2020 Run for a Claus Virtual 5K

 

This year has been a year of practically all Virtual races. My one and only in-person race this year was the Walt Disney World Dopey challenge. If it weren’t for the massive accumulation of medals you receive over that 4 day race challenge, I wouldn’t have hardly any medals to hang on the wall. 

 

Looking at the closing of 2020, I decided to go out with a bang. I got online and registered for as many Virtual holiday races I could.

 

What attracted me to register for this Virtual race was the amazing swag. For just $30 (at the time I registered) you get some pretty nice merchandise. When I opened the Ugly sweater designed mailing package, all the items were sealed individually in plastic wrap to keep them from getting damaged during shipping. 

 

Right on top was a welcome/thank you note from the race organizer and a reminder to post your race photos to share with the other virtual running participants.  

The finisher’s medal was absolutely fabulous. The ribbon was high quality fabric and the medal was not flimsy rubber or plastic, but actual metal measuring 3¾ x 2½.  The fact that the Santa is wearing a mask makes me smile inside. Even the Big man in red does the right thing.

 

Since Christmas racing is during one of the coldest times of the year, I was excited to find the Ugly sweater pattern neck gaiter and santa hat with beard. If that doesn’t keep my face warm, nothing will.

 

Sorry about the creepy foam head…..

                                                                                                        

And lastly, don’t forget to hang your socking with care on the fireplace for Santa to fill with all your favorite running goodies. 

I ran the 5K rather than the 1 mile, this way more of my neighbors get a chance to see what a lunatic they live next too.  Thanks to Sparkle Athletic, I ran in my new Ugly sweater skirt that I purchased last month. 

 

The week before Thanksgiving, you receive an email with the instructions to download your racing bib. They also provided all the social media tags to share your photos and the link to submit your results and download your finisher certificate. There is also a virtual costume contest, five of the most festive costumes will win a free entry to the 2021 event!

This was Baxter's very first 5K and he did great! Check out my YouTube video, just Click here to see my little Baxter run his first Virtual race. 

Christmas Day!

 

Baxter’s first Christmas!

I forgot how hectic and crazy having a puppy in the house Christmas morning could be. Blitz, our five year old husky knows the drill. Open gift, DON’T EAT tissue paper, play with toy. Baxter reminds me of a  child who is more fascinated by the box and wrappings then the actual present inside. 

The morning started out very quiet as both huskies opted to sleep in. 

This gave me time to make my coffee, fill the “stockings with care” haha. Then I sat by the fire and watched these two taking their long winter naps, knowing very soon they would be running, jumping and enjoying their new Christmas goodies. 

One piece of advice for anyone who wants to open presents in peace with a husky pup. Make sure one of their presents is something that will occupy them for an hour or two. I bought both huskies bones stuffed with peanut butter. Once they opened them, they both ran to the living room and chopped for hours. Leaving us to opening our gifts.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Check out my YouTube video for all of our Christmas excitement. Click here to watch the mayhem.

This year has been very tough for many of us and the arrival of this little guy in my life turned a sucky year into one of the most memorial years of my life. Here’s looking forward to a better 2021. 

It's BAXTER Day!

I spent a week cleaning the house and finishing up any sewing projects in preparation of bringing home my new puppy Baxter.  I want to be able to dedicate my time and energy for the next couple of months to raising this new little addition.

 

When “Baxter Day”, as I refer to it, finally arrived I left work early so I could pick up my little bundle and get him settled in before my son and Blitz arrived. My son was able to move back in for the holidays, which turned out to be the best thing ever for both me and little Baxter. 

 

Driving to the breeders, I had butterflies in my stomach and nearly cried. However when I saw Baxter and held him in my arms…. Yup, the water works began. I had been through so much emotion with losing my other Husky pup after only 2 weeks, and wanting and waiting for Baxter, made everything just let loose. 

 

The first two nights were a breeze. To my surprise Baxter slept through the night without having to get up for potty breaks. After getting settled in, this however did not last, more about that to come in future blogs.

 

Blitz and Baxter bonded instantly, becoming snuggle buddies and tug-o-war challengers. Having Blitz to wear out Baxter is a true blessing. But after 4 days, poor Blitz was so tired he had no energy to eat or play. We thought maybe he was getting sick, however after sleeping most of the day he was back to his old self and ready to take on the little pup once again.

   

 

Baxter will be spending time in the crate when I’m at work, without me knowing my good boy Blitz is helping with the crate training. Actually they are working on crate napping.

   

 

First walk was great for Baxter, however since it is winter and the ice is covered with a new fine layer of snow. One small tug from my 10 pound pup landed me flat on my back, with both my son and the nearby mailman running over to me. To add insult to injury my son looked at me in horror yelling, Oh my God did you break a hip…… Good lord son, what am I 80, no I didn’t break my hip.  I gipped along for about half a mile when I hit another icy spot and fell forward this time square on my knees. Good thing I’ve put running on hold, since the sofa and heating pad are my new best friends.

 

We headed out Sunday for our usual coffee at Dutch Brothers and thought we’d have the pups come along for Baxter’s first Puppuccino. Husky puppies do not have full length noses yet so when he tried to lick the inside of the cup like big brother Blitz, he got his face stuck in the cup. The barista thought it was so cute, he took a photo and posted it on his Instagram. You’re a star Baxter!!!!!

Head on over to my YouTube channel "Run Run Rose" to watch the Homecoming episode on my new series called: Real Life with a Husky Pup. Click here to watch 

  

Get Ready for Puppy!!!

Tomorrow I pick up our new Husky puppy, Baxter. To say I am excited is an understatement.  I am like a child on Christmas Eve, looking forward to opening up long awaited presents. Losing our sweet Max after only having him 2 weeks, broke my heart and I thought it would be a long time before I opened up my heart again to a new pup. Images of Max’s sad little eyes as he took his last breath haunted me for weeks. Thank goodness for Blitz, my son’s five year old husky, who came to visit each weekend after losing Max. It’s like he knew how sad I was. He would lay his head in my lap and look up at me with his big beautiful blue eyes.

 

When the breeder contacted me about a new litter of huskies, I wasn’t sure if I was ready. But after looking at all the puppy photos, one little pup caught my eye. Similar to Max, he is Black and white with very distinctive markings. I thought it over for much too long and worried he would not be available by the time I got around to contacting the breeder. To my surprise, she had been holding him for me all along. 

 

Baxter is my new beginning. Stay tuned for our many adventures.