Turkey Trot 2014

A tradition I simply won’t miss.  My first TT was Thanksgiving 2003.  This would be my 11^th.  Some Turkey Trots I ran with Greg, some alone, a few with B in the jogging stroller, I even ran during the pregnancy (only the 1-miler), and most recently, a few with Megan completing the 5-mile distance with me.  Whether she understands it or not, she’s locked in from here going forward.  Her reward is a calorie free day of eating and a venti Starbucks post-race.  Hello, Thanksgiving Day tradition!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Brrr! It was cold and icy!

Her First Turkey Trot

Freezing temperatures, but Megan hung in there and ran her first 5-miler Turkey Trot.  This was my 11th year and her first "long distance" race - and hopefully, she'll be joining me for many more! Special thanks for Meg's friend, Kim, who joined us for the last 2 miles in her Pilgrim costume and provided the perfect entertainment!

 

St. Malachi Packet Pick-Up

Navigating through the aisles at Dick's Sporting Goods, I realized that I was just three days away from my first real race of the year, the St. Malachi 5-Miler.  Here it was - March.  Three months into 2013 and am I ready to run 5 miles? Yikes! Packet pick up made it all the more real.  As Jens Voight so famously reminds himself, so will I - "Shut Up Legs!"

Here we go!

Working on Year 9

2011 will be my 9th Turkey Trot here in Cleveland. I just love this race. Last year, it was just me and the girls. The rain was so heavy that I finished the short 1-mile race sans jogging stroller. Since having Bridget, I've been running the 1-mile race with Greg and Megan while pushing Bridget in the jogging stroller. This year, I convinced Greg to join me in the 5-mile race. Can't wait! This is one tradition I love keeping up!

Saturday's Race

I will knock off our 24th state tomorrow morning by running the Bill Luti 5-Miler in Concord, New Hampshire. I chose this race after I read about who Bill Luti is. He helped organize this race in 1968, which is now known as one of the oldest foot races in New England. Bill coached the Boys' Cross Country at Concord High School from 1957-1982, winning 13 state championships and 4 New England titles. He returned from retirement to bring more state titles to the girls' cross country. He will be the official starter, will give the 2-mile splits, and present awards to "Luti Alums". I look forward to this local race in the morning! Best of all, it will be another wonderful morning with my girls!