On Thanksgiving morning, I participated in the North Shore Turkey Trot. Since finishing the London Marathon back in April, running has been pushed far to the back burner and my miles have dwindled. I ran the Wonder Woman 10k in June and ZOOMA Great Lakes 10k in September but those were merely for fun as well.
Because I was hosting Thanksgiving and needed to get back for bird duties, (and have zero running endurance), I opted for the 5k, however 3 of the athletes I coach were running the 10k. Thanks to a certain Ozzy dog who decided he needed to go out at the very minute I was trying to leave, I left the house a little later than I would have liked. Maybe the parking garage I always used would be full.
Nope. I got to Highland Park with no problem and the garage that was a mere block away from the starting line was still mostly empty. Score! I’ve run this race (the 10k) a few times in the past. I’ve also run the North Shore Half Marathon a few times, which is also on this course and takes place in June.
The garage filled as I sat and waited in the car. It was a seasonal 30 degrees, overcast with just enough wind to put me in no hurry to head outside just yet. Once I did though, the start line was right there, and there were plenty of port-a-potties. I hadn’t realized how large this race had become. There were corrals all the way to J and I learned later, 128 women in my 55-59 age group. I wore a base layer and brought both a vest and the official race jacket. I planned to wear the vest but at the last minute, since I saw so many others heading to the start line in their jacket, I threw race etiquette to the wind and opted for the jacket as well.
After a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, we were off. The course started in downtown Highland Park then wove through quiet residential neighborhoods. While it was very familiar because I’d run it at least half a dozen times before, I’d never realized just how “unflat” it was. Total lack of 5k fitness and endurance made the rolling terrain very evident. Running is hard. Thank heavens I did not opt for the 10k.
I ran in gratitude and enjoyed the course. I get to do this, however fast or slow. I’d opted to keep my gloves on, which I knew damn well was a mistake since my hands always get too hot if it’s warmer than 25 degrees or so. In the second mile, I pulled one off and shoved it in my pocket.
Awhile later, a guy came up and said “you dropped your glove”. I likely wouldn’t have backtracked for just any glove but these were my Tokyo Marathon gloves. Ugh. So I pulled off the course and started backtracking…until I found it. Phew!
I was more than ready to be done when we made the turn onto the final homestretch. It was a fun race.
The finish line food offering was simple but good: Nuun, a bottle of water, and Honey Stinger Waffles in two different flavors. Instead of medals, we all got our own pie: Pumpkin or apple. I runfess given the medal culture these days, it felt a little odd to NOT get a medal for a race this size. Because I needed to get home to the bird, I quickly got out of Dodge.
Pros: This is a very well-organized race. There’s plenty of free parking. Logistics are easy. The course is pleasant and while not flat, not too hard either. The race jacket is very nice swag for a 5k. It’s good quality. Race pics are free.
Cons: While the race jacket is great quality and soft and fleecy inside, I kind of hate the colors/graphics. It’s screams turkey trot, which is fine for Thanksgiving, but will I ever wear it again? Other than at a Turkey Trot, the answer is no. Is it worth having a jacket I’ll wear maaaaaybe once a year hanging around? No it is not.
Overall: I’m always grateful for a pre-Thanksgiving calorie burn and this race was a fun way to do that.
Did you trot this year? What’s your fave trot distance? Would you wear the jacket again?
I’m linking up with Lacey and Meranda for Friday Five.
So fun you ran the Turkey Trot… I did too (for the first time) and I would have loved to get a pie at the end. We didn’t have medals either, just a t-shirt.
Great that you made it despite all the Thanksgiving activities! That guy could have picked up your glove for you, would have saved you from backtracking in the middle of the race. In any case, good that your Tokyo gloves are back together again.
Congrats, Marcia! I’ve run the NS Half and you are right, it is not flat there! Hopefully you didn’t have to climb that giant hill that comes up off the lake towards the end… That jacket is the exact same design as the Hot Chcocolate one I got. I think it’s cute!
I am so impressed with the swag from your race! Over here it’s just very, very rare to get a medal for anything under a half — which is fine by me, quite frankly. That’s too bad that the nice jacket is so clearly seasonal. But great that the guy returned your glove to you!
Somehow dogs always seem to know when we’re in a rush (or need to get somewhere).
I was sad to have to DNS to my fave Turkey Trot this year. It’s a perfect way to destress on Thanksgiving morning. I tend to keep those “ugly” jackets for throwaways for other race starts. Congrats on getting out there before hosting.
Wow, nice swag for a 5k! I did my first Turkey Trot this year and yes it was a no frills race but it was easy to get to, cheap, nice course, and it felt so good to start the holiday with a race. The shirt is really cute, but like you I’m realizing that Thanksgiving weekend is really the only time I can wear it. I runfess that I’ve been living in the shirt from the Christmas 10k that I ran last weekend, I’m determined to get as much wear as I can out of it while it’s still seasonal.
Hmmmm…if the jacket is comfy, could you wear it for training runs? A jacket is decent swag for a 5K! I trotted local, two blocks form my house and through the nearby ‘hood. I agree, it’s great to get some pre-Thanksgiving calories burned before the influx of more at mealtime.
That’s a shame about the jacket you won’t wear, but if you donate it, I’m sure someone will be glad for it. And everyone got their own pie?!?!? That’s my kind of race. Much better than a medal.
Congrats on your finish. Always gotta love a race that is well organized. That is some great swag for a 5k.
I did do a Turkey Trot for the first time this year which was fun! I’m also glad I didn’t do the 10k though as it was quite warm on Thanksgiving for us and the 10k started at 9am! I usually do wear jackets again as long as they are comfortable. I have jackets from a few races and they are my favorite ones. The only one I don’t really wear that often is the Gasparilla jacket because it’s super thin and doesn’t really have any use haha.