Thursday, November 25, 2010

Turkey Trot 10K Race Report

With dread that I saw the weather forecast for the 2010 10K Turkey Trot held this morning, a sizzling 74°F combined with high 85% humidity and 10 MPH southerly winds. As a very poor hot weather runner, and my thoughts on a very funny and apt Hyperbole and a Half sent by my wonderful daughter I had only one unhappy thought - aargh!

Nevertheless, it was great to socialize at the event with several good friends and to support the entirely deserving Sheltering Arms agency. Upon starting the race at an improved location versus prior years I was happy to lead-off the first two miles relatively well. However, despite pouring water over my head in a vain attempt to cool-down at each aid station I was forced both by the heat and the congestion caused by the merging 5K runners to tremendously slow down in the second half. Nevertheless, I had a lot of fun, and was happily surprised to see that I'd finished in 7th place in my age group with a time of 46:57 (5-minutes off my February P.R.)

It's important for me to more profoundly reflect - especially during this time of Thanksgiving  - upon all of the blessings that my family and I have been consistently provided, included in which is the joy, serenity and friendships provided by running. So, during this holiday I wish you and your families the very best!

3 comments:

  1. Thursday morning was a nice reminder that summer is still lingering (why!). But good for you for pushing on and the age group placing.

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  2. Congrats Mark. Seems that Houston is just about the only place in the country where it's still warm. Good and bad, I suppose.

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  3. Congrats on your race! I'm not a good hot weather runner either. What a good way to start Thanksgiving day!

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