Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot returns and we love it!

Pam LeBlanc jumps with happiness at the finish of the Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot. Chris LeBlanc photo

It felt great to get out and run the Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot this morning.

I logged a slow time – 2 minutes slower than 2019 and 4 minutes slower than 2017 – but I’m OK with that. I’ve been focusing on other things and haven’t put in the miles lately.

It’s always fun to head downtown and watch the turkeys on parade. Here are the highlights of this year’s run:

Runners in costume prepare for the Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot. Chris LeBlanc photo

1. Running across the MoPac access bridge just as a train locomotive rumbled past and blew its horn.
2. Gazelle’s running coach Gilbert Tuhabonye’s smiling face as I ran past him on Cesar Chavez Street.
3. The guy who ran the entire race in a plush turkey suit. That had to be hot and heavy.
4. Listening to Rob Hill call out everyone’s names (including mine!) as we ran past on the First Street Bridge.
5. Listening to the patter of thousands of running shoes on pavement. I love that sound!
6. The beating of drums on the porch of a church that we passed.
7. The signs people held along the way, including one that said, “Hurry up and finish so we can drink!”
8. The weiner dog in a red knit cap.
9. That feeling of finishing a run. I’ve missed it!
10. Running through downtown Austin with thousands of people just happy to be back on the streets after so many race cancellations.
    

    Runners prepare for the 2021 Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot. Chris LeBlanc photo