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.

Fits Do Race (P)Reviews: Wedel Turkey Trot

By: LL
Let me take you back for a moment - back five years ago to a time when gas was still $3.00/gallon and these two fitting sisters were still "way dull." It was a cold, icy Thanksgiving morning as six brave souls headed out for the first Wedel Turkey Trot 5k.

The shirts were cotton long sleeves featuring a design made by CJ (far right). There were not any race bibs and the entire course was covered in a thick sheet of ice. Let's just say that the course record that year was 35 minutes ... not quick for a 5k. The route was three full times around a park running path - painful...

I won't go into all the details of all the years (if you are interested, read about it here), but I will give a brief race preview for 2012.

This year, the race route will be a bit different and will be closer to 4 miles (in the past, the route was just shy of the full 5k, so why not make it a little longer this year??)



Contrary to last year, there will be long sleeve performance tees for participants as well as bibs and a hot chocolate stand set up on the route. In addition, there will be more than six participants ... closer to 12!! Still not a sanctioned race, but we are definitely getting closer.

No race in your town on Turkey Day? Why not set up a similar tradition with your family? Trust me, even those non-runners will get excited. Start out by using MapMyRun.com to find the easiest route by your family's Thanksgiving headquarters. Send out registration forms to all who might run (seriously, make it official. It is more fun that way). Make signs for the route that will direct runners on where they need to go and set them up the night before. On race day, have an official start and a timer. Hand out medals at the end and take lots of pictures. Then, celebrate by overeating and drinking lots of spirits!

(Future) Fits Do Race Reviews

By Jess

Those of you who know me, know that I'm a planner. I like to have everything sorted out on an agenda.  And this includes planning out my future runs as well!

Here's what I have on the calendar for the remainder of 2012 and 2013. I'm sure plans could change, and maybe additional races will be added, but these are the ones I have marked on my planner.

November:
5th Annual Family Turkey Trot!
LL wrote about it last year (read about it here and here)
Granted, this is not a sanctioned race per say, but it sure is a fun one! LL and I have been directing this race for 5 years now. We have a blast half-pretending/half-serious that this is a real Thanksgiving 5k! Well, I guess it is a real 5k in that we run 3.1 miles, but the only participants are my family.

January:
The Securian Run
When: Saturday, January 26
Where: St. Paul, MN
Website: http://www.securian.com/Securian/Securian+Winter+Run/
This half marathon has a rocky history. The first time I registered, it was so cold that the race directors shortened it to a 1/4 marathon. The second time I ran it, the turn around point was set too early, and the race only ended up being 11 miles! Needless to say, I set quite a PR at that one! However, this is one of few long distance races in the area in the cold months of winter, so it's definitely on my radar.

April:
Goldy's 10 mile
When: Saturday, April 14
Where: University of Minnesota campus
Website: http://www.goldysrun.com
I ran this last year, and thought it was a lot of fun. Read about it here

May:
Borgess Run for the Health of It Half Marathon
Website: http://borgessrun.com
When: Sunday May 5th at 8 am
Where: Kalamazoo, Michigan

I'll be running this race with a few of my sisters, and even my dad! It will be his first half marathon.
This does mean I'll miss the Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon that I ran last year (read about it here) but it will be worth it to share the half marathon experience with my family. Not to mention, I haven't been to Kalamazoo in ages! Fits on the Road- Family Style!

TC 1 Mile
Website: https://www.tcmevents.org/events/medtronic_tc_1_mile/
When: Mid-may- the date has not yet been finalized
Where: Downtown Minneapolis
Last year's review here
It's fun to do such a short race, and it's unique to run down Nicollet mall on a Thursday night. And it's over before you know it! After all, it's only a mile...

June
Newport Marathon
In my post Steamtown marathon haze, I did write about the Newport marathon. We have registered for this one for our spring race. Check out that post here
Website: http://www.newportmarathon.org
When: Saturday, June 1

I'm really looking forward to this marathon! It sounds like such a charming location, and I can't wait to spend some time exploring Oregon. The timing of this marathon works out well, as we will be able to piggyback off the Grandma's and Minneapolis marathon training schedule with the Calhoun Beach Running Club.

July:
Firecracker 10k
Website: http://www.active.com/running/excelsior-mn/firecracker-runs-2012-pl222
When: the 4th of July
I backed out last year, because it was crazy hot, and the race was shortened to a 5k. But I did participate the year before, and it was a blast!

Torchlight 5k
Website: http://www.torchlight5k.com
Last year's review here
I love this fun 5k! It runs before the Torchlight Parade downtown on a Wednesday night, with a great post-race party.

September
And the big finale for 2013....the Berlin Marathon!

"Pre-registration" opened today, and it filled up in 3.5 hours. Dusters and I both logged on this morning over breakfast and signed up. This is a huge marathon, with 40,000 runners. I'm guessing it might be similar to Chicago, where you feel crowded the whole way. This type of marathon probably isn't my favorite, and running an international marathon doesn't really fit into our 50 state goal, but we both think this will be a really cool experience. It's the 40th year for the Berlin Marathon, and some of the world's fastest times have been recorded here.

Well, that's it for today. There are few other races that might fit in: the Polar Dash (depending on the weather), the Get Ready to Rock 20 miler again, and maybe the Urban Wildlands half marathon. TBD folks, TBD!

Race Recap: TGiving Turkey Trot

By: LL
The 4th Annual TGiving Turkey Trot was a success, and as a follow up to this post, I wanted to do a race review of the 2011 race.

The weather was perfect for the race - 40s, overcast, with little to no wind (very warm for the Midwest). We had a total of 15 participants (3 of which were walkers and 1 cycler). The course was well marked and the Race Marshall was present throughout the race to guide and encourage runners. In addition, it was noted how child friendly the race was this year.

Unfortunately, we discovered this year that the race was just shy of the full 5k - 0.1 miles short in fact (this information courtesy of Jess's Garmin). So, next year, for the 5th Annual Race, we will be certain to extend the length to provide our participants with the entire 3.1 miles.

Here are a few notable pictures from the event:

(and the race wouldn't be complete without a pair of pajama pants)

Hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving and were able to get out and enjoy some fun activities with your family!

Fits Do Race Reviews: T-Giving Turkey Trot

By: LL
Even though not everyone in our family is addicted to enjoys running as much as Cool J and I do, each year our family hosts its own Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day. It all started four years ago when my parents' town had their road race the weekend before the holiday. That did not deter us. Instead, we mapped out a route, set up signs, set up "water stations," and held our inaugural T-Giving Turkey Trot. Despite the route being 3/4 covered in a sheet of ice, we still had a good turn out and a good time (time as in "fun" not PRs).

Over the last three years, the race has changed states, but we continue to host our own race, which has evolved to include official bibs, medals, and performance race shirts (still not sanctioned though, but fingers crossed!) The number of registered runners also continues to grow, with a walkers and runners division.

This year is the same route as last year, which includes a quiet residential area with little to no traffic. The route is relatively flat (well, except for the initial hill, which is maybe a 3% gradient). One downside is that the race is a 1.55 mile loop, but that means you are going downhill on your way back.

This race has gotten good reviews from past participants for being well marked, having plenty of water and excellent facilities with little to no wait, and having a one of a kind post-race party (turkey feast anyone?)

It might seem silly to some to put on such a production for a family race, but I feel that if you are going to go out for a run anyway on Thanksgiving morning, why not make it fun and include the whole family. Plus, it is a good way to get those family members, who might not otherwise go for a run, to do something active before overindulging at the feast!

--------------------- | Inaugural Race (2008) | ----------------------

(The guy on the right is in pajamas & loafers...that's just how he rolls!)

 ------------------------ | 2nd Annual (2009) | ------------------------

------------------------ | 3rd Annual (2010) | ------------------------

Looking forward to another awesome TGiving Turkey Trot this year! Even have some first timers registered!