Yang
If food was my yin, then running was my yang during the Thanksgiving break.
Did I mention I ate A LOT during the week I was gone? No, I mean A LOT a lot. I’m not kidding. It started off with our neighbor’s famous chocolate chip cookies. She dropped off multiple BIG Ziploc bags of them on Sunday night. And I proceeded to eat some every day I was gone. It didn’t help that she was so worried I’d eat my way through them and not share them with my family at the beach that she gave us a few more bags on Tuesday before we headed to the beach.
And the rest of the week really didn’t get much better. I shouldn’t be one to cry, given I might have made two pans of my pumpkin squares. And then there was the pecan pie. And the ice cream. And the turkey cookies (shaped like turkeys, not made with turkey!). And the cheese and crackers. And the stuffing! Oh and the one thing that seemed to be missing? Green vegetables. I missed my salads while I was gone.
But, that’s ok, because I tried to make up for it. I didn’t really drink while I was gone. And I ran more than expected. Despite the foul weather.
Did I tell you about the weather? Well, it was cloudy. And in the low 50s, at best. And wavering between a light mist and downright rain. For the whole trip. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate the rain?
Despite the weather, I ran. Monday and Tuesday in Boston. And Wednesday and Thursday at the beach. Oh and yes, I did manage to organize that Turkey Trot for my family. Before I went on my trip, I mapped out a course with the following criteria: no crossing or running along big roads and an out-and-back course so we could high-five one another along the way!
I succeeded in the above criteria. Only, there was one thing I forgot. Sweets and I discovered it as we tested the course (and my mapping skills) the day before Thanksgiving. In order to achieve those goals, our course was mostly off-road. As in dirt roads. Only, when you’re at the beach, dirt roads are really sand roads. And that’s what most of the course followed.
The good news is the sand roads were mostly covered with wet leaves and dried pine needles. So, it felt like trail running. Mostly.
The other thing Sweets and I realized when we tested the route was just because the course looks one way on the trip out doesn’t mean it will look the same on the trip back. What I mean by that? On our way back, there were a couple spots where the road forked in places we don’t remember it forking on the way out.
My solution? DO NOT WALK ON GRASS signs. I’m serious.
I went to the local hardware store with the intention of getting stakes with bright pink or orange ribbons to mark the route. Only, the local hardware store didn’t have what I wanted. So, I had to improvise. I found a wall of signs. NO SMOKING. FOR RENT. FOR SALE. Each one cost $1.00. For whatever reason, the DO NOT WALK ON GRASS signs were 50 cents each (maybe that’s because grass is pretty much non-existent at the beach). I bought 10.
On Thanksgiving morning, Sweets and I woke up extra early, bundled up (see weather report above), grabbed our dog (not to be confused with the other two canines also staying in the house), the signs, a hammer and some nails, and ran out the door (quite literally). We ran the course, nailing signs to trees wherever we thought the course was confusing. Upon our return, everyone was gathering, drinking coffee and waiting to start the trot.
Sweets, my brother and I set out to run while the others (everyone except my parents, which means 12 adults, 3 kids and 3 dogs!) opted to walk. There was one goof on my map in the first quarter mile. But, once we found everyone (whoops!), the trot moved forward. Those with kids bailed early, as their strollers and the sand roads didn’t mesh too well. But, the rest of us ran and walked the course.
The dogs had a blast in the water. Yes, that’s right, in the water. Since SoMi isn’t really a water dog, it didn’t even occur to me that the course ran right by a pond. And right over a stream. And that when all the dogs were together, the one water dog would race right towards the water. And the other two dogs would follow. After our initial shock, it was hilarious to watch them romp around.
My family was very thankful for organizing such a fun family event. It helped to run the 3.1 miles (or in Sweets, SoMi’s and my case, 6.2 miles) before the Thanksgiving meal. I didn’t feel nearly as guilty ingesting all the yummies that make up the meal. Though, next year, I’m making a salad in addition to my pumpkin squares.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:49 am
I feel so much better indulging if I am working out too. Good for you for getting it in with family around. That is something I have struggled with in the past (because I just want to chill and they sometimes aren’t so active) but am getting much better at fitting in.
December 1st, 2009 at 7:53 am
My town has a turkey trot every year on Thanksgiving morning. But there is just no time for such things when holiday guests are expected at my house at 2:00 for a turkey dinner.
I did get my rear to the gym a few times over the holiday weekend and I did a surprisingly challenging “home walking” dvd with my sister. Moving does help with the guilt and the feeling of bloat.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:10 am
Sounds like you worked up an appetite! Waht a cool new tradition that you started though.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:19 am
That sounds like so much fun! I always wish I could do a 5k on Thanksgiving morning but since we eat around 11 (no joke, my family gets here early and we have “dinner” before I would even normally eat lunch!) I just can’t swing it. Glad you had a great time!
December 1st, 2009 at 9:20 am
Sounds like a great time. I am glad that the Turkey Trot was such a hit (and I literally laughed when you wrote about having to go find people). Cold, rainy weather isn’t too nice for outside activity, but does make a great backdrop for a big fire in the fireplace. I do hope you had a few of those.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:32 am
A few years ago we went to my aunt & uncle’s for Thanksgiving and there was a noticeable lack of vegetables & lettuce at dinner and it kind of made me crazy. I felt like one large ball of bloated carbs. Not fun.
Congrats on the Turkey Trot! Sounds like a fun time, even with sand and pond escapades.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:44 am
look at you all organized and stuff. you never cease to amaze me.
i mean, you made signs!
December 1st, 2009 at 9:45 am
Sounds like fun! I made my whole family get on the floor and do a new yoga dvd I had gotten. There was much hilarity.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:30 am
I gorged myself too! I totally need to take it easy this week or my stomach may explode. Ah ha ha
December 1st, 2009 at 10:54 am
I LOVE watching Montana swim. It is so cute how she paddles while desperately holding her chin above water. She doesn’t LOOK like she’s having fun, but she does it voluntarily, so I can only assume she likes it.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:14 am
I definitely need to find my yang, I’ve been heavy on the eating and light on the working out for way too long! And that I had… five Thanksgivings really didn’t help.
I can’t wait for the (mythical) day that my dogs will be able to go off leash. We live really close to a great river but I know they haven’t the brains come back to us.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:21 am
That’s the way to do it! I think it’s awesome you planned that run/walk for your family.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:44 am
Do you know that I always thought it was YING and YANG???
Anyway, good for you, all that running! I was feeling a bit overindulgent, so I made a big pan of roasted veggies that were a huge hit!
Speaking of running, I need to get off this computer and get out there!
December 1st, 2009 at 12:04 pm
oh man those cookies were good!!!
i hear you, i stuffed my face wednesday night onward. finally stopping at yesterday when i knew i needed to put an end to this feast. i got one run in (the race on turkey day), and that’s it. im back to it this week though, so im trying to just not feel guilty (my downfall), and be thankful that i had all the food i did at my fingertips to choose from, and the strong mind and body i have to work these extra calories off!
December 1st, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Great thinking on your feet with those signs! As far as Somi and the water goes, at least we now know that if one dog jumps into a pond, the rest have to follow.
I, too, ate *way* too much between birthday and turkey day. My poor digestive system is just now getting back to normal. I’m getting too old for this.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Wow you guys are awesome. I should have done something like that before my huge meals. I did do yoga though and felt better after.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:14 am
I stuffed myself so much on food that I had a hard time eating the days after Thanksgiving. I kid you not.
And lady you are a champ! That is so awesome you did that!
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:32 am
I would have been right there with you with those homemade chocolate chip cookies.
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I think it’s so cool that you organized a Thanksgiving run. I bet the locals thought you were just being cheeky with your “do not walk on the grass” signs :)