Turkey Trot 2011

Here's the recap of the 11th annual Huinker Family Turkey Trot. Yes...11 years ago my brother decided it would be good idea to go over to the Decorah High School track and run a timed mile "just to make sure we could all still do it". At that time, it was just my parents, brother, sister and I. 11 years later, the trot has grown to include 3 more adults and 5 kiddos (only 3 kids participated this year though:) This was by far my favorite year of the trot....could be because I didn't have to run!! My brother walked into my house on Thanksgiving morning and immediately started asking me if I could just walk it slowly, etc. I whipped out the video camera and showed him what a C-section looked like and that shut him up pretty quickly!

This year's trot was won by Tara's boyfriend Tony in his inaugural year. The winner each year has to write a recap of the race so this year it was written by Tony. We don't know him all that well yet, but I think he'll fit in with our family just fine based on his sarcastic tone throughout the article:) His e-mail to us said: "Sorry for the delay! If this doesn't work I'll change things up when I write it next year." Enjoy the read and pictures to follow at the end!

TURKEY TROT ROOKIE SHATTERS RECORD

It’s as much a Huinker tradition as turkey. It’s about the clash between perennial rivals on the track, trying to run as fast as they can, and fighting the urge to heave their favorite meal of the year. Once again, this Thanksgiving tradition was served up under bright, brisk skies on a Thursday afternoon in two different locations that measured a whopping 1,886.2 miles apart. “Showing the Spirit” in scenic Dubuque Iowa this year were the Huinker/Hoden families and out in sunny Murrieta California, stood Anthony and Tara. One could say that based on temperature, California weather might have been an advantage, but with the lower elevation on Dubuque’s side, it was an even playing field.

Thirty-five minutes after eating the biggest meal he has ever cooked in his entire life, Turkey Trot rookie, Anthony Brown, scorched the competition with a time of 5 minutes and 30 seconds. “I think you are supposed to do that before you eat…ya know, run.. then eat guilt free” Brown said after throwing up the delicious meal he spent 5hours cooking, “Rookie mistake to have 2 glasses of wine and eat like I was gonna watch football”.

Congratulation goes out to Tara Huinker who again took home the award for “complaining-the-most-about-a-tradition-you-claim-to-love.” Despite her less than enthusiastic attitude towards the competition, she did finish in a very respectable 7 minutes and 1 second - some 50 seconds ahead of the nearest competitor.

The hardest fought race had to be between Chris Hoden and Amanda Huinker who were only 3 seconds apart at the stripe. Coming in at 7 minutes 51 seconds and 7 minutes 54 seconds, it was a tough battle. Last year’s winner was heard saying, “You guys don’t know how hard it is to train when you have 2 kids and one on the way…it really takes a toll on your body”. Amanda Huinker, who heard the remark, just shook her head and mumbled something to the effect of “you would think it was Chris who gave birth a couple weeks ago”.

Max Hoden receives the “hard-charger” award for steadily improving his time by 3 minutes from last year and not calling it quits until he did 6 laps. “My prediction is that he will beat all of us in five years” said this year’s winner.

Brian Huinker struggled this year claiming “Dubuque’s air quality is not that of Decorah”. Brian’s ongoing study of the air quality and his newly onset asthma should draw to a close just in time for his research presentation at Christmas entitled “Robbed of Victory”.

Best spectator award comes in as a 3-way tie between Rog Podge, Bes, and Patski. As they had their hands full with the little ones, their support is very much appreciated by all participants.

All in all, the event was a huge success. You can bet there will be trash talking throughout the year, only thickening as Thanksgiving 2012 nears. Til then...train for 2nd place!

The Dubuque group


Tara's race day shirt


Gracie fell asleep on the way to the track and the wind was a bit strong for the 2 week old Ivy so Grandma Pat willingly stayed in the car with them:)



Chloe found a 2X2 mud puddle within the first 10 seconds. It was the only mud puddle in the entire area. She is sporting a nasty limp now because of this run as well!

This picture is the end of lap 1. Amanda and Chris are still smiling and Brian has slowed to a brisk walk:)


Livy and Mya were crying within the first 30 seconds. Livy because she wanted her mom and Mya because Max was running too fast:)


Max was a touch exhausted at the end of this race (and something was bothering his foot as you can see:) His poor little legs were pretty sore the next day!


If you'd like to read the last 3 years' articles you can do so here:
2010
2009
2008