R4TJ – Gorging on Turkey with the Family
This Thanksgiving story is a true one. The names have been changed to protect the innocent…
It’s that time of year again. Time to be thankful, sit down with your family, make a side-dish, share a feast, and pass out on a couch to football. You expect that Cousin Red has hosting responsibilities. He always hosts… Out of nowhere he texts (doesn’t call) and asks me to host just the night before the big day. I don’t have a plan, what will I make? I realize Red has no idea who is coming or how many people I have to serve.
Frantically, I send out invitations and ask for RSVPs. I get a few actual RSVPs – my brother Corey (big help when planning out the meal budget) and cousin Mark (you should see this guy clean-up after dinner). Otherwise, lots of questions and comments from the peanut gallery. Stephen (always the match-maker at our get togethers) liked this picture I sent in the invitation but he’s not coming, Jaron (the cousin that think’s he’s some sort of comic book character) says he’ll send some of his high quality H2O but he isn’t coming, and my boy Olson says he has a Full House of his own to deal with…
I hope I make enough! … What if I make too much? … Do I have enough chairs? … Who am I kidding we don’t sit at R4TJ. Family! Am I Right?
EC: Nemo, Pikachu, UTI
My brother Andrew showed up unexpectedly. I figured he might turn up on his way out of town but I just wasn’t sure. As I stepped out to greet him, Chris shot by the door. (I swear that guys moves like lightning). The time I had set in the invitation for appetizers arrived so we got started, figured no one else would be coming. 2ish miles of EC was on the menu. It was something I’d discovered long ago on a visit to Paradise City. By the time we were done other guests had started to trickle in.
FNGs: Zilch – It would be nice if some of these guys had more friends to bring along to dinner. The more the merrier I always say…
Warm Up: Daisy Pickers, Frankensteins, Burpees (Thanks Katniss), Butt Kickers, High Knees
We got started with some light stretching. Meals at R4TJ are no joke and you really need to stretch things out to make room. Right as we got started, Brian tore into the driveway. He said he’d planned on going to Jeff’s get together but put in the wrong address. Since he was so close to my house… he just made himself at home… Oy! We added a card table, threw a table cloth on it and let him join us. It’s Thanksgiving after all and he brought a few cans for sides…
The Workout:
For those of us that came with an empty stomach and a hefty appetite. YHC served a beautiful whole bird. If you had to equate the amount of meat to a distance – I’d say it was about 5 miles of Turkey. If you went back for more (like Chris did – More than a few times I might add – that guy can really dig in) you might get more like 10 miles out of that bird. Truly a feast!
Guests seeking something on the lighter side opted for the neck and the dark meat. Chad (we call him Rut – hunters like the gross stuff) was happy to deliver. Such a long neck on this thing. 3 miles of meat (I know its strange but my family has always measured their meat in miles.)
Mary: We didn’t invite her. Always brings up politics at the table. Gets Corey all bent out of shape. She winds up drunk and things really get strange after that… Not worth the hassle.
Announcements: Convergence tomorrow at Tiger Blood, 6AM. Friendsgiving at M4Ls on Thursday, Frosty, Christmas Party, Oakwood 24, BRR registration opens soon, there was more and I hope its all on Slack. With all the tryptophan and you just start getting sick of your family… It’s like Blah Blah Blah….
T-Claps (Recognition): These go to Josh and Brian – This was Kosher’s 3rd post in South Wake and he came out for 3 miles at R4TJ. I’d say its a bit rare for our newcomers to show at R4TJ especially when running hasn’t been their thing recently. Great work Kosher and welcome to the family. Katniss delivered the goods, the canned goods that is!
Prayer: Mark lead us in prayer (again, strange family, prayers after the meal). Great message from Corey about being mindful/grateful for what we have in our families. Bring all 3Fs to your table this year. Be great fathers, brothers, husbands, etc. as we always talk about. Keep Quiver and family in your prayers. Consider those
2nd F: Once all the crazies left… Brian, Corey, Chris, Josh, and I (Jon) went over to Panera for some after-dinner coffee.
