Running Through Motherhood: A Mom of Five Takes on Pikes Peak

Mary Yang

Pikes Peak Marathon, Inc. - Office Manager
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Crystal Sant and her family

​Finding Your Community

If you set your mind to it, a lot of great things are possible.  Crystal Sant is a beautiful example of putting thought to action.  The 38 year old wife and mother of 5 children ranging from 9 years old to just 8 months (Wyatt 9, Salem 7, Tallulah 4, Sybella 2, Sawyer 8 months) reminds us that we are capable of much more than we may believe.  Crystal doesn’t let the demands of parenting keep her from doing what she loves. Instead, she brings her little ones along for the ride—sometimes literally—pushing a stroller, encouraging her older kids to run or bike alongside while setting an example of resilience and determination.

Crystal and her growing family moved from Rhode Island to Colorado Springs in 2018.  While in Rhode Island, she was involved in several fitness and run groups such as the November Project and Run & Chug.  She recalls that everyone showed up for workouts numerous days each week regardless of what the weather was like.  There was accountability and camaraderie. One group, in particular, stood out.  It was called Fit for Moms, a fitness group geared towards moms with small children.  That group eventually inspired Crystal to form her own fitness group called Go Momma, Run.  She offered this as a free group to moms and encouraged the group members to bring their children to the workout sessions.  Ever since becoming a mom herself, she has felt inspired to motivate other moms to get outside and stay active.  Crystal believes that all too often, women can become content in the role of being a mom, so much so that they stop doing activities they once loved, such as running.

After moving to Colorado Springs, Crystal realized she missed the camaraderie of her running and fitness community.  She made a couple of attempts to strike up similar groups geared towards moms with small children but couldn’t quite strike up enough interest.  Eventually, she stumbled upon the Incline Club run group and now describes that as being her community.  There are approximately 50-60 runners that meet up on Sundays and run various routes.  Crystal appreciates the fact that there are older group members that she is unable to keep up with.  She describes herself as a sprinter, not a fast long distance runner.  She terms running with a double stroller, sloggin (slow jog).

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Crystal, during pregnancy #5, training atop Pikes Peak

Running Through Pregnancies

It didn’t take long for Crystal to become familiar with the trail systems throughout Colorado Springs.  She continued to workout and run throughout all of her pregnancies.  Just weeks before giving birth to her son Sawyer, she was running along Devil’s Playground, located just a few miles below the top of Pikes Peak.  On her way to the summit, she passed a gentleman resting on a rock.  He smiled and looked over at her and said, “I was thinking of quitting and then you came along.”  

Another channel that keeps Crystal running is her part-time job.  She works for a company that lines her up with families who hire her to run their dogs.  It was of no surprise that she would pursue such a job.  Her enthusiasm carries over into all aspects of life. 

Though she is strong of mind, body, and spirit, Crystal has faced many challenges throughout her pregnancies and running career including postpartum depression, high blood pressure, plantar fasciitis, and scoliosis.  Regardless of what life has thrown her way, she has remained determined to run through it and keep moving forward.  ​​

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Crystal, literally running with kids in tow

Running with Kids in Tow

Most parents know how difficult it can be to carve out time for exercise with young kids. Between diaper changes, school, and never-ending snack requests, the idea of training for a mountain race can seem impossible. But instead of seeing her children as a barrier to running, she’s made them a part of the journey.

Crystal admits that it’s not always an easy journey, but she refuses to allow herself any excuses to not get outside and do the things she loves.  Some days, she straps her youngest into a jogging stroller while her older kids run, hike, or ride their bikes alongside her. Other times, she carries her youngest in a front pack while tackling the steep steps of the Manitou Incline. It’s not always easy—there will always be unexpected detours—but for her, the rewards far outweigh the challenges.  
 
One outstanding character trait Crystal has is that she is always thinking ahead of what obstacles may come her way.  She has purchased just about every attachment upgrade for her strollers to keep her children safe from inclement weather.  All 5 children are equipped with heated gloves for hikes and runs. Crystal’s mantra is “I will never have an excuse not to run.”  She believes all too often it is the mind that gives up and not the body.​

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Following in Her Footsteps

Crystal’s children are quickly following in her steps.  By involving her kids in her running routine, she’s not only staying active but is also instilling in them a love for the outdoors and an appreciation for perseverance.  Both Wyatt (9) and Salem (7) like to run and bike.  Wyatt has become a skilled runner and participates in track and field and cross country.  Talluah (4) loves to run in the mountains.  Garden of the Gods is her favorite. Tallulah is quite the character.  When asking her mom to go running she uses a dramatic voice filled with humor and command saying, “mom, I want to run in the mountains with you!”  Sybella (2) currently holds the record for being the youngest person to make it up the incline on her own, encouraged by her mom’s spirit and a few gummy bears along the way up. I’m sure we can expect great things to come for the youngest, Sawyer (8 months).  For the meantime, he will continue to enjoy the journey of being nestled in a carrier secured by his mom as she makes her way up through the beautiful trails of Colorado.     

 Preparing for the Pikes Peak Ascent

Crystal ran the Pikes Peak Marathon for the first time in 2023, and the Ascent just weeks after giving birth to her youngest in 2024.  This year, Crystal will take on the Ascent for a second time.  She’s ready and determined to take on the 13.3-mile climb, which gains over 7,800 feet of elevation to reach the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak.  Her loving family will be cheering her on as she makes her way to the finish line.   

Training for the Pikes Peak Ascent is no small task, especially with five young children. It requires endurance, strength, and a deep mental toughness, all of which Crystal has.  This year’s Ascent is more than just a race for her.  It represents the years of running through pregnancies, the countless miles logged with kids in tow, and the determination to keep chasing goals despite the busyness of motherhood.

Crystal said she is not racing to win, rather, the only person she will compete with on the mountain that day is herself.  She has spent many hours on Pikes Peak and jokes about the change in barometric pressure being a real struggle.  She remembers laying down, resting on a boulder once while making her way up the mountain when a fellow hiker asked if she was okay.  She chuckled to herself and told the hiker that there was no need to worry about her because she was too stubborn to stop.
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​Encouraging Other Moms to Stay Active

Through her running journey, she hopes to inspire other moms with young children to stay active. Whether it’s walking, hiking, or running, she believes that making time for movement is not only beneficial for physical health but also for mental well-being. Motherhood is demanding, but that doesn’t mean moms have to set aside their own passions.
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For her, running isn’t just about crossing finish lines—it’s about showing her kids that anything is possible with persistence and heart. And on September 20, when she reaches the summit of Pikes Peak, she won’t just be celebrating her own accomplishment—she’ll be celebrating every mom who refuses to give up on her dreams. Undoubtedly, Crystal has inspired many people along the way.  Most importantly, her husband and children. 

Crystal is thankful that she has found a community with her friends from the Incline Club.  She mentioned a few of her closest friends in the group - Heather, Kathy, and Mary.  On days when she struggles, they wait for her and lift her up.  Crystal will be working with a running coach soon.  Again, she said she isn’t trying to win races, she just wants to keep up with her friends and help to inspire others along the way.        

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