Frozen Pies

Thanksgiving morning, and this year, there was more than just a hint of frost on the pumpkin.

In fact, the pumpkin, not to mention all of the extended E Streeter nation, was flat-out frozen solid for the Thanks4giving 5K run at the Lowell Elks.

At race start, the thermometer recorded a balmy 11 degrees, and with the wind chill factored in, the race start came in at a scorching -5 real-feel temperature.
This did not bode well for the pies awaiting us at race's end.

At race start, the perennial sounds of Carlos' name being yelled by thousands of runners this year were replaced by the sounds of Kaylaaaaa reverberating off the walls of most of Pawtucketville. Welcome to E Streeter Group Runs, Kayla!

Inside the Elks, everyone was still smiling, because at that point, we were reasonably warm.

That would quickly pass.

Outside, Andrew had the right idea sporting his bank robber togs - the less skin exposed to the elements, the better.

After a frozen National Anthem, we were off, but nobody was willing to be the one to set the blistering pace on this cold morn.  Chloe was contemplating it, though.

Mike, always knowing where the camera is.  John, take notes.

Kayla seems barely distracted by the incessant shoutouts.

Turns out SHE was the one going to set the pace for this 3.1 mile trek!

The rest of the E Streeters could only watch as Kayla pulled further and further ahead of them.

Theresa Corcoran, motoring through the windiest and coldest stretch of the run

Congrats to Bri and Chris for running the whole race together, step-for-step!

Sadly, though, many of our phones/cameras fell victims to the Antarctic temps, dying halfway through the runs, and depriving many of us of those thrilling finish line shots.

But thanks to a collection of several award-winning photographers, we were able to cobble together some shots from the second half of the run, most of them celebrating with the glorious finish line medals that others may call Apple Pie.

Hoist them high, everyone!

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday of the year, and not because of the feedbag we all strap on come dinner time.

It's a perfect time for all of us to be thankful that we're still all here, and healthy enough to be slogging through these runs.  It's not just the distance, it's the voyage that we celebrate to get here every year.

Sure, there's pie waiting for us at the race finish line, but Thanksgiving gives us all a chance to appreciate still being together after all these decades!  Some of these friendships track back 45 years!  (Looking at you, Mike!)

We may have lost a couple of seconds off our steps, but we're still here, making inappropriate jokes and helping one another power through the hardest stretches of the roads we travel.

And for me, one of the most inspiring and fulfilling pieces of these group runs is the indoctrination of second generation E Streeters into the fold, with our children, godchildren, nieces and nephews, joining us to celebrate the extended Fellowship of the Ring.  Seeing the continuing addition of new faces to the field every year solidifies the bonds and inspires us to continue putting one foot in front of one the other to log our miles.

Thanks to all the family, friends and co-workers who make it fun all year long.
Enjoy the day with your own family and friends!
Now, someone get me a chisel to break into this frozen apple pie!