Every year my entire family participates in the local Turkey Trot. I run my standard 5K and my three year and my five year old run one mile with my husband. It is such a great family tradition, that puts all of us in a spirit of Thanksgiving. We have been training for our runs for months now, especially the girls. We had picked up our shirts and numbers the day before and everyone was ready for their race. On the morning of the race, we all got up and it was raining… and not just a little drizzle, it was a pouring rain with a gusty wind. I was debating whether or not I should go, but still made myself do it. I knew that if I didn’t go I would regret it and feel that I let myself down. I left my husband home with the girls and took off.
By the time I found parking and got to the start, the race had begun. Usually, I get in the race mood, get my pace and zone out. This time, I had an injured hip, so I wasn’t racing against the clock, so I was able to look around and take it all in. When I started to run, the rain and the wind has stopped, the leaves were quietly falling, the crowd was cheering the runners up. For the first time, I was able absorb the atmosphere and enjoy myself. I was enjoying the experience and the surroundings that was created by people in the community. I saw the beautiful autumn, the cheerful crowd, and all kinds of different runners: an old lady that is around eighty, professional athletes, parents running with their kids, teenagers having fun running in a group, moms with strollers. Everyone of every age was enjoying the spirit of the upcoming holiday season. I was able to lose myself in the moment and feel how thankful I am of my life, my health, the great community that I live in.
If you haven’t done it yet, don’t be afraid, sign in for your community Turkey Trot! It will give you a great opportunity to bond with your community plus it will reduce the guilt of eating the Thanksgiving rich meal.
Flamikgirls 