2025 Cleveland Turkey Trot

2025 Cleveland Turkey Trot
Distance: 5 miles
Start: 9:30 AM
Official Time: 42:41.88
Pace: 8:32
Place Overall: 581 of 2018
Place Men 55-59: 19 of 67
Temperature: 33°
Climate: wind & light snow
Mood: Okay, so we're doing this.

Have not raced in some time. Have not raced in inclement weather for longer than that. Just walking to the venue from my parking spot was horrid, the wind coming off Lake Erie was almost unbearable.

I ask myself, why am I doing this? It’s not pleasant, it’s not social. I should be at home watching the parade, safe and warm.

The staging area, Public Hall, was a relief. Vast and clean, at least I could wait for the start in comfort.

155 - 164 BPM Playlist

Another Sunny Day - Belle & Sebastian

Don't Stop Me Now - Queen

If I Can't Change Your Mind - Sugar

Shadows in the Rain - The Police

Why Should I cry For You - Sting

A Man Needs to Be Told - The Charlatans

Twistin' the Night Away - Sam Cooke

Bejeweled - Taylor Swift

Everything - Nine Inch Nails

These Dreams - Heart

Give Me Back My Man - The B-52's

I started far back in the pack, which was unfortunate. It took a while before I could actually run. My fault. But soon I was running freer and could focus on just enjoying myself. And it was pretty all right. 

But I was even regretting choosing the five mile instead of the 5K ... until we split off around the second mile. At Carnegie and Ontario they took a right, and we continued onto the bridge. Oh, yeah. This is why. I would have missed that. Lorain-Carnegie, down West 25th and onto the Detroit-Superior. Worth it.

By the time I reached the finish line I was feeling good, and satisfied. My time was great, all things considered. And it was a well-organized race full of happy runners. But for a race like this, I really missed having a partner. Maybe next time.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

O! That we were there.

Good times.

Oh, my. Thanksgiving was good fun, great time with family and loved ones. The food was not great, but I ate a lot of it.

We went to a restaurant for a second year (I won't mention what it was this time around) because the wife works in retail and "Black Friday" is literally the biggest day of the year for her store. Starting last year she decreed 1) we're not leaving town for the holiday and 2) I'm not cooking. Maybe next year I will cook, but for now we are dining out.

These places that are open on Thanksgiving, several offer a "traditional" TG meal in addition to their usual fare, and I will try that because I like the tradition. Last year I was delighted with what they offered, considering it was largely a seafood place. Last night was ... it may have been that we were last sat. Who knows, who cares.

The thing was, my wife and our children, and her sibling's families and my MIL, we were all at the same table and having a lovely time. And that's what it's all about in the mix.

Distance: 1 miles

Duration: 9:08

Route: Neighborhood Loop
Temperature: 31°
Climate: overcast & cold
Mood: a lil' nervous
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Pain Reliever: tbd

I'm running down the road trying to loosen my load.

Who wore it better?

Stayed off my ankle for a couple days. These little kinks are crazy. I was on my feet for several hours on Tuesday and wow was that exhausting. And yet, we feel good, don't we? So much to be thankful for.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:02
Pace: 9:21

Thanksgiving Dinner Playlist

Lovely Day - Bill Withers

Thank You - Dido

Take It Easy - Eagles

Riptide - Vance Joy

I've Got Plenty To Be Thankful For * - Bing Crosby

What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

Better Man - Leon Bridges

We Are Family - Sister Sledge

I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honeybunch) - Four Tops

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 45°
Climate: beautiful

Sunny, crisp fall day. Just perfect for a run. Folks walking dogs, kids watching the birds on the lagoon. We spent the morning watching the parade as a family. It's gonna be a lovely day.

Mood: 

 
Stretches: yes

Water: ope