I used to be excited to do the O’Facet Turkey Trot. I’ve been signed up for a number of years and simply by no means made it there, whether or not as a consequence of damage, sickness, or life. This was the yr. The week earlier than, I came upon I had HMPV. Whereas I used to be not “sick,” I did have the aftereffects of congestion. I don’t get better effectively from congestion, so I didn’t have tremendous excessive expectations. However, I used to be feeling grateful as a result of I acquired to even race. I assumed on a great day I might run between 6:45–7-minute miles.
The O’Facet Turkey Trot has two 5k choices: an early chook at 6:45 and a principal wave at 8:05. They used to supply a 5-miler at 6:45, however I suppose there have been too many complaints that it went by way of the neighborhoods. That’s unlucky as a result of that might have been enjoyable. I signed up for each, and you will get a second medal should you do each.
Earlier than the O’Facet Turkey Trot
We headed right down to the O’Facet Turkey Trot round 1 PM the day earlier than. There was a little bit of site visitors, we ate at one in every of my favourite Greek eating places, and acquired to packet pickup round 5:30 PM. From there, we relaxed within the resort, and the 5 AM wake-up got here early. I in all probability stayed in mattress too lengthy and solely ate about half of my bagel + peanut butter breakfast. I nonetheless have considerations from once I ate too near the Lengthy Seaside Half Marathon. I used to be solely capable of do a 1-mile warmup to the O’Facet Turkey Trot earlier than heading into the packed corral. My physique usually wants 2–3 miles to heat up, however that’s all I had time for. Earlier than I knew it, we have been off for the early wave 5k.
Early Wave O’Facet Turkey Trot – 19:58
I took off, not figuring out how I’d really feel. As with every turkey trot, there are tons of individuals whizzing by you who might fade later. I used to be like, “Man, I’m feeling sluggish,” absolutely anticipating to be working round 7-minute tempo. Once I regarded down, it mentioned 6:30, and I used to be shocked. I informed myself to run my very own race. We hit the turnaround about .75 miles in, and it’s a good flip. I hit the mile 1 marker of the O’Facet Turkey Trot in .9 miles and thought: how does such a well-established turkey trot not have the mile markers aligned? I hit the primary mile in 6:31 and was shocked. Was this once I was going to fade?
The following mile went down the primary street, and it was attractive with views of the ocean. I informed myself to remain engaged and hit mile 2 of the O’Facet Turkey Trot in 6:32. It felt like I used to be respiration by way of a straw, and I simply stored making an attempt to push so I might go a pair extra individuals. I used to be someplace round 6–seventh lady, making an attempt to maintain my place.
The following mile heads alongside the seaside, and you may see the O’Facet Turkey Trot end line for fairly a while. I might inform the race was going to be quick, though I assumed nearer to three miles. I hit the final mile in 6:29 and crossed the O’Facet Turkey Trot 5k in 19:58 and three.07 miles. I assumed perhaps this yr was a fluke, however I checked out previous outcomes and it seems it’s nearly at all times quick? I don’t get it.
You may see Strava right here.
Between the O’Facet Turkey Trot 5ks, I ran 5 miles. My aim for the day was my final arduous/lengthy exercise. I averaged about 8:45 tempo, then headed for the second 5k (which might be miles 9–12 of my day).
O’Facet Turkey Trot Important Wave 20:21
I didn’t understand how a lot greater and extra crowded the O’Facet Turkey Trot principal wave was. It in all probability had double or triple the individuals. I barely discovered a spot at the beginning. From there, we have been off. My poisonous trait is that I imagine I can run quicker for the second 5k than the primary.
In the course of the O’Facet Turkey Trot principal wave, it was truly about 10 seconds earlier than I crossed the O’Facet Turkey Trot begin line. It was arduous to run at first, however I lastly acquired some room. My watch beeped mile 1 in 6:29. I had taken it out a few seconds quicker than the primary time LOL.
At mile 1.5, a pack of about 5 excessive schoolers minimize in entrance of me on a slim flip, and I ended up falling and taking one down with me. I fell… arduous. The group went “OOOH.” Fortunately, I form of tucked and rolled, and one of many excessive schoolers helped me (which was tremendous good). There was no critical harm, nevertheless it did value me someplace between 10–15 seconds. I hit mile 2 of the O’Facet Turkey Trot in 6:44, and I used to be actually shocked it was below 7 minutes.
From there, I simply targeted on the end line, however I used to be struggling. I used to be drained, and the autumn took the wind out of my sails. I targeted on the O’Facet Turkey Trot end and crossed in 20:21/6:37 tempo with the autumn.
You may see Strava right here.
O’Facet Turkey Trot Ideas
I’m tremendous proud of the outcomes primarily based on every thing. I do know I might have run a sub-6:27 tempo 5k if I felt good respiration, in order that was motivating. Now to hopefully really feel higher for CIM.
You may see extra race recaps right here.
Love working? You may subscribe to my weekly e-newsletter or learn extra about trainers in my e-book.
Questions for you:
Did run you a turkey trot?
How as your Thanksgiving?
