Giving Thanks to Thanksgiving!

I owe so much of my running love to Thanksgiving!
Where to start????
I tried to locate some pictures from my childhood...running the Turkey Trot...but I may have to post those at another date...I couldn't find them!

I am the third oldest of 12 kids!
Everything about a BIG family is FANTASTIC!!
Even the adventures of getting a turkey for Thanksgiving!

I am not sure how young I was when I first ran the 10k Mesa Turkey Trot...but I have some fun stories to share...and they all came from our attempt to be the "most people from one family to run the 10K"...and win a TURKEY!!!

1. One year my cousin came down from Utah to visit us. She was not a runner!!! Note: NOT A RUNNER!! ...All she brought with her was flip flops!
Most of you are thinking ....she probably watched!
NOT DONNA....she ran the entire 6.2 miles bare foot!!!
Some of you Barefoot runners will appreciate...the untrained feet on pavement for that long...also she ran the entire way...even though she had NEVER ran!
AMAZING!
I'm not sure she ever ran again!
Probably not the kind of running experience that creates desire for more from a young 12 year old!

2. My younger sisters...(by 9-15 years), started running the Turkey Trot before they could even walk! ;)
Kim always amazed me...she always ran her heart out...and never stopped!
Now Cindy...she was a little different...she always started the race...but we usually found her at the playground that was maybe 200 yards from the start.
When asked why she didn't run...she would simply reply...
"The playground looked like more fun!"
Coming from a 5, 6, or 7 year old....I think she may have been right!

Funny part of that story is...Cindy is the most consistent of all of us now...I think that playground did her good! =)

3. My dad and mom still run the Trot with whoever can make it!
Usually there are cousins, aunts, uncles, grandchildren, and friends!
Now my Dad is usually last...sometimes far behind the tail end car!
But there is NO ONE who runs with more enthusiasm!
He is always smiling!

My MOM never really ran it...she is a walker. She prefers to man the sidelines.
The last few times that I have been back home to run it with them...my DAD has carried my mom to the finish line ( which by this time was broken down, and empty)...but our family is ALWAYS there waiting...most of us run back and join them in the end of the race.
He refuses to end short!

I think they know that this race has become a tradition that will NEVER die!!!

Have a great Thanksgiving...and make memories with you families that will LIVE on FOREVER!!!!!