How do you know you're a hardcore runner? When the temperature is barely in the teens and you're still suited up to run a race. Of course, there was no way I was going to miss the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It's one of my favorite races of the year! In fact, I've run either the 10K or the 5K every year but one since 2009. The shirt is now a tech long sleeved top but it's still unisex so I just give it to my husband. This year we also got luggage tags with the Turkey Trot logo on them!

This year I ran the 10K and, as always, it was a little bit crowded for the first mile or so and then once the 5K split off the 10K course was nice and clear. Some people don't like all the turns but I don't mind them at all. The course is wide enough that you can easily run tangents. And if you have family that wants to come cheer for you this course is perfect for spectators because they only have to walk a few hundred yards to see you multiple times as you run through the neighborhood.

Of course, when it's somewhere between 12 and 15 degrees at the start line you don't do much except show up, get your bib number, run, and go back to your car. Although the race director said this was their largest year ever with 2,000 participants it looks like just over 1300 people actually finished. Too bad. Those other 700 missed a fun time staying warm by the fire pits the race set up near the start line.

Post-race we always go to brunch at Jack's on Touhy and warm up with hot chocolate and pancakes. The race does have food afterward but it's the usual bagels and bananas (and maybe hot dogs?) but at least this year it was too cold to stand around outside and eat!

Parking is really easy in the many lots that surround the park where the race starts and ends. Packet pick-up and registration day-of is easy (although, in the past they've only accepted cash and not checks for day-of registration). They've also made online registration easier than in the past and even offered discount codes!