Happy belated Thanksgiving! I’m feeling extra thankful this year, because for the first time in five years, I was able to spend time with my extended family and celebrate Thanksgiving with them.  Thanks to the pandemic, it had been several years since we were able to go back to Connecticut and spend Thanksgiving with my family and I am so grateful for B and the kids for driving 20+ hours just so I could see my family and also get in a Turkey Trot.

In honor of our trip, here’s a non-running blogpost about what our adventure included:

We left Ohio Tuesday evening, and drove about 5 hours to Pennsylvania. We stopped for dinner along the way, and after that, most of the kids were able to sleep during the ride thankfully.

Wednesday morning, we got in hotel breakfast (yay for waffle makers, cottage cheese, and hard boiled eggs!), and then a nice trip to the hotel pool. The kids all had a blast splashing around. After we checked out, we walked around the downtown of the city we had stayed in, stopping in a coffee shop and book store, which was apparently one of the oldest independent book stores in the U.S. We of course left with new books to keep us entertained in the car for a little.

Wednesday’s 4+ hour car trip was a little more eventful. We hit traffic, so I found us a local road, which ended up being windy and left FW and GM feeling sick. GM ended up getting car sick, so we had to stop along the way to clean him up, and then a few more stops to help FW feel better. Eventually, we made it to Connecticut, and I was able to pick up my race packet just before they closed down. Then, it was time for dinner! We were able to meet up with my extended family for dinner at a local Asian restaurant.

Thursday morning we got up early for the Stratford Turkey Trot! I’m so grateful for B and the kids for putting up with my crazy running needs. The race had a free kids run that I ended up signing FW and LM up for at the last minute, which I’m so glad I did! They had a clown and a turkey warming the kids up at their starting line, and then giant turkey-themed medals at the finish!

Then it was time for my race! The course was around the neighborhoods of Stratford, and while it started out crowded, it ended up spacing out during the course and was an enjoyable race. It wasn’t my fastest 5K by far, but I finished and felt good.

After that, we headed back to the hotel to get in some pool time before Thanksgiving dinner at my aunt and uncle’s house. Dinner was great – my parents had gotten into town and again, it was so great to see my family.

Friday morning, the kids got in one more trip to the pool while I got in a short treadmill run before getting on the road again. This time, we were driving to New Jersey to visit my aunt, my cousin, and her two kids. I hadn’t seen her since 2019 and was excited to introduce her to our newest baby as well as meet hers (again, thanks pandemic!).

After spending the afternoon with my cousin in New Jersey, we got back in the car to make the drive to upstate NY to spend the night at my parents’ house.

Saturday morning, I got up for a run near my parents’ house, and then we all headed to a nearby playground to let the kids burn some energy before we got in the road just in time for naptime.

The ride back was long, and we decided at the last minute to push through and get home Saturday night late. We didn’t get to bed until after midnight, but it was great sleeping in (and waking up in) my own bed Sunday morning!

We did it. We survived 20+ hours in the car with three kids, including a 16-month-old. I don’t recommend it, but it was worth it.

And now…. let the holiday season truly begin!