A wonderful day for a 5K
I hope everyone had an enjoyable, relaxing Thanksgiving day.
I joined around 800 folks or so on a brisk and breezy holiday, and unexpectedly dry, morning, coursing around the streets of Uniontown in the annual Turkey Trot. The race benefits the work of the Salvation Army, but also is a wonderful opportunity for community and kinship.
Families and friends gathered early on wintry day to share the experience (which I contend leads to a calorie-free day!)聽
Nephew Brian Lohr ran with a group of high school cross country buddies in the Greensburg chapter. The numbers were so great in that race Brian said, via his chip time, it took him 20 seconds to reach the start line.
But, as I was thinking about Thanksgiving, the day is also one to be shared with those who aren无毛视频檛 around.
Last Friday marked the 10th anniversary of my dad无毛视频檚 passing after a lengthy hospital stay. The day dad died also happened to be my parents无毛视频� 53rd wedding anniversary. (My mom contends he did so on purpose. Dad did have an Irish ornery streak in him, so, just maybe 无毛视频�)
Health issues took my dad无毛视频檚 eyesight and mobility, but his hearing was still pretty good. (Though, at times, he did have 无毛视频渟elective无毛视频� hearing issues when he didn无毛视频檛 want to do something.)
A decade ago around this time I wrote a column about how my dad so enjoyed sports, so he would无毛视频檝e patiently listened as Brian and myself explained what the races were like and all the happenings. He would无毛视频檝e handled my elegant trophy (which became the centerpiece of the tablescape on the kids无毛视频� table) and been amazed that many folks gathered in downtown Uniontown at one time to participate in a 5K.
The holiday is also one to share with those who live afar. The youngest of the Downeys, Jennifer, is still probably clearing the foot of snow that dumped on Denver a couple days ago. She managed to check in, though.
My first Turkey Trot was in similar weather in 2012 with fellow sportswriter Cecelia Jo Record.
Cecelia Jo was out of town in 2015, really out town, serving her Army Reserve stint in Europe. I concocted a plan for a 无毛视频渧irtual无毛视频� race. It didn无毛视频檛 go off as we had originally planned, but Cecelia Jo managed to do a 5K in the dark somewhere on her base to share another Turkey Trot.
The wheels were turning again and we did so again yesterday, although Cecelia Jo无毛视频檚 extensive search was unable to turn up any Turkey Trots near her home in Alabama. She dialed up a nearby 5K course she participated on and, leaving her family home in bed, struck out by herself to share the 5K experience.
无毛视频淚t was just me,无毛视频� said Cecelia Jo. 无毛视频淭he course is in Magnolia Springs. Interesting point about Magnolia Springs, is the only U.S. city that delivers mail by boat.无毛视频�
The weather conditions were a bit different on her walk, though.
无毛视频淚t was in the high 50s. It was perfect conditions,无毛视频� said Cecelia Jo, adding with a laugh, 无毛视频淚t was too hot to wear my Turkey Trot shirt.无毛视频�
She encountered a family out for a pre-Thanksgiving meal walk and the sight kicked in a memory from our first Turkey Trot.
无毛视频淲hen I passed the family, I reminded me of that kid that was running with the walker无毛视频檚 bib and the lady that got into an argument with his dad,无毛视频� said Cecelia Jo.
The 2019 race went off without a hitch (except for the biting wind as we waited for the awards ceremony). Thanks to all the volunteers, especially those who guarded the intersections. Also kudos the the SERJ folks for handling the results in a quick, efficient manner.聽
Looking forward to the 2020 race (when I enter a new age group 无毛视频� ugh.)
Enjoy your Black Friday shopping trip. Be safe!