A tradition that I have enjoyed doing over the years is running a Turkey Trot race on Thanksgiving morning. I have run multiple races and distances, and have dreamt of a day that I would run a race with my whole crew. This year was my year. I was to the moon excited. I actually signed everyone up before asking them if they were interested.
I signed our family up for the Courage Run 5K Turkey Trot in our town. The boys would run their fun 1/4 mile Kids Race and then afterwards join us to complete a 5K run/walk as a family.
It was a cool race morning, with temperatures in the 40s. The boys were jittery with excitement. I was giddy with happiness to share my love of running with the people I love the most.
The boys had their race first. Anxious with anticipation and excessive energy they were running all around the parking lot waiting for their race to start. Even the T-man was prepared this year. Last year he freaked out 10 yards from the starting line and had his first DNF. Not this year… he was prepared and knew what to expect.
Before we knew it the kiddos were all lined up for their fun run to begin. It was a quick 1/4 mile out and back course. Armed with our cameras to take photos of the three boys running, we were ready. I was also prepared to hop in and run the race with the T-man just in case he got spooked like last year.
That was not the case this year. The boys took off and were zooming in and out of kids like professionals. They were determined. They had smiles on their faces. They were running and were happy! Oh my heart was overflowing with happiness.
At the finish, the boys were to the moon excited because they had won their first medal of the day. C finished his first race (loved it). P finished his second race (he was even more excited about his first 5k). T officially finished his first race and was still smiling. Winning!
A few minutes later, everyone else lined up for the 5K race to begin. We tried to get in the back of the pack as much as possible, but I think we ended up in the middle due to late comers. Precious P was so excited. His (our) goal was that he and I would run the race together… and Daddy would run/walk with the other two boys. We didn’t think that C&T would run at all and would only want to walk.
Precious P kept a conservative pace around 10:30 min/mile the first mile. I kept asking him if he wanted to walk and he declined. He kept telling me that he wanted to run a smart race and not run too fast. I could tell that running that pace was hindering him (like he was concentrating on holding himself back).
He was super excited to see the 1 mile marker. I had to have him stand by the marker to document his first race. He was all smiles. He kept looking up at me while we ran and said, “Mommy this is the best day of my life! I am having so much fun! I love running with you!” Heart full.
As we started running again, we hear, “Is that Mommy and P!?” We turn around and see the brothers and my husband. My husband was super sweaty, laughing out loud and RUNNING!! (My husband does NOT run!). He said that T (5) got caught up in the excitement of the race and started to run… and didn’t stop. So of course, he and C had to run to keep up. Yay!
Running as a family the remainder of the race, my heart was bursting. My face full of smiles. I cannot tell you how happy I felt.
We kept the pace easy and fun. We laughed. We talked. We ran and walked. We were amazed at how well the boys were doing. To be honest, we thought there would be whines and carry me complaints during the race… there was not.
I tweeted the above photo at 1.8 miles in the race. My heart was so full I could have sworn it would burst. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I was so happy. I was doing a race with my family.
Obligatory mid-race photo. 2 miles completed. Boys were still smiling and full of energy. Only 1.1 miles to go!
With the finish line in sight we all started running again. P knew what to do and sprinted to the finish. He left us in his dust. I stayed behind and took photos of my family running! Again… so happy. Bursting with pride.
Did you see the above photo? My husband is running!! Of course, days afterwards his feet and body will ache… but he is running. I might be able to make him a runner yet. A girl can hope, right!?
The T man finished his first 5K race. Strong. On his own feet. His running seemed effortless and full of bounce and pep. Granted, when he runs he doesn’t really use his arms either (they just hang at his sides)… this is something we can work on. BUT he did it!
The above photo was taken by a a photographer for the Courage Run. The look of happiness and determination on C&T’s face. Precious.
Look at how happy and amazing my crew looks! They are happily supporting and showing off their first 5K race medal! They did it. They earned it.
The Steffen Family finished our first family 5K race with a finishing time of 44:31. Finishing together (well, except for P who smoked us at the finish line). We are already talking about future races to do together. We are excited to make turkey trotting a family tradition.
My heart is full. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I ran a race with my family. I am thankful.
Oh man, I can feel the joy in every word you wrote. How fun!
I totally forgot about the turkey trots going on. Look like a great way to start the day.
I think it is awesome that your whole family joined in. What a great thing to teach your children.
Congratulations! This was an awesome post. I started running just a couple of years ago. I’ve run two races with my oldest son who is now 18. Those will be forever memories. I hope that my youngest will eventually catch the fever! I’d love to share a run with him. God Bless!
Aww, I’m proud of you guys! This is so awesome.
Oh, wow, what a special thing to share together! I’m sure this was one race you’ll remember for a long time to come.
Awesome! My little asked to get out of the stroller and run home with us on our family turkey trot. My heart was bursting too!
Annie, that’s awesome as well. How young is are they? My son is only 5 months old and I can’t wait to get home and start running with him in the stroller. I get back from deployment in the spring time and my wife and I are looking at getting a Kidrunner from http://kidrunners.com but I can’t wait for my son to want to run with me.
Hi. Yay! My boys are 5, 6, 8. My youngest JUST turned 5 last week (so a new 5).
We had low expectations with the race. I know they can hike that far… but running it was a bit of a stretch. SO this turned out MUCH better than I anticipated. 🙂
I ran races while pushing my kids in a jogger when they were little… so you can do that too! 🙂
What a great way to start Thanksgiving. I can see and feel the passion you had during this race. Being a mother of 3 boys, I love seeing your photos of your young sons!
Happy Running
Kris
What a fabulous post! I’m so happy that your family did this WITH you. It’s one thing to have encouragement from the sidelines, something else entirely when it’s right next to you 🙂 I can see why you’re grinning from ear to ear, and I hope that you have many more races like this together.
Oh, I LOVE this!!! Love your story…your words…and seeing that your whole family did this! I hope you don’t mind me sharing on FB and twitter for Runwithmekids…a community that is just kicking off! When we do get our site up and running, I’d love to have this published on there if you’d want to share. But that’s still a bit ahead…for now we are just getting the social media sites up and running while we continue to work on a bigger project.
BEYOND awesome!!! I am so glad you were all able to enjoy this together, as a runner I can only image the fun of seeing your whole family involved.
Aw, that is so awesome! I wish my family was even remotely into fitness like me and would participate in things with me!
Such fun! Your boys must have been thrilled to do both races and to get both medals!!! We did our first family fun run last spring and the kids had a blast. For the turkey trot this year it was just me and my husband, a first race for him in a long time. It was truly a day to be grateful! Congrats on a fun family finish!
Exciting! Sounds like a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving.
My heart is bursting for you. This is my dream.
To have a family one day and share experiences like this with them.
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving. Great post!
the husband GRUMPED the child LOVED.
next year Im leaving the husband home as I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!
🙂
Haha! Yes! I honestly was SO anxious that my husband was going to be the GRUMP on the “run” as that tends to be his style “glass half full”. BUT thankfully it turned out much better than I expected.
Yes, next year… leave the grump behind to watch football 😉
Your boys are so adorable ! What a wonderful family tradition to start. I’ve totally been there with the “starting line freakout”. My oldest always wants to race…until he actually gets there! I’m glad everyone made it to the finish line with smiles on their faces!
Rachel, this is the best family activity ever. You guys made the best memories that day!!!
I LOVE this so much! My family ran our first collective T-Trot too this year! Including the pooch. 🙂 it sure does fill your heart. Have a beautiful week.
So great to see all of the big smiles on their faces. You might be inspiring the next generation of runners. How fun!
What a wonderful thing to do as a family! We’ve never done a race (run or walk) together as a family, but would love to someday.
Congrats to you all! It’s so wonderful you were able to do this as a family. Hope there are many more family races in your future.