Today I decided to test the hypothesis that we evolved as runners, to relentlessly hunt down food. My goal was to catch a turkey. I know this theory is still controversial... are we designed to be hunters? gatherers? scavengers? couch potatoes?
well, to catch this turkey (which was conveniently already killed, defeathered, cleaned, packaged in plastic and frozen) all I had to do was outrun any other participants in this race in the 39-49 year old age group. The race course runs through the quaint little town of Tremonton on the other side of the mountain from us. I mapped the race course out here. The course is very nice, a loop with very few turns, almost no traffic, and completely flat. It would be a great course to set a PR on under good conditions and if going all out. The race appears to be accurate based on gmap mapping and what my garmin said. And the entry fee is just one dollar, which includes a t-shirt. This is the best deal in Utah, kudos to Tremonton for putting this on, doing a fantastic job, and setting a price that encourages anyone to come and run!
The weather for this race was downright frightening. About 27 degrees at race time, with snow, and some gusting wind out of the north. I ran the course once to warm up. As the runners lined up to start, I ditched my jacket, running in a short sleeve shirt with a pair of Sugoi arm warmers. It was cold but I figured the race would start right away since everyone was lined up, freezing, ready to go. Ooops, some gentleman had gone into the city offices to use the restroom, and the race organizers waited patiently for him to come back before allowing the rest of us to start. he sauntered on back after we stood there freezing for 5 or so minutes. Thanks pal.
A group of four high school kids went out fast and I tucked in behind them and let them pull ahead. I decided to run about a 6 minute pace, not go all out, with a marathon next Saturday. But I was prepared to do whatever necessary to get that turkey. Fortunately, the 6 minute pace got the job done. Mission accomplished!
After finishing and staking my claim to my turkey I ran back up the course and found my wife. She was winning her age group as well, yippee!! I paced her in to a first place win in the 39-49 womens FOR A CLEAN SWEEP OF THE AGE GROUP FOR THE ENSIGNS AND TWO, NOT ONE, BUT TWO, TURKEYS FOR OUR EFFORTS!
After the race ran another cool down on the course (third time running it) and a little more to get me to 11 miles. Then we went to Ridleys in Tremonton where they had potatoes on sale for the amazing price of 89 cents per ten pound bag! I know nothing about potato prices but my wife assures me that is an incredible price. We also got fantastic prices on pomegranets and bananas. In Tremonton Utah of all places. Put Ridley's on your "must go" spots for your next trip to Tremonton.
A good friend of mine in Tremonton who I served my mission with (we were in the same MTC group, and then way up north above the arctic circle in Norway in the same district and zone for quite awhile) ran this race as her first race ever after starting running several months ago. She finished an amazing third in her age group, congratulation Gina, and welcome to the fun of running and racing. It just occurred to me it will be 29 years from next Saturday that we entered the MTC together,spending thanksgiving, christmas and new years in there. time flies.
After all this fun got in the car, drove home in a snow storm, put the turkeys in the freezer, and am now resting, assured it is going to be a great thanksgiving this year!!
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