Every year, the Medford Lakes Turkey Trot is one of my favorite races. I always enjoy the sense of community with local friends on Thanksgiving morning. The race itself is well put together and in one of my favorite areas which is why I continue to choose to run each year. This year was my slowest time by about 90 seconds but I had just as much fun as usual.
I knew the morning of, the race wasn’t going to be my best. My husband and I walked over 10 miles around NYC the few days prior and my legs felt like garbage. Not in the garbage that they would magically get better but like garbage. Plus it was 23 degrees with a feels like temperature much lower.
Getting to the race and parking is always easy. My husband and I warmed up and then sat in our car until 8:28 am. It was 23 degrees, and I was cold. Not the best prerace strategy but my body was not ready for the dip in temperature. I can count on my hand the number of times I’ve raced in both pants and long sleeves.
We arrived at the start, and I chatted for a couple of people. Then we were off! Turkey Trots are always fun because people go out fast. For some, it’s their only race of the year. There are also lots of young kids, who run fast and then realize it’ more than a half mile race. Like usual that’s what happened. Around then, I found myself as second woman overall because I also took it out too fast for my fitness right now.
I hit the first mile in 6:30 and my calves were tight. They weren’t engaging and I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold that pace. It’s hard not to compare considering I have run half marathons faster, but I was the opposite of tapered.
The next mile was lonely, and I was passed by a few friends and women. My second mile was 6:47 and one of my slowest 5k miles in a long time. At the end of mile 2, I was the fourth woman.
The last mile was just a struggle bus to get to the end. I wasn’t sad, but just stiff. I knew it wasn’t my day.
We pass the local school around 2.75. After running for a few years, it’s always that point I want to be done.
We rounded the corner and I crossed the finish in 20:24. My personal turkey trot worst but still an enjoyable time.
After not running for 2 weeks, then walking in NY, I didn’t expect it to be in the 18:30-19:05 range where I’ve been previous years.
I’m happy to get shorter stuff on my legs and looking forward to getting back into running after the marathon.
Questions for you:
Did you run a Turkey Trot?
What is the coldest you’ve run in?
The Turkey Trot is one of my favorite events, too – I love seeing everyone on Thanksgiving morning. It’s a huge “homecoming” race in our area, and everyone wears their high school singlets and there is an unofficial high school alum competition. Tons of fun.
Good for you for getting out there even though your legs were “garbage” from the start. You know what? They were feeling fatigued because of something super FUN you did so who cares about a PW? Keep up the good attitude and looking forward to hearing what’s next for you!
I did a turkey trot this year (third year in a row, in Huntington Long Island) AND that was the coldest race I’d ever done! I think it was 21. I wore a hat and mittens really similar to yours actually. (Writing a recap of it tonight, finally.)