Days with the Dorans

Obviously there was not Turkey Trot in the D for us this year! I found a virtual race that we could do and the three of us and some of Joey's friends met up at the airline trail for our own turkey trot! We even had our own bibs! The race we did was a 5K but we wanted to go longer so we did a 10K. I ran with da Papa and speedy Joe and friends went off on their own. Of course Joey won! Since it was an out and back, I was able to get a picture of Joey running! We saw him faster than we thought we would so had to pick up the pace (but not really). Brad, Ian & Joe It actually wasn't as bad as I thought. I didn't miss the crowds and the parking nonsense and I still felt good that we got movie. I was also happy to not have to drop that money! Great job, All!

 This year it was just Papa, Joey, and I who ran the Turkey Trot and so we did just the 10k. The nice thing about that is we get to sleep in a bit which is something this mama likes. A friend asked if I was running so I had my dad take this picture of me so she could see what I looked like (same outfit as last year). Some of Joey's cross friends were running it too so it was fun to be able to meet up with them. I think Joey was relieved to find them since there were a few people downtown... (so much fun to see so many people). The parents had to get a picture too! David (the guy in the blue) and I ran together once at one of the XC meets and it was fun. I have a feeling we'll be doing that more next season. It's more fun to run with others. I have no idea how I did it, but I actually ran into Joe and his friends before we got to our normal meeting place. Joey started in the first heat and my dad and I started in the second. I actually wish I had started ...

This year the Turkey Trot was a bit different. Chrissy hurt her knee and couldn't do it so I decided to run the 10k. Joey did too and Papa and Goose ran the 5k. Our race started before Papa and Z. We got there a bit before the race so didn't have to wait too long though we did find a warm place to wait. Joe was pretty happy that we actually paid for parking this year so we didn't risk being towed. He hadn't run in a while but I knew he'd be much faster than I. Since he's run this race before, I knew I'd find him at the end, plus he had his phone.  I got some new gear for this race. I figured why not since I run it each year anyway. When I found the running gear I also found something called virtual races that I'll have to look into. I did a practice run wearing something similar so knew that I'd be OK temp wise. I had on a tank, under-armor long-sleeve shirt, black jacket, t-shirt, leggings and two pair of socks. That cute hat was super w...

 This marks the 9th year that Chrissy and I have done the Turkey Trot! I was really excited to do it because it's nice to catch up with my buddy and I've been running and Chrissy's been walking a lot more! My dad and Joe also ran too! We got downtown about an hour before our race and hung out for quite a while. I didn't quite know how to dress since at home I run in cold temps but I go out immediately from a warm house and run the whole time- here I was waiting in the cold for some time and knew we'd probably walk a lot of it. We joined 17,000 of our closest friends and had a good race. It's hard because it's so crowded! You don't always get to run since you need to get around so many people. At one point we were totally stopped and I figured someone got hurt but suddenly it opened up. Chrissy also needed to use the bathroom in the first mile and even with those two things we did less than 13 1/2 minute miles which was pretty good. I...

It was actually a perfect day for the Turkey Trot! Cold but not TOO cold. This year, Danny ran the 10K so we didn't go with him. Next year Joe and my dad may do the 10K too which will mean Chrissy and I will need to do it since we drive together!  Joe and Papa ran but said it was absolutely horrible. They couldn't run because people in front of them were walking. They did 9:48 miles. Not good for them though my dad took first in his age group. Think about if they could have really run! There were TONS of people (over 20,000 I was told) and unfortunately, they didn't all stay with their waves like they were supposed to. The walkers did well and Chrissy and I didn't have the traffic like we usually do. We actually jogged most of the race which was good. Every year Chrissy says we're going to run next year... hopefully 2017 will be our year though I'm cool with walking too!  I love that we have this tradition. We are also both WMU grads so had to repr...

I absolutely LOVE our tradition of going to the D the morning of Thanksgiving to burn some calories before consuming so many.  Chrissy (one of my best work friends) and I have been coming for 7 years now.  I took off one year since I was recovering from a c-section!  My dad has been coming the longest (since Danny and I were little)!  We actually weren't sure he would make it since he just started running a couple weeks ago after ankle tendon surgery this summer.  Still he did great and came in second in his age group! Chrissy's oldest son, Eddie, came too.  This was his first race with us but I'm hoping not his last (I think he had fun).  Eddie did awesome and ran 7:42 minute miles! When we were making our way to the start, of course it was packed.  It was a nice mild day and the rain held off too (it was spitting a bit back home).  I took Joe's hoodie and the the boys were off.  Chrissy and I walk so they went ahead of u...