CrossRoads Blog

The Holiday season is still I think our favorite time of the year. It just seems there is so much more family and friend time. You get to walk the malls looking for some cool Grandkid toy, listen to those old goofy songs, pull out decorations for many years past, take some mellow days from work, and of course how do you beat getting to chow down on all the good food (Kimberly’s cookies get better every year I think)!

Like last year, it was a little more subdued around the house this year as we had our second year without any of the boys around (and of course the folks are in OK too). For Xmas eve and Kimberly’s birthday this year we did a Russian theme meal with Beef Stroganoff (used Tenderloin), a great Mushroom Filo cheese thing, some cool appetizers, and an Igloo Cake desert (see picture with us in the door ). Mom and Dad Lohstroh joined us, as did Kerry Mike and Josh for a fun night. We planned a whole bunch of Wii games, but ended up doing cards and passing out goof gifts – turned out to be perfect.

We did miss the rest of the family, but seeing we got to visit Oklahoma over Thanksgiving it wasn’t so bad. I think the old days of everyone getting together all at once in the same place are officially gone as the boys create their own family traditions. That said, I am sure we will have some more big get-together’s in the future, just they will not be an annual thing.

Not that we need the reminder, but again the Holiday’s always seem to highlight – what really matters in life is Family and Friends.

They call the race ‘Frosty’s Run’ and this morning it felt aptly named. We Kimberly and I first arrived at Horse Lover’s Park (Reach 11) in Scottsdale I think the temperature was in the low 40’s. It was clear and it warmed up real quick, but definitely one of those Scottsdale Winter mornings we get here – clear and cold!

The race was the 3rd annual event for “Health and Hope’ and is supportive of a local Hospice for the Valley. The run covers 10 miles and is as of this date the longest competitive run the we have done (a few longer in training of course). The course is basically packed dirt in the park and an ‘out-n-back’ track for the 10 miles. With the exception of some occasional puddle hopping or avoiding and minor up and downs it really is a great trail to run. Nearly like the road, but with much less stress on the knee dirt.

About 350 showed up for the two events, there was a 2 mile fun run too, and it was well managed by the Arizona Running Events Co. Those guys always seem to do a good job with these local races and the guy on the mic is also always good for a couple of good morning chuckles which also helps when you are cold and tired still.

We were really using the event as our training ‘long run’ for the week for the upcoming PF Chang Half Marathon so we did not push too hard. Still we had a decent showing as I came in with a time of 1:21 and Kimberly finished in an 1:35.

We will be there next year – with scarves and gloves I am sure.