Thursday, September 6, 2012

Turkey Trot Tackling

Now that fall is quickly approaching, I'm having some trouble deciding what races to do! It is nice that there are so many great options! I'm already signed up for a few races including the Zooma Women's Half Marathon (with many other Chicago area bloggers) and the Hot Chocolate 15k (I ran the 5k last year).

There are lots of races on and around Thanksgiving. Given the fact that I like to eat, a lot, I'm looking forward to doing a race celebrating one of my favorite holidays. Now the big question is, what race? Here are my options.

1) Palos Turkey Trot (4 miles) - This race takes place on Thanksgiving morning. I ran it last year and had a lot of fun. They increased the price last year with increased swag of gender-specific jackets. The jackets weren't gender-specific, aside from the color (photo evidence here). I was really disappointed and I think lots of other folks were too. This year they are offering half-zip pullovers and the price has increased again. There was no explanation of why the price increased; it just did. I love the store that puts on this race and I'd like to support them, but I just don't know if I can justify paying $55 for a 4 mile race.
Palos Turkey Trot November 2011

2) Poultry Predicter (4 miles) - This race also takes place on Thanksgiving morning. Last year the cost was $8 if you re-registered and $10 for race-day registration. You are not allowed to run with a timing device, but you have to try and guess your finish time. Awards are given for age groups and to those closest to their predicted time. This sounds like a fun one and I don't think that price can be beat.

3) Beverly Turkey Trot (5k) - There was a Schwaggle deal for this but it expired yesterday. Quite a few of my friends are doing it and it is $30 (without the schwaggle deal). The race takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Considering I went to high school in the Beverly area, I have a feeling I may run into some folks from high school if I do this race. That could either be a good or bad thing. Lol.

4) Schaumburg Turkey Trot (Half Marathon) - This race also takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I have a weakness for half marathons and medals. I know a few other folks running this race and I would have time to do some speed work to try to aim towards a PR again.

I can't decide if I want do to 1 or 2 of these races! Because of the time I should be spending studying and reviewing by the time November rolls around (the exam is December 1), running will probably continue to take more of a backseat like it has been the last few months. Decisions, decisions!

What are your thoughts? Are you running any of these races?

6 comments:

  1. I think because you have the exam so soon after Thanksgiving, maybe a 5K or 4 miler is your best bet. That way if you have to skip or shorten a run, it won't derail you as much.

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  2. This is a very good point. I love a good half marathon but this exam is super important...

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  3. Plus you're already doing a half in October and one in January. One lessons I'm learning this year is maybe I shouldn't race so much, and give myself enough time between each race to properly train, so I can really enjoy each race and do my best at each one .... we'll see if I actually listen to my own advice in 2013.

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  4. I say do as many as don't make you feel stressed about it! For me, that would be two! But this reminds me I need to start checking in on my own Turkey Trots! -- Ericka @ The Sweet Life (sweetlifeericka.com)

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  5. Amanda - TooTallFritzSeptember 6, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    You know I'm voting for the Running For Kick's Turkey Trot. They normally donate both food and $$ to the Worth Food Pantry plus offer the best goodie bag. In addition to the awesome jacket, which I tried on yesterday, you will get socks, GU and a coupon for at least $10 or $15 off new shoes. So automatically take $10 off the race fee for the shoe coupon. Then take another $8 off for socks. And a lot of your friends will be there. :o)

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  6. I love that we have so many races out here around Thanksgiving! I have always thought the predictor ones are fun!

    If I had it my way I would do a race on Thanksgiving and the Saturday after. I think you need another medal this year...

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