<b>Hard work and a positive attitude will get you everywhere.</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>It's been 8 weeks since surgery...&amp; in one more week I'll be returning to the starting line for my first "race" since I broke my knee. <b>That's 9 weeks since surgery...</b>I move quick ;).&nbsp;</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ETTQKSwVi-s/VG3dQo4DvrI/AAAAAAAALb0/GTM5E7GK0Z8/s1600/500px-I'm_back_baby!.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ETTQKSwVi-s/VG3dQo4DvrI/AAAAAAAALb0/GTM5E7GK0Z8/s1600/500px-I'm_back_baby!.png" height="181" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />The race I chose for my triumphant return is probably one of the most historic, scenic 5K turkey trots you could ask for...right where it all started for USA - the <b><a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Plymouth/PlymouthThanksgivingDayPilgrim5KRunandWalk">Plymouth Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5K.&nbsp;</a></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>So there's that. </b>I'm also already getting myself lined up for a BIG 2015...and a few someones have taken notice...<a name='more'></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXa6FtiBjb8/VG3hzFAEtqI/AAAAAAAALcA/CAcgD_89iFw/s1600/IMG_20141119_091541.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXa6FtiBjb8/VG3hzFAEtqI/AAAAAAAALcA/CAcgD_89iFw/s1600/IMG_20141119_091541.jpg" height="200" width="189" /></a></div><div><b>Recovery is hard.</b>&nbsp;It's been a challenging road, and I'm relieved to be coming out the other side. I understand just how fortunate I am that my broken knee wasn't worse &amp; didn't come with soft tissue damage (like a torn ACL). Thanks to <a href="http://www.drwilsterman.com/">a kick-ass orthopedic surgeon</a>, a little guidance from <a href="http://www.mashpeephysicaltherapy.com/">a physical therapist</a>, and a LOT of grit and determination, <b>I managed 2 miles on the treadmill yesterday.</b>&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Started with a walk, worked up to a jog, and before I knew it I was working a 12 minute mile. <b>Not bad for 2 weeks off the crutches.</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-un9GpU-kJR4/VG3kTJ0fw_I/AAAAAAAALcM/XR478F2LHPQ/s1600/disbelief.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-un9GpU-kJR4/VG3kTJ0fw_I/AAAAAAAALcM/XR478F2LHPQ/s1600/disbelief.jpg" height="200" width="181" /></a><b>My first goal</b>&nbsp;was to be able to do the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/falmouthchamberofcommercejinglejog">Jingle Jog - a Christmas 5K</a> in my town on Dec. 6th. <b>Then I got ambitious</b>&nbsp;and decided to shoot for a turkey trot. <b>Literally everyone</b>&nbsp;I told looked at me like I was insane. So, naturally, <b>I worked harder to defy the odds.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>And then yesterday happened, affirming for me that I'm good to go.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>So what about this turkey trot?</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, this race seems to be pretty great. It's put on by <a href="http://www.plymouthrockracing.com/">Plymouth Rock Racing</a> and takes place in just about the GREATEST place for a Turkey Trot - Plymouth, MA (y'know, home of the ORIGINAL Thanksgiving?).&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SiWvyOvdGhs/VG3pbAgL_YI/AAAAAAAALcc/qlnQ1rhXpGo/s1600/plymouth%2Bturkey%2Btrot.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SiWvyOvdGhs/VG3pbAgL_YI/AAAAAAAALcc/qlnQ1rhXpGo/s1600/plymouth%2Bturkey%2Btrot.jpg" height="320" width="115" /></a></div><div>This course is a nice little flat &amp; fast 5K along the oldest road in the country - Old Sandwich Road. It's an out-and-back with the turnaround at "the other rock" in Plymouth - <a href="http://www.plymouthantiquariansociety.org/historic.htm">Sacrifice Rock</a>.&nbsp;What is it? Apparently a very old Native American religious site. <b>Pretty cool</b>. This course is very scenic - I ran along Old Sandwich Rd for the <a href="http://www.sothisisfitness.com/2014/02/winter-warlock-recap.html">Winter Warlock 5K</a>. I loved it covered in snow and I'm sure I'll love it in the throes of late fall/early winter. <b>New England</b>...love/hate relationship...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>FUN FACT - </b>There's also <a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Plymouth/PlymouthTurkeyTrot">a 5 mile turkey trot</a> that very same morning. Yes, <b>two turkey trots -</b>&nbsp;one morning (pretty sure Plymouth is the only town in America with two turkey trots same day). Do both and it's the Second Helping Challenge. I WAS planning on doing that...<b>then I broke my knee.</b>&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>The 5 miler happens across town by the waterfront. It's actually a really great course and I'm pretty bummed I'm not participating. You run by about 5 major historic sites, including the Mayflower II, the Forefathers Monument, and Plymouth Rock. That's kind of Plymouth Rock Racing's M.O. though...with the history and beautiful courses and whatnot. <i>(More on that another day)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>If you're still looking for a turkey trot and you're anywhere near Plymouth...<b>register for this race.</b>&nbsp;Turkey trots are a dime a dozen, so why not do one (or two!) that's steeped in history along a beautiful course?</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">I mentioned I'm getting set up for 2015...</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>After <b>putting in WORK </b>on a ridiculous 2014...some people have taken notice. Within the next week (I think) I'll be one of 6 athletes featured in <a href="http://www.healthwarrior.com/">Health Warrior's "Conquer 2014" series</a>, and...*dramatic pause*...</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz_hijxkilY/VG3tuci4MGI/AAAAAAAALco/j2nNNUH6oac/s1600/l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz_hijxkilY/VG3tuci4MGI/AAAAAAAALco/j2nNNUH6oac/s1600/l.jpg" height="290" width="320" /></a></div><div><b><a href="http://www.capecodnutrition.com/index.html">Cape Cod Nutrition Corner</a></b>&nbsp;will be announcing me as the newest addition to their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CapeCodNutritionCorner.Plymouth">Sponsored Athlete Team</a>! You heard it here first :) <b>Can't keep me down.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Just goes to show, like I said before, <b>hard work and a positive attitude will get you everywhere.</b>&nbsp;See you at the starting line.</div>