Turkey Trotting

In preparation for a day of disgusting consumption, my Dad and I partook in what has become a US tradition among those who own running shoes. The Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. So instead of doing a 2 hour trainer ride or long run to burn the thousands of calories that will be consumed in record pace, we set out to spend all of twenty minutes (give or take) of intense effort followed by overzealous satisfaction of the 300 calories burned on the way to the feeding trough.

My running has been going very well. I've done nothing but very slow running but I've gotten to where I can run 4 miles with consistency with no pain at all. I certainly have not been doing any speedwork, but I desperately wanted an excuse to use my new Avia Bolt racing flats!

I think they are dead sexy:



It didn't take too much convincing to get my Dad to join me, even though he did his long run yesterday (I joined him for the last 4). So we got up early, saw it was <20F, bundled up and headed down. You know you are in the right place when you see this:



We did a little warm up jog, hit the restroom and were in time to line up for the race. There were a ton of eager runners there to do the low-tech race. No chip timing today, so we tried to start near the front (but not right up there because I'm not a big fan of being trampled.)

We started and within about 5 minutes I remembered why I don't do a lot of these races. They hurt! It's such a fine balance between running the right pace, puking, having a heart attack, or just plain sucking. Any time it's below freezing there is always that hint of reactive airways that kicks me in the butt too. But it felt so freaking good to run fast.

It was a liberating experience, this low-tech race. No chips, but also no mile markers, no people yelling splits, a town I had never been to, and me without a watch (which is something I will never say again after I officially join the Timex squad). So basically I was running on the verge of puking for a completely unknown period of time. Good stuff.

There was a guy running very near me pushing his two kids in a running stroller (which gives you some idea of how speedy I'm not). When I had been running for a completely unknown period of time I heard him tell his kids that there was less than 3 minutes to go. SWEET! I tried to kick it a little harder to try to catch some of the speedy girls ahead of me. I passed one but was repassed in the final kick. I need to work on that.

At the finish line I saw that my official time read 21:36 (PR - my last 5k was a year ago at 21:50 on an easier course) and someone tore my tag off the race bib as I stood there completely mute while trying to determine the best way to both swallow the vomit that was trying to make its way out and get a decent breath in so I didn't pass out. I was reminded once again why I am an endurance athlete.

I ended up 3rd in the 20-29 age group (goodbye 20's, I will miss you), and 9th woman overall. I have no idea how many people where there. Definitely hundreds but I doubt a thousand. I went back to watch my Dad cruise on in under 26 minutes. What a rock star the day after a long run (and he's 62!).

Post run pics:





That last pic is to highlight my coolest piece of running gear. My running jacket with the build in hat with PONYTAIL HOLE and build in mittens.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I had a lovely day and had time to reflect on how truly fortunate I am to have such a great family and truly wonderful friends and to be involved in a sport that I am so passionate about.