Turkey Trot

November 30, 2013 by Kelly

 

Kayla, Kelly, and Karen after finishing

I would like to preface this post by stating that I am not a runner.  I’ve never been athletically inclined, and running has never once been appealing to me.  That being said, I will try anything once.  So when Karen invited me to the Turkey Trot in Surfside Beach with her (something she does every Thanksgiving) I couldn’t say no. 

I would also like to say that I did not train at all for this race.  That’s a lie—two weeks prior I ran an entire block because it was cold outside.  So, there’s that.  I did borrow running clothes from Karen and another friend (because I’m honest with myself and know I will never, ever wear running clothes again) because I figured I better look the part.

We woke up to a beautifully sunny 20 degree morning.  (Yes, 20 degrees.  I moved away from Pennsylvania for a reason…).  I met two friends and picked up Karen at her house, explaining to her that I was both incredibly excited for and terribly dreading the race.  She was as encouraging as ever, and made me even more excited to get started.

We arrived and pinned on our race bibs (which made me really feel like a runner) and warmed up.  By warmed up I mean we sat in the car with the heat blasting for 15 minutes.  We lined up with our friends around 8:30, and there was a very anti-climactic start because of the bottleneck of the 1,300 participating runners beginning the race. 

We started off strong and jogged for about 73 seconds before I needed my first break.  We walked for a bit, until a stroller passed us and we decided that was unacceptable.  This went on the entire race.  Karen explained that some people ran for a minute and then walked for two, and I told her that was great with me as long as we adjusted it to running for a minute and walking for ten.  It was a beautiful day, and we were walk/running in a beautiful neighborhood in Surfside Beach. Karen’s only goal was to not be last, and we were successful in achieving that goal.

After finishing the race, I was invigorated.  I had so much energy and was honestly proud of myself.  Karen was her usual positive, supportive self and she made me feel as though I had just completed a full marathon.  Also, no one mentioned that Bojangles and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts would be at the finish line, or I may have run even harder and faster.  I’m just saying.

I’m so happy I had the chance to run the Turkey Trot this year.  People of all ages and abilities participated, and onlookers cheered us on with encouraging words while wishing us a Happy Thanksgiving.   It was an incredible day to start the day, and I was able to eat as much stuffing and pumpkin pie that I wanted later on.

Cost- Registration was $30, and a portion of the proceeds went to the Surfside Beach Rotary Club and other local charities.

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