Yes, they did indeed.

I don’t think anyone understands how much I needed to walk, to run, to move – even me.

Yesterday I walked (and even ran a little) the Flying Feather Four Miler, a tradition in my family.

I have the best family and friends anyone could ask for. I ran with my sister Mollie, Judi and Duane and my Dad was there cheering us on the whole way.

And every step was awesome.

Duane, Judi & Me

I started the race pretty stressed out – I left my house late and had to wait in line for a school bus to take me to the start line of almost 4,000 after being the first car to get cut off to the near(ish) parking lot. It did not start out as a happy Thanksgiving seeing that I dropped the f-bomb about 29 times before I even found Judi and Duane at the start line.

We got in line and started the race slower; and we picked up the pace as the race progressed. I love this course too and it was a beautiful day here, reaching almost 60 degrees and sunny. The course winds through the countryside and a metro park. We picked up the pace as the race went on (thanks to Judi) and it just might be one of the first times I have had negative splits in a race!

Negative splits!

I’m pretty proud of this race, considering in June I couldn’t stand, walk, use the bathroom or even breath on my own.

Racing with Duane and Judi yesterday felt like the “old days.” We laughed and talked and just ran. No pressure, no worries – it was just fun. By mile 3, I was hurting, though and really started to slow down on the last hill we had. I never stopped though, even when I thought about it at mile 3, it was these two that kept me going to a strong finish – where I even ran down the chute, finishing in just under 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Finishing the race.

This race – and these two friends – easily made my year yesterday. I couldn’t have (and wouldn’t have) done it without them!

Winners! 🙂

And, of course, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the finishers’ bottle of wine and pictures.

Flying Feather 2012

Race swag.

I needed this race to feel better and to feel like I accomplished something again. Today my head is spinning with running and racing plans – I want to get out there and train for a race, but I don’t want to push things too fast. It’s still one step at a time, I know. But, I also know, I will run again – and soon.

Did you race on Thanksgiving? Is it part of your holiday tradition? I would love to hear about it in the comments!

Until the next mile maker,

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