The 2014 3rd Annual Gardendale Turkey Trot raised money for Firehouse Shelter and was supported by a number of local businesses and organizations, including: Run Gardendale, Buffalo Wild Wings in Gardendale, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Mordecai Sports, and Alabama Power.
Participation in the event has grown significantly each year, starting with about thirty folks in its inaugural running in 2012, and growing to more than 90 runners in 2013 (gallery). This third edition of the Gardendale Turkey Trot saw more than 115 registered runners, with dozens of others who showed up on race day.
This was my first occasion not to run in the event, which was disappointing but allowed me to thoroughly photograph the run and most of its participants.
On our recent trip to New York City, one of my desires was to run through Central Park, and I knew that if I didn't go on that first morning, I wasn't likely to go at all. So I got up with the sun, lit out from our hotel, and encountered a park entrance a few blocks north. While it was as enjoyable a run as I had hoped, the thing that stood out most was that there were some really foul stenches emanating from that place, in addition to the nice natural smells.
View of Midtown Manhattan from New York City's Central Park in Early Morning
While Darby and I were out for an afternoon run this past weekend on the Rails to Trails at Black Creek Park, on the return leg of an out-and-back, we approached a fellow runner.
As she got closer, I observed what appeared to be an expression of recognition on her face. So I immediately went into "Do I know her?! I don't know her?! Maybe I should know her!" mode.
As we got within a few yards of one another, she pulled to a stop and asked, "Is that Darby?" I must have appeared bemused when I affirmed that it was. She proceeded to tell me that she had recently moved here from Hoover and had come across this blog while in search of places to run. She had read the blogs featuring Darby at Black Creek Park and on the Rails to Trails.
So recent transferee from Hoover, if you're still visiting here, we hope you enjoy our little stretch of woods, and Darby and I are glad to have met you!
On this 13th Annual Mercedes Half Marathon in Birmingham, Alabama, on February 16, 2014, I had the opportunity to run my fifth (and only injury-free) half marathon and second running of this particular race (which I ran for the first time in 2011).
My favorite thing about the start of any race once all the runners have congregated in the chute, aside from the chest-thumpingly-loud music and the pre-race realization that you suddenly need to pee, is that it looks like a Skittles factory exploded. But that's really about the last opportunity to soak anything in for the next couple of hours.
My favorite thing during any race is the great lengths people go to to invest real creativity into clever sign-making. And my favorite thing about finishing is...finishing...and a huge post-race breakfast. This year, I placed 1044th among half-marathoners, which puts me in the top one-third, and about an 800 place improvement over my previous running - that's progress.
As the winter sun daily rises lower in the southern sky, the splashes of color that the are landmark of autumn's arrival begin to peter out and become scarce. The shadows deepen and the light takes on a colder hue.
A low winter Sun illuminates that last Autumn Colors
on the Rails to Trails at Black Creek Park, Fultondale, Alabama
Whereas last year's Inaugural Gardendale Turkey Trot was a smallish cluster of runners gathered on a pleasant Thanksgiving morning, this year's congregation made it a much bigger affair.
Runners receiving instruction at the 2nd Annual Gardendale Turkey Trot, Alabama
More than 90 runners and walkers (and one David Crockett on a bicycle leading the way) gathered on a clear but frigid late autumn morning, not only to run so as to justify the gluttony that would occur later in the day, but also to donate coats and clothing for the Firehouse Shelter. In addition to the runners themselves, the Turkey Trot was sponsored by a number of local businesses (seen on Run Gardendale's Turkey Trot event page), including Buffalo Wild Wings, where the event commenced and concluded.
With options to run 3, 4, or 5 miles, runners and walkers of all ages and experience levels congregated to participate in a very successful 2nd Annual Gardendale Turkey Trot.
The photos found in the above slideshow can be found at the
As a disclaimer, I have no actual knowledge whether the pup featured here running with its owner on the Rail-to-Trails at Black Creek Park in Fultondale, is actually named Rosco. In fact the odds are likely against, but it did bring some appreciable consonance to the title. And as may have become readily apparent to regular readers of the blog, I'm a sucker for some consonance.
Runner and Canine Companion Running on the Rails-to-Trails, Fultondale, Alabama
The inaugural running of Team 413's "Get There & Share" Half Marathon in Homewood, Alabama, was run, appropriately, on April 13, 2013. Team 413 puts on races throughout the country and is described as the largest ministry for endurance athletes in the world. It's name is more than just a moniker but a message, derived from Philippians 4:13, in which the Apostle Paul declared to the church at Philippi: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
In this application, that includes running a half marathon. Having run a number of half marathons, I set for myself the goal of running the Team 413 Half in under two hours, which comparably is no great feat, but for me would be a Personal Record. But a shortened training regimen and the onset of a heal injury, which caused me to lay up in the final two weeks, brought some serious doubts. Nevertheless, I ran.
I found the course to be good and moderately challenging. It seemed to be comprised largely of flat or low-grade stretches, but with a goodly number of hills sprinkled in, the worst of which were at miles 3 and 10. It was well organized with police, cones, and sufficient water stations.
I had intentions to take more photographs and video, but by the end of the race, I was in no shape to do that. With calves that were threatening to seize up and small waves of nausea that were enveloping me, it was all I could do to keep churning up those final hills toward the finish line. I never got that euphoric second wind, and with a mile left I pulled out my ear buds so I could concentrate on and feel every last ounce of pain, discomfort, satisfaction, and joy, knowing that despite the obstacles, what I had done was enough to reach my goal.
And a special thanks to the two-hour pacers, without whom I don't think I could have done it, and one of whom is found in the photo below with his hand raised, as we all stand eagerly receiving pre-race instructions.
Another write-up about this race will be able to be found at a local running blogger's page: Yo Momma Runs.
If you're familiar with this blog, then over the last couple of weeks, you've likely become familiar a new trail system in the North Jefferson County area. The City of Fultondale has undertaken a Rails-to-Trails project, whereby a former railroad line was been converted into a trail for walkers, runners, and bicyclers (motorized vehicles are prohibited).
The trail begins at Black Creek Park in Fultondale and runs about 3.5 miles to Shady Grove Road. There are markers every half mile and will be benches placed at those markers as well. Over the last several weeks, I've been on the trail either walking, running, or hiking, about a half-dozen times, and I couldn't be more excited about this development, so close to home. Darby's pretty excited too.
Several months ago, Anna decided she was ready to start training for her first half marathon. So we looked around and settled on a race that we were both interested in, the Talladega 21000 Half Marathon. This would be my third Half, and the legendary Talladega Super Speedway would provide quite a different backdrop from the races I had previously run in Birmingham and Huntsville.
As training progressed over the course of a couple months, the miles added up as did the blisters, excitement and anxiety set in, and we avoided any injuries. On the morning of the race, Sunday, September 16, 2012, we set out early from Fultondale, headed for Talladega, with Anna's parents along for moral support, seeing many others who were similarly eastward bound.
Talladega 21000 Half Marathon, September 16, 2012 :: Just out of the Gate
On this morning, the weather could not have been better, with overcast skies and rains to the east, making for some nice vistas as we ran. The event, in its fourth annual running, was well organized, with music and an energetic emcee to be heard throughout the course. And best of all, we finished at our goal time and saw a couple of other folks we knew who ran as well. If you're a half marathoner, this Talladega 21000 should be on your radar.
If, over the last couple of weeks, you watched any of the Olympic track-and-field events, you likely noticed that when the sprinters are running at top-speed in the 100m and 200m, their faces jounce from one place to another and get all distorted and weird.
I offer this photo of Darby, near the banks of Newfound Creek below Baines Dam in Gardendale, as proof that this distortion phenomenon is not unique to humans. Notice the pinned-back ears, lolling tongue, and smushed cheeks - I have not doubt she could easily beat Tyson Gay and would give Usain Bolt a closer race than he'd care for.
I recently purchased a Camelbak Lobo, which has a 100 oz. reservoir and a good bit of storage space. My intentions for it are multifold. Primarily, I will use it for running; when I'm trail running or getting those long runs in for half-marathon training (and soon, the full 26.2), the 32-ounce bottle I carried on my waist just didn't cut it. The Lobo's capacity more than triples that, and is more comfortable. I was concerned that a shoulder pack would slosh and negatively affect my rhythm, but after a couple of minutes of getting accustomed to the pack's movement (which fell in line with my own), it was no longer a conscious thought.
Seen here in mid-stride at the Huntsville Half Marathon
sporting my Camelbak Lobo 100oz pack.
After getting the Lobo, I was pleased to see that it has enough compartments to carry some light camera equipment on hikes. I will easily be able to carry my Panasonic LX3 along with its Conversion Adapter, which allows it to accept filters. And even then I'll have room for a couple small snacks, a utility knife, first aid kit, and perhaps a couple of other small necessities.
Filling and cleaning the bladder was easier than with any other hydration pack I've used previously. The straps are easily adjustable for various body types and sizes. The padding is of a type that's designed to wick away moisture and increase breathability, thus keeping you cooler. Additionally, a number of reviews indicate that the water in the pack will be kept cold for hours; of course, that will depend on the ambient temperature, I imagine.
If you're looking for a hydration pack with a large reservoir and multiple utility, the Lobo should be a strong consideration.
