Punta Gorda Turkey Trot Race Report

My husband and I got up at 5am. There was a costume contest going on at the race, so I got back in touch with my Navajo roots and dressed as the Indian Princess I truly am. My friend Stef had some VERY cool indian costume stuff from her daughters' costumes and let me borrow them. Her husband Mark made a bow and arrow holder, whittled a dagger, the feather headband and some collars to add to the dress I already had. He made an awesome 5 foot long spear that looked so authentic. Their daughter even let me take her baby doll that was dressed as an indian too! I borrowed my daughter's moccasins. I was THRILLED!

We got to the race and as we walked up to the registration area, I noticed two things.

1. My knee was killing me.

2. I was the ONLY person in a costume.

My husband, who is very, very shy (we are so opposite, personality-wise) looked over at me and asked if I wanted to change out of my costume before people started pointing and laughing at me. PFFFT. No. This was gonna be even MORE fun, for 2 reasons...

1. This was one race people would never forget me from

2. I was gonna WIN!

The newspaper guy was there, he came and took a picture. I asked him how many other costumes there were. He said two others!! COOL!! Then he said they were both babies. Oh. I can't compete with cute babies! Shoot! Now I won't win. Blah. Whatever. But WAIT!! There were two categories!! Adult, and child. And by "adult", I'm talking age, not porn. Ha!! So my chance of winning came back into sight, and I got to keep my clothes on. Bonus!

They announced the contest, asking all participants to come forward. I pushed through the crowd and stood between the cutie-pie babies. One was an elephant, the other was a turkey. They were adorable! They announced the winner (me) and gave me a $50 gift certificate to a SPA!...OOOOOHHHHH....I'm gettin me an aroma-therapeutic massage!!! Can't wait for that!!!! Truth be told, I didn't even know there was a prize, so it was an unexpected plus to freezing-me-buttocks-off. Yes people. I gets cold here in Florida too. But like the kids in Boston at Halloween, I refused to cover my costume with a winter coat even though I'm just getting over the flu. Proof some people never grow up.

Off to the finish line that I would not be crossing, thanks to my knee. There were so many people at this race that it was tough to find the people I knew. I did see Sherry there with her husband Scott. Her friend Sondra was there too. Sherry got a new PR, but I'll let her post her race report, I won't blow the BIG NEWS!!!!!! (OMG...she totally blew away her last PR)

I saw Bill and Mary, Bill and I ran over the bridge together at mile 20 of the Sarasota Grouper marathon last March. Bill gave me some exciting/sad news. He is doing Space Coast. Sniff, sniff. He hadn't heard that I withdrew from that marathon because of my knee. I'll admit I really wanted to cry. It would have been wonderful to see him there. I had to push away my sadness and just be thrilled for Bill. And I truly am, but man. I wanted to run that race so bad. Bill tried to be nonchalant about it and not mention the extremely cool medal but it slipped out...lol. He felt bad but I UNDERSTAND the excitement, believe me. I honestly feel happy he's going. I can't wait to see his medal and the pictures. How can I not be excited for Bill???? Space Coast marathon is Sunday. I'll be following Bill's progress and I'll post his results as soon as I get them.

Here are a few pictures of the Turkey trot.

Husband Bob and me...

Contestants, you can see why I was concerned about my competition!

Cute babies!

Frank, fellow Endurance team mate and Zoomer!

Scott and Sherry

Sherry crossing the finish line!! GO SISTA!!!!!