Sub 40 Minute 10k! Lincolnwood Turkey Trot - Race Recap

The Lincolnwood Turkey Trot is slowly becoming an annual tradition for me. It's an all-street race which takes place on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The course runs through the lovely town of Lincolnwood, which is on the outskirts of the Chicago city limits on Lincoln Avenue. The start line is basically in front of L. Woods Pine Lodge restaurant.

At the Start Line of the Lincolnwood Turkey trot

I have run this race with my dad over the last 5 years. Typically he runs the 5k and I run the 10k (except 2 years ago when I ran the 5k). The age group trophies are the big draw of this race as they are turkey trophies, and I have been lucky enough to win a couple. Would I be lucky enough this year?

My Lincolnwood Turkey Trot "Turkey Trophies"

Pre-race:

It was about 40 degrees, sunny and a bit windy this morning. I got in line for the porta potties with 10 minutes before race start. Big mistake. The porta-potty line was barely moving and I still needed to do my warm-up run. So, I decided to hold it and I jumped out of line and started my warm-up run across a baseball field. A minute or two later I noticed that I was missing a glove. I must have dropped it early in my warm-up run. So, I frantically zig-zagged backtracking on my run, looking for my glove. Miraculously, I found it! It would have been a chilly race without it.

I ducked under the corral ropes about 50 yards from the start line and after a few seconds we were off!  

Mile 1: The 5k and 10k started at the same time, so I spent the first 1/2 mile weaving in and around the casual 5k runners who had pressed their way to the front of the line. Even though I was passing people, I kept telling myself to hold back, just hold back as we tore down Lincoln Ave. Pace 6:24/mile.

Mile 2: We started to make our way back into the houses of Lincolnwood. Suddenly, a guy in front of me strips down to his pink underwear (his bib was on his behind)! I heard a kid spectator shout, "hey there goes daddy." Still held back: 6:23/mile.

Mile 3: Running into the wind, made the next few miles difficult. But I was passing people who I thought were fading, but it turns out I was starting to speed up: 6:18/mile.

Mile 4: We were finally rid of the 5k runners (for the time being) so I could better pace myself with the 10k runners. 6:13/mile.

Mile 5: I tuck behind a tri-athlete looking guy with tatoos on his arms. He just wouldn't let me pass him, When I would surge, he would fight me off. We headed into a tough wind and we both slowed down a bit. 6:20/mile.

Mile 6: At this point, I started pouring on the speed, and "Mr. Triathlete" did the same. We started to catch up to the 5k walkers and slow runners. Weaving around them as they seemed oblivious to the fact that there was a 10k race going on. I was slowly running out of energy, and my lungs were straining, but I was giving it my all. I made it my mission in life to hunt down "Mr. Triathlete". Fastest mile of the day. 6:02/mile.

Mile 6.2: We ran onto the final street and with 100 yards to the finish line with my lungs screaming for mercy, I turned on the after burners and finally ran past "Mr. Triathlete!" I almost barrel into people milling around just after the finish line. Luckily, no one was injured! I collapsed on someone's front lawn for a couple of minutes until I could breathe normally again. 5:49/mile.

Race Summary: 

• Total time: 39:06. Average pace: 6:18/mile
• Overall Place: 7th out of 554
• Age Place: 3rd out of 74 (note, these are 10 year age groups).
• Other note: This was my second fastest 10k ever! And only the second time I've broken 40 minutes in a 10k. The age group awards aren't given out on race day, so I assume I can pick it up this week at the park district building. I'm hoping they are still giving out cool turkey trophies for third place! I will try and post a picture if they do. 

Anyway, I am really happy with my run. I was full of endorphins all day. I almost teared up during the James Bond movie, which I went to afterwards! Last time anything like that happened to me was when I cried for no reason during the L.A. Marathon last year. 

Race Takeaway:

Running fast = lots of endorphins all day!

Next up:

Next race will be another 10k in December and I can't wait!