A few weeks ago, I saw something in the newspaper about this year’s Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning in downtown San Jose. It seemed like a fun way to spend the morning, and a great way to pre-burn off all of the calories that would be consumed later in the day. I haven’t done a formal walk/run type of race in years, and thought it was about time for me to challenge myself. Plus, the proceeds from the race support local charities, including Second Harvest Food Bank, which is in desperate need of donations at this time of year, especially with the economy being what it is.
So Thursday morning, I’ll be taking part in the 
I knew I wanted to sign up, but I also knew that it would be a lot more fun to do it with other people. So, I sent an email out to everyone - friends and family alike – but no one seemed to be able to do it. I can understand, especially for the people who are having Thanksgiving at their houses. There’s always so much to do to prepare for it. Finally, I strong-armed BFF into doing it with me. I knew she wasn’t going to have any cooking to do, and I knew that even though 9am on a non-workday would be early for her, she was up for it.
Saturday morning the packet arrived, complete with my bib number and an electronic chip that I’m supposed attach to my shoes. So high tech! Well, this is Silicon Valley, after all. I think it’s neat that the chip records your time during the race.
I’m interested to see how long it takes me to complete the 5K. I’ve been using the treadmill more at the gym in order to get some practice in. I’ve been going at the pace of a 20-minute mile, which seems slow, but then I remember that I’m walking, not running. (As much as I want to be able to run someday, right now my body isn’t in the physical condition to be able to run. I think this is going to be one of my new year’s resolutions – to stop saying “I should start the Couch to 5K program,” and actually get started on it!).
Anyway, I’m looking forward to the walk. It’s supposed to be a fun time and it’s all for a good cause. 
Very cool that you’re doing that! Especially on Thanksgiving morning.
I started the Couch to 5K program when I weighed 200 lbs. At that time, I could literally only manage to jog for the 1 minute increments…and I was pretty darn tired after each of them. This last week I finally finished week 9, jogging for 30 minutes in a row without a rest. It’s something I thought I would never be able to do. In the process, I lost 20 lbs without really changing my diet too much. I thought I would never be able to consider myself a runner, now I can’t wait to move on to the 10K and maybe even one day soon a Half-Marathon.
I love the Robert Ullrey podcasts…I couldn’t have done it without them!
Bella says: Jenna, your comment is so inspiring to me. 20 pounds is a lot, especially considering the fact that you didn’t really change the way you were eating. Good for you! This is all the more reason (and incentive!) for me to start the program. I love the Robert Ullrey podcasts, too. It takes the guess work out of it. I sometimes use them on the elliptical machine, and really love them.
I gave you some link love! http://choosinglosing.blogspot.com/2008/11/gobble-gobble-cluck-cluck-gobble-gobble.html
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