Zoo Turkey Trot

Drove over to the Oregon Zoo for the Turkey Trot 4 mile run this morning. It was damp out, but not raining, but cold. The announcer said there were over 2000 people and it seemed about right because the start was jammed. A little whinning first: last week sometime the wind was really strong and blew the fireplace in my bedroom open and I woke up teeth chatteringly cold. Closeed the flew, but the damage was done and I've been fighting a head cold ever since. Yesterday I took my F-15 incentive ride (this coming Sunday's post), so I was not on my top form today. Since I had to be in to work at 7:30 AM yesterday for my ride, getting up today for an 8 AM run was easy. At the start line I saw Mike, the life support guy at the base who fitted my flight suit yesterday.
At the start I walked for a while and then finally was able to start running after a 100 yards or so. Last year I worked really hard going around everyone. This year I got boxed in a couple times and then would go around and then get boxed in again. Finally after the first mile (8:50) it thinned enough to go at a normal pace. It was close to the same route as the Cheetah run a few weeks ago, so straight down to the Japanese Garden and then back up. On the climb up I was breathing hard, but noticed everyone around was also. At one point a guy slowed way down in front of me just as I was passing some walkers and got boxed in and lost all my momentum. Up the hills and then a downhill through the zoo past the tiger cage where I tried to roar at him, but it hurt the throat. Came across the finish line at 37:39 for a 9:25 pace. That's the worst pace in a run only event this year, but it wasn't a race and after you read this Sunday's post maybe you'll excuse me (hint: I should never ride a roller coaster). At the finish line they had oranges and bananas and a chocolate turkey and jungle crackers. I saw people with pumkin pies, so I found the booth where the Portland Running Co. were giving out pumpkin pies and got one- score! Afterwards it started raining hard, so I walked back to the Jeep through the bear and sea lion exhibits.
Went to Starbucks for a Chai Tea and they were giving away $5 gift cards to each customer- score! Later today I'm going to friends for turkey dinner. My daughter and her boyfriend left for Bend to have Thanksgiving with his dad- she was dressed up- my baby is all grown up. Not ready for that!
Happy Thanksgiving!!