I can't think of a better way to start a day of feasting and gluttony than a good old 10k Turkey Trot. And a Turkey Trot would just not be complete without an actual Turkey to race against. Ok...it was not an "actual" Turkey but a runner dressed in a turkey costume is close enough. My wife-to-be Erica and I ran this race last year and the Turkey left us in the dust. The gun went off and we never saw him the rest of the day. Today would be different. All I heard from Erica all week was, "I'm gonna beat the Turkey this year!" As we were walking to the to the starting line we saw him. We didn't say anything, but we both sized him up. "This Turkey doesn't look that fast." Last year he had legs like a gazelle, this year they looked more like the legs of a chicken. We line up with the masses at the start, over 2,000 strong. The gun goes off and Erica takes of like a bolt of lightning. She was going to get that turkey! I immediately went into oxygen debt and said " pacing, pacing" between deep gasps for air. Mile 1...7:23, good, but I was feeling it. Mile 2...7:00 minutes. Then, in the middle of the pack, Erica spotted him. "There's the Turkey!" Let's go, Let's go. "Erica, we are reeling him in at the pace we are running". "No, I want to pass him NOW." So off we go. We hit mile 3 at 7:19. I'm hurtin'. Erica feels great. As we pass mile 3 she says. "Doesn't it feel great to be beating the Turkey?" Before she can finish I say " NO, this feels awful!" Mile 4 7:21. Erica is trying to be encouraging at this point. I'm a little bitter because I thought we came out for a fun run to burn off some pre-feast calories, not run myself sick so that I can't eat at all. Mile 5 7:25. Erica is still running on clouds because she is roasting the turkey. She continues to talk to me but I ask her not to cuz' it hurts to much to listen. I guess that was enough to convince her to roast me too! she took off ensuring her victory over our fine feathered friend. I finished a minute or two behind. Finishing time...46:52. Happy Turkey Day!
