Race Recap: San Diego Santa Run 5k

San Diego Santa Run 5k -- My race recap!

 I think Christmas races are by far one of the most fun races of the year! Everyone loves getting festive and decked out in fun Christmas attire! The San Diego Santa Run 5k claims to be San Diego's most festive 5k and I think they are pretty right about that!!! Your registration to the 5k race includes a "Sunny Santa" outfit; hat, jacket, shorts, belt and beard! 

The Pacific Beach neighborhood in San Diego along with HP Movement hosts the run on it's main strip of restaurants, bars and shops. When you pick up your race bib you get a swag bag with not only your one size fits all Santa suit but with inserts for discounts at different places in PB! Oh and on your bib comes a drink ticket to be redeemed at one of the couple bars in the area, which is cool because after the race is over the Pacific Beach Holiday parade comes though so you can sit at a restaurant or bar and have brunch and enjoy the parade!

 Even though they gave me a Santa suit I opted to wear my own version of one! 

Check out my Santa suit race attire blog HERE!!

 

 Arriving the morning of the run you have got to get there early! There are 2000 plus participants and it quickly becomes a cluster of people! The run actually offers a couple different race options; 1 SPEEDY mile for a timed fast race, 1 mile FUN run for kids, 1 mile SANTAS little helpers for DOGS, the 5k TIMED and just for fun!! 

 I chose the 5k timed run which is an extra $3. I arrived late so ended up starting with the walkers on top of having the stroller so the idea of making a record time was out. All year I had been waiting to find a race where I could push Mia in the DOGGER stroller. I know that this race is pet friendly so I checked with race officials and loaded up Mia to join me in the run!!! 

Check out my blog about my DOGGER here!

 

 I bundled Mia up in a cute red Christmas sweater and put on a little dog Santa hat and Mia was a hit!! I really wanted her to wear these little reindeer antlers but she wasn't into it so little Santa it was! We dashed into the sea of Santas' and got lots of cheer from everyone we passed! Who knew the streets were so hilly until you are out there running up and down them!! Everyone seemed to have such a great time that the hills didn't even matter! 

 

 I will definitely do this run next year! The race day is fun for the whole family and you can make a really fun day out of it and get everyone into the holiday spirit!!!

Here are some more fun pictures from the run!

 

Race Attire: Santa Suit

Race Attire: Santa Suit

 

For the San Diego Santa Run 5k I decided to make my own cute Santa outfit! The HP Movement event actually gives you a full, one size fits all "Sunny Santa" suit, but while shopping at WalMart I came across the cutest set of Christmas pajamas! Each set came with a tank top and boy short bottoms! The PJ sets were; Snowman, Santa, Elf and Gingerbread Man!

 

The Santa set tank top would be perfect for a late morning run in sunny San Diego!! 

So boom I was set, then I thought my RED Sparkle Athletic skirt and RED sparkle visor would go perfect for the Santa theme !!

And socks !!! Socks can make a running outfit all come together so I finally got to break in my Pro Compression, Marathon Ugly Sweater Remix socks!!

Right now Pro Compression is having a sale where you can get 40% off your order plus free shipping with 

Coupon Code: YEAREND

Follow the link!!!

 

I ran this race with my dog and she rocked a cute Christmas sweater and Santa hat from our local PetSmart store !!! 

Till next years Santa Run!!! 

<3 Niki

Dogger Running Stroller

This is my personal review of the Dogger stroller! 

   So before you call me crazy let me explain! I am an animal lover and animal mother! My pets are my kids and they mean the world to me. My Mia is a 9 year old dachshund mix, she loves to be included in all things, Mia is very friendly and loves to get out of the house with me! So when I started my marathon training earlier this year I started feeling bad for Mia! I would go out to run errands, go on long training runs and be gone most of the day to just come home and be totally exhausted. Mia would be full of energy and ready to go to the park or on a long walk around the lake! Mia is a healthy girl and can totally keep up with me for a couple miles but there is no way she could be running 6,8 or 12 miles with me!
 One day I was browsing Groupon and saw a post for a dog stroller, this got me thinking and I decided to look into the idea! I knew if I was going to be running with the stroller I would need something suitable for different terrain (good wheels), easy to push and maneuver (well built, not too heavy), and something Mia would be comfortable in that could fold up and fit in the backseat of my car! A lot of stroller reviews said they were bulky and heavy and hard to transport or not easy to push when running or jogging. So one day I am walking through the mall and I see a lady pushing this stroller with her 2 dogs inside and I can just tell that the stroller is made of good quality material compared to the others I had looked into. On the front of the stroller I could see the word "DOGGER"  so I immediately pull my phone out and google search "dogger". I found a website of a company, Dog Quality based out of Canada, they specialize in products for senior dogs. Their saying is "Improving the Quality of Life for your Senior Dog" The dogger is a featured product that they carry and trade mark. After reading about the dogger and reading the testimonials I was sold, this stroller had everything I was looking for!!

http://dogquality.com/products/dogger

 So the stroller arrives and everyone thinks I am crazy and "There is no way Mia is going to ride around in that thing!" but nope I open the box up, do a quick and easy set up and boom Mia hops in!! I take her for a quick spin around the backyard and realize I had officially become that lady with her dog in a stroller! 

 The stroller is built well with strong suspension, even has shocks and breaks! The handle can be adjusted to comfort and comes with a drink holder! The basket itself has a removable pad, sun shade, a fully zippered inclosure with net and protection from rain and harness hooks! This stroller really has it all! 

 Now Mia is able to go with me on my long runs and just sit back and enjoy the wind in her face! You might think I am crazy but as long as Mia enjoys it and I get to spend more time with my old girl, then no one's opinion matters, right?!?!?!

 

Check out Dog Quality for more information on the DOGGER
Click here!!