I adhere to the Thanksgiving mantra of “workout before you pig out.” When we were living in Birmingham our Y always had special classes on Thanksgiving morning and used that sales pitch. I’ve pretty much been hooked ever since.
This year’s “Workout Before You Pig Out” is a new adventure for me.
I’m running an 8K (5 mile) turkey trot! I’m very excited about this race. With a 9 a.m. start time, a beautiful forecast and lots of friends running too, it’s sure to be a great way to spend my Thanksgiving morning. My goal is to run the race at my target half marathon pace – 8:45-8:50. I’m still hoping to PR the Thunder Road Half Marathon on December 11 although I will admit that it might be a stretch.
I’m also trying to figure out where to fit in a yoga class. I’m either going to attend Butterball Bootcamp on Wednesday night (a fun but tough two-hour class) or a 6:30 a.m. hot vinyasa class on Thanksgiving morning before the race. Decisions, decisions.
I am a firm believer in enjoying holidays. It is just not the time to beat yourself up about not sticking to your normal diet. It’s ONE day of the year. Start it out with a good workout and then live it up! I will definitely be hitting the dessert table hard on Thursday. 😉
Who else is working out before you pig out?
Speaking of food…a few highlights. Brandon requested tacos last night and I just couldn’t say no!
I tried to keep it healthy by taking up most of my plate with a spinach salad and only had one taco. My salad was so delicious: spinach, leftover grilled butternut squash, feta, dried cranberries, carrots, pumpkin seeds and balsamic vinaigrette. We also had refried beans on the side – lots of protein!
I taught BodyPump this morning. It’s the only time I’m teaching this week since my Y is closed on Thursday so I pushed myself and tried to get an extra good strength training session in. I had a bowl of pumpkin banana oatmeal at my desk when I arrived at work. I’m always so ready for breakfast on mornings that I strength train.
I had chickpea coconut curry soup for lunch today.
And a slice of Great Harvest Honey Whole Wheat on the side.
I worked the afternoon and evening away and decided to bail on yoga tonight. I had so much work to do and was kind of tired and sore from yesterday’s long run and yoga and this morning’s BodyPump class. Brandon was so incredibly thoughtful to take charge of dinner again tonight.
He went to the store and bought dinner supplies and some basics we were missing for the week (oats, fruit, lunch stuff). He seasoned the pork chops with olive oil and Dizzy Pig rubs (we’re so obsessed) and grilled them on the Big Green Egg. I roasted the broccoli and made parmesan orzetto. It’s basically the same method as making risotto but much more fool-proof. After a long day at work, the only thing I wanted to do was be in the kitchen with music, a glass of wine and a spatula. I stirred the stress of the day away!
Ashtanga in the morning…SO ready. Saturday’s practice feels like ages ago.
I just did a turkey trot! Running on turkey day will be a great way to feel good about eating whatever you want that day. A local gym in my area is hosting their own event for folks to come running on Thanksgiving morning. I’m planning to do that, and hopefully I’ll not eat like a crazy lady the rest of the day!
I am doing an 8 mile turkey trot! I will probably do another ~5 miles or so after 😉
Matt – good luck in your race and love that you’re making it a long run! Can’t wait to read how it goes!
I’m also doing an 8K Turkey Trot over here in Raleigh. Good luck – I’m sure you can hit that pace no problem! 🙂
Shelby – good luck with your race too! Can’t wait to read how it goes – I’m sure you’ll be speedy.
Recipe for the chickpea cocnut curry soup, please!!
Hi Kath – will share soon!!!
I love the way you took a picture of the soup! it’s really tough to make soups look pretty, but yours is just standing out… and making me want to try out the recipe 😉
I’m definitely going to run on Thanksgiving, although probably just on my own! I couldn’t find a race to like, which is crazy since I’m in San Fran, and there should be plenty of them… but anyway, I’ll be following the mantra 100%!
Thanks Claudie – I think soups/stews, casseroles and enchiladas are the hardest things to photograph! I agree that it’s crazy you couldn’t find a Turkey Trot in San Fran! Enjoy your solo run before the craziness of the day!
The members of my gym are all meeting on Thursday morning for an early run. We don’t have a Turkey Trot nearby, so we’re making our own 🙂
I really love working out during the holidays. Not only does it balance out the treats, it keeps me sane during such a crazy time of year.
Again, I love your gym. So cool that you guys organize all of these fun events. I agree that workouts are a huge stress reliever and much needed “me time” during the holidays!
Hi Jen! I’ve been reading PBR for a while but am usually on my blackberry where I can’t comment. Since I’m actually at home on my laptop for once I wanted to just say, I love your blog! You’ve definitely inspired me to add yoga into my workout plan, which consists mostly of running.
I’ll be running a turkey trot Thanksgiving morning, a 10k. Last year at this time I weighed 30 more lbs and ran my first 5k. It took my 41 minutes, but I managed to run (clearly with that time, much closer to jogging) every single step of the way. Now, a year later, I finished my first half marathon last month! This turkey trot is definitely a celebration of how far I’ve come in a year.
Sara – thank you so much for commenting and for sharing your story. Congratulations on your sustained weight loss and commitment to running. Going from your first 5K to a half in a year is a huge achievement!!! I think yoga is a great way to balance out all the tightness that running brings. I just wish I’d have discovered it sooner! It makes me feel great. Again, I appreciate you sharing. This comment brought a smile to my face this morning! 😀
Jen,
I like the phrase, “work out before you pig out.” I’m doing a 5k turkey trot on Thursday morning and the money raised goes to a homeless shelter! Good luck on your 8K!
I will be trotting on Thursday! 10K to be exact. on a rainy and cold morning. It will still be fun.
I also plan on putting in a good work out Wednesday afternoon as well as Friday afternoon.
Stephanie – good luck on your 10K! Hope the weather holds up for you!
Wish I was turkey trotting with you and my Charlotte friends, but I’m excited to a 10K one in Hilton Head on Thursday 🙂
I wish you were here too! Good luck on your 10K. Can’t wait for our holiday get together soon!
Hey Jen!
I’ll be teaching a Turbokick class on thanksgiving morning. I love teaching on holidays because the energy is incredible! Not to mention the extra calories I get to burn before I go consume.
Happy thanksgiving!!
🙂
Kristen
Indianapolis
PS- we have a “drumstick dash”
I absolutely love our local Thanksgiving Wild Turkey 5 Mile Race! An easy, no excuse work out before you sit down to the table for a big meal, and not to mention, the Bloody Mary’s they hand out in the neighborhood and delish 🙂 Good luck on your race and Happy Thanksgiving!
We were going to do a Turkey Trot 10K Thanksgiving morning, but the logistics didn’t work out w/the location and our lunch plans, etc. Instead, we’re hosting our first annual “Spainsgiving 10K” in our neighborhood. We’re planning to take Caroline in the stroller, so we’ll pass her off to each other every 1.5 miles. 🙂
Good luck in your 8K, and Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m doing the Turkey Trot too! Hope to see you at Butterbal Bootcamp–do it! 😉
I will be running a 5-miler in MA on Thanksgiving morning! It’ll be me, my husband, my mom and my dad. We’re planning on making it a fun race and make sure that we stick together. Hopefully we can get a family picture of us crossing the finish line. 🙂
Good luck on your race!
Yay, can’t wait to turkey trot with you in the morning. I agree, fun activity is the best way to start off a holiday weekend 🙂