Thankful 13 1/2 Marathon talk, YOUR race accomplishments & our first Thanksgiving together.

Another half marathon done together and maybe a new Thanksgiving tradition for us.  Sound good Andrew?

The race started at 8 a.m.   We had a little bit of a drive to get to the starting line and parked our car about 10 minutes before the race.  We were waken up a few times that night by kiddos so when our alarm clock went off to get up for the race, we remembered how cold it was outside and had second thoughts about going.  BUT once we were there and running we were very happy that we were there.  Sometimes just getting through the alarm clock is the hardest part of a race or long run.

The starting line!  I think it was about 28 degrees when we started and I wore running tights, a tank, a light hoodie and a jacket and that kept me pretty toasty.  The real magic was with the hand warmers that I put in my gloves.  Those keep me happy during winter running.

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The course was in an area that I had never run before.  It was flat for a good amount of the time but there were also some rolling hills.   There were a few areas with some ice (Andrew and I both almost fell a few times) but they also had a lot of salt out on the bridges/more slick areas which was nice.

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There were a ton of runners out doing a half marathon on Thanksgiving morning which I loved seeing.

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We ran around this gorgeous area too where the mountain’s reflection was in the water and it was gorgeous.  It was an out and back course with a loop if that makes sense.

The thing Andrew and I loved the most about this race was that when people registered for this race you entered in a few things you were thankful for.  The race people then turned in some of those items into signs along the course with a few of them each mile.  This added some serious entertainment.

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I also loved all of the gorgeous horses that we saw along the way too.  The course was beautiful and I loved getting there and starting right away (I am used to races where you have to get to the busses at a ridiculous time to get bussed to the starting line).

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Andrew wanted to finish under 2 hours and we finished in 1:55.  I had a blast running with him and loved the gorgeous course.  My calves were pretty sore from speedwork on Tuesday but other than that things felt great and it was so fun starting the day off running with Andrew.

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They had a ton of hot chocolate, pumpkin pie and cakes and they had amazing medals for us.  When we called the kids the first thing they asked about was the medals;)

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The next few hours included a lot of cooking and hanging out with Andrew’s family.  Then we sat down for dinner and it was amazing.   The first Thanksgiving as a family.

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Brooke helped me out with making some pies.  She was very precise and exact with adding the streusel topping.

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A reader sent me this recipe for chocolate cream pie I made it and it was amazing and super easy.  If you ever need chocolate cream pie, try this one (we did a graham cracker crust instead of a flaky one though).

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There was also a nap and a lot of games to complete our Thanksgiving celebrations.   My best Thanksgiving yet.

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Thank you for sending in your amazing race accomplishments, you guys are AMAZING!! If you want to send in your running accomplishments, please send them to [email protected]  !!!  PS I apologize if some of the pictures show up smaller but for some reason they won’t load any bigger because I am using my laptop and not my normal computer while I am at my in-laws.

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Tahira!!!  “I ran my first ever half marathon, the Route 66 Half Marathon in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Sunday, Nov. 20!  The weather was perfect and the course went through neighborhoods and streets that had beautiful fall foliage.  My training was derailed about halfway through after having random pains in my legs that even my doctor couldn’t understand, but I still didn’t want to give up hope on finishing my first half marathon.  And I did it!  I went into the race with zero expectations and with the goal only to finish, and I did!  It was also great to have my two best friends, my mom and dad supporting me throughout the course.”

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Pamela!!!  “This weekend I ran my first half marathon in the Annapolis MD Running Classic!  I have been running for four years but never attempted anything longer than a 10K.  One of my goals for 2016 was to run a half and I finally did it! I was thankful to have a good friend to talk to through the miles, the gorgeous weather, and being able to run my first half through my state’s capital! I even finished close to my goal time of 2:30.  I’m thinking there will be more 13.1’s in my future.:)”

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Jessica!!!!  “Last weekend I ran the Richmond Marathon for the second time, and PRd by 24 minutes!  It was my third marathon, and I thought the best time I could hit if EVERYTHING lined up was a 4:30, and I ran a 4:25:48!!!  I had an awesome training cycle and my coach Jessica (from runladylike.com) really helped me take my running to the next level.  I posted a full recap HERE!”

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Kara!!!  “I ran the Gobbler Grind marathon on 11/13/16- my first!  After running 4 half, I took the bait and nervously signed up for the full.  I really loved the training- continually setting new distance records was so empowering.  Not to mention, I enjoyed the early morning time alone- who knew therapy could come in the form of running shoes?  Race day was perfect- the weather was ideal and my amazing family cheered for me all over the course.  Five years ago a friend suggested we do Couch to 5k; it was painful and hard and motivating.  I remember thinking that running a marathon would be impossible and envied anyone that was able to do it.  I’m still in shock that I am a marathoner!  Best part was crossing the finish line with my sweet girl, niece, and nephew.  I’m so proud of myself and can’t wait to set more big goals!”

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Anonymous “I went through a breakup about 2 months ago and it was really hard for me because 1) I was the one being broken up with and I think that is always a little bit harder and 2) he wasn’t/isn’t a jerk and I was (am?) still very much in love with hi.  We definitely had our fair share of relationship problems, but the finality of it all really took me by surprise.  I was about a month into training for the Berkeley half marathon (my 2nd after a couple years hiatus) and I wasn’t very happy nor feeling great about myself, but I’m glad that with the support of my friends, I kept up with the training.  Around this time, I also stumbled on your blog.  I wanted you to know that reading your blog helped me fall back in love with running and falling back in love with running is helping me fall back in love with myself, and I am SO grateful for that.  My accomplishment isn’t so much about my time (although, I’m pretty proud of that too!) or finishing in relatively awful (for me) weather (drizzling) but more about feeling stronger and more like myself after it.”

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Jessie!!! “I had a very busy fall, so I decided not to run a fall half, but that made me sad to not be racing.  Instead I signed up for a few 5K’s with a goal to FINALLY run a sub-25 minute 5K.  Saturday’s weather was nice and cool, mid-40’s (though it did start to rain about a half mile in).  I ran CONSISTENT paces, was on pace to make my goal and lapped my Garmin at 3.1 showing 24:48! The race finished a little long with a 25:23 clock time- but either way, a PR for me! And I even tossed my cookies right at mile 3.  OOPS!  TMI! The cherry on top was winning 3rd overall female! I have one more 5k left to run this year, and I’m hoping to see 24:XX on the race clock this time!  I wrote a blog post to recap HERE!”

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And in case you are in need of a treadmill for your house, NordicTrack is having some great deals HERE for Black Friday!!!

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Do you run more point to point courses, loop courses or out and back courses?

Who ran a race yesterday?  How did it go?

Black Friday shopping… you into it or not so much?  

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29 comments

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THOSE MEDALS ARE EPIC!!! I like courses where I don’t have to see anyone coming back at me. That always feels a little de-motivating and I don’t know why haha.

I didn’t run a race yesterday (fun fact: I’ve never run a race on Thanksgiving haha. No Turkey Trots for this chica) but I did spend 3 miles trying to tucker my pup out before family thanksgiving. A tired dog is a happy dog.

I’ll black friday shop from behind my laptop screen, but you will not find me packed in the crowds!

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Congratulations to Andrew! Love the race medal..such a cute design. I didn’t run a race yesterday, but went for a run with my dog and husband! My favorite “turkey trot” yet :)

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love that race medal! congrats to you both! I may go to the stores, haven’t decided yet!

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Brooke is on her way to being quite the cook! Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving. As always, I love the race accomplishments. At this time of year, I love taking a moment to be grateful for everything my body has to do to keep me running each day. Seeing these accomplishments reminds me of all that we have to be grateful for as runners!

Diana
http://betterthanalive.com

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I ran a turkey trot yesterday and it was my fastest 5k since April. Wow ethers has time gone?

I’m glad you guys ran and enjoyed a race together. It sounds like it was the perfect Thanksgiving. That’s basically what we did and I loved it.

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Glad you guys had a good race. Happy belated Thanksgiving!

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We ran a 5 mile Turkey Trot sponsored by our local runners club. But it’s not really a “race”. There’s no prizes or medals. There’s not even a real registration. It’s a fundraiser event so instead of a race fee you make a donation and they give 100% of it to a charity. You also donate canned goods for the food bank and bring a snack or drinks to share after the run. They had a record turn out this year and raised over $7,000! Which is incredible considering we don’t live in a huge city.

Congrats to Andrew on breaking the 2 hour half marathon time! My goal is also to run under a 2 hour 13.1 some day but I’m not sure I’ll ever achieve that since it’s been three years since my last PR (and at age 36 I’m not getting any younger). The turkey race medals you got are REALLY cool!

Most of our races are either a loop course or an out and back. There’s not much of the point to point thing around here (or Florida in general). In fact, the only races I’ve ever heard of in our state that do the point to point thing are some ultra marathons and relays. I hate out and backs! Who wants to see the same scenery in reverse?! I like loop courses the best.

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That is the best medal!

No Black Friday shopping for me. Don’t forget that tomorrow is Small Business Saturday and a good chance to go out and purchase something from a local independent business that you like to support!

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Congrats on your race.

All the desserts look amazing!

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I don’t love point to point. I prefer out and back or loops.
I ordered my holiday cards today. They had a 50% deal today. But no other shopping. I’m not ready!

Glad u guys didn’t slip on the ice. Congrats :)

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To anonymous: congrats on your race. I too went through a breakup two months before I ran a marathon. In the end, the training is what kept me going as I knew I needed to stay strong to reach my goal and finish the race. You should feel so proud of your accomplishment; don’t ever forget that feeling, as it will make you feel stronger each and every day.

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I love those medals! I was supposed to run a Turkey Trot 5k but unfortunately couldn’t due to medical reasons. I have my bib and shirt though so I’m planning to run a 5k later once I feel better because I want to wear the shirt (and everyone knows you have to earn your shirt before you can wear it).
No Black Friday shopping for me. I’ve had to work retail before at 3am, 12am, 11pm, and 5pm on Thanksgiving. Now that I’m out of retail I never plan to Black Friday shop, especially at places open on Thanksgiving.
Congrats to everyone on their running accomplishments! I enjoy reading about everyone’s races.

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Happy (American) Thanksgiving – we had ours up here in Canada last month! :)

The scenery for your race was incredible and, while not normally one who gets excited about medals, WOW, that turkey one is a fantastic one!!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

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Love those medals!

I used to do Black Friday….but we’re talking years ago when it was actually Black Friday and stores opened at 6am (and that was considered early!). But I don’t anymore, it’s too crazy out there. Now I stay home (maybe shop online lol) and we put up our tree and decorations.

Have a great day!

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Ok, what’s up with all the races you do having feasts at the end?! Do you specifically look for that or something? ? All the races I do have like, bananas.
I did run a race yesterday–a 5k at 37.5 weeks pregnant! I’ve been averaging about a 9:45-10 min pace lately, but I pulled out 8:53 min miles and finished 423 female out of 4,122 females. ?? I was pretty proud of that, considering I’m carrying a full term baby now. ?
Now back to Black Friday shopping. I’m refreshing my workout gear to get me ready for BQ training in the spring!!!

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What a great Thanksgiving tradition to start! Also, I agree with the commenters above- that medal is great!

No racing for me. My baby just turned one month yesterday. I started running last week, though, and a three mile run at a 10 min pace is feeling like a race. ;-) Also, black Friday is limited to my computer between feedings.

I love a point to point course, but generally they require getting to a bus early, which is tragic. As such, I’m fine with a loop.

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Those pictures form the race are seriously so beautiful!

If you want an even easier chocolate pie recipe, use this one: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/truffle-pie-recipe.html

Basically all i have to buy is whipping cream, a bag of semi sweet chocolate chips and an oreo pie crust to make it. It is rich and yummy and it has no eggs! Anna requests it every year for her birthday.

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So happy to see you guys had a great time at the race. This medal is epic! So cool. I like back to back races because I know exactly what to expect in the second half! Kind of a control freak here haha

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such a beautiful looking race! love the idea of a half marathon on Thanksgiving!

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Those mountains are GORGEOUS wow! Looks like a great Thanksgiving thanks for sharing !:)

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My little family, (5 kids from 6-13) all did the thankful 13 5k yesterday. We loved it. We are going to attempt the half marathon next year.

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Those medals are the coolest medals! I am so happy you had a wonderful first Thanskgiving together as a family. I did a Turkey Trot 5k yesterday and then enjoyed the day with family. I typically run loop but my last half was point to point. I used to be really into Black Friday shopping. Now I prefer to just relax and enjoy the morning with my family.

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I do a lot of looped courses. I try to add in a few point to point when I can line up a ride though because it’s fun to change stuff up!

I didn’t do a race but my family and I did a local pie run where you show up at 6am with pie, run whatever distance you want (we did 3.5ish with a big hill) and then eat all kinds of yummy foods together. There were about 700 people and we had a blast!

No Black Friday shopping for this girl, other than a few online purchases.

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OMG those medals are pretty!
My fiancé (also Andrew) and I are doing a “Leftover Turkey Trot” tomorrow! Only a 5k but I’m really looking forward to it.

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Gosh those views on the half! And I love the thankful sign idea, the whole thing makes me wish I lived near where they offer a Thanksgiving half…congrats Andrew you’re a minute faster than my last half:)

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That course looks so beautiful! Wow!

Congrats to Tahira and all of the other ladies on their accomplishments! So awesome!

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Congrats on the start of what sounds like a fun Thanksgiving morning tradition! I ran in our annual turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning – in an Indian costume! Thank goodness it was only a 5K, I couldn’t imagine cooking for our family and guests after running a half!

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Sounds like you guys had a blast! And those metals really are too cute :-) I ran a 5K with my boyfriend and I had a PR of 21:10. I’m super pumped to be getting some speed! Always love reading your blog :-)

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**medals, not metals!

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