Turkey Trot 2011

I realized a few weeks ago that I've never actually run a Turkey Trot, or any of the holiday "Fun Runs" that often get both runners and non-runners together for an event.  So when I found out that we would be home for Thanksgiving morning, I sensed an opportunity. 

Our local running club has had a Trot for as long as I can remember, and it caters to all types of runners.  With a 1-mile kids race, a 2 mile fun run for the less-serious, a 5 mile race for the more-serious runners, and a 25K (15 Mile) for the distance crowd.   My son has been running for a few months, and he decided to run the 2-miler (he's not ready for 5 yet - 5Ks are still a bit much), so I signed up to do the short race with him. 

He was excited to race again, and looked forward to the run all week.  The plan was for me to follow him at a discrete distance (he's already too cool for Dad), but at the starting line, he asked me to run right next to him.  During the first mile, he would talk to me, and he sprinted for a few seconds to say hi to the coach of his running club.  He handled the small hills without complaint, but was glad to see the turnaround when it came.  The second mile was a different story.  He was quiet and focused, at times closing his eyes to concentrate.  When asked if he was okay, he gave short one-word answers.  When it came time to sprint to the finish, he hesitated, not sure if his legs had the energy, but then he pushed through and passed another (adult) runner just before the line.

My son always does what he sets out to do.  The question is how he feels about it afterward - would he do it again if he could?  Despite claims that his legs felt like spaghetti, and that he was tired, he said that he would definitely do it again (the post-race cookies may have helped).  In fact, he's decided that he's going to run a mile every day until New Year's Eve, but we'll see how long that lasts.   He also wants me to decorate his room with all of the race bibs he's worn and will wear, so it seems he might be serious about this.  I just hope that in a few years, I will still be able to keep up with him.