The Turkey Day Cross-Country Run at Lake Fairfax has evidently become something of a tradition for many families as we had our largest turnout of the year for any of our running activities.  Luckily this was conducted prior to the ingestion of large quantities of tryptophan, otherwise I suspect most of the 200+ participants would have been home taking a nap instead of running thru the woods.

This event has became so large that the activity directors were caught by surprise and only had 180 or so of the traditional 3X5 cards available upon completion of the run.  This shortage of cards, to write down finish times and thoughts, provoked many runners at the back of the pack to affirm new fitness programs starting that day as they vowed to run faster and be less hospitable to family members next year at this annual event.

Turkey Day Stats can be found on the continuation page

A brisk but dry morning reminded our group of 50+ people that winter is rapidly approaching.  If the temperatures were not enough, Helen H. emerged with her penguin to remind us about the Fall into Winter 10k next weekend at Hunter Woods Plaza, additional information and sign up is available via the front page of the website.

Dr. Peter Bruno still basking in the glow of another JFK50 finish reminded us about the Blood Drive on Saturday January 10th just outside Panera Bread in the Reston Town Center -- no training is required and you're free to indulge in junk food upon completion, personally I plan to just donate a pint and relax the rest of the day.  

Visitors this morning included Chris Howell and his father from Boston, Tom from Fairfax, and Donna Rostant’s aunt.  The walk and run revealed nothing out of character until breakfast at Cosi’s where a “girls side” and “boys side” of the table appeared to be firmly established and the three leading members of the girls club (Anna, DeeDee, & Ellen) were giddy with gossip and banter leaving the rest of us to ponder life’s mysteries and how to guarantee ourselves a Reston Triathlon slot when registration opens on Monday evening.

Wet and Cold is how best to describe our morning in Reston.  With a smaller group than Saturday it was not hard to understand why.  If not for reporting duties I would have stayed home today and called it a rest day.  Only one visitor today, Jim from Vienna and it only took Jim Bradford 30 seconds to turn and look at me suggesting the JFK Jim team could always use a new recruit.  Those Bradford’s are always on the lookout for new ultra-runners, perhaps it’s time to establish some JFK recruiting guidelines like the NCAA has for college athletes?

No new announcements as the group splintered and headed for various courses and desired mileage.  Ed C. and I opted to preview the Fall into Winter course and can attest that the 3 mile mark will be just past Lake Audubon prior to turning west and uphill on Glade.  Remember to pace yourselves as the 2nd half of this certified 10k course is tougher than the first.  Come on out next Sunday and give it a try.

Breakfast at Potbelly’s yielded a small but hungry group who enjoyed the complimentary coffee and warm conversational environment.  

Until next time - Dave