Semi-Chlorinated Life: Unattainable Christmas List

My daughter is asking Santa for a puppy, and many other unattainable Christmas presents.

Here’s the whole story. We lost our family dog, Smalls, three years ago. Smalls was my pet. I’d had him for 14.5 years, and he was a loving, ever-hungry beagle (of course, I only remember his good side). The kids appear to get so sad when we talk about him, although sadly, they didn’t really know him. But I don’t say that to them; I just smile and brace myself for what I know they are going to say next. “Can we please get a dog?!”

They ask this at least five times a day, and have for quite some time. I have explained on multiple occasions that we do want another dog and that we will get one, but we have to slow down our travel first. I try to help them understand that dogs don’t like it when their owners are gone, that they like routine. And finally, after hearing me explain our reasons for waiting for the umpteenth time, that’s when my daughter said, “Fine. I am gonna ask Santa for a puppy!”

Hold the phone! Can she do that? I was looking for a referee to throw a flag! No ref. No flag. Just me, my daughter … and Santa.

In response, I told her that Santa couldn't deliver live animals. . . Read the rest and find out why I'm the "best hooker ever" on my Semi-Chlorinated Life babble voices blog.

Semi-Chlorinated Life: Are my kids too busy?

I love the endless opportunity our kids have, but do you ever wonder if our kids are too busy? Don't get me wrong, I am a Title IX baby and relish every opportunity available to my daughter and my son. When I was little I wanted to play soccer, but there wasn't a girls’ team, so I watched my brother. And then I found swimming, thank goodness I loved it because I am not really sure what else was out there for me to do (other than cheerleading which I learned in 9th grade was not for me).

My kids, on the other hand, can't seem to fit all their activities into a 24/7 week. I have already written a lot about about “fighting for my kids' free time” in a another blog about keeping it all together as a parent, but I feel like I am losing the fight. And frankly, maybe “fight” is too strong of a word. Maybe I am just their lobbyist or advocate. I feel like I need to picket outside their bedrooms just to remind them how cool an afternoon of make-believe and play can be . . .

Read the rest on my Semi-Chlorinated Life babble blog

Semi-Chlorinated Life -- 26.2: NYC Marathon

I am not gonna lie, I was nervous — or maybe it was more like anxious — about the 26.2 miles in front of me. Either way, I was losing sleep leading up to the ING NYC Marathon. Mostly I was hoping that everything felt right, that I didn’t get sick, and that I would run it smart. I wanted to feel as great as one can at the end.

The day started when it was still dark out, with only a few people walking along the midtown streets of NY. All these people had one thing in common: they were all carrying a bib and a plastic bag heading toward their transportation to Staten Island. I just kept to myself on the street until I met up with my Runner’s World crew. And what an amazing group! If you’ve ever had the good fortune to be in the company of Bart Yasso, then you know the amazing energy he gives off. We all woke up a bit when Bart walked in, and that is when it hit me: I am really doing this. This event that I last experienced 11 years ago was about to happen. . .

Read the rest of my 26.2: NYC Marathon blog on babble's Semi-Chlorinated Life.

My 10 Favorite Running Destinations

The moment I hung up my competitive swimsuit, I grabbed a pair of running shoes. At the time, I didn't even know I was supposed to have a separate shoe just for running. I didn't really think about switching to running or becoming a runner, I just ran. I ran with my girlfriends around the Stanford University campus. We fondly call it “The Campus Loop,” and it’s about four miles. Since then, I have run wherever my job has taken me. I’ve run at least 50 times around Orlando, Florida during my time hosting Figure It Out, at least once through every NBA city exploring while filming Inside Stuff, and on five continents while traveling for the Olympic Games, doing charity work, or covering events for the Today Show. There is no better way to see a city or get to know your surroundings than by slipping on your running shoes and putting your soles to the pavement!

With all that legwork under me, I thought I'd share a little exploring insight. Here are my 10 favorite running destinations. . .

#10

Scotland: The Highland Way.  We learned a lot about this trail while we were camping in the Highlands in Scotland.  My number 10 destination is Scotland's premiere walking route and can be accessed via path at almost every stop along the scenic way. The scenery is so raw and beautiful. And the 96mile trail has various paths along it's route, and hosts an annual race. I'm putting that one on my bucket list.  

Check out destination 1-9 on my Semi-Chlorinated Life blog.

Babble -- Semi-Chlorinated Life: Lessons in Parenting, Sports and Life

I have been a Babble fan for a long time.  Many of my friends have contributed, and so this a proud day for me. I finally have a Babble Voice. In life, I have a few major skills I can fall back on.  Swimming is the obvious, but my true skills are a) the ability to detect the presence of any pool within 1000 yards — I am like a beagle on a chicken bone when it comes to the scent of chlorine.  For most of my life, it was my perfume whether I liked it or not – And b) my experiences and the many people I’ve met along this journey we call life that have shared their knowledge with me. My wealth of knowledge isn’t all that astounding, but I have learned a lot about sports, parenting, healthy living, and  life and continue to learn more everyday! And that is why I am so proud to be contributing to Babble.

Now, let’s lay this thing out.  I plan on writing about things I know, things I think I know, things I know I need help with (with a little help from my expert friends), and things that I find so hilarious, they just have to be shared.  Here is how it will break down…find the beat…

• Healthy Living-Everything In Moderation
• Organization- Simplifying Chaos
• Parenting- Authentic and Imperfect
• Sporting Life- Mama loves her football and running, and watching the kiddos play.

Read the rest of this post on babble in my babble voices blog -- Summer Sanders: Semi-Chlorinated Life.