The Talking Turkey 6 Mile Cross Country Race in Holyoke, Massachusetts is an annual favorite for me and has quickly grown into one of the premier races in the region. Some might say I am biased due to being born and raised in Holyoke, but when standing around post-race you hear others mention that “This is one of my top five favorite races” perhaps I am not alone in that assessment.

The Talking Turkey takes place within the grounds of the absolutely beautiful Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke and has a great post-race reception at the Holyoke Lodge of Elks. The course is a cross-country style race where runners race across the dirt loop that circles the water within the reservoir. For yesterday’s race it was cool and a bit breezy and flurries actually were in the air at race time.

The race itself is predominantly flat with just a couple of quick inclines throughout the main loop of the course and then a rather gradual incline leading into the finish line. The finish line is packed with spectators cheering you in as is just before mile 3 where spectators line both sides of a foot bridge that leads across the water. There is a water stop at about 3.5 miles into the race. Though cool and breezy, the course was in excellent condition along the race and made for a good overall racing day.

Post-race food includes some rather amazing clam chowder, ziti, rolls and cookies. Inside, plenty of reasonably priced beers were available inside the Elks for those wishing to enjoy.

I finished the 34th Talking Turkey 6 Mile Cross Country Race with a time of 47:36 good for 7:56/miles. I encourage everyone to mark the calendars with a reminder for next year to sign up for this race!

Thanksgiving: all the fixings, pie, beer, more pie. What’s not to love about Thanksgiving?

But prior to stuffing my face it was off for a great run around Whiting Reservoir in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Whiting Reservoir is one of the many reservoirs in Holyoke and is has the peak of Mt. Tom in the background along the run. It was a great 4 mile run to burn some calories prior to putting the feedbag on. The scenery at Whiting Reservoir is simply unmatched and running there makes the miles just pass by.

If you are in the Western Massachusetts area for the weekend or if you are looking for a race to travel to, I highly recommend the Talking Turkey which will take place on Saturday at 1PM within the scenic grounds of another Holyoke reservoir, Ashely Reservoir. This race is a flashback to running cross country races and is one of the greatest fall runs around.

The legs are tired. There I said it.

This morning it was off to Norwood, Massachusetts for the 26th Annual Norwood Turkey Trot. The race takes off from right in front of and finishes at Norwood High School and is a tough little race through residential neighborhoods of Norwood. Though the mileage gives runners a good 4 mile course, the hill on Nichols Street that you climb in the last mile leaves runners with a love/hate relationship as you climb for what seems like almost the entire last mile. However, once you crest the hill you level off and run in front of the high school before making a final turn uphill toward the finish line.

The entire race is a challenge because there is a really good mixture of downhill and uphill terrain along the course and you need to focus on trying to maintain an honest pace so you don’t burn out too easily. Some of the residential side roads can be deceiving in terms of the elevation but the race really is a good challenge.

Thanks to the staff of Marathon Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine for the free, pre-race stretch which absolutely was crucial and really made a difference in loosening things up!

I finished the Norwood Turkey Trot with a time of 30:05 which is good for 7:32/miles. I guess I planned the hills well and after running a race yesterday I couldn’t be more pleased with my time today. But the legs are sore, the bed is calling. After all, there are more races in the very near future!

Saturday was a crisp, November morning and it was off to D.W. Field Park in Brockton for the 2nd Annual Shining Stars Turkey Trot. Last year’s event was held at Borderland State Park in Easton so it was a change of scenery for the 2nd Annual run and like Borderland, D.W. Field Park is a hidden gem for running and made for a great location to host the race.

Due to Hurricane Sandy taking out a tree and flooding part of the intended course, the course had to be altered slightly and the course ran just past a 5k for a length of 3.2 miles. The course was a double loop on both trail and pavement around the D.W. Park section closest to Tower Hill. Tower Hill is a rather tough uphill climb within the park so the double loop really had you pounding the pavement up it the second time.

This race last year had an impressive lineup of raffle prizes and this year did not disappoint, either. All runners receive five raffle tickets and I was lucky enough to win 10 tickets to the Boston Improv Asylum!

I finished the 2nd Annual Shining Stars Turkey Trot with a time of 25:08 which for the 3.2 miles is good for 7:51/miles.

The Shining Stars Turkey Trot raises funds for the non-profit Shining Stars. Their website describes their mission as:

Our mission is to develop after-school enrichment programs for adolescents and adults in local schools, as well as, spreading awareness of the need for new programs and services.  

Shining Stars, Inc., is an organization dedicated to providing services for individuals with multiple handicaps and to cultivate each individuals potential using both traditional and unique methods.

Shining Stars Inc., is a pioneer in the area of special education and rehabilitation focusing on each individual’s strengths and abilities instead of their differences.

Our long term goal is to develop a safe and accepting place for individuals with handicaps to: 1) learn every day skills; 2) work with occupational, physical, and speech therapists; 3) work with teachers both inside and outside the Shining Stars establishment; 4) create a comfortable environment which allows the individual to flourish in their capabilities.

Let’s face it, you may have been reading all of the posts on The Running Griffin throughout 2012 thinking to yourself, “When 2013 rolls around I am getting into running.” How’s January 1st sound?

The Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 28 are hosting the Frozen Five Mile New Year’s Day Run on January 1, 2013. Registration is now available by clicking here and you now have no excuse to not start 2013 off on the right foot!