Turkey Trot

      

     On Thanksgiving morning, I did the annual Turkey Trot race.  It is a difficult course because it is very hilly.  I still love starting such an indulgent day with a nice run.  We were very lucky this year to have perfect weather. 

       I read that they were doing a 1k kids fun run before the race.  I immediately asked Ashlyn if she would like to participate in it.  She enthusiastically said, "Yes!!!"  I was a little worried that a 1k may be a little long for her. Her past race was much shorter.  I figured we could try it and she could always walk if she needed to.  She was so excited to run it and insisted that I be the one to run it with her. When they said, "Go!", she took off!  I could not believe how fast she was running.  She was passing kids left and right.  She kept that pace for almost the entire thing.  About halfway through, she wanted me to hold her hand. We held hands and she kept on running.  She definitely has some natural talent.  I was so proud of her for finishing and not walking once.  She had a great time too which is the most important thing.  We are going to continue with kids runs as long as she is having fun and wanting to do them.  

Ashlyn and I before the race. 

We had such a fun time!

Look at that girl go.

Holding hands



Love this picture



Smiling for Daddy

Ashlyn's biggest fan



Our little monkey



A picture of the finish line before the race started



     After Ashlyn's race, we had a few minutes before I had to warm-up for my race.  My brother and sister also did the race.  I have been training hard the last few weeks.  I have also been running a lot of miles.  I knew that I could possibly PR for this race.  I just didn't know if it was going to be possible because this is such a hard course.  Before the race, my brother suggested that we run it together.  I told him I would try, but he could go on without me if I couldn't keep up.  The gun went off and we took off.  We started at a fast pace.  I managed to keep with my brother.  He kept talking me through it.  There was a couple of times I wanted to let up a bit, but he kept reminding me that I could PR.  We kept going and I have never run that fast in my life.  My brother was keeping track of our pace and miles on the Garmin.  When we were nearing the end, he told me to kick it up and I would PR.  It was one of the hardest runs of my life and I felt I had nothing left, but I gave it my all.  I came across the finish line at 23:38!!!! I PR'ed!!!!  It was my proudest running moment yet! What a way to start Thanksgiving.  This Friday, we head to Las Vegas for our second half marathon.  I am so excited to be doing another half marathon.  I am also so excited to do it down the strip at night.  Should be an amazing run for sure.  

The beginning of the race



This was Joey on the sidelines.  At the last minute, Joey got stuck with all three kids.  He did a great job.

Here we go.

This was the end when I felt like I was going to die!!!

  

I like this picture because i think you can see the pain on my face

Here is Katy coming in.

 



Here is my official information.  I actually did it in 23:29, but they count the time from when the gun goes off even if that isn't when I crossed the start line.  I got 7th place out of 163 in my age group and 51st place out of  1,296 women that ran it. 

The runners after the races. 



Number 1!