Tom Talks Turkey

By annual tradition, it's time again to check-in with my friend Tom Turkey. He has been training for the Turkey Run (Sunday, November 20 at Como Lake in St Paul), a race he has won every year since its inception. I caught up to him earlier this week as he was making his final preparations.

Me: Are you ready for the big day?
Tom: I'm a lean, mean running machine!

Me: You look great. Anything new going on with your training?
Tom: I'm on a new diet heavy in chia seeds. They really make a big difference.

Me: So they really work? Any side effects?
Tom: You're about to step in it.
Me: Thanks for the warning!

Me: I know this is a special time of year for you. You seem to always peak for this event.
Tom: You're right. I train hard all summer so I can win this thing. There is no such thing as second place. I can honestly say that I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for this event.

Me: How so?
Tom: You've heard of the Biggest Loser TV show? Well, for turkeys, weight gain is a big problem too. I'm the only one left from my brood and I know that keeping a lean body mass is a big part of that.

Me: Last year, you had some ice to deal with. How did that go.
Tom: I literally flew around the course, so ice wasn't too much of a problem for me. The finish was a little slippery though. Talons help.

Me: The forecast is calling for some snow on Saturday but nicer on Sunday. Are you ready for the change of seasons?
Tom: By this time of year, I'm ready to just disappear in a nice warm jacket, if you know what I mean.

Me: What's your race strategy for Sunday?
Tom: Pretty much the same as usual. I'm not going to wait for things to happen, I'm going to make them come after me.

Me: Your prediction?
Tom: The streak continues.

Me: You usually take a vacation after the race. What are your plans this year?
Tom: They're evolving, but it looks like I'll be making a trip to the Middle East. I've been asked to mediate the situation in Syria.

Me: That's you? I thought it was the other Turkey.
Tom: A lot of people make that mistake. It's me.

Me: Have a safe trip. We're all hoping for the best. Enjoy your holidays.
Tom: Thanks! I'm ready to get the party started on Sunday. You're still vegetarian, right?
Me: Right.
Tom: Cool. Yeah, enjoy your holidays too!


Chris Fuller runs, coaches and blogs in the Twin Cities, and is the president of The Sporting Life event management company. Tom Turkey is the founder and owner of a vegan lifestyle company called Gobble This.

Turning 40: an event to remember

For runners, turning forty means you've become a Master. Whoever came up with that designation clearly had a marketing background. 'Master' sounds much better than 'middle-aged' the same way 'dried plums' sounds much better than 'prunes.' You've achieved something ('we're dried plums!') rather simply becoming pruney.

Forty is just the start of being a masters runner. You have your fifties, sixties, seventies and beyond to look forward to. For a race, things are a little different. Ten years is remarkable, twenty is rare, thirty is amazing and forty is almost non-existent. Other than the Boston Marathon (116 years and counting), can you name an event that has hit forty?

Minnesota has had a long history of impressive events, but no major race (1000+ participants) has yet hit forty, not Grandma's Marathon, not Get In Gear, not Twin Cities Marathon. That's about to change. Want to attend a special 40th birthday party? Come to Summit Avenue in St Paul on March 18, 2012 for the St Patrick's Day Human Race!

The event that started as the St Patrick's Day Mini-Marathon has been held on Summit Avenue each March since 1973, making the 2012 edition its fortieth. Originally a five-mile run, it now includes an 8K run (4.97 miles), 5K run/walk (3.1 miles) and youth run (0.25 and 0.5 miles).

I have worked the event each year since 1981 and been race director since the late 1980s. It's a humbling experience to guide an event with such an amazing history. I'll write more about that history, but now I'm busy starting to plan a party, and I need your help. What should we add or change about the event that would make it extra special? Something  that you've seen at other events, or something that you've never seen before. Maybe something we are already doing but could do better, or something we used to do and you think we should bring back. Turning 40 is a big deal, and we're ready to shake things up!

We'll collect the ideas and let you help decide which ones we should do. Feel free to spread the word (this isn't a surprise party after all). We want to hear from you, the participants that have made this a great event.

Help us become masters. Leave your ideas in a comment below, or on our Facebook page. The St Patrick's Day Human Race is turning 40 and we're ready to celebrate. Help us make it an event to remember!