TURKEY Trotting

Here they are near the finish, #392 & 391.

In the finish chute.

They were so happy.

Happy Thanksgiving! I am waiting for the baby to wake from his nap and then we will join the family festivities at my hubby's cousin's house.

Well, ran the Turkey Trot 5K today. The weather was perfect, sunny and in the low 40's. I warmed up with a 2 mile jog which included about 6 x 100 meter strides. After my warm up I watched our 2 older kiddos (8 & 10) run the 1/2 mile fun run. In fact I did a little of my warm up jogging along side of them and cheering them on. They smiled the whole time. I was so proud of them for doing it because originally they did not want to.

About 5 minutes after the last child crossed the finish line for the fun run, the 5K started. My toes were at the white line and I had heard there were 1200 registered runners this year (it sure felt like it). Gun went off and I started my Garmin (but did not look at it after the first mile split).

I was so afraid of tripping or twisting my ankle and getting trampled by the throngs of runners. The first 1/4 mile or so was on grass and dirt and it wasn't the most level ground in the world. Lotta potholes and things. People around me were saying things like, "This is downright scary," because of the crowd and the terrain.

But we then got onto the paved path and it was smooth sailing. I felt like I was racing people. There were a few runners that I would trade little surges with and we pushed each other along nicely. I passed a lot of people, including a women in my age group that I thought would beat me for sure. It felt great to zoom by her near mile 2. Only a few high school boys passed me along the way.

There was some wind during mile 2 and you'll see how it affected my split when I list them below. The last 1/2 - 3/4 mile was on the dirt and grass again, and I was feeling CHALLENGED. I kept my eyes on the ground to avoid getting hurt. My legs were feeling so strong, but my forearms were seizing up like they were overcome with lactic acid. My forearms! What's up with that?

By mile 3, the guy that I was trading surges with from the 2 mile point got his 2nd wind and took off. I hung onto his tail as much as I could and finished a couple seconds behind him. We thanked each other at the end. I crossed the line and literally let out a big, "Woooooo hooooooo! Yeah!" I had done it, I broke 21:00 for the first time in my life, and my official finish time was 20:24. A full minute off my last 5K run in August on the same course.

I thanked God!!! My husband and children were there to meet me and I was so happy. My running partners, Kim and Cheryl placed 2nd and 3rd female respectively with 19 minutes some odd seconds finish times. Cheryl won her age group (I knew she would). I think I was 4th female, but not sure. I did place 2nd in my age group though...behind Kim. :)

My splits were: 6:30, 6:37 (wind), 6:30 and :45 for the last .1. I feel SOOOO ready for the CIM. Thanks be to God!!!

UPDATE: 5th woman across the line, 70th runner overall out of 912.

Chasing my surge buddy.

Holding my prize (gift certificate to a restaurant).