The O’facet Turkey Trot is exclusive. They’ve an early wave and a major wave beginning at 6:45 and eight:05 on Thanksgiving, so you may run one or each. The early wave was once an 8k, however they lower it right down to a 5k a few years in the past. I ran final yr and determined to run once more this yr. The vibes are at all times enjoyable. My huge aim was to interrupt 20 minutes in each. Final yr, I ran a 19:56 and a 20:21.
Some questions I’ve been requested in regards to the O’facet Turkey Trot:
Is the O’facet Turkey Trot quick?
Sure. The course is internet downhill and customarily thought-about quick. You lose elevation nearly instantly, and the final mile alongside the boardwalk is flat. However, it’s essential to notice, the O’facet Turkey Trot course is brief. The most important problem is the crowding in the primary wave.
How lengthy is the O’facet Turkey Trot course?
The course constantly measures brief on GPS. Most individuals document between 3.07 and three.09 miles for the 5k. It’s not uncommon for turkey trots to be a bit off, however this one tends to run brief yearly. If hitting a precise 5k distance issues to you, that is one thing to know forward of time.
Which wave ought to I select: early or major?
If you’d like fewer crowds, select the early wave. It’s simpler to line up, much less chaotic, and you may really discover your tempo straight away. If you’d like huge “Turkey Trot Race vitality,” the primary wave brings the massive crowds and the festive ambiance. Some runners (like me) do each to make it a exercise.
What ought to I count on from parking and logistics?
Parking in Oceanside could be laborious, particularly for the primary wave. The streets refill shortly and strolling to the beginning can take longer than anticipated. Give your self loads of time or plan to park just a few blocks away. The early wave is way simpler to navigate since fewer persons are transferring by way of the realm.
Is the O’facet Turkey Trot value operating?
If you’d like a enjoyable, scenic Thanksgiving race with quick potential and lots of vitality, sure. If precise distance accuracy issues, or when you favor smaller races or correct race programs, you would possibly stroll away with some combined emotions. However the course, climate, and total vibe make for a enjoyable Thanksgiving morning.
Earlier than the O’facet Turkey Trot
We left for Oceanside the day earlier than, and there was nearly no visitors to San Diego. Truthfully, I’m nonetheless shook. We anticipated heavy Thanksgiving visitors, however there wasn’t any on the way in which down and even again residence on Thanksgiving Day. What a win. I had my bib mailed to me as a result of I wasn’t positive of our schedule and wasn’t 100% positive I might make it to the O’facet Turkey Trot packet pickup the evening earlier than.
Race morning was pretty uneventful, and I awoke awake round 4:15. I had hoped to get up a bit earlier, but it surely all labored out.
My plan for the O’facet Turkey Trot was to run about two miles, run the primary 5k, run in between (in all probability round 4 to 5 miles), run the second 5k, then a mile or two cooldown. It turns into a pleasant exercise, and final yr it was my final exercise earlier than California Worldwide Marathon. I ended up with about 13 miles for the day.
O’facet Turkey Trot Early Begin
The O’facet Turkey Trot early begin is rather a lot much less chaotic. If you’d like a chill race that’s pretty straightforward to get to the beginning line, then that is the wave for you. We have been off at 6:45 am, and regardless of a bit wind, I used to be feeling fairly good. I hit the primary mile in 6:14 and wasn’t positive learn how to really feel. I’ve run sooner first miles in latest 5ks, so I felt meh.
Round mile one, I handed the primary place girl. I used to be stunned as a result of final yr I used to be ninth and twenty second within the races, however I simply saved trucking alongside. The course is internet downhill, and the subsequent two miles have been me making an attempt to maintain first place. I ran a 6:15 and one other 6:15. To be trustworthy, it’s in all probability probably the most constant 5k I’ve ever run LOL.
After we hit the Oceanside boardwalk operating path, I simply centered on ending robust. As we acquired nearer, I spotted they have been holding a tape and I might get to interrupt it. Then one other male ran by way of the tape, however they shortly acquired it set again up. I crossed the end as first girl in 19:16.
You may see Strava right here.
Between
From there, I ran for about 45 minutes, fueling with Tailwind 360 and a Maurten caffeine gel. Once I acquired again round 7:55 for the O’facet Turkey Trot major wave begin, I abruptly remembered how busy and crowded that race was. It’s a lot busier, and it was subsequent to not possible to get tremendous far ahead, so I began a bit additional again than I wished. To be anticipated with any turkey trot actually.
O’facet Turkey Trot Fundamental Wave
I instructed myself to only run robust and see the place that took me. I ran the primary mile in 6:25. There was some weaving, however I simply saved trucking alongside. It was round miles 9 by way of twelve for me on the day, so actually any laborious effort was going to be good. I hit the second mile in 6:26 with out a lot word.
I used to be slowly passing different girls, however I knew the primary wave was far more aggressive, and I used to be not within the operating for an total place. As soon as we hit the boardwalk, I centered on the end. It may be laborious to run over half a mile towards the end and suppose, why isn’t it getting nearer, however I crossed the O’facet Turkey Trot major wave end in 19:56.
You may see Strava right here.
O’facet Turkey Trot Ideas
I’ve lots of conflicting ideas in regards to the O’facet Turkey Trot. I’m proud of my races as a result of my legs felt fairly drained and marathon coaching has caught as much as me. I used to be about 45 seconds and twenty 5 seconds sooner than final yr, so it’s good to see progress.
The O’facet Turkey Trot retains claiming it’s considered one of Runner’s World’s high races, however I’m disenchanted the race is constantly 3.07 or 3.08 miles. They may simply transfer the beginning or end line to get it to be the best distance. I’m additionally disenchanted they don’t do total awards for the early wave. I don’t actually perceive what they do, however I suppose they mix each races and provides out age group awards. There may be total prize cash in the primary wave, which is cool, however it will have been enjoyable to have an total medal or one thing for profitable the early begin. Is it a primary world downside? Sure, however I don’t perceive why there’s a tape to interrupt when you didn’t really win.
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Questions for you:
Do you run a turkey trot?
What’s your favourite 5k?
