The Madison Turkey Trot is coming around for the third time since I started my latest fitness routine. Over the years my workout was typically confined within the walls of a gym and cardio work was never much of a priority. Oddly enough when I began my real estate career my exercise routine suffered for a few years as I fell into the all work trap.
In the fall of '05 as my weight crept up to a new high I began walking with one of the women in my office and our goal was the completion of the two mile walking race at the Turkey Trot. Well that Thanksgiving morning didn't work out as we'd planned. The first snowfall of the season left a few inches of ground cover and Jane slid off the road before the race. Shaken but otherwise uninjured her car was towed away and she returned home with rattled nerves.
By the next year my site was set on the 5 mile race. Throughout the year I ran and competed in several 5k ( 3.1 mile ) races building up to "The Big One". Dave Parcells ( yellow rain gear ) was the race announcer as I crossed the finish line after the five mile run in the heavy rain, 30 mph winds and chilling forty degree temp. Six months later the King of Tampa Bay died 8 miles into a marathon swim competition in Tampa Bay.
Not sure what to expect this year but I imagine the mood will be somber as so many people reflect on memories of Dave. We never really consider at the start of any event that we may not live to finish.
Hi Dan - good luck to you on your race. I'll be pulling for ya! I'll even send you a "cheer" on facebook! Go Dan!
Hi Dan,
I'm sure you will be fine with your positive attitude! I like that you are earning your Thanksgiving dinner....:)
Suzanne.... Glad it reads positive, while writing it seemed to be bringing me down. Should do a decent job offsetting the Thanksgivng Feast. A five miler burns over close to 1000 calories.
Jennifer... You weren't around in the early days... Follow blondes two at a time. LOL
Hey Brother Dan! Good luck in your race this year! Sad memories of your friend at the same time...
Ann
Lisa... Thanks, Must be that wet tee-shirt look....
Mana... 90 is sounding a bit warm although one of my better races was in the excessive heat but each year my fastest has been the Halloween 5k that is a flat course with cool temps.
Monika... Never say Never..... A few years ago I couldn't go a mile... This year I did two half marathons at 13.1 miles each.
Ann... You can start training Monika and we'll do a Portsmouth 5k...... Let me know when!
George... Don't think anyone could do that time - 4 minute miles! I'll be a little more than double.
Hi Dan,
Good luck. We have a couple here too but my favorite is the Dallas Turkey Trot where I grew up. You run around downtown Dallas -it's usually 8 miles (they have a 5k too) and cold!
Dan - I'll put your race on Suzanne's calendar so she can taunt you with a hot pizza dangling from a fishing pole so you run faster! I don't do cold and rainy whenever possible...I hope the cool weather is complimented by sunny blue skies this year!
Ohh yeaahh...if you did it in FL you could take a dip in the ocean and jump back on the road. Sorry...no excruciating uphills here either!
Dan,
I would hope that the next Post is about how well you did! Go get Em!
Good Luck,
Tom Weiss
Tracy... Most of the Turkey Trots here are 5 miles in the snow or rain... Never think of Dallas as cold!
Sandi... It's a sunny day! Though the newspapers showing rain clouds for Thursday.
Kris... Suppose he'll be looking down silently... Had another buddy that was suppose to send back greeting from the after life.. Still haven't heard anything....
Suise... This Turkey Trot is one of the better ones for food and drink. Beer should be flowing by 10:30!
Susie... Is white the preferred color? Maybe I should try a tighter shirt to get rid of the wrinkles...
Tom... Not sure about that.... Based on this mornings 5 miler in the cold I'm slowing down.
Best wishes to you Nov. 22nd! Good for you!!! You've encouraged me to get busy excersizing. Again. See my problem is I seem to start and stop and start and stop and start and well you know. I need to start and stay at it. I would suppose having set goals along the way (like the turkey trot) might keep me at it and hold me accountable. I have never done that.
You go Dan!!!