Troy Turkey Trot 10K

So, Kelly and I thought we'd take the relaxed approach to the Turkey Trot in Troy.
We trained for our distance races, ran them, and now it's time for a little fun.
Driving to the race site on Thanksgiving morning ended up being a little more of an adventure than I was hoping. The start of the race was moved to a new location and the streets that were closed ended up changing as well.
Kelly and I arrived a little later than we wanted, but we made it in time to see the 5K race before our race. There were a lot of people we know running in that race. It was great to see them having fun on Thanksgiving day.
The Turkey Trot is something that Kelly and I strive to make every year. It means a lot to us and Thanksgiving just isn't the same without a trot.
The 5K finishes and Kelly and I are lining up for the 10K. I wish Kelly luck and we head to our separate starting areas: me in front and Kelly in the middle of the crowd (I don't know how she does it).
The horn sounds and we're off. THe crowd is very supportive and the weather is slightly brisk. I immediately feel not quite right. I continue to press the pace just a little bit, but I am, in no way, racing this thing.
The miles feel like miles. That's not a good sign. I'm not racing and I feel every roll in the road and bump that I run over. Yuck. I'm starting to get a tickle in my nose and throat. CRAP!
I pass by the 5 mile marker without knowing it but I recognize the block that I'm on and know that the finish is coming up. I see an athlete I used to coach with Kelly, and he wishes me a "Happy Thanksgiving, Coach!" He ran in the 5K and finished about 9th or so. He's fast. I just hope I don't look as bad as I feel. I look at the people lining the streets and see that nobody is hiding their children from the hideous man running down the road. That's a good sign. I don't look as bad as I feel, evidently.
I finish and everything starts to set in, immediately. I sneeze uncontrollably. I can't find enough tissue to blow my nose with. My thraot hurts and I'm extremely tired.
I grab an extra orange for Kelly when she finishes and stand by the finish line. I lean on the barrier that is keeping the crowd back and here comes a woman that has just finished. She walks over in front of me and puts her hands on her knees. A woman that is cutting the timing chips from finishers' shoes grabs her shoe and the runner tells her to look out. She proceeds to vomit. The chi woman doesn't even blink. She lets the runner finish puking and calmly cuts the chip off of her shoe. What a volunteer!!!!
Kelly finishes and she looks good. I hold up my orange but she doesn't seem to want it. She ends up grabbing her own, and it's a good thing. Her orange was apparently AWESOME! I ate my orange and it was dry and tart. YUCK!
We walked back to the car, which had to be at the highest point in Troy. After we got to the car, Kelly and went home, showered, and headed off to visit family. I always get bummed out after the race because I love it so much. I remember, however, that the best of the day is yet to come. Family...
Next up, Holiday Lights in the Park. We run from downtown Albany, through Washington Park and all of the holiday lights, and finish back at the starting point. This will be another relaxed run as I wish to enjoy the lights.