Dave & Liz in their Turkey Hats
Nov 28
Weather: Cold! 30 degrees & sunny
Goal: To run for pie!
Result: 47:56
Fans: Mike
I was excited about this race and signed up as early as I could! My brother-in-law, Dave has done this race for (I think) 5 years and I was always envious when he would come to Thanksgiving dinner ready to eat (with no guilt!!!) Since I had been looking for opportunities to race through the end of the year this one seemed ideal! Not only would I be able to run with my favorite running buddy but if I did it I could eat pie! (with no guilt!)
I had been watching the weather for days hoping for a somewhat milder morning and at least to dodge any precipitation. Thanksgiving is always a crap shoot. It can be unseasonably warm, it can snow or it can be exactly what it was this year; cold and sunny.
We gathered at the church green in Southport with the 5000 other runners and took shelter in the church porch. As we stood there with “best fan ever” Mike a newspaper reported came over to chat us up. I should mention that I had found turkey hats for Dave and I to wear in celebration of the day. The reporter from the Connecticut Post spotted us; took some pictures and came over to find out our names and where we were from. Dave, ever the politician, saw an opportunity for front page coverage and chatted the reported up with all his best skills.
Eventually it was time to race and we walked over to the starting line which was in the shade. I always find those last 5-10 minutes at the start line to be the most difficult. It is the time when I always start to doubt my training and reasons for thinking that particular race was a good idea. I had intended to run with music since the race (for me) was a longer distance. Of course my headphones had other plans and died literally as I crossed the starting line. This didn’t matter in the end since the race was packed with people and the course was beautiful. I was carried along with the enthusiastic crowd and found myself enjoying the sights and sounds of Southport, CT.
When we began the race I had told Dave to go ahead without me since he is a faster runner than me. I didn’t see him till the end although if he had been near I would surely have spotted him since he sported his turkey hat the entire race (I had ditched my in favor of my super warm winter hat with ear flaps!)
I had heard that the course was hilly but found that it was no hillier than my regular run at home. And, while the temperature didn’t get much warmer the sun combined with my running speed eventually made me hot and sweaty: Always a nice bonus on a run.
I came into the finish line with guns blazing since I realized that I had kept up a great pace for myself and believed I could come in under 50 minutes. I was psyched to see the finish clock ticking away in the 48’s as I neared the end. I pushed over the finish line and with the adjustment for my start I completed the race in 47:56! I was so speedy that my fan and number one picture taker missed me!!!
I walked over to the water station in hopes of meeting up with Mike and Dave but in the sea of people couldn’t find them. Eventually I climbed one of the bleachers on the field and set up a look-out. It took about 10 minutes but I eventually found Mike and Dave and we congratulated ourselves on another running accomplishment!
My only thought? Onto Thanksgiving Pie!!!
Thanksgiving Pies
Ugh moment: While I run and have raced regularly this year I am still not always aware of my speed. I did not think I had pushed myself to run fast but found a couple times during the race that I was having difficulty catching my breath. Rather than slow down or walk I did a quick body check and reminded myself to breath evenly. I was able to talk myself through this rough spots by checking my breathing and thinking about pie!