Trotting with the Waltons!

Like many others, we have adopted doing a Turkey Trot as part of our Thanksgiving family tradition. When we moved to Colorado we chose the Highlands Ranch Turkey Day 5k over various others because it (a) had a kid's race and - probably more importantly at the time - (b) was early enough for us to trot and get home to watch the Packers. Over the past years, the kids have come to grow and love their "turkey race" and we have come to realize how good it is to have that tradition for them.

This year, we signed up before realizing they cut the kids race. Entirely. I emailed the race director who told me that the kids were welcome to walk the 5k. Hmmm... don't think that will fly with my 5 & 6 year olds. Since we had paid, we decided we (the adults) would do the race regardless but I was dreading, absolutely DREADING, telling the kids that there was no race for them. Side note: Countless times this past year Linc has asked me to "wear our turkey shirts" together. Just so proud of doing the race last year.

Fast forward to last weekend and my friend, Tyler, emailed asking if we wanted to be a part of their family trot. Score! It was a sure-fire way to include the kids and get our traditional trot in. (And I wouldn't have to tell Lincoln he couldn't do a 'turkey race' this year.) So we bit our race fees for the first race and opted for fun! And so glad we did.

Tyler = rock star race director (with Josh)

Ross, my dad and the kids ready to run and roll.

Tyler did an awesome job at running the race. He set up a "run Rabbit run" format, so everyone predicted their time and started accordingly so that (in theory) we would all be racing to the finish/finishing together. Ie, if you thought you would run a 40 minute 5k, you would start at 10:10. If you thought you would run a 30 min 5k, you would start at 10:20.
This was a really cool format not only because it allowed for wave starts,

One of the first wave starts

Ross, Dad, Jackson and Hunter!

And they're off!

Probably my favorite wave start picture - I think this is awesome!

The format and the way the course was set up also allowed for great speactating and seeing everyone on the course multiple times.

Getting/giving the love on the course!

Beth and Margaret rocking the race!

Hunter coming around on his first lap.

Ross and Dad coming around!

Run, Jewels, Run!

 I ended up going off in a wave a bit later and running the whole thing with Anne - until she caught me towards the end! She gave me a little "you're coming with me", but my legs did not have it in them. :)

Anne = sweet, innocent and FAST!

We had a lot of great endings as well! From intense to joyous -

Go, Parker, GO!

Nothing like a little competition amongst family...

Margaret and Dave coming into the end

Tyler's dad finishing strong!

This race was PERFECT and gave each participant whatever they wanted. I know this post is filled with pictures, but here my FAVORITE snapshot of the day:

Thanks Tyler and Walton Family for letting the Strand and Phelps family join your celebration. On a day when family means so much, I appreciate you letting us join in on yours.