Life of Pie

Thanksgiving is a SERIOUS contender for the top spot of my favorite holiday every year, which is why I'm so annoyed when people seem hell-bent on passing over it to get straight to Christmas. No real fuss about Thanksgiving, no need to go out and buy presents for everyone (although that's fun in its time), just show up, watch some football, and literally eat yourself into a tryptophan-induced coma with family. You can't beat it.

One of the best traditions we've adopted over the past couple years has been the Thanks 4 Giving 5k/10k fun-run in our very own hometown of Lowell, MA. It's a pretty fantastic get out of guilt free excuse for all the shameful calories we're about to consume later on. We knew LOADS of people who'd left the comfort of their warm beds this morning to brave the cold, and here's just a partial record of our adventures with them all this morning! 

The E-Streeters are ready to run!

Clan Cassidy (plus one), the poster family of this year's race

This is seeming less and less a good idea as we're getting closer to the start

Boston Marathon teacher buds

A shameless start chute selfie (now repeat 5x fast)

Out on the course, a water stop courtesy of the STATE CHAMPION Lowell High Red Raiders XC team. Whatever they put in their water, believe me, you want some.

E-Streeters Barry Scanlon and John Piekos, the latter fresh off his adventures on the wilds of the African Savannah. No zebras here, John, just turkeys.  

When you've run 26.2, it's all smiles for a mere 10k

Ms. Heather Spence came all the way from the West Coast to run this. Hopefully we didn't disappoint!

Our own Ms. Heather Cook, on loan from Stonehill College for the week, seen here WISHING that she was on the West Coast and not slogging through a cold morning 5k

And now, a rarity: a literal step-by-step anatomy of a finish line photobomb. Children, take notes.

Step 1: The picture is set up. The photobomber is given a (frightening) verbal warning.

Step 2: The photobomber exits the picture, lulling his victims into a false sense of security. Some (Heather Cook) remain wary.

Step 3: Inevitability

Basically, we do these things for the food at the end

And now, the most important shot of all: in some circles, this is called the money shot, but we'll settle for pie!! (Insert geometry joke here about circle circumference and Pi... I'm an English major, we don't know these things)

My other favorite thing about Thanksgiving is that it reminds everyone to step back and reflect on and appreciate everything they've been given in life; no-one's is perfect, but the health to power through a 5k on a beautiful November morning surrounded by a core group of friends like this... yeah, it's not bad. THANK YOU, everyone in my extended circle, for making my world one that I wouldn't trade for anything -- know that you're in my thoughts and well wishes as I tuck into my plate(s) of turkey later.
Happy eatings, all!!