Ah, Thanksgiving – a day for football, parades, and gluttony! Ha ha, I’m only kidding! Mostly kidding, anyway. For most of us Thanksgiving is a time to spend with people we care about and express our gratitude for all that we have by sharing an abundant meal together. After all, bonding over food is a universal human experience.
A day marked by excessive eating, though, is best balanced with at least a little bit of physical activity. That’s why, for the third year now, I ran in a large local race – the Webster Turkey Trot. This event started 44 years ago by a cross country coach in Webster, NY as a practice run. Since then it has turned into one of the most popular races in the Rochester area.
The Webster Turkey Trot has two races: a 4.4 mile event and a 2.5 mile event. The 4.4 mile race follows the exact same route that started it all 44 years ago, however the actual distance is around 4.12 miles. To keep with tradition it is still stated as a 4.4 mile course to this day. Even though I’m still only starting to get back into a running routine, I decided to run the 4.4 for the third time this year. This year over 4,400 runners took to Webster Park to trot like turkeys!
The weather was perfect for the Turkey Trot this year, with sunny skies and temperatures reaching the mid 50s during race time. Since I’m not the fastest runner, these 4+ miles gave me plenty of time to reflect on all of the things I am thankful for this year:
- My health – Even though I let a minor health issue stop me from running regularly for a few months, overall I’m in good health and I recognize how lucky that makes me.
- My job – Not only do I have the luxury of actually enjoying what I do for a living, but my income allows me to have a little bit extra to put towards living life to the fullest and experiencing all kinds of adventures. Am I rich? Absolutely not. But I have what I need, and unfortunately that’s a lot more than many people can say.
- My partner – He filled my life with a spirit of adventure I never really knew before and is always willing to try new things with me. He is supportive of all of my crazy ideas and is always there waiting with a smile at the finish line. Life is an adventure, and I’m grateful that I get to share mine with him.
- My community – Rochester is a vibrant community with endless opportunities for recreation. Amazing parks, trail systems, sports leagues, yoga and fitness studios, ski resorts, running groups… this city has everything I need and more. Plus, our location in the Northeast/Upstate NY puts us within a day’s travel to some pretty exciting destinations.
- My family – Ah, family. They sometimes annoy the crap out of us but they also keep us grounded and remind us where we came from. Mine does those things particularly well, and for that I will always be grateful. I love them dearly and wouldn’t be who I am without them.
- My friends – I’ve been fortunately enough to meet terrific people through all phases of my life. From high school, to college, to my first post-grad job, to today. Some friends I’ve known for decades, some for only a couple of years. But they all bring something really unique and special to my life, and for that I am truly blessed!
- My readers – Yes, you! Though I’ve only just started blogging again, I find it to be a pretty cathartic experience. Just like hiking, running and yoga are good for the soul, I believe writing can help feed the soul as well. I love interacting with other bloggers and reading their stories, and I am thankful for each and every one of you who stops by my site.
What are you grateful for this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and I hope you have a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
With gratitude,
Alli Mincher 