On Thanksgiving day, I decided to race the Willow Tree Family Turkey Trot in downtown Providence. I was a little apprehensive about doing a 5k after the disastrous experience in Cotuit in July, but I decided to bite the bullet. My iron levels are up and I’m running a lot more, so I decided to put my fitness to the test!
My husband and the two boys came along to be my cheering squad. We got to the Convention Center around 9:15 to pick up my number and meet up with Sam, who was running with her mother. I love meeting up with friends at races—hanging out and chatting definitely helps to keep the nerves at bay.
We headed out doors to get in the line up about ten minutes before the race. This turkey trot is pretty popular—there were 1200 plus participants this year!
After the national anthem, I got my watch set up for my play list, but it didn’t get the GPS signal till just after the start! The first mile went by pretty fast, and as it usually is in a 5k, it felt good. I actually felt really prepared despite the fact that I hadn’t been doing as much speed work. I knew that the increased mileage would help with my aerobic capacity.
At about 1.5 miles I lost a few seconds at the water table. Yes, I stopped for water in a 5k. It was a little warm, and I get such a dry mouth when I race. Of course, I forgot gum which I usually chew while racing. The guy in front of me completely stopped and I almost tripped over him!
We went up a little hill and then down South Main Street. I continued to feel okay. The “I feel like I could puke” came in around 2.6 miles. I was prepared for it, and I knew I was pushing it in a good way. 
Here’s a video – I am in the green sparkle skirt!
I rounded the corner for the finish and saw the boys and my husband. When I got close to the finish, I saw the clock and it was in the 21:50s, so I knew I had the chance at a PR. I sprinted it out and the clock said 21:52 when I crossed—a PR by 3 seconds.
However, I was dismayed when I saw on the official results that my time was listed at 21:54.5. While it is still a PR of 0.1 seconds, I know what the clock said when I crossed and I didn’t cross the start line right when the gun went off, so I am not sure where the 21:54.5 came from. I am going to call 21:52 my shiny new PR.
Did you Turkey Trot?
Awesome job!!!! I hate when the times are messed up like that, though. My 5K PR right now is 21:31, but when I ran that race, I know I crossed the finish line with the clock reading 21:25. I’d go with the 21:52 as your new PR – congratulations!!!!! Cool to have a video, too : )
Thanks Michelle! Sorry you had a similar experience– it is frustrating especially when you bust your but upon seeing the clock! Ha! Thanks to my awesome hubs for the video! 🙂