Tagged Before Christmas

It's almost Christmas! Yay! We've got a great time planned and I hope you do as well.

I was going to shut it down for the weekend but figured I'd get this up before then. I was tagged by Kerrie of Mom vs. Marathon, an awesome blog, so if you haven't read it yet, please do so.

1. What is your favorite time of day to run?

This isn't even a question. It's morning for certain. I like the feeling I get from running, and I like it when that feeling lasts all day. It's also easier for me because the longer I wait, the more stuff I have to do and it can get impossible to fit in a run in the afternoon/evening, what with having to take care of the girls when they get home from school, prepare dinner, make sure they're doing their homework, etc.

Ideally - and this doesn't happen that often - I'd run at 7 a.m. But anytime between 7-9 in the morning, I'm good to go.

2. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

Travel writer. I don't know why I've never tried to submit a travel writing sample to anyone, probably one of those things where you say 'Nothing would happen so why bother?' but I never have. I don't do tons of traveling necessarily but I have been to some places and I could have maybe tried to write something for someone...

Anyway, it would be great to travel somewhere, indulge in the local offerings, take some pictures, talk to some locals and then write about it. That wouldn't suck.

3. Do you have a guilty food pleasure? (ie What's your favorite empty-calorie food?)

Hmmm.... I do, just trying to figure out what's the one thing I can't freakin resist...

Mexican Sweet Bread, aka pan dulce. That stuff is dangerous. I can't have it around because I can't help myself.

image borrowed from google

Yeah, that stuff. The piece with sugar sprinkled on it is called an elote, and that's pretty much my favorite. The sprinkle kind is also good, and it was my favorite as a kid. That's Kennedy's favorite kind.

Yum. I was going to try and get some for Christmas since we're hosting it but not sure if I'll have time to do that. That's probably for the best.

4. How and/or why did you start running?

That's a really long story, but long story not-so-long...

I'd dropped more than 100 pounds and wanted to mix up my cardio. I wanted to try running since I had barely done it during my weight loss journey. I started slowly and it wasn't too bad. My brother then signed me up for my first race, the Camp Pendleton Mud Run in Oct 2008. I had to train for it (it's a 10K obstacle course run that if you've read this blog at all you know all about it). I ran a little at first, 2-3 miles, and then increased it to 4-5, and so on. I wound up running a 5K in June 2008 as my first-ever race and I was onto something. After the Mud Run, I was hooked. I loved having trained for and met my goal, and that still drives me now.

5. Do you have any special Christmastime traditions?

Well, we used to see something called the Festival of Lights, which is this huge ceremony nearby. There's all sorts of lights and fireworks and it's the day after Thanksgiving, so it kicks off the season. However, the last two years we went (and we'd gone every year since 06, wanted to have that tradition for the girls) there were just way too many people for our taste, and too many people can be rude. So we scrapped that.

On Christmas, my brother takes turns hosting Christmas with us. The last two years actually we were at his house and this year we're here. We have a huge breakfast spread and have my family over. It's a great way to spend Christmas.

6. What race/event are you most looking forward to in 2011?

Well, as of right now, the first race and the only one I'm officially registered for - Surf City Marathon on Feb. 6. But I am looking forward to taking on the challenge of the San Francisco Marathon once more, which is on July 31. It was dubbed "The Race Even Marathoners Fear" by the Wall Street Journal and while I've already conquered it (I PR'd there this year!) I want to tackle on that fearful race once more.
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Alright, well thanks for reading up. I'm supposed to tag a couple of people and while I don't usually tag anyone I'll pass along this to...

Jewels of One Step At A Time
Tahoegirl... oh wait, she doesn't have a blog ;)

Well, I guess that's it. Thanks again for tagging me Kerrie.

And have a Merry Christmas!