Turkey Day Race Report

Happy belated Thanksgiving! I started a tradition when I moved to New England by running a road race on Thanksgiving morning. I had two reasons for starting the tradition – 1) so I could eat more and not feel guilty about it and 2) there were so many races to choose from here in the Boston area.

I have run the Lowell Thanks-4-Giving 5K, the Feaster Five Road Race in Andover and most recently the Southborough 5k Gobble Wobble. The last one I have run twice. The main reason is that it is close to home and I can get my son Nathan to run it with me.

The Southborough 5k Gobble Wobble was started last year by NRG-BAR, Eat Healthy Live Healthy. It starts and ends at the Trottier School in Southborough, MA. The course is relatively flat and allows runners to try for PRs or just to run and have fun. Last year I ran a 24:06 (7:45 per mile) time. I felt that with my recent training, I could beat that time. I had run another 5K race in the fall in San Diego when I was there on business and had a time of 24:28.

When the gun went off, I was in the back of the pack where I prefer to start. I worked my way through the crowd during the 1st mile until I was able to get into a steady pace. I held my pace through mile 2 where I clocked in at 15:12. I knew I had to pick it up for the last 1.1 miles. I slowly increased my pace and made a game of passing my fellow runners as I made my way to the final turn and the ¾ lap of the track to the finish line. When I stepped on the track I increased my turnover and was able to cross the finish line at 22:45 (7:21 per mile). I was very happy with my time. I am not certain but I think this is a PR time for me at the 5K distance.

Nathan ran a normal race for him. He had been laying off training after finishing his Cross Country Season at Westborough High School. He was waiting for me at the finish area having clocked a time of 19:24 (6:16 per mile). He was somewhat unhappy with his time as he had clocked a 5K race for his team last month in 18:59. But, I was still amazed at his time. It is hard to believe that just 8 years ago, we ran together in his first 5k race where he finished in 29:14. He has definitely improved.

I finished 12th out of 41 in the 45-49 age group and Nathan finished 8th out of 34 in his 13-19 age group. Not bad for a couple of guys out for a fun morning before gorging ourselves on turkey and all the trimmings.

I would highly recommend to anyone who is a runner to start a similar tradition. It gets you off the couch and outside for a good workout before eating. It reduces guilt and allows you to do something with your family besides watching football and overeating. So, next year think about signing up for a Turkey Trot…you won’t regret it.