this turkey needs to trot a little faster

In most respects, the 2018 City Creek Cold Turkey was just like the 2017 iteration.  It was mild, overcast and dry, although storms were coming up soon.  With a 35% chance of rain, H and I left Milton at home; in hindsight, we should have brought him since it didn't rain and he would have had fun meeting dogs and people.  

 Obligatory purple fleece pre-race shot

(I have had this fleece since about 1992)

Since this year's event was so similar to last year's, I should have read last year's post for a cue at to what to wear - I was overdressed and awfully warm for the uphill portion.  That, coupled with my under-training, meant bad things for my time.  With two long weekends in Moab in October, I definitely missed out on some hill climbing runs, plus Thanksgiving surprised me by being early this year.  

Oh my heck - go faster!

My legs felt heavy at the beginning and I was absolutely slow on the uphill.  When we reached the turnaround, I could feel a side stitch coming on.  I know this kept my pace down a bit as well.  Once the finish line was in sight, I gave it all I had and managed to pass another young woman right at the end - for what it's worth.  But this year was my worst time BY FAR.  Even though I am not competitive and only do this race for fun/exercise, it was still a little disappointing.

Done for another year

But I cracked my first Thanksgiving beer of the day at 10:30 a.m. when we got home, and that's what really matters!

Race results (and history)
2018: 37:30, 6 out of 16 in age group, 236/642 overall  
2017: 35:59.78, 7 out of 20 in age group, 225/654 overall 
2016:  53:23.51, 4 out of 14 in age group, 159/544 overall, +/-10k 8.4k* distance 
2015:  35:17.18, 6 out of 19 in age group, 186/593 overall 
2014:  34:14:58, 10 out of 26 in age group, 174/656 overall 
2013:  35:44.40, 7 out of 24 in age group, 243/682 overall 
2012:  n/a (Thanksgiving in California) 
2011:  35:41.33, 249/656 overall 
2010:  37:22.76 (course changed due to ice/uphill finish), top half of finishers 
2009:  35:53.32, top half of finishers