The Larry Cox Turkey Trot

Come run a race with me

The runners and walkers are gathering at the center of our park ready. The gun goes off to start the race.

I run.

950 of us trying to find our place, find our pace. People weave in and out as we approach the top on the entrance to the park.

My lungs begin to burn from the cold, wet air of Thanksgiving morning. I knew as this day approached I wouldn’t be able to run the whole 5k, seeing how I just started running again in the last month or so, but I thought it would be a great way to commemorate this past year. Even though I haven’t been running long, I didn’t anticipate having to walk within the first mile of the race.

I walk.

Between the cold and the slight incline—which felt like a huge mountain to this under-conditioned body—I begin to walk after I crest the incline to catch my breath and I will my body to keep going.

This was a stupid idea! Why did I even sign up for this run? I berate myself as I try to pick up the pace again.

I begin to run.

I look over and see my biggest cheerleader: Babe encouraging me to keep going. Our eyes lock, we smile, I run a bit faster.

My thoughts change. I do this because I needed a goal, something to get my body moving. It helps my recovery from the toxins that are still running through my body and it gives me space to reflect and dream.

I reflect and a smile crosses my face—

• My daughter who put clean sheets on my bed when I was too weak

• My other daughter who accompanied me to a doctor’s appointment to get a shot

• My son who ran to get me cottage cheese when that was the only thing that sounded good

• My other son who sent texts on his lunch to see how I was feeling

• My sons in laws who come to visit.

Mother Teresa said, “In this life we cannot always do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” My kids loved me BIG in small ways.

Walking again.

My playlist reminds me I have chosen to trust Jesus this past year and I will continue to trust Him with all the unknowns.

I wish I could explain away the hardest parts
Of life that makes it easy to get lost
And understand the ways that You seem to love me so
And just how much you gave me on that cross.

But I trust You, I trust You
I don’t need to know it all to know I love You 
I trust You, Jesus, I trust You 
I don’t need to know it all to know I want You.

I remember six months earlier when I could barely get off the couch to take a short walk around the block. Grateful I have a God I can trust.

I run.

I feel stronger now as I pick up my pace again. I turn the corner. The man standing along the race route bundled up in his red OSU jacket and taboggan looks familiar. It’s another cheerleader: my dad. He asks how I’m feeling as I pass. “Hot,” I reply with a laugh. The cold air is no longer a problem as my body is warmed by the pace I am keeping.

Walking once again.

A bit frustrated I have to slow my pace. I catch my breath; I give my muscles a rest. Walking to the finish isn’t the way I wish to end this race, so I move my legs faster, and

I’m running again.

My biggest cheerleader has made his way back to the last stretch of the race, standing along the sidelines watching, cheering.

I’ve almost made it to the end. I look down the home stretch and standing just past the finish line, my sweaty son, who finished in half my time, is waiting to embrace me.

We have endured.

We have finished.

One faster than the other, but in that moment the only thing that mattered most is that we FINISHED!¹

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That was a lot of running and walking, but I kept going. That’s what this past year has felt like: running, walking and sometimes crawling. It took God’s nearness, my determination, cheerleaders, and small and big acts of kindness by others to keep me moving forward. To all of these things I am forever grateful.

Feel like giving up?

Slow your pace, catch your breath. Remember why you are in the race. Be grateful for those who have helped you get this far. Listen to the cheerleaders who are encouraging you to keep going. Put your trust in the One who knows the unknown path ahead.

Let me know how I can pray for you.

Special thanks to my brother in-law and sister in-law’s worship team. Several of their songs were on my turkey trot playlist. If you like the song I linked, check out more of their songs.

1. I did finish 6 minutes faster than the goal I set.