Soooo, after all my softcore training, race day for the 2.5 mile trot arrived.
Webster Park, a wonderful place, bordering Lake Road, across from the shore of Lake Ontario, was the site of the happy gathering of over 3,300 runners and their cheering friends and family.
It was cold (mid 30s) and windy (at the bus shuttle spot), and Joseph opted to go to Grandma's house and wait while Larry came back to the park and saw me in the first 100 yards of the Two-Five start and then met up with me at the end.
Not knowing where I was going to be in the merged pack of 4.4 milers and 2.5 milers, he managed to get a few shots off the camera as I made my way across the finish line. All of the blog photos are taken by Larry. He took many shots of the whole Four-Four crowd that started their race up Holt Road and 10 minutes before our start that was about 200 yards down the way. The two races split, then merged, split and merged again at the end.
4.4 beginning. Go Banana-Man!
The current x-c team members carry the Turkey Trot flag.
This exact (4.4 mile) run began as a training run for R.L Thomas (my H.S.) X-C team in 1972.
The crowds on the edges at top of intersection are runners waiting to start the 2.5 mile race. There were 2043 runners for 4.4 mi. and 1293 runners for 2.5 race.
Notice all of the kids running!
Tough start for one Native.
Finish line at "the tree".
Top male overall (4.4 mi)
Banana Man - triumphant!
The fork is smiling at the finish. 
Chapstick, air, please!
This is a run . . . . ?
Blurry red bandana and 29:01 clock!
Official time was 29:13Yah, just under 12 minute miles, but I am happy to have gotten through that 2.5 miles (with 5 short walks). Conditioning obviously not where I'd like to be. Mentally - I made it!! Sweet relief! You couldn't tell by the close-up . . . Are there many runners really smiling at the end of a race? I finished 39 out of 75 runners in my female age division (if that counts for anything)! Umm, the top female in my age division was a full 10 minutes ahead of me . . . . Set my sights! From zero miles to a 2.5 mile race in less than a week . . . and I can still walk . . . and think about more running! Pretty good!
At last, Larry found me, wondering with my cup of water and an apple, happy-heavy hugs, and we went up the hill to catch the bus back to the middle school, back to Joseph, and back to our other turkey day festivities. We completely forgot to take the - after the race - happy, smiling photographs! Next race we will!
