Giving Thanks

Cincinnati has a 107-year-old tradition of getting up early on Thanksgiving morning and meeting up with 7,000 or so local folks to participate in the oldest road race in Midwest United States—the Thanksgiving Day Race—fondly called the Turkey Trot. It's a bit more than a trot though, as it's a 10k (6.2 miles). It's the best way to get a workout in before the day's celebration where we all eat too much with our family and friends.

Over the years, I've run the race in below 30º weather, drizzle, and with a sprained ankle I was unfortunate enough to get while lining up for the start. Regardless of the conditions, it is always a fun race. And while I wish I could be there, I am in Cologne, Germany for Thanksgiving this year. I will be sharing the classic dinner with eight other ExPats from the U.S.

Early this afternoon, I put on my long sleeve t-shirt from last year's Turkey Trot and look to the path in the park near our apartment. It is 58º and sunny here in Cologne today so, although I was missing the crowds cheering me on, I had amazing running conditions to complete my "Tiny" Turkey Trot, a short 5k.

In a few hours, I will be walking over to a friend's apartment where we will celebrate how fortunate we are to be sharing this German experience together. We may be far from home, but we are still close to the meaning of Thanksgiving.