I've wanted to do a Thanksgiving Day 5K for as long as I've been a runner. Even before I picked up running, I would see people posting about and talking about running the morning of Turkey Day. They always looked so happy and proud. I wanted to join those legions.
This year, my Thanksgiving Day wish was granted with the Des Moines Turkey Trot. I signed up the moment I heard about it. I invited people to join me, but naturally, I didn't find many takers. My friends, Brandon and Shane signed up for the 5-mile race. And I ended up running into high school friend, Laura, before the race. But I'm used to doing races alone. I don't have a lot of runner friends in my area, and I also know it's a big day for family and travel. My family only lives 40 miles away and we typically don't eat until mid-afternoon, so I knew I had plenty of time for a 9 a.m. race.
Yesterday morning was cold and drizzly. 40 degrees on its own would have been very comfortable. But it had rained all night, so the air was damp. It rained more in the hour before the race start. Fortunately, the rain took a break at 9 a.m. and didn't resume until I was in the last half-mile of my 5K. The 5-mile folks were not so lucky.
All in all, though, I felt pretty good during this race. The hill near the capitol was a killer, but I pushed through. And I warmed up pretty quickly. I felt really good at the end of the run.
This year, my Thanksgiving Day wish was granted with the Des Moines Turkey Trot. I signed up the moment I heard about it. I invited people to join me, but naturally, I didn't find many takers. My friends, Brandon and Shane signed up for the 5-mile race. And I ended up running into high school friend, Laura, before the race. But I'm used to doing races alone. I don't have a lot of runner friends in my area, and I also know it's a big day for family and travel. My family only lives 40 miles away and we typically don't eat until mid-afternoon, so I knew I had plenty of time for a 9 a.m. race.
Yesterday morning was cold and drizzly. 40 degrees on its own would have been very comfortable. But it had rained all night, so the air was damp. It rained more in the hour before the race start. Fortunately, the rain took a break at 9 a.m. and didn't resume until I was in the last half-mile of my 5K. The 5-mile folks were not so lucky.
All in all, though, I felt pretty good during this race. The hill near the capitol was a killer, but I pushed through. And I warmed up pretty quickly. I felt really good at the end of the run.
Official time: 34:44
My finish time scale:
Good - 36:00 or above
Great - 34:01-35:59
Awesome - 34:00 or faster
That means this race was GREAT. I'm still aiming for that AWESOME mark. I only have one more 5K this year to get there. Or maybe two. I'm considering an additional race. We'll see.
+++++
Last week's workouts
Friday: Off
Saturday: Off
Sunday: Off
Monday: 30 minutes of yoga at home
Tuesday: 2-mile outdoor run
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: Off
Saturday: Off
Sunday: Off
Monday: 30 minutes of yoga at home
Tuesday: 2-mile outdoor run
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: Off
awesome time!!! I've never done a race before.. Maybe I'll sign up for one next year :)
ReplyDeleteWay to go! :) My very first (and only so far) 5K was in June, and it had been raining pretty much nonstop in PA all month. That day was no exception. It was a color run, and it POURED the WHOLE time. I'm not a runner, and I hate running. I did this one because it was a fundraiser that benefited a backpack program used at my school. It was so hard because I feel like I weighed at least 10 pounds more than usual because I was so wet. lol
ReplyDeleteTurkey Trot-ing is my favorite Thanksgiving tradition! Congrats on a great race and good luck getting to the awesome mark - you're so close!
ReplyDelete