I haven’t even eaten yet and I am mighty satisfied

Turkey Day Trio

I left the cabriolet at Cathy’s house since we had Tiffany joining us for the ride. Cathy’s car has plenty of room and a GPS that got us there directly. We had a good time driving over, knew well enough to not panic and slide into the first visible parking slot. Result: we sat in the parked car, out of the wind, and 30 yards from the start line. At four minutes before the start, we joined the throng of 500-plus (10 milers and 5Ks).

Cathy wanted to do 8:45s. Tifany wanted to do 7:45s. I was happy for 8:45s-9:00 so we all slinked up towards the front. Like I belonged!?

I went out fast. 8:17 first mile and 8:29 second. 40 seconds faster than my September 15K race. I fell in behind a young girl for the next three miles and steadied at about 8:50s. We ran side by side for a long time but at the five mile post I slowed for water to wash down a caffeine-laden orange Shot Blok. My brief sidekick moved on unaware. At the same time, Cathy passed me, she sticking to her 8:45 plan.

I kept moving at an 8:50 pace the next three miles until I hit mile 8 when I started passing my erstwhile neighbors of the road, reeled in the young lady from miles 3-5 and cranked up some pace to 8:33 and 8:27 to finish in 1:26:52.4. Negative splits are a Thanksgiving blessing, don’t you think? [Correction - my splits were 43:24 and 43:28; close enough]

I wisely anticipated all around success for today’s Turkey Trio and pulled three cold beers from my cooler to celebrate. The ladies were most pleased and the other runners were vocally jealous. We’ll run a concession next year, Tiffany decided. Cathy popped off six 8:45s as planned, then hit the pedal all the way down to a 7:55 10th mile to finish in the 1:24s. She won a door prize and finished sixth in her age group. Tiffany ran too damn fast to analayze her race but she closed out in the 1:14s, good for third in her age group. They gave awards five deep. I finished fifth and can now proudly mount an “Award Winner 10 Mile Thanksgiving 2009 DeLand, FL” license plate on the front of my car!

We took lots of pictures and drove home. On the way I read a text from Jack S. who reminded me of the 80th annual Turkey Bowl touch football game at Showalter Field, beginning at 10:30.  It only feels like it’s been 80 years and is probably just 13. Many Winter Park High alums and dads show up to heave it around. I was almost an hour late but I went directly to the field and was immediately assigned to the team that was losing. We made a game of it and lost 11TDs-9TDs. Another beer in the parking lot to wrap that one up and I was homeward bound to smell what’s cooking.

I reckon it’s time to go carve the turkey and I can say I’m mighty satisfied without having taken a bite. I see an early bedtime in my future after all the exertion and whatever it is that turkey does to you. Thanks to all who have made today and every day special.