Fits Do Race (Pre)views: Upcoming Thanksgiving Races in the Minneapolis Area.

By Cool J in Minneapolis

The past five years, my family has organized their own 5k. You can check those out HERE and HERE. We "organized" this 5k just for the family. It was an opportunity for us to share a fun run with the whole family, and it was a healthy event where everyone could join. We tried to make it authentic with shirts, medals, a post-race party like no other, and more. 

However, this year, we are actually going to be participating in a sanctioned 5k in Milwaukee, the Drumstick Dash. My sister Cresta thought this would be a fun change- a REAL 5k this year! And it's for a good cause, as it benefits "Feeding America" a hunger-relief charity. The 5k finishes in Miller Park, which will be a lot of fun! Unfortunately, no dogs allowed though, so Matilda has to sit this year out, but most everyone else in my immediate family will be there.

last year's turkey trot- Matilda won first place in the dog division!

Though I will be in Milwaukee, you should check out one of the following options for Thanksgiving Day runs in the Minneapolis area!

There's the ever-popular Lifetime Fitness Turkey Day 5k at 8 am downtown Minneapolis. I have run this one multiple times in the past, but it definitely is a little chaotic and crowded. It probably isn't my favorite. It's also a little pricey, with registration nearly $50 (for a 5k??)

One of my favorites when I have been in town for Thanksgiving (though it has been awhile) was the Drumstick Dash 10k around Lake Harriet. It's true that two laps around Lake Harriet is a little repetitive, especially since I run this lake quite a bit on my own. However, I like the longer distance of a 10k, and its so close to home, its hard to pass up. Registration is only $35, and that's for twice the distance of the Lifetime option! Its organized by Marathon Sports and it is USATF certified. Its definitely a little more low-key than the Lifetime 5k, yet more of a runner's race. This run is chip-timed as well.

There is a fun-sounding Gobble Gait 8k in Hastings, MN. I have never run this race, but it looks great! Check it out HERE. There is a Beast 2 Feast 5k around Lake Calhoun on Thanksgiving morning too, so take your pick Uptowners- Harriet or Calhoun! Website HERE. 

If you live near Woodbury, there is a Turkey Trek 5k there as well, (website HERE) Or, you can head to the "Giving Thanks 5k" in St. Paul.

Weather too cold for you to run outside? Then check out the Walk to End Hunger 5k, which is held indoors at the Mall of America! (Check it out HERE)

Seriously, there is something for everyone in the Twin Cities area. I'm sad that I will miss out, but I'm sure I'll have fun running the Milwaukee Drumstick Dash with my family!  

...and to make things a little more fun, I purchased this fun holiday hat on Etsy for the occasion!

 It was $30 on Etsy, made by hand by Nicole at Simply Hookin It. She even sent me a personal thank you card for ordering from her.

I'm not sure how comfortable the hat will be for running, but at least it's only 3.1 miles.

Check out Nicole's other handmade goods HERE.

With so many options in the area, you have no excuse not to get up early and break a sweat on Thanksgiving day!

Let me know which race you choose!

Fits Do Race Reviews: 5th Annual Family Turkey Trot

By Cool J

Five years of a healthy family tradition continued this past Thursday morning, as nearly everyone in my immediate family arrived for the 5^th annual running of the family Turkey Trot.  

Eight runners and one dog ran the new and improved 5k (which was actually a 4 miler) on a (very) warm Thanksgiving morning in Brookfield, Wisconsin.  There were also two babies, three kids, one race volunteer (Mom) and her dog, and one injured runner (still recovering from her IT band issues) present. 

 {one sad injured runner}

 Post-race commentators raved that this was the best Turkey Trot so far!

The weather was extremely mild. In fact, some runners wore shorts.

 {showing some leg there Dusters!}

The new course was hilly and a bit more challenging than the old route, but it was well-marked (see below) and easy to follow (a perfect square).

 {Well-marked course}

 {No getting lost on this course!}

One participant did mention that the race started a little late (around 8:30 am rather than the advertised 8 am start). However, this delayed start was only to ensure that all the runners had a chance to use the (plentiful) bathrooms before the starting gun, as there were no facilities on the course.

We asked for a volunteer to sing the national anthem at the start, but instead we enjoyed my niece Clara’s rendition of  “Apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur!” Close enough, right?

Race tees were a high-quality dri-fit, with  {mostly "made-up"} local sponsors (though the Right Fits was a legitimate lead sponsor!)

 {Race tees}

A big turkey meal is the normal post-race "party," but this year we had a unique kind of post-race refreshment: apple fritters and apple cider! My nieces set up the cutest apple cider stand with piping hot apple cider for participants.

 {Post-race refreshments at the Apple Cider stand}

{LL enjoying a post-race apple fritter. Check out her turkey BIC band!}

As for this year’s winner? Well, it was a tie. If you recall, Matilda was the winner last year, with Dusters right on her heels. But this year, Ms. Matilda ran with LL and me. So Dusters was able to sprint ahead with Todd (my brother-in-law) and the two of them finished together for a “tie”. What good sports they are J

Everyone is a winner!

 I gave this race a 10 out of 10! Best race ever! 

Why? Well, because it’s with my family of course.