Turkey Trot Early Registration Ends Today

Today is the last day for early registration for the 2008 Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot. Held each Thanksgiving Day morning. The biggest draw of the race is the 5k which attracts everyone from the serious runners to those just happy to finish the course in time for lunch. For the more adventurous, there's a 10k race, as well as a 1k race for the kids.

No matter what place they finish, all runners can take joy in their good deed. The Turkey Trot allows the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth to fund scholarships for thousands of local youth and adults so they can participate in YMCA activities.

Raider Run

If all the talk about last week's Cowtown Marathon has inspired you to hit the track, consider joining me in the Raider Run. The 5k race takes place this Saturday (March 1) at Foster Park in southwest Fort Worth.

Besides the 5k race there will be a 1 mile run for the kids (12 and under). Awards will be given out for the top 3 finishers by age groups but the real reward is that proceeds benefit Mirage, a drug free, alcohol free alternative to senior celebrations at Southwest High School.

Frozen Turkey on Thanksgiving

Well it sure seemed like a good idea at the time!

I'm talking about signing up to run the Westside YMCA's Turkey Trot. I remember sitting on my sofa, in my shorts and t-shirt, way back when, and signing up online.

But something happened on the way to my little jog through Ridglea.

It got cold. Real Cold. Bone-chilling Cold.

With a wind-chill in the 20's, I seriously thought about skipping the event. But I'd already picked up my official Turkey Trot T-shirt. There's something dishonest about wearing the shirt if you didn't run the race.

So there I was, standing in Camp Bowie with a bunch of other folks that were too darn honest to wear the t-shirt without running the race as well. The gun went off and off we went, most people running in an attempt to stay warm rather than to compete.

Of course, there were some that immediately ran way on out ahead of the pack. That group was comprised mostly of serious athletes. And teenage boys. So I plodded on, determined to earn the right to wear my Turkey Trot T-shirt. Actually it wasn't so bad once we got in the Ridglea neighborhood. Those great big two-story homes tended to block most of the wind.

I was satisfied with my time, and my effort. I even managed (barely) to finish ahead of a fit-looking, twenty-something guy. Of course, he was pushing a stroller.

I was even more satisfied by the number of teenage boys I passed towards the end of the race. And for you boys that ran out of steam and stood there looking back, acting like you were looking for a friend, I have one thing to say. You weren't fooling anyone.

Turkey Trot Gives Kids a Leg Up

It's not too late to sign up for this year's Turkey Trot. Held early Thanksgiving morning, the event features a 5k Run/Walk, a 10k Run and a 1k "Gobbler Trot" for the little ones. The first race starts at 8:00 a.m. with the awards handed out at 9:30, still plenty of time to make it to Grandma's for lunch and Cowboys.

Proceeds go to the help pay for scholarships for kids to enjoy the Westside YMCA. Which means that not only will you feel justified in having a second helping of pumpkin pie after your run, but you'll feel better knowing you done a good deed as well.

Rules of the Road

4 or 5 times a week you'll find me out jogging on the local trail. I run about 16 miles a week. Now, I'm normally a rather easy going type, but lately some of you have been getting on my nerves, big time.

So it's time to establish some rules of basic etiquette:

1. When I fail to speak to you, it's not because I'm rude. See, I'm a fat old guy (though I still have all my hair). Often times I'm huffing and puffing, straining to make it back. If I fail to say "good morning" I'm not rude, I'm just out of breath. Trust me, if I were to attempt to say something, nothing would come out.
2. Clean up after your dog. It's a park, not a doggie bathroom, okay? 'Nuff said.
3. Slow traffic, keep right. This is for all you fat old ladies trudging down the middle of the trail in your velour jogging suits. Your butt is big, but it's not so big that there's not room for both of us on the trail, if you will just move over a little and let me pass.
4. Keep your dog on a short leash and away from others, especially me. This is goes double for those of you with your puny, yappy dogs. I love dogs, except for the little yappy kinds. But don't let your dog try and smell me as I go by, he might trip me.
   

Thanks for your cooperation. If everyone will follow these simple rules, I promise to pretend not to notice how big that jogging suit makes your butt look.