Gobbling and Trotting

I've been gradually falling out of shape this year, so my new resolution for the remaining few months of 2008 is to remedy that by running on the weekends. I'm also determined to complete in at least two 5Ks by January 1. I haven't officially run a 5K (3.1 miles) race since junior high school, but at least I've run that distance (and longer) often, albeit leisurely, on my own since then.

Here's the perfect chance to run 3.1 miles during the upcoming holidays: the "Turkey Trot," so-called because it occurs (in many cities around the country) on Thanksgiving Day. You can find a race close to you by clicking here. In Melbourne, FL, there's one happening in Suntree; link here: http://www.suntreeturkeytrot.org.

Some Turkey Trots actually involve the runner strapping on a backpack that contains a turkey, a heavy, awkward burden that must greatly reduce his/her running speed (reducing a run to a 'trot'). One of my friends participated in such a race last year with a team, whereby they shared the responsibility of carrying the turkey; her revenge on the annoying but unsuspecting turkey was cooking and eating it later that evening.