A New Thanksgiving Tradition

As Tevye sings in Fiddler on the Roof, tradition is very important to him and his people.  And as he says, they have a tradition for everything.  How to eat, how to sleep...You get the idea. Now my family does not have centuries old traditions. In fact, if we do something once during the holiday, and it goes well, a new tradition.  This is the story of a likely new tradition.

This year my family traveled to Albany, NY to spend Thanksgiving with my sister, her family and my father.  My family is all about Thanksgiving traditions. It is the same ritual from when we wake up to when we go to bed.  The same food, the same appetizers, the Macy's parade, the dog show, and the same football games. But not this year.

We read about the Troy Turkey Trot held on Thanksgiving Day.  Now this is one of the oldest Thanksgiving runs in the U.S.  You have the choice of a 5K, 10K, 10 mile, or walk. This was the 70th running and a total of 7,195 participants from 34 states and 2 Canadian provinces.

Running runs in my family (this was not intentional). My father was a track star in high school and college. My son lettered in track in high school and he runs today. My daughter runs for fun almost every day. My sister ran a marathon. And my niece runs track in school.

So in one day, four of my family decided to enter the trot.  My sister, her daughter, my son, and my daughter.  My kids had their running shoes, but not warm running clothes.  My wife went to Target to buy warm running clothes.  We got to the trot early so the family could enter.

My family ran the 5K. The website indicates 4,609 other people ran in this one.  The gun went off and all four of my family members were a grain of sand in an ocean of people.

My job - cheer my family on! At least when I could find my family among the 4,605 other runners. Yes, we looked and looked and looked.  In all honesty, the only family members I saw crossing the finish line were my niece and my son.  I completely missed my sister and daughter.

How did they do?  That is insignificant in the whole scheme of Thanksgiving and traditions.  We now have a new tradition that I will enjoy as a spectator and cheer leader.

My running family.

Getting their game on.  At least that is what I think it is.

2018 is right around the corner.