Running and Turkey Trotting in Pennsylvania

This year our family headed south for Thanksgiving . I did manage to squeeze in a little bit of running while we were on the Main Line.  In between visits to the Please Touch Museum, the Penn Museum and fun with family I snuck out for a run on the Radnor Trail. The Radnor Trail was formerly part of the The Philadelphia and Western Railroad and now makes a great running trail. It was the perfect day for a run. The temperature was almost 70 degrees. I did a nice 5 mile run with 1 minute pick-ups in preparation for my Turkey Trot 5K.  It felt good to work hard and to sweat a lot. The trail was packed with people walking their dogs, runners, and kids on bicycles. I soaked up the gift of warm sunshine and sweat in anticipation of no more warm days once New Hampshire winter gets into full swing!

70 Degrees in November? It’s definitely the right weather for Skirt Sports!

The day after my run I went to visit my Mom’s chiropractor to get some kinks worked out. I have been running so hard this fall that my body has been feeling out of balance. I have been having an issue with my SI joint (Sacroiliac joint) which has been causing my back to lock up on occasion.  I had two appointments with my chiropractor which included some adjustments, some ultrasound, and muscle stim. After leaving my second appointment I was feeling pretty good, much looser and more balanced. When I woke up on the morning of the turkey trot I was stiff and a bit sore but attributed it to my chiropractic visits.

Look! Organic Runner Dad joined me for the Turkey Trot!

Organic Runner Dad had decided to join me for the Turkey Trot so we loaded ourselves into the car for some 5K fun.  This was his first 5K in a long time and he was determined to beat me! We had had some fun heckling and teasing the night before and telling Organic Runner Dad that it was ok if he didn’t beat me. We got to the start of of the Seven Summits Therapy and Fitness Turkey Trot and picked up our race numbers. It was 32 degrees and there was snow on the ground, a stark contrast to the unseasonably warm weather a few days before.  After we picked up our numbers we headed out for a warm up which loosened up my hips and I was feeling pretty good!

Time to Turkey Trot!

The starting line was festive with about 550 runners at the starting line. The race was well organized with race bibs with timing chips, a nice race t-shirt, music at the starting line and plenty of post-race food. Finally the race started and we were off. Organic Runner Dad immediately moved ahead of me, just out of reach. I worked hard to settle into a comfortable but quick pace. I always find that the first mile in a 5K is always so tough because you get that crazy adrenaline rush as you move off the starting line. Sprint-distance races are definitely not my strong suit.  I am never quite sure how to pace a 5K.

The race course primarily followed a bike path and then had a brief section on black top with a turnaround. Once I finally settled into a rhythm it felt good to push the pace and I kept reminding myself that it was only a 5K.  As we closed in on the finish line I spied Organic Runner Dad just ahead of me and worked to drop my splits through the finish line. I felt strong crossing the line, although I still felt like I had gas in the tank and I wasn’t able to catch Organic Runner Dad. Despite all of that I am pleased with my finish time of 22:44. Organic Runner Dad finished in 22:22 so I wasn’t that far behind! My finish time was good enough for 2nd in my age group out of 32! Not too bad considering I haven’t run a 5K in awhile. This will give me a good baseline to work from. Overall I had a blast racing the Turkey Trot especially because Organic Runner Dad came out and raced with me!

My Finish Time at the Seven Summits Turkey Trot

After the race we cooled down and then headed home to get ready for some delicious Thanksgiving turkey and everything that goes with it. Unfortunately as the day wore on my SI joint started to have issues again with tightness settling in right in my lower back.  The next day would bring trouble for me and my back and landed me in the Urgent Care Clinic that night. Now I am injured and have to figure out how to rehab so I can get back to running again.  Stay tuned for more details about what is going on with my back . . .

Holiday Gift Guides

Until then be sure not to miss Organic Runner Mom’s Holiday Gift Guides Part One and Part two for amazing gift ideas and some fun giveaways to brighten up your holiday!

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