When most people think of November, they think of spending time with family, stuffing, and holiday gift shopping. For runners, however, November signals a long-standing Thanksgiving tradition: the turkey trot! 

Each year, families and individuals from all over the country take part in a 5K run in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving. In 2018, Running USA reported that more than a million people would be participating in a run on the holiday. The tradition began in Buffalo, and has expanded to include over 1,000 races across the United States. 

The annual races are right around the corner, and if you’ve just decided that you’d like to participate (or, if you’ve recently married into a family that participates…), it’s not too late to train! 

If you are new to running, you may want to start your training by simply walking, 30-60 minutes per day. Realistically, you can walk the majority of the 5K if needed, so don’t stress too much! It is a common misconception that you have to train for months to be able to successfully complete a race. You’ll want to avoid pushing your body too hard, as this could result in serious injury. Take it slow and remember that turkey trots should be fun! 

You will definitely want to have comfortable shoes while you train and for race day, but if you’re not sure running is for you yet, you may want to purchase a more affordable pair to start! Runner’s World put togethera list of running shoes that are less than $100. Check it out! 

Lastly, ensure you know what is happening on race day. You’ll want to review the race route ahead of time, and make adjustments to your training as needed. For example, if the race route has several hills throughout it, you’ll want to incorporate some hills into your practice, too. 

Most importantly, remember that turkey trots are a century-old tradition meant to be an enjoyable way to kickoff Thanksgiving. It’s all in good fun!