5Ks For Clara in 50 States

        I registered for the Snow Stomp 5K in Salt Lake City, Utah for our eighth 5K for Clara. Little did I realize that it was a 5K in the mountains on a snow-covered trail, and intentionally so! They really wanted us to stomp snow! Thankfully, I had my Yaktrax! Some individuals were running in snowshoes. With our 5Ks for Clara shirts/hoodies donned, we started the race uphill. Dave took off at a fast pace, really hoping to place in his age group. I ran at a more careful pace, not wanting to slip on the ice. While running up the trail, we passed many cross-country skiers as well as hikers all decked out in snow bibs and hiking shoes with ice spikes. It was a beautiful morning for all of us on the mountain. At the finish line, Dave had several of his family members waiting for us. We were so grateful to have Dave's stepmom, Karen, brother John, and brother Stewart with his wife Kristine, and adorable son Peter support us. It was so cute to hear our little nephew cheering loudly fo

        What a special place for us to run a 5K on Thanksgiving morning. Clara Lynn was born at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas and our race was in Temple, Texas! I'm so grateful we were able to honor and remember her in the place that started it all; the place that made me the luckiest mother on the planet.   Even with it being Thanksgiving, I had a little crew that wanted to run with me! It was nice having a lot of family members all together at my parent's house in Copperas Cove. We had two young, fast runners with us - my nephew Blake and niece, Honor. We also had my sister and husband. The weather was just slightly chilly for Texas, but not a problem for us Coloradoans. There were about 750 runners at this race in Central Texas - our second largest yet for our 5Ks for Clara! Colorado's Colder Boulder 5K was the largest so far.  At this race, there were two other runners wearing shirts honoring individuals in their lives who had passed. I was able to speak w

  While visiting with my sister, Shiloah, and her family over fall break in Iowa, I decided to do our 6th state in our 5ks for Clara in 50 states series. There were no 5ks in the area my sister lived in last weekend, so we got up early and drove 2 hours to Shorewood, Illinois (right outside of Chicago) to do the Spooky Sprint 5K. The trail through the woods was absolutely gorgeous. There were so many gold, orange, and red colors on the trees and crisp leaves crackling beneath our feet. It was an autumn run at it's finest! Dave took first place in his age group!!! Sam took home second place, and Luke third. Everyone was all smiles about how well they did. After the race, we donned our mummy medals, enjoyed some donuts, and chatted with some of the friendly locals. All in all, a great 5K! Our next 5K for Clara will be in Killeen, Texas on Thanksgiving Day. Texas is Clara's birth state so I am so happy to run and honor her there. Stay tuned for my next post!    

  Because we were already in Florida to board our cruise, we decided that Florida should be the next state to run for Clara! I have to tell you, that running at sea level is much easier than altitude! I had one of my faster 5k times here in Orlando, Florida. However, it was very, very humid! Although I am well-acquainted with humidity, my guys are not! "Humidity is definitely not for me," were some of their last words in Florida Lol! We were so glad to have Sam with us for this 5K. He was so happy to run for his sister and ended up placing 1ST in his age group!!   I am headed to my other home state of TEXAS this November for Thanksgiving with my parents and to run for Clara. Texas friends, Come Run (or walk) with Me and Dave!!!!

  We arrived in Washington Wednesday, March 15th to do some sightseeing and to visit with my mom before running Saturday morning. Seattle did not disappoint! It was a beautiful week and we enjoyed every minute of our stay. On Saturday morning, we drove to Gig Harbor, WA, somewhat southwest from Seattle to do the Shamrock'n the Harbor 5K. It was a little chilly, about 40 degrees with a slight breeze, but the sun was out and shining.  After the race, we enjoyed some Irish tap dancers, bagels, and fruit. Each runner also received an awesome participation medal. We were so blessed to be able to do this run for Clara on her birth month in such a beautiful place. I have no doubt she was with me, pushing me up some of the hills on our run.        We look forward to running for Clara again in Florida!!! Stay tuned!

It was a beautiful morning in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I love the Land of Enchantment as my Dad's side of the family are all from New Mexico and have lived here for generations. I could just imagine Clara and many of my ancestors on the Salazar, Lopez, and Cruz side running along with us. This Valentine's Cupid 5K supported a wonderful cause, one dear to my heart - Community Options for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. It was so nice to see several members of this adult group running or walking the 5K. There were 120 runners present at this 5K and I am so excited to have placed in my age group! I walked away with a participation medal and a beautiful heart-shaped medal.  Next race, we are hoping to run in Seattle, WA during during spring break. PS: Thank you to my sister-in-law, Jessica, for making my 5ks for Clara T-shirt and hoodie!!!