Only here's the thing: I have to wear that headband to be part of the flock.
Which is why last weekend I spent a rousing Saturday night gluing googly eyes and felt snoods and wattles (these, apparently, are the terms for the grotesque red stuff that hangs off of turkeys' faces, but I kept mispronouncing them snoodles and wads) onto the fist-sized turkeys that we would all soon be wearing.
It turned out to be great fun, though, and now I'm pretty darn excited about strutting my turkey-festooned self along the course.
Because honestly, who can think about a serious race on the one day of the year reserved for overeating?
By the time this column is on the press, the run will be over, and I, hopefully, will have survived my flock-of-turkeys experience with my friends. I love how they can turn any outing into an "event" requiring costumes, planning and preparation.
And if there are T-shirts or door prizes thrown into the mix? Well then, you better watch out because the entire Chugabilly gang will be there in force. They still fondly recall winning a pie and a pair of running shoes from Skinny Raven at a past Turkey Trot.
It is refreshing then to go into this race knowing that I'm just running for fun, most likely alongside my 7-year-old, who may or may not complete the full distance. We may look foolish with our snoods bouncing and our felt headbands sagging, but you can bet we'll be smiling the whole way.
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Turkey Trot
This year's run is over, but mark the Turkey Trot on your calendar for 2009. The 3-mile race at Bartlett High School also features a 1.5-mile kids race. The course is flat and paved. For more information, contact Joe Alward at alward_joe@asdk12.org or visit www.USATF.org.
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