Race Recap: East Side Turkey Trot

On Thanksgiving morning, P and I headed out to the east side of town to run the East Side Turkey Trot, a turkey-day 5K put on by Second Sole.  It was a cold day, so I was once again bundled up in my C9 by Champion gaiter-neck shirt, running coat, ear band, and mittens - in addition to an old pair of fleece-lined tights that I run almost all of my winter races in, and 2 pairs of socks in an effort to keep my piggies from going numb.  Many of our running group members were there, too.

I really liked this race - the course was most flat and simply around some residential streets around the local YMCA, but it felt really nice to be getting out there and exercising with hundreds of other people on a day when SO MUCH emphasis is put on eating!!  There was a costume contest as well - lots of people dressed like turkeys, pilgrims, a couple of Halloween costumes and one guy dressed as Thor.  Super fun and cute.  Tons of kids running with their parents (ours stayed with family for the morning), which also makes things fun.  And we could wait inside the HEATED YMCA both before and after the race....so much nicer than standing around outside!  Major bonus points for that feature.  The race featured start/finish timing mats and QR codes on the bibs that you could scan with your smartphone to instantly get your finish time.  So cool how races are really keeping up with the technology!  I finished this one in 28:08.

Me finishing the race (photo credit: Second Sole)

 Not a PR, but I got nice and sweaty and burned a few hundred calories before going off and eating not one but TWO Thanksgiving meals between my side of the family and P's.  Loved the delicious food and family time!

I recently realized that I did not show off my new shoes!  Well, they are the exact same model as my old ones: New Balance Minimus style WR00 (zero drop).  My old ones were white with pink trim - I got them in May and ran in them all summer and absolutely LOVED them.  My 5K time improved by almost a minute once I started running in these zero-drop shoes. They were looking a little worn and I started thinking about getting a new pair in a different color - I saw this vibrant pink and knew I wanted them!  Then, a few weeks ago, there was a New Balance box sitting in the kitchen when I got home from work - P had ordered the pink ones for me as a surprise!  I just love these and can't wait to wear this pair out, too.

The weather has taken a ridiculously frigid/windy turn around here.  This morning I walked from my office to the coffee shop on campus (less than a 5 minute walk) and I literally got an "ice cream headache" feeling from the cold and wind.  Brrrrrrr.  I officially broke down and used the treadmill this morning.  As much as I hate running on the treadmill, I also hate running in extreme weather like this.  So, treadmill it is - until at least the wind dies down.   P has been doing the Runner's World Running Streak Challenge for December, so he's been out every single day to run a minimum of 1 mile.  Wind, snow, ice - you name it, he's ran in it so far this month.  I'm so proud of him and wish I wasn't such a baby about the cold.

There is a Friday the 13th 5K at the local running store this Friday....P and I are both planning on going (if we can get a sitter for the kids for a bit).  It's free to anyone who has participated in any of their other sponsored group runs, and for everyone else registration is just a penny!!  It's supposed to be one of the warmest days this week too - high of 31.  I'm hoping to be able to make it and run.  Otherwise there are no planned 5Ks in the near future (keeping in mind that this can change at any time!).

And finally - my Nails of the Moment:  OPI Gelcolor in Big Apple Red, with an accent nail of GelColor in Witch Is Which?  Very holiday-ish.