Another Turkey Trot

23 Thursday Nov 2017

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I could mark time by all the turkey trots I’ve run. I almost missed today’s event because I forgot about it and was instead planning to meet some friends for a mountain trail run. Fortunately, I saw the reminder in time. I’m thankful for Prospect’s resident Coach Jabe, for hosting this for the past eight years. And for Suzy hosting the après run breakfast with copious amounts of early morning vodka. Not sure I’ll even recognize the turkey later today after so many post-mimosa, bloody marys. Pictured above is this year’s 5K winner, Joey, with his proud momma, Jen.

This photo is from the other day, when we started celebrating Thanksgiving early with firends. For the last twenty years, I’ve taken off the entire week of Thanksgiving. I either travel to visit family, or snowboard, or run massive miles. I didn’t take any time off this year, other than the two vacation days allotted me, because I lost a good 25 days of vacation due to switching employers in May. It’s like starting my career over as an entry-level employee. Not complaining though as I’m thankful to have a challenging job that keeps me engaged. Being a product manager probably sounds boring, but I really enjoy it. And the field of computer security is cool.

This photo captures me stealing the first cream-filled doughnut with Suzy. Thinking back on the year, I’ve been a published author now since November 26, 2016. I took that week of Thanksgiving off as usual, taught myself Adobe InDesign by watching twenty hours of YouTube videos, and self-published my novel. Initially I felt like a bit of a poser, but support from friends and family has been strong and I think of myself as a writer now. Thinking of myself as a novelist has been fun. I always wear a shirt that advertises my book cover whenever I travel for work, and I sell a copy nearly every time from the conversations it generates on the flight. My writing is clearly more of a hobby at this phase, but then so is my running and I think of myself as a runner. I’m thankful to have such interests that motivate me to drive myself forward. That keep my mind stimulated. That leave my body ready for a sound sleep each night. Life is good. Happy Thanksgiving.

Neighborhood Turkey Trot

24 Thursday Nov 2016

Posted by Ed Mahoney in Running

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Thanksgiving

prospect-turkey-trot

If you’re going to start your morning off with a mimosa, followed by a bloody mary, it’s okay assuming you first ran the neighborhood 5k turkey trot. And there were chocolate, creme-filled donuts. First Coach Jabe inspired half the neighborhood to run three miles at 9:30 in the morning. Then Suzy hosted everyone at her house near the finish line for drinks, breakfast, and fun conversation. Great start to Thanksgiving.

start-of-race

The Thankful Runner

27 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by Ed Mahoney in Running

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Thanksgiving, turkey trot

I find myself more thankful with each passing year. My contentedness is no doubt influenced by age. And Ferguson notwithstanding, I live at the greatest time, in the most unrestrained society, in the history of the world. Assuming you like all things unrestrained. My gratefulness though is focused on my personal experiences this year. I’m blessed with a loving wife and two beautiful, charming daughters. I could stop there. That is more than enough already. But I also met up with some of my best buddies from high school for a week-long backpacking trip along the Continental Divide. We hadn’t all three been together in twenty-five years. That was a big chill moment. My work has become more fulfilling. I work ten hour days, so liking what I do helps. And seriously, what’s cooler than cyber security? I beat cancer and am fully recovered. And I’m thankful my mother is still around to make coffee for me in the morning. Now that should be enough but at the risk of revealing my shallowness, this year’s highlight is that I ran a 3:31 marathon in October. At altitude. Booya! The year still has another month to go. Looking forward to it.

After starting the turkey and stuffing this morning, I headed down to the corner for the neighborhood 3 mile Turkey Trot. Speaking of unrestrained, Jabe organizes this unsanctioned event. No permit. No street closures. Just Jabe out early with her stick of chalk posting turkey signs at every turn. Fred Beavers won again, virtually unchallenged unless you consider my hopeless chase a threat. Without a warmup, I was heavily taxed by a 7:04 pace for the first mile. Fred already had a sizable lead by this point. I started out in third place but soon passed the little boy who sprinted off at the start and tried to hang with Fred. I maintained my distance behind Fred on mile two with a 6:57 pace. And I dare say I gained a few seconds on him in mile three with a 6:35. I finished second with a 6:53 average pace in 20:37.

Our food is all coming together. My next task is to prepare the deviled eggs. Happy Thanksgiving.

Longmont Turkey Trot 2013

09 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by Ed Mahoney in Running

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Beth Risden, Katie Hegg, race results, Sebesta, Thanksgiving

I know what you’re thinking. The Thanksgiving Turkey Trot seems to come earlier and earlier every year. That’s okay because Longmont had some nice weather for today’s turkey trot – 45° with a 4 mph wind. I saw half my neighbors on the course this morning. Jabe and Eve, Fran, Barb, Kathleen, Jen and the Sebesta family. Lindsey was stylish in her matching set of black Under Armour running tights and turtle neck top. This pic captures her dad Dave crossing the finish line.

I didn’t know what to expect running with a cold. Initially I had hopes of running under a 7 minute pace but gave up on that idea. I decided a couple of times this morning to skip the run but finally decided if I’m going to be miserable, I might as well be running. Running with a cold might not be advisable medically speaking, but I felt like some deep breathing might help my lungs and sinuses. That’s how a runner thinks.

I didn’t bother warming up since I didn’t plan to push my pace. I was surprised to see my Garmin display a 7:04 for my first mile. I felt pretty good. I ran the second mile in 7:11 and third mile in 7:13. By then I knew I would likely hold this pace because I was feeling comfortable. The cold wasn’t much of a factor. A lady, who at first I thought was Beth Risden because I met her and her husband Ken before the run, caught up to me and started racing me. Click on the link to read about Beth’s recent IronMan triathlon. This lady, who I learn later is Katie Hegg, looked like Beth so I thought I would mess with her by not letting her pass me. I ran the fourth mile in 6:53 and the fifth mile in 7:07. This really is a decent pace for me so I’m pleased. Katie surged on me in the final mile and I let her go. The cold might have taken the edge off my racing mentality. I felt like cooling down and finished with a 7:23 mile. I did put on a bit of a kick which felt good. My final time was 44:39. Not bad for running under the weather. Katie won her age division in 44:27. The results are posted here.

I’m happy with my form in this pic – taken in Washington Park at 17 miles into the Denver Marathon. Good to see my toes are pointed down. I recall fatigue setting in around this point and beginning to focus on form. That’s what I did today. I focused on form, on keeping my toes pointed down and arms at a good angle moving forward. I didn’t start breathing hard until I started racing Katie with a sub 7 minute mile. I’m glad I got outside today. I’ll be ensconced on the couch for the remainder of the day watching college football. I love November.

The Flume

23 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by Ed Mahoney in Running

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Carlsbad, Ocotillo, Thanksgiving, trail run

Started Thanksgiving day out with a 9 mile run along the Pecos River in Carlsbad, New Mexico. My iPhone app tracked 13 miles at a 5 minute pace. So much for accuracy. I probably ran an 8:30 minute pace over the course of three loops. Felt good after driving for 11 hours the day before. Later in the day I emailed Karen some links to Garmin GPS watches as ideas for a Christmas gift.

I discovered this urban riverside run when I visited my sister-in-law Laura and her husband Chad for Thanksgiving last year. It’s very pleasant with people fishing and geese vying for control of the sidewalk. For some reason I forgot that it is completely paved. I’d prefer a trail. Since everyone drives at least 5 miles under the speed limit in this town, I was able to gaze into the undeveloped desert on my drive back. It occurred to me that there must be more than a few running trails in this area.

I drive right past the flume on the way back home. It looks like an abandoned cement bridge to nowhere. Over 100 years ago, Ripley’s listed it as the largest cement structure in the world. There has to be some trail associated with this monolith. I queried it later in the day and learned that it launches the start of a 6.4 mile, 5-foot wide asphalt recreational trail that is located along the Carlsbad Irrigation District Canal and runs the entire length of the city. Okay, asphalt is not a trail but this looks interesting. An out and back will make for a 12.8 mile run.

So on Friday I parked back behind the hospital at the flume to run the Carlsbad Irrigation Canal. I wouldn’t describe this path as scenic or extraordinary in any way, but it is a hike and bike path and serves this purpose well. It begins by meandering through hardscrabble neighborhoods with $50,000 pickup trucks sitting in front of $30,000 houses and pitbulls tethered to dirt yards. These dismal abodes eventually yield to a more rural setting equally unattractive along the southern edge of town. I turned around about a mile short of the end because I wasn’t sure it continued and because I was ready. I ran back on the other side of the canal which was mostly dirt and gravel. I actually preferred this as it more resembled a trail and would be easier on my knees. Total time was 80 minutes and I’m guessing I ran close to an 8 minute mile pace for nearly ten miles.

Given what I know of Carlsbad to date, I recommend this running route. The river downtown is more scenic but it’s all cement sidewalk. This might not be much of a running town but I suspect the real runners know where the trails are. I did research online and just couldn’t fund much. There is the Ocotillo Trail near the university campus, but it is only 1 mile in length. There is Brantley Lake State Park 12 miles north of town, but I am not certain it provides any good trails. I’d have to drive there to know for sure. A bit disappointing I can’t find more online. Still, I intend to discover a trail for my next visit. This high altitude desert simply has to have some trails. If you are familiar with the area, please provide ideas via comments.

Run Turkey, Run

25 Friday Nov 2011

Posted by Ed Mahoney in Running

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Carlsbad, Thanksgiving

I’m feeling pretty good about re-establishing my running regimen over the holidays here in Carlsbad. I’ve consistently leveraged the last 3 Thanksgiving breaks to log some miles. I scaled back on running while diagnosing some of my injuries, but it doesn’t appear I lost any real conditioning. With my abdomen feeling strong again, my pace is seriously dropping back to where it was a year ago – down close to 8 minute miles. I’m not pushing myself yet in terms of distance – only running 3 and 4 miles. I’d like to run farther but I’m following the medical advice and easing back into it.

There’s no hurry. I’m not planning on any events until late winter – early spring. The Canyonlands Half Marathon in Moab March 17th. That’s on my calendar although at this point I’m only entered in the lottery. I have a strong desire to return to run the Austin Marathon February 19th. I have a little something to prove in that event, but it’ll come down to a last minute decision based on my winter conditioning and whether or not I have enough miles on United. Sometime near those two runs will be the Boulder Half Marathon – I’ll for sure do that. I like how the course goes out slightly up slope and returns back down slope. Perfect event to start slow and speed up. Last March I ran it as a workout just like that. It felt great.

Clearly, I’ll need to eventually increase my mileage if I intend to run marathons and halves. I’ll target next weekend to grind out a long one. Until then, I’ll enjoy my new found fast pace. I’m considering sending a Christmas card to Dr. Stilp for taking care of me.

Carlsbad

23 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by Ed Mahoney in Running

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Lady Bird Johnson, Pecos River, Thanksgiving

I’m visiting Laura and Chad for Thanksgiving in Carlsbad, New Mexico. This is high-altitude desert at around 3200 feet. Before they moved here this summer I used to visit them in Spokane where I ran the most incredible route through woods alongside a lake. Four miles from their house here is an awesome downtown running trail along the Pecos River. Unfortunately it’s cement rather than actual trail, otherwise it is reminiscent of Town Lake in Austin. Or I guess they renamed it to Lady Bird Johnson Lake now. Regardless, this is a very nice inner city running trail. Good for Carlsbad.

Less than good is that – Taco Bell notwithstanding – I’ve yet to see a Mexican food restaurant. Is this not the south-friggin-west? Chad says there are 3 or 4, but they’re nothing special. On the plus side though is you can buy Hatch green chilies everywhere; from any burger joint to precooked at WalMart. Other Carlsbad observations include there are more nail salons than coffee shops and countless old people slowly driving pickup trucks in the fast lane.

The weather is just perfect – high 60s. And will be all week. I intend to knock out a 4 miler along the Pecos every day I’m here. Not a bad way to launch my winter training regimen.