2012 Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot!

Sorry this is late - suck at most things.  Running, Blogging, and Photo-documenting included.  

Every year, i run the Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot in Elmhurst with my cousins.  This was my fourth turkey trot!  The first year was ridiculous in that i was seriously wearing chuck taylors and sweatpants.

I've come so far.....

This was Matt's 3rd time, and Waffles very first one!

I wanted to get us turkey hats, but i couldn't find anything, so we had to settle for antlers.  I think it was a wise purchase though, because now i can wear them for any christmas runs i might attempt!  We drove to my cousins house the night before, and drank ourselves stupid late into the evening.  Waffles was smart enough to stick to water, but she did play all night with my cousins dogs, Cubby and Wrigley.  She normally goes to bed around 9:30, but she was up until 2am!  The race starts at 9, but Waffles was so excited that she decided to wake up at 6am to try and sneak in some more play time with Cubby and Wrigley.  She was very quiet, but they both weigh 80-90 lbs, and made so much noise they woke everyone up, and everyone was pissed!  We got to the race early so i could get our bibs and t-shirts, and so that Waffles could do business before the race, and hopefully settle down

She went potty, but there were so many dogs she was freaking out with excitement.  We let her play with a few dogs, and she finally settled down to scope her competition

I love the dan gibbons turkey trot, but it has gotten huge the past couple years - over 8,000 runners this year! We started with the walkers, which ended up being a huge mistake.  It was so crowded that we had to carry waffles because she kept getting stepped on (her own fault.) Next year we will start with the runners in the back.  Before we even got to the start line, we had to be moved to the sidewalks to make room for the winners, whom were 2 minutes away!

We finally crossed the start line, and things began to clear up.  We stayed on the sidewalk where there were less people for waffles to trip.  Luckily, within the first half mile, she spotted a bloody mary station! Last year, they had changed the course to accomodate all the extra people, and i had missed the bloody marys.  This year, i am pleased to say there were not one, but TWO bloody mary stations, a screwdriver station, and a jello shot station!  Who needs water!

Apparently, Waffles does.  We had to stop a few times so she could pee.  We totally neglected to stop during the race to give her water, so when she finished, she ended up chugging TWO (mini) BOTTLES!

Waffles did very good in the race, and even ran the whole time! (minus the potty breaks)  She had a lot of trouble finding the right pace - she has a slow pony trot, and cheetah style sprint.  She kept switching back and forth trying to find the best approach.  She seemed to find her groove after the first mile.  She still has a lot to learn about race etiquette though, as she weaved a lot, and kept tugging at the leash whenever she saw another dog.  Or a squirrel.  Or a stroller.  Or people.

In the end, we were very proud of her!  She averaged a pace of 10:40, which is very impressive for a first 5k, and considering all the stops.  

We went back to my cousins house victorious, and had more bloody marys.  Waffles spent all day playing with the other dogs, and following around my little cousin Emily, who somehow had convinced Waffles she was also a dog.  Waffles even managed to get some turkey.  No comment.

I will of course be running the Dan Gibbons turkey trot next year, rain or shine, as will Waffles.  Hopefully she will be a little better at running form by then.  This race is very fun for the casual runner or walker.  There is a lot of booze on the course, costumes, and everyone is super friendly.  It is untimed, so the competitive edge is taken down a notch.  On the plus side, dogs and strollers are allowed!  On the down side, dogs and strollers are allowed.  If crowds and chaos annoy you, this isn't your race.  If you are trying to PR, not your race.  If you get annoyed by 8 year old walkers starting in the very front - not your race.  If you like booze, running casually, costumes, dogs, dragging your family along, etc, then this race is totally for you!

On side note, if you are HYPER competitive, the York track team and alumni compete every year.  the top three men usually run sub a sub 15 minute 5k, and the top three women under 17:30.  SO, if you think you can compete with that, it might be worth it!