any amazing races?