“Why aren’t you signed up for the 401K? I’d never be able to run that far.” ~ Scott Adams, Dilbert
Thursday, November 27th, 2008 — 9 AM Race Start
It’s become a tradition in our house. Thanksgiving morning starts with a 5K race in Madison — about an hour drive to get to the race location (that means no sleeping in on this morning). Followed by continuing our travels onto one of our parents for the traditional Thanksgiving day feast. This was our fourth year participating. Some have been warm, some have been way beyond cold. This year was a cold, but manageable morning — temps in the low 20’s (Fahrenhiet). Light wind.
The “Berbee Derby — Like a Thanksgiving Day Parade, Only Faster”. I love that tagline! This year, about 3500 participants, running either a 5K or 10K race.
I ran the 5K race with my two oldest children. My wife and youngest son volunteered at the race.
It was a refreshing morning. The cool morning air made for a chilly wait until race time. But once we were running, all was good! The course is through city streets, marked by rolling hills. For the first time in a race, we all split up and ran at our own pace.
So, I’ve been “training”. Not excessively, but I have been going out a couple of times each week to get a run in. No one else in my family has been doing this. So, who finishes the race first in our family — my oldest son. Beats me by nearly five minutes. Is that the beauty of youth? Will I ever see the day where I cross the finish line before him?
In the end, I finished the race in 27:31. My son — 23:09. My daughter — 32:14
Everyone was very happy with their performance out on the race course! Everyone had fun, got some exercise, and even a few snacks afterward! It was a great way to start the day.
We started the day tired and cold. We finished the race, awakened and warmed up!
Like a Thanksgiving day parade, only faster…
And then, we were off for some well-earned turkey and pie!
Hi Lance. Love your new look! Thesis rocks. Sounds like your Thanksgiving Day rocked too. What a great way to earn that turkey dinner and wear it off even before you’ve eaten it
Davina´s last blog post..When Fear Closes In, Take Action
What a wonderful tradition.
I love the new look too!
Hi Lance,
Found your blog through Jeremy’s Insight Writer. Loved the Dilbert quote about the 401K being too far to run! It was lovely reading about your family tradition of running together every Thanksgiving. Wish my family had something like that. Maybe I’ll start some healthy tradition for Christmas!
Daphne
Daphne´s last blog post..I’ve Been Tagged! 6 Random Things About Me
Great look Lance! And it sounds like you had a great day as well — you would have deserved that dinner.
Robin´s last blog post..Why We Sabotage Ourselves
love the look.
LOOOVE THE TRADITION. My toddler is three tomorrow and I cant wait to see what new traditions unfold here as she grows old enough to ‘grasp’ them.
MizFit´s last blog post..Tired of leftover turkey?
@Davina — Thanks, I’m liking the new look too! Although it’s been a process of several iterations to get to this look — I guess that’s a good learning experience for me! Yes, it does feel like I earn the turkey! (but I could still have a bit less…)
@Vered — It has become a fun tradition — many memories — and past years are always conjured up while we’re heading off to the race. On the new look — thanks much!
@Daphne — When I found the Dilbert quote, I just cracked up laughing! And knew that’s what I had to include with this post. That’s right, it’s never too late to start some tradition. And it can make for some great family memories, no matter how big or little that tradition is…
@Robin — It’s our joke — that we earn the pie each year! And then we all sure do our part in “gobbling” it all up!!
@MizFit — Re: the look — thanks much! I’m still tweaking it (maybe it’s always a work in process…) — but I think it looks more refined, which I’m liking very much. Happy early third birthday to the little tornado!! Maybe your tradition will be lunging through the grocery store aisles…(oh, wait — maybe that already is a tradition!!).
Lance,
We used to run in the local turkey trot on thanksgiving day, but for the last two years got away from it. I love that feeling of being able to face my turkey knowing I got in a great run in the morning. I want to bring that tradition back next year.Thanks for sharing that!
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirations´s last blog post..A Day of Gratitude, A Life Grateful
sounds like a great family tradition. hope you had a great holiday!
Blake´s last blog post..Haiku Friday Thanksgiving Report
What a nice tradition, I like that! Also, I love what you’ve done with this page, it looks awesome!
rebecca´s last blog post..Memories Are Made of These…
LANCE WOW!!! How fun, I think that when hubby and I have kids I will have to make a Turky Trot a tradition:)! GREAT JOB!
Unfortunately, here in Indonesia, we do not have a tradition or a special day for Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and family, also to everyone there.
love-ely´s last blog post..Musing Of The Pornography Law
Super for you and your family to participate in this. Your kids will always remember how their parents joined them in fun events and challenges. You are providing them with a wonderful foundation for them to build their own families from some day Lance. Not many like you and your wife. You and Lora are very special people. A blessing to others. An example to others. I know God looks down on you all and giggles with a heart felt smile on his face. Well done servant!
That was a day well spent, lots of fun, lots of exercise and some quality time with the kids too.
I love the new look, it’s great!
sharon´s last blog post..A Little Faith Goes a Long Way
Hi Lance: What a great tradition! And you get to eat more turkey afterward since you start the morning off burning calories. I love the tag line too
Marelisa´s last blog post..Productivity Tip: Think Small
Oh, and I forgot to add that the site looks awesome Lance.
Marelisa´s last blog post..Productivity Tip: Think Small
@Wendi — It IS a great way to face that turkey, Wendi!! So, I say — bring it back! I bet there’s one not too far from where you live…
@Blake — It is a great tradition, and a great way to start Thanksgiving day! We did have a great day, hope yours was as well!
@Rebecca — Thanks, and thanks! It took a little work to get everything with the site set, but I’m happy, too, with how it turned out!
@Bobbi — It is a great tradition Bobbi (and right up your alley!). In fact, maybe this seems a little short…
@love-ely — Maybe you could start one, just within your own house — a day of thanksgiving! Thanks for the well-wishes, it was a great day!
@Laurie — Thank you, Laurie, so much — for your kind words today. Thanks for your continuous support here, and I’m very glad your Thanksgiving day was one you found much joy in.
@Sharon — Yes, some fun and exercise — with the kids — it was all good! And it’s always fun to look back on, and remember how the morning started cold, and then how we warmed up by the end. And what kinds of snacks they had for us afterward. Great memories! And, thanks about the site — I appreciate your comments very much!
@Marelisa — Yep — that’s what I go with — seconds (and thirds) are perfectly fine, since my morning started so productively… Of course, I think I end up eating more than I burned from the run, but the thought of it works for me! Isn’t that tag line great! I think of as I’m running, and feel like I should be waving to the volunteers and spectators — like I’m in a fast parade!! And, thanks for your comments about the site updates. I’m using the same theme as you — I really liked what you did (never told you that, did I?? I’m sorry…). So, you provided inspiration for how I ended up in some of the design — thank you Mare!!
I bought the same thesis theme too!! Know I know who to ask if I run into problems with the installation!! Needless to say, I love the new look of this blog!! The makeover is lovely!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..7 Ways To Center Yourself In Gratitude
Good on you Lance for doing something energetic on a day I gather most Americans sit around eating. I’m all for eating myself so I’d probably have watched and cheered you racing while eating the pie. But I’m very impressed with your discipline and active lifestyle.
Congratulations!
And LOVE the new look. Very stylish. Really must finish the job on my site. Did you do it yourself or pay someone? I want to know how you put those envelope images on for email subscriptions. And the bird for twitter — I’ve seen those around — where did that come from?.
Kelly
Ah, the Turkey-trot. We have one in Arizona, too. I didn’t do it this year, but participated in an earlier fun run with relatives. It’s a really great excuse to get the whole crowd together to do something healthy! G.
I walked a mile Thanksgiving morning, but my tradition falls after dinner — pecan pie! It was worth every bite.
Stacey / Create a Balance´s last blog post..Free eBook — How to Practice the Art of Life Balance
The new look is so clean and simple. Great job. The easier it is on the readers eyes the more they want to come back.
Sounds like you had a great time. Getting the blood flowing to help to digest all the food was a great a idea. I wish I would have done something similar.
Karl — Work Happy Now´s last blog post..6 Exercise Hacks While You Are At Work
@Evelyn — Thanks Evelyn, and ask away if you have any questions (not that I’m any expert, though!)…
@Kelly — As much as this seems like discipline — it ends up being just a lot of fun to participate in! And that makes it easy to make this a tradition for us. Thank you Kelly! Yes, I’m pretty happy with the look, too! I sent you an email…
@Grace — Yes, Grace — it really is a great excuse to get together, get out, and have some fun exercising. They also had a gym there (one of the sponsors) doing warm up activities. So, we joined in them too — had you drove down the street you’d have thought we looked pretty goofy — but they were fun too (and helped to really get us warmed up)!
@Stacey/Create A Balance — Hey, that’s great — walking, running — whatever it is — getting out and getting moving is all good! You like pecan pie — I’ll take the pumpkin, with a generous portion of whipped cream.…mmmmm.… I’m sure you enjoyed the pecan pie, family, and and a wonderful Thanksgiving!
@Karl — Thanks, that was my exact thought after I got it all installed. It just felt clean and more “refined”. The run was a great way to start the day off — and everyone really seems to look forward to doing it each year (well, except for the year when the windchill was below zero!!).
Hi! Thanks for stopping by! My oldest and I just did one last week and I was so proud. She kept asking when we’d be done but in the end was very proud of herself! It’s a great tradition to start and finish!
Dr. Cason´s last blog post..Re: Should I Delete My Blog
That sounds like fun! I’m going to have to do that next year! What a great healthy way to start your day!
Natalia Burleson´s last blog post..Happy Dance!!
@Dr. Cason — Hey, that’s cool — isn’t it fun getting out and being active with your kids! It can seem long (even for me sometimes!) — but very cool that she stuck with it (with Mom by her side!)!!
@Natalia — It was a lot of fun Natalia! We look forward to it every year — and…it’s even healthy!! Especially on a day where we don’t eat the “best”!
That’s great. I’ can’t wait till my boys and I can do a run together.
Rachel´s last blog post..Performance Sock Review: SmartWool
Wow, y’all are DEDICATED!
Do you guys, like just totally rock as a family
Or what?
Jannie´s last blog post..And some SEO in a pear tree
@Rachel — It’s fun, running a race with your kids (well…until they beat you all the time — and you’re not trying to let them!!). Seriously, it was a lot of fun, and great memories we’ll always have.
@Jannie — You’re treating me way too well today, Jannie. First, a poem — then this! I’m gonna get a big head pretty soon! I don’t know if I’d call it dedication so much as just plain old fun!
Congrats on a good run! A friend of mine recently ran a 5k in the dark at the opening of a light show. She said it was cold but well worth it. I’m glad you were able to make a family experience out of it! Maybe try putting bricks in your son’s shoes next year!!
Jenny´s last blog post..Doing What’s Right
wow. Sounds like you had an amazing Thanksgiving.
meleah rebeccah´s last blog post..The Flu
@Jenny — Bricks! Excellent idea (do you think he’ll find them??)!! But then, if he still won — how would I feel then?!?! It really was a great day for a run, and a great family activity!
@Meleah — It was amazing (cold, unlike yours…) — but hey, we were able to hang out as a family, get some exercise AND eat some turkey and pie! It was all good!
We have GOT to stop letting that kid beat you!
I am an avid runner and the 5k is a good one. It’s not too long that you wanna kill yourself halfway through.
If you’re looking to drop your time or track your pace at other distances, Runners World has a great tool.
Talk to you soon!
Angel, YES — I need to come up with some way to stop the beatings (pull ups, push ups, and now running!). Or…maybe I should just say I’ve trained him so well, that this has led to him excelling!!!
The 5K is a good race to run — you’re right — I can easily do this one. Have you run other distances? I’ll have to check out Runner’s World (but I won’t share it with my son!!).
I was just catching up on some posts I’ve missed and really enjoyed them all, but this one really sparked something in me. I love the free-spiritedness, the uniqueness of running on TG Day. I think this is an amazing thing to do that monring. You are all so courageous going out in the cold. I grew up in Maine so I know cold, and it can be hard on the lungs sometimes. But I do remember how we used to think that 20 degress above zero was a warm day. It gets COLD in Maine, often well below zero. I think this is a wonderful gift of Life that you are giving you children, your whole family. They will never forget this Lance. Even if they might grumble a bit (which I don’t know if they do) they will remember these moments as the BEST moments of their family life. They will also pass them on to their kids. I am soooo proud of you my friend for really being proactive in Life and with your family. It is reflected into the world as vitality. You’re full of vitality and it is contageous. Good for you, Lance!!! Hugs, Robin
Robin Easton´s last blog post..Through Wild Eyes
Robin, thank you so much for your wonderful words here today. This was indeed a very fun activity for us. And there was a little complaining — but all in good fun — as we all really do enjoy doing this (cold and all)! Maine — a place I really would like to visit someday. When I think of Maine, I think untamed, the ocean crashing in, small towns, and natural beauty. Thank you, again, Robin — for your very gracious words…