1st Annual Turkey Trot

Joseph is the king of health lately. Since the beginning of June he has been participating in 3 consecutive healthy living/weight loss challenges which focus on eating well (only 3 treats a week, 5 servings of fruits/veggies a day, no eating after 9:00 pm) and working out for at least 45 minutes 5 days a week. Each last for 8 weeks. It is seriously paying off—he's lost more than 30 pounds and is as strong as an Ironman. Seriously. He is killing it on his bike these days and has been able to run a few 8 minute miles—um, fast. He is loving it too which makes the crazier schedule worth it. Man, I miss the days of his 6 am bike rides and my 7 pm rides—I love summer. But we are figuring it out (aka spin class at the gym & family 5Ks!)


I am so proud of him, and he is a great motivator for me. Since July I have been pretty consistent with 4 days of working out each week and I am trying to limit treats too so there aren't hundreds of tempting things around making life hard for the hubby :) It took a while for me to notice any difference but once I quit nursing the baby in September I have felt more and more comfortable in my pre-baby clothes. Burning 700 calories in spin class or 1200 on a long bike ride has got to help somehow! I am becoming a big fan of killer cardio workouts and love how much stronger I feel because of them.

Anyway, Joseph and his family planned a LeBaron family Turkey Trot for Thanksgiving morning this year. It was arranged to meet a fitness goal set by the wellness challenge which many of them are participating in together, and it became a big family event. We ran a little 5K route along the Jordan River Parkway—flat and meandering and totally safe from traffic. The hubs designed cool shirts and family members brought bagels, bananas, and Gatorade to help replenish after the run.

As you can see a lot of us were pushing wee babes (and not so wee toddlers) in strollers. Slowed me  down some but once Joseph and Bentley had rounded the halfway point, and met me on their way back, we traded and he took the littles and the stroller. Meant that I ran almost 2 miles without any kids to worry about and it was a glorious part of my morning. It felt so good and even though my knees are not happy about running, my heart is stronger than ever and I just ran and ran (well, jogged and jogged :) in the crisp morning sunshine. I loved it.

 The whole group in our shirts (Joseph's uncle and cousin on the far left. And Jessica's family joined us too but did so last minute so we hadn't ordered them any shirts)

Classic LeBaron dirtiness. These boys love this kind of thing—ditched their shorts for a lovely "tight pants" moment. My hubby's legs...love those skinny things! And watch this if you need a good laugh (Jimmy Fallon and Will Ferrell goodness).

Here's the world's sweetest baby boy! 

He was just hanging in the stroller the whole time. What a champ.

Instagram collage from the day. Bentley pounded out that race! He had to stop and walk a few times but was faster than almost all the adults. I think that boy is a runner!

It was such a great event. We are thinking it should be become a regular thing but that a) we will run it on Friday or Saturday so Thanksgiving is not so hectic, and 2) we would like to make shirts again but charge just a few dollars more than cost so we can use the extra money for Christmas service (aka Sub 4 Santa/Angel Tree family). Let me know if you want to come trot with us next year! It was really very fun. And I need some friends/family to wear snazzy printed tights with me! I think they make you run faster...