Race #202
8k #17
2022 Race #10
2022 8k #1
TreesGreenville Turkey Day 8k #13

I have run this race every year since I started running, meaning that I have run every edition of the race save for the first one. Of course I had no plan to miss this one.

Going into this race, I planned to run fast but marathon goal pace fast (or a little faster) not PR attempt fast, especially with all the downtown hills. Mom asked if I was going to run ahead like at the HHI half. Nope. I planned to run with her and pull her to a potential age group win.

Although the temps did not reach temps which I would much more prefer, we had pleasant weather, a relief after the forecast held rain for race day when we checked earlier in the week.

We managed to arrive with plenty of time prior to the start of the race, although not quite enough time to cart back the free sapling the race gave away if we had been so inclined. The offer actually took Mom by surprise when the volunteer mentioned it to her when she picked up her packet.

Come 8 am, we set off. Thankfully, unlike in years past, we positioned ourselves well enough to avoid congestion. I felt good at the start like I could go faster but I appreciated having Mom there to keep me from going out too fast at the start, especially helpful in this first mile as it includes a significant downhill before turning into the park. Every time we run down the hill, I remember a race I ran years ago, a loop course where we had to run up that same hill. This makes me thankful every time.

At this point, I have to admit that I should have prioritized writing this recap much sooner because my mind did not hold onto many, if any details from the race. I remember feeling strong and capable of holding the pace. The next/last thing I remember came in the final tenths, perhaps half mile of the race.

Mile 1 – 8:12
Mile 2 – 8:37
Mile 3 – 8:45
Mile 4 – 8:15

On the second to last turn, we headed up a pretty significant hill. This hill usually feels defeating, especially in short races where one tries to run fast. This time? I saw a guy from our church that my mom works with up ahead, noticed that our pace was slightly faster than his and decided that I wanted to pass him.

Without saying anything to Mom (when I talked to her later, she said that she figured that’s what I planned to do) I started to increase my pace. Yes, I increased my pace on the hill and managed to pass him much sooner than I expected. From that point, I was already in the competitive mode so I pushed forward all the way to the finish.

In the final meters I got closer to another gentleman and almost passed him, except for the fact that my attempted passing motivated him ot pick up his speed too. Mildly annoying but not bothersome since passing him wasn’t my goal.

Mom came in less than 30 seconds later, side by side with her coworker.

While not my fastest Turkey Day 8k, it did manage to get in the top third of my results and once again inspiring me to run shorter and faster races.

Mile 5 – 7:56
Total – 41:31