Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving week here ended up being pretty good in terms of weather most days, which meant almost all my runs were done outdoors AND B and I got in a Turkey Trot. I ended the week with just under 30 miles total.
turkey trot
Goodbye November Running
Can you believe this is the last running post I’ll share in November? I honestly can’t remember another November that went so fast. I don’t really mind, though- the sooner this month ends, the sooner the holidays will be here!
Speaking of holidays, last week included a Thanksgiving day race, along with several other runs that were mostly stroller runs. I’m on vacation, so if I want to run, most times there’s a stroller involved.
Here’s how the week looked:
And some pics:
After the 5 miler … fun fact: during the race, we had to stop for ambulances to drive by. I didn’t mind stopping to catch my breath, but I did wonder what my time would’ve been otherwise.
Running with the stroller:
Passed out after a run:
Some questions for you:
- Did you do a Thanksgiving race?
- Have you ever had to unexpectedly stop in the middle of a race for an emergency vehicle or other reason?
I’m linking up with the weekly wraps and linking up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs.
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Tuesdays on the Run: A Connecticut Turkey Trot
Happy Tuesday! This week was a pretty low mileage week, mainly due to spending time with family for the holidays, plus 20+ hours in the car 3 days this week. But, I was still able to get out and get in a few runs, including a run in NY and a Turkey Trot in Connecticut! Here are some of the miles:
And some of the highlights:
I got to run with B and FW twice this week! We ran together Wednesday before our car trip and Thursday for the Turkey Trot. AND B even pushed the stroller both times, so I just got to run along next to them.
Post Turkey Trot:
Also, I was able to run on a beautiful and “warm” (40s) day in New York when I was home. I got in a few miles while FW was at a playground with my parents. And I finished up and met up with them!
Also, I saw this floating around on the Instas and had to share it in case you haven’t seen it. Ha! I’m so happy I married into a family where my spouse is up for the crazy turkey day running tradition with me 🙂
Some questions for you:
- Did you run a Turkey Trot?
- How cold has the weather been near you?
Linking up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs!
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Still Feeling Thankful
I had SUCH A GOOD Thanksgiving. Do you ever just feel full of love, family and thankfulness that it warms you up? That’s how I’ve been feeling lately and felt especially this past week, as I got to spend Thanksgiving with my family for the first time in a few years. It was so great to see my aunts and uncles and cousins, and also to bring FW along – he hadn’t seen my family in nearly a year!
I’m not gonna lie – an 8+ hour car trip (well, one that’s supposed to be 8.5 hours … but turns into 10+) with a toddler isn’t easy. Or fun. But it was definitely worth it! Here are some highlights from the holiday weekend:
We started off the trip with a quick stop for breakfast. Bagels for the car ride! Even FW enjoyed an apple cinnamon bagel to-go.
Thursday morning started off with a Turkey Trot. We ran the Stratford (CT) Turkey Trot this year, which was a 5k. We did it with FW so we started out in the back behind the other strollers (and behind the walkers … ugh!), but still had a good time.
We hit up quite a few playgrounds. There were a few in Connecticut and some in New York for FW to try. 
He was pretty happy on the two-person swing 🙂
We of course enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with our family! 
And got in the rare family photo. This picture was actually snapped approximately 20 seconds before FW vomited all over. No, he didn’t even eat any of the Thanksgiving food! So who knows what it was .. too much excitement?
FW loved hanging out with Grandpa. 
And Nonna!
FW also loved hanging out with my cousin, Max. Max and him had some quality time at another playground.
When back in Albany, FW got to play some piano, too. Even with my mom 🙂
I love the holiday season, and am super pumped that it is finally here. Less than one month until Christmas and I can see my family again!
Questions for you:
- Did you travel this Thanksgiving?
- Did you do a turkey trot?
I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!
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10 Thanksgiving Things
I had a LONG weekend (took part of Wednesday off) and I can’t believe that it’s over. Unfortunately our plans to go back east and spend Thanksgiving with my family fell through, but we were able to spend the holiday in Cleveland with B’s family. Which meant we got to do quite a few things on our days off. Here were 10 of those things …
1. Running the Cleveland Turkey Trot. It’s a 5 mile race and was my first real race after FW was born that I had signed up for. I tried to keep up with B’s siblings for most of the run (B watched FW during the race and cheered us on) – but since I’m still getting back into shape and they’re mid-marathon training, it wasn’t an easy feat! In any case, I finished pretty strong and better than I expected – I had an 8:40/mile average page.
2. Getting dressed up and celebrating the holiday with B’s family. Any excuse to put FW in a cardigan and bowtie 🙂
3. Cooking! B and I brought cauliflower to the big meal. We roasted a few whole heads with a dijon dressing and then also made a cauliflower, date and pignoli nut dish.
4. Cuddling with great grandma. This was FW of course 🙂
5. Working out. I got in 4 runs and some kettle bells on my days off.
6. Bundling up for a walk downtown. It was chilly for the first few days – but at least it made for perfect ice skating weather! (not for me – but for those people in the picture)
7. Shopping! We did some shopping for Christmas gifts and bought a few books and teething supplies for FW. (Side note – teething is THE WORST.) 
8. Walking. FW, B and I went for a walk when it was sunny and in the upper 40s one day. It felt great to see the sun and not be super bundled up!
9. Bowling. B’s family’s post-Thanksgiving tradition is bowling and then a big Italian dinner. I did pretty well for me (82!) but as you can see, it wasn’t enough to get in the finals – check out all the high scorers in my lane!
10. Lots of eating. I mean – it was Thanksgiving, after all. B and I had some good meals even outside of our Thanksgiving Day meal. Including some great Chinese takeout from our favorite place (Wonton Gourmet)and then feasting on all of the new Halo Top flavors. Seriously – I almost squealed (okay, I did squeal) when I saw all these flavors at Whole Foods!
And now, it’s back to reality for a few days at least. I have a busy week ahead of me at work so hopefully it will fly by.
Some questions for you:
- Have you tried the new Halo Top flavors?
- Did you run a Turkey Trot?
Per usual, I’m linking up with Erin, Katie and the weekly wraps.
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Another Carnoski Thanksgiving in NY and Cleveland
I really love this time of year. I love the food, the holiday music, the traditions, etc. But really, I just love seeing my family. B and I swap Thanksgivings, spending pretty much every other holiday with my family, and this was one of the years we spent in New York so I got to see my family and friends.
A few highlights from my Thanksgiving:
A few homemade meals (I still love my mom’s cooking):
Chicken with mozzarella and spinach
Quinoa with Apples and Pecans – recipe here!
A scenic train ride into New York City:
Walking around the city with B and then dinner with one of my bffs, Jane:
Sorry, no food pics (it didn’t come out) but we enjoyed an awesome Mediterranean meal!
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge with B:
halfway across the bridge!
Our approach from Brooklyn
Sushi with my parents:
Does anyone know what the raw egg on top of the fish on the top left is? It was amazing…
A surprise day-before-Thanksgiving Noreaster – so pretty! (it had been 70 in the city the day before!)
A Thanksgiving morning 5k and a too brief reunion with my other bff, Melgar:
❤ the two Melissas before the Turkey Trot (with matching headbands of course)
Melgar’s husband, Jon, B and me post-run
Me and Melgar and her sister with our medals!
Thanksgiving dinner with family
so many appetizers!
Family picture ❤
Post-Thanksgiving Chinese (What does this fortune even mean?!)
I have no idea …
B’s family’s post-Thanksgiving celebration – annual bowling tournament
B – the bowling all star (he made it into the finals this year!)
Cousins-in-law!
Final score of my best round – 81!
And made it back to Cleveland just in time to catch the end of Winterfest and the lighting of downtown!
Love the Christmas music, the tree and chandelier lighting and all the people!
fireworks and a tree lighting
Okay, off to listen to some Christmas tunes (finally!!!!!) and get into the holiday spirit. Only a few weeks until Christmas!
Some questions for you:
- Did you do a Turkey Trot?
- How do you spend Thanksgiving? What’s a fun tradition you have?
- Do you wait until after Thanksgiving to listen to holiday tunes?
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Bacon Bombs, Bowling and More = A West Virginian Thanksgiving
And so it begins – the holiday season is officially here! Woohoo! I really do love this time of year – from the baking and holiday foods, to the festive lights decorating downtown to of course being able to spend time with my family – what’s not to like?
lights in the Arcade in Cleveland
This weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving. And because we trade locations (NY with my family vs. here with B’s family) each year, this year we were spending the holiday with B’s family. And this year, B’s family had rented a cabin in Wheeling, West Virginia at Oglebay Resort. We would be in a cabin for three nights with about 20 members of B’s family and extended family – which meant lots of good meals, drinks, games, and we even fit in some even some runs and walks! Some highlights:
The cabin:
Here’s where we stayed- it was really nice and a short walk from the main lodge which meant just a short walk from the pool and fitness center! (yes, I got in a 6 mile treadmill run one day while the kiddos were splashing in the pool).
Our home for 3 nights
The food:
We arrived Wednesday night at the cabin to a dinner of what B’s family was calling bacon bombs. Bacon/meat-lovers rejoice – have I got the meal for you – imagine a giant meatloaf wrapped in bacon? That’s what this is:
bacon bombs!
And what would Thanksgiving be without all of the other glorious food?
Some of the fun:
Before getting on the road, we decided to do some pre-vacation pampering! I went with my niece and two of my sisters-in-law and we got our nails done.
I brought supplies with me to make some candy turkeys I’d found on Pinterest – and they were a hit! The kids loved making them and trying to steal all the candy/cookies/frosting/etc. they could get their hands on.
We went sleigh riding down what a local called “Suicide Hill.” I mostly watched and ran up and down the hill to keep warm, but couldn’t help but take photos and video of the fun. My favorite? Sending Oliver down the hill in a laundry basket that we had in the car.
baby in a basket https://t.co/LZKFs3JH7J
— Melissa Koski Carney (@koskim) November 29, 2013
Keeping the Thanksgiving morning tradition of running alive, we found a 5k in Wheeling and ran it – with a few of the other family members! It was tons of fun. I ran the whole race with B’s cousin who’s the girl in the front in the blue hat in the pic below – she’s fast and came in 4th in her age group (14 and under).
B and me post-race. B rocked and PRd with a 5k in 23 something minutes
The whole gang who ran!
And of course just all around shenanigans and playing with my niece and nephew and cousins-in-law.
He’s a pretty good reader for a preschooler huh?
Teaching her some of my favorite old hand-games.
Pirates are completely normal on Thanksgiving, right? Didn’t they come over with the pilgrims?
Introducing the Thanksgiving pirate https://t.co/C2XbsdwhlE
— Melissa Koski Carney (@koskim) November 28, 2013
And Thanksgiving with B’s family wouldn’t be complete without BOWLING. That’s right, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, his dad’s side gets together for a bowling competition (the side of the family who gets together for softball competition each year). No, I didn’t win (for some reason scoring a 76 didn’t even get me into the finals!) – but there’s always next year, right? I’ll be seeking bowling coaches – you know where to find me! (kidding)
Cousins-in-law!
bowling!
And that was it! From traveling to West Virginia and then to way out northeastern Ohio for bowling, I’m somewhat feeling I need a vacation from my vacation!
Some questions for you:
How was your Thanksgiving? Do you travel for the holiday?
What did you make for the holiday? B and I were in charge of desserts! We also were to make a vegetable – so we made roasted squash and Brussels sprouts!
Did you try any new foods? Yes! Shoofly pie, that B and I made, as well as a slice of a bacon bomb.
Do you have any fun family traditions during the holidays? Bowling with B’s family the Sat. after Thanksgiving has become a great tradition!
Did you do any Thanksgiving day races / Turkey Trots?
What are you most looking forward to about the coming month or so of the holiday season? Love Actually, Christmas music and seeing my family again!
I leave you with this pic of B and me chopping veggies:
I Crashed The Web 