Starting the Thanksgiving Day celebration off with some sort of exercise has typically been an activity that many openly embrace, as evidenced by the overwhelming number of turkey trots across this land. Why wouldn't you? After all, the calorie consumption per person far exceeds the usual intake of most other days. However, regardless of the amount of caloric expenditure, there is little many of us can actually do to balance that equation, but it sure makes us feel better about it. Of course, the added benefit is the sheer pleasure of being able to join the fun.
Well, if you spend Thanksgiving at my brother and sister in law's home, the day begins with a light snack followed by a call to mobilize for the local turkey trot. The weather certainly influences the mood, but little can deter the high level of holiday emotion. We've run in the cold, the rain, ice and snow but no matter the conditions, the exuberance wasn't dampened.
Although participating in these events is a bonus at my age, running actually brings on a new meaning. During a recent race, I was running along at my customary and comfortable pace when I began to notice that the people ahead of me were getting further away and there were a disproportionate number of individuals passing me. What was this unfamiliar phenomenon? I had rarely experienced such a thing. In fact, I was proud of the fact that I oftentimes ran negative splits ie. running the second half of a race faster than the first half. But the epiphany moment came when the majority of people passing me were the walkers and families with baby strollers. What had become of my days as a runner? I was simply enough, lost in transition. I realized I was at my physiologic limit and even that wasn't quick enough to be running. OMG!
Although I finished the race, I may as well have been the "last man standing", but it wasn't as traumatic as it all appeared. I had participated in an event where people were having fun doing what they enjoyed doing, all the while working off a few calories before indulging in a few more. But most importantly, I was alive, breathing in fresh air, and able to process the whole ordeal. For that alone, I can give thanks!
