Hey Vol , I had a great race today despite my best efforts to sabotage myself . Ridgewood Turkey Trot , Raleigh NC. 8k . THREE THOUSAND plus people !! I'm extremely proud of my wife for competing , let alone finishing in less than an hour . I finished in 41:55 , about 35 seconds quicker than my goal . The course was surprisingly pleasant . I knew it was approximately 2.5 miles down hill and 2.5 back up . My wife and I talked about it after and we agreed that, it seemed like we descended 200 feet more than we climbed . Not Possible considering we finished where we started . I'm still waiting for the official results to be posted . I'd like to know where I finished, even though it's not supposed to matter .   Thanks again to all for your help and support .                 Happy Thanksgiving , Marc

We had 1390 and the start was a mess so I sprinted the first half mile (sometimes on the grass) Then they rushed us out before the football crowd arrived...PRed the race and the dinner Woo Hoo

Ran the Gobble Cobble 7k Turkey Trot in downtown Baltimore yesterday. I don't know the exact number but it looked like there were several hundred in attendance.  My time was NOT the greatest but I definitely wasn't at my best.  But I'm glad I showed up and I'm glad I finished.  I was hoping to finish in 00:43:00 minutes, but I finished in approximately 00:49:00 minutes instead (unofficial time).  This was my second race of all time and my first 4-mile race.

I finally bought some running gloves so I was happy I had those.  I think I overdressed for the race though. It was about 34 degrees when we started, but as we went on, I wanted to take off the fleece jacket that I was wearing over my sweatjacket and sleeveless shirt.  I was instructed by family to wait to buy my proper cold gear (methinks Santa will bring me some for Christmas) so I had to improvise. I wore some old ballet tights under my leggings but those proved to be a nuisance halfway through.  They kept sliding down and I was way warmer than I wanted to be.  So needless to say, I was uncomfortable and couldn't get out of my head about it.

It was rainy and cold and part of the course was on cobblestone (I guess that's where the "Cobble" part comes in).  Other than that, the rest of the course was pretty easy.    

I ran my first half marathon yesterday in Atlanta GA.

I started running mid July 2010.  I did the C25K program and got addicted.

I told my family that I was going to change our Thanksgiving.  Told them to sign up for the 5K and I was going to do the 13.1

My father (67), mother (65), sister (who has lost 36 lbs this year), my husband (40), my niece (13) and son (6) all ran/walked the 5K and had a blast.  My mom is tickled to death that she got 3rd in her age group and will get an award!   My son says he got first in his age group and I told him yes but there will be no award because no one less than 8 was supposed to run it!

I was very nervous.  I had only done 2 10 mile long runs prior to this and I had done them with a friend who runs a much slower pace than me. (I'm no speed demon though!).  I was doing my visualizations/affirmations daily.  Then I went to the Expo for bib pick up (my first expo). I was quite intimidated.  Felt like there were all these "real" runners around and they were looking at me like some poser.  I treated myself to a new cold weather running shirt and a spi belt.  My husband said here's one and showed me a shirt with "13.1. Been there, run That."  I said, no better not jinx myself.

I stopped at the pace team table.  I said this is my first time, I don't really know what this is.  He told me and said "What do you want to run?"  I said, I don't know 2:15-2:30  (I had written 2:30 on my application).  He gave me a 2:15 pace team bib.

Morning of the race--12000 people there!!!  Oh no, I have only done 4 5k races and peed 3 times before each one.  Here there was a 20-person line in front of each portapotty! EEK.

Got in the corral behind the 2:15 pace team and still felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb.  Positive thoughts. Positive visions.....

The race was great.  Seeing the city of Atlanta by running.  I enjoyed it all, and tried to think on that as I ran.  I carried my ipod shuffle, but never took it out of the spibelt.  I took in all the fellow runners, all the spectators (BLESS YOU to the family that sang "Ain't nothin gonna break my stride, Ain't nothin' gonna slow me down" at mile 8), the fog around the tops of buildings.  I thanked God for allowing me to experience the race, as a busy self employed person, as a mom, as a wife, as a 6 year cancer survivor.

Mile 9 got mentally tough.  Doubts crept in.  I pushed them away.  I fell behind the pace team, but kept chugging.

A good friend met me at the end of mile 10 and ran with me.  She said, don't worry about talking, you're doing great.  I was so happy to see her.  My husband joined us at the end of mile 12.  Oh, wow at the hills at the last couple miles of this course!! Rolling?  No.  Steamrolling?  Yes!

They told me the finish line was just ahead.  Then hubby said, it's 2:30, you've got this.  And I took off at a sprint.  I finished at 2:30:38, but was ECSTATIC to see my chip time posted later at 2:20!!!

When I received my medal it felt like the heaviest most awesome thing in the world.  I felt like crying I was so happy.  I thanked my friend and husband and told them how much it meant to me for them to help those final miles.

Things I did right?  gummy chews and beans.  They helped.  I tried to hit all the water stations.  Missed one and was upset!

Things I did wrong?  Who knows?  It was a learning experience, exhilarating and humbling.

Grateful for the running community, happy to be here, and had the best Thanksgiving ever.  And proud that I can walk today!!

Well, I'm not ready yet to do a 5k.  I'm still very new at running and just coming off a knee injury = however my goal is to do a 5K in the spring, maybe March or April.  There is a new runner course coming up in my area that is sponsored by the running club in my town.  Class fee includes registration for a 5K, so I may go for that.  I know I can walk a 5K in around 45 minutes, but I don't want to do that - I want to run!  and never fear - when I finally do one I'll be posting all over the place

Kristy in NC

Great job to all of you who have completed a Turkey Trot this year, I can't wait to do my first 5k!

JPB-DVM-Thank you for sharing your experience it is so inspiring! What great support from your family too!

What an awesome post about your first 13.1.  I felt like I was there with you.  Kudos to your hubby and friend to run with and encourage you the last several miles.  Brought tears to my eyes.  Congratulations on this HUGE accomplishment!

Not everyone has a Mountain in there back yard.  Have a great day.