Before you eat too much turkey on Thanksgiving Day and the tryptophan kicks in making you too sleepy to move, why not participate in one of Columbus Turkey Day running events. You’ll be doing good for you and for some local non-profit organizations.

1. The Turkey Trot is Columbus’ oldest Thanksgiving Day races going strong for almost 20 years. This year’s event raises money for Easter Seals Central Ohio chapter. The goal is to raise $20,000 for Easter Seals efforts to educate and provide services to families of Autistic children. The race starts and finishes at the Shops on Lane Avenue. Race time is 9:00 a.m. For more details on the race visit the web site.
2. The Pilgrim’s 4 Miler is a run around Polaris Fashion Place and raises money and awareness for children with Cerebral Palsy. Funds raised from the event will benefit the Luke Billings Foundation. Race time is 9:00 a.m. For more details visit the web site.
3. Flying Feather 4 Miler is a run in Dublin. In it’s fourth year the run raises money and awareness for Toys for Tots and the 2nd & 7 Foundation. The race starts at 9:00 a.m. and runs through the Glacier Ridge Metro Park. Marines will be at the race site collecting unwrapped, unopened toys. For more details visit the web site.

Columbus, Have you seen the new movie Whip It starring Ellen Page and directed by Drew Barrymore? I’ll leave the movie reviews to our gal Kelly Gingery, our very own Mix Flick Chick. Let’s just say, for me, the whole idea of a sport for spunky women has totally inspired dreams of becoming a Derby Girl. Hmm…Do I have what it takes? Can I dish out a slam or take a fall? What would my Derby name be?

Spunky Columbus gals, you don’t have to live vicariously through characters from Whip It. Support the Ohio Roller Girls and the grass roots effort to promote the sport! Not exactly new to the greatest city of all, Columbus’ Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby League offers several different ways to get involved.

Come out to their next home bout: October 17th the Ohio Roller Girls take on Kilamazoo Derby Darlins from Michigan. Doors open at 3:30 pm with game starting at 4:00 pm at the Central Ohio Roller Hockey located in Grandview Heights at 941 Burrell Ave.

Try Out: October 20th Fall Try outs to “prove you aren’t a wussy”.

Volunteer: After some soul searching (and brutal honestly from my husband) I’ve decided to put off the try out this fall. However, that doesn’t put me out of the game. There are opportunities to volunteer, giving a “wanna be” like me, the opportunity to support an all female sport and help with the grass roots efforts.

Go Ohio Roller Girls…kill those kilamazoo Derby Darlins! I’ll be there October 17th with my support and yelling, “Whip it”. Oh, and what do you think of Hardtbreaker as my Derby name? My friend Killer Kelly thought of it. I think it fits.

Are you one of those people who promised themselves that they were going to get in shape on New Year’s Eve and then totally lapsed after a month?? (You are not alone!) Or maybe you’re just one of those crazy people who enjoys running?? Personally, this blogger is the former who happens to be engaged to a man who is the latter. Sometimes his love of running collides with my desire to get in shape and occasionally I happen to find myself registered for a 5k, cursing myself at the 1 mile mark as I sweat and want to cry. However, I digress…

If you’re looking for some good healthy fun, you should consider running in the Westerville 10k & 5k Classic on August 23rd at Alum Creek Park. The 10k begins at 8:00 am and the 5k starts shortly after at 8:10 am. Pre-registration online is $29 per person and day of is $35. Your registration fee gets you a swag bag including a t-shirt, EAS nutritional product, and some other stuff. You can also bring the kids and let them run in the McDonald’s “Future Olympian” Kid’s Run beginning at 7:45 am. It’s a 200 meter dash and costs $10. They will also receive a goodie bag. Kids MUST register online by August 21st to participate as there is no day of registration for the kid’s race.

The run should be a beautiful course beginning in the park and continuing along the Alum Creek Trail. I’ve also checked the weather and as of now, it’s gearing up to be a gorgeous morning.

Awards will be given post race to the top 3 finishers in each age group. After the race, you can carb up at the optional pancake breakfast, which costs an additional $4 to attend. All proceeds from the pancake breakfast will go to benefit the Westerville Lions Club.

For more information or to register online click here. You can also register at the Fleet Feet Polaris (846-5625) thru August 22nd. For all additional questions the race hotline is 332-5205.