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Welcome to the Official Site of The Y in Central Maryland Turkey Trot Charity 5K! We are excited to have you join us for this Thanksgiving morning tradition.

Adults, children and families from across the region come together to not only run (or walk, jog, stroll), but to raise funds so that children living in poverty in Central Maryland have access to Y programs that will forever shape their lives.

Thank you for being part of something good on Thanksgiving Morning!

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Don't Forget!

Not a Y Member, yet? Good news! Your registration for the Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K automatically kicks-off your complimentary Y membership - good for up to 30 days until December 31, 2015! Stop by any Y Center to activate your 30-day free Y membership today and start training for the race.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Online Registration CLOSED - Register in Person

Online registration for the Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K has closed BUT you can still register in person!

In-person registration is available at packet pick up only:


Arnold:
Baltimore City:
Bel Air:
Ellicott City:
Towson:
Westminster:
Day-of registration is available from 7 - 8am at all six event locations.
See you soon!

Online Registration Closes TONIGHT - MONDAY 8PM

Friday, November 20, 2015

Recipe: Mashed Potatoes with Something Extra!

This is our last recipe of the year - we cannot wait to see you Thursday! Today we ask, why not add a nutritious twist (pumpkin) to your classic mashed potatoes?



Ingredients
  1. 1 15-oz can pumpkin puree
  2. 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  3. 2 tsp fresh thyme
  4. 8 Yukon gold potatoes, diced
  5. 3/4 cup milk
  6. 4 Tbsp butter
  7. 1 tsp salt
  8. 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  9. 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, garlic and thyme.
  2. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and reserve 1 cup of cooking water. Return potatoes to the pot.
  3. Mash the potatoes until smooth and then stir the butter in. Add the milk and continue mashing, then add 1/2 cup of cooking water at a time until smooth. Season with salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
  4. Place the potatoes in a serving dish, and add the pumpkin mixture and fold in, creating swirls.
  5. Garnish with extra thyme.


Source

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Race Day Parking

Arnold: Complimentary at the Greater Annapolis Family Center Y and within the Anne Arundel Community College campus, but NOT on the race course.

Baltimore: In and around Druid Hill Park. Additional parking available in the Wyman Preschool Lot (200 Wyman Park Drive, Baltimore, MD 21211)


Bel Air: Courtland Street Garage, Harford Mutual and anywhere else in town that is NOT on the race course.

Ellicott City: Long Gate Shopping Center and the Dancel Family Center Y lot

Towson:  Baltimore County Parking Garage, 110 West Susquehanna Avenue, Towson, Maryland, 21204.

WestminsterCarroll County Community College, 1601 Washington Rd, Westminster, MD 21157.

Please drive safely! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Packet Pick Up Details!

In order to get your 2015 Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K t-shirt and race bib we ask that you attend packet pick-up. We recommend you attend a pick-up on Tuesday or Wednesday and not wait until the day of. Waiting until the day of could mean long lines! Please visit a location corresponding with your 5K location.

You only need your first and last name to pick up your packet.

Arnold:
Baltimore City:
Bel Air:
Ellicott City:
Towson:
Westminster:

You may pick up packets for your friends and family, just make sure you have their first and last name.

How Do I Email My Teammates?

You registered as a team and you can communicate as a team through our online platform! Here is how.



Thursday, November 12, 2015

Recipe: Egg Muffins

Instead of reaching for a breakfast bar or shake in the morning, we recommend making these ahead of time and then grabbing one (or two) to go. Also makes a great snack.

Customizable Egg Muffins
Makes 12 egg muffins

Ingredients
  • 12 eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup chopped cooked breakfast meat (bacon, sausage, ham, etc.)
  • 1/2 cup diced vegetables (use a few different vegetables)
  • 1 handful fresh finely chopped greens (spinach, kale, collard greens, etc.)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
  2. Grease a muffin pan with coconut oil or butter or spray with cooking spray.
  3. Crack eggs into large bowl and whisk with salt and pepper.
  4. Add cheese (if desired) and stir.
  5. Divide breakfast meat, diced vegetables and chopped greens between 12 muffin cups.
  6. Pour egg mixture over the veggies and meat, filling cups about 3/4 of the way.
  7. Bake for approximately 20 minutes.
  8. Allow muffins to rest before using a knife to slice around the outside of the muffins and carefully removing them from the muffin tin.
  9. Enjoy!

Not Running? #Volunteer


Not running Thanksgiving morning? Join us as a volunteer. To sign up please email the location you are interested in. Thank you for your support. Volunteers make this event possible!


Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Tips for Running in Cold Weather

It is currently COLD in Central Maryland. If you are familiar with this time of year in Maryland, you know we experience sudden shifts in temperature and humidity. We thought today would be a great day to share some cold weather running resources because nothing beats running outside.

Stay safe and warm! Just think, in a few days it will be 50 degrees again.


Fundraising: There's Still Time

Are you just joining us as a runner and fundraiser? Give others something to celebrate this Thanksgiving by raising funds to help change the lives of children in Central Maryland. It is easier than you may think!

Your fundraising page was created when you registered for the event. Log into your fundraising account by going here. In the upper-right-hand corner hover over the picture and click on "My Profile". Then click "Manage" next to your fundraising page.

Now you can edit you page! Update the title, add a picture, or email to friends and family right from this page.

Once your page is in tip-top shape, here is how you can start collecting donations.
Need help with your fundraising? Ask us in the comments' section or on Facebook.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Where Should You Be Running - Inside or on the Treadmill?

Three weeks from now we will be lacing up our favorite running shoes, donning our festive running apparel and hitting the pavement for the Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K! This means we still have plenty of time to prepare for the event - the question is where should you train?

You most likely have four options: run inside on a treadmill, run inside on a track, run outside on a track or run outside in a neighborhood/park.

When training for the Turkey Trot we recommend you train predominately outside. Training outside will let your body, mainly your lungs, adapt to running in a colder temperature. If you start now, by time it gets to late November, cold air will be less likely to burn your lungs. Training outside (not on a track) also allows your body to get use to keeping its own pace; A treadmill will force you to hold a steady pace, where without it, you have to keep those legs moving. Another benefit for training outside is allowing your joints and feet to adjust to different terrains; treadmills provide a lot of cushion and shock absorption, which is beneficial, but if you suddenly switch to pavement, it may be uncomfortable.

Now there will be days when it is too dark, too rainy, or too cold to be outside and then is a good time to come inside. Hopefully you have a Y in Central Maryland membership, which will give you access to some fantastic treadmills. Put your favorite show on the tv right there on your treadmill and before you know it, you will have completed your work out. There are a lot of reasons people prefer running on a treadmill - you can easily track you time/pace/mileage, there is built-in entertainment, you may challenge yourself more by increasing the incline or your speed, you are not dealing with cars or uncertain roadways and much more.

Mix it up! Run half the time inside and half the time on a treadmill. Just remember to be nice to your body and be safe out there!

Monday, November 9, 2015

Friends-Asking-Friends Friday WINNER

Congratulations to last week's Friends-Asking-Friends Friday winner: BARB from Ellicott City.

Barb won a Baltimore In A Box prize package for raising over $250 by midnight Friday.

Stay tuned for this week's contest!

Friday, November 6, 2015

CHANGE to Towson Course

Small change for 2015 - you now start and end in the parking lot of the Orokawa Family Center Y! Here is your route for Towson:
  • Start on grounds of Orokawa Family Center Y
  • Turn right on Allegheny Avenue and continue to Highland Avenue
  • Turn right on Highland Avenue and continue to West Chesapeake Avenue
  • Turn right West Chesapeake Avenue and continue to Dixie Drive
  • Turn left on Dixie Drive
  • Dixie Drive will become West Chesapeake Avenue
  • Follow West Chesapeake to Boyce Avenue
  • Turn right onto Charles Street and bear right onto Chestnut Avenue
  • Continue on Chestnut Avenue to Trafalgar Road
  • Turn right on Trafalgar Road and continue to Piccadilly Road
  • Turn right on Piccadilly Road and continue to Eton Road
  • Turn left on Eaton Road and continue to Allegheny Avenue
  • Follow Allegheny Avenue to Highland Avenue
  • Turn right on Highland Avenue and continue to West Chesapeake
  • Turn right on West Chesapeake and continue into the Orokawa Family Center Y grounds
Happy running!

Recipe: Caramel Apple Spread

Everyone likes dessert and we hope you enjoy this one (in moderation). It's easy to make, only takes four ingredients and is a nice fall treat.

Recipe and picture from shewearsmanyhats.com

Ingredients:
  1. block of cream cheese (regular or low-fat)
  2. caramel sauce (home made or store bought)
  3. apples, sliced really thin
  4. toffee bits (chopped up Heath Bars work too)
Directions:
  • Place block of cream cheese on serving plate
  • Sprinkle toffee bits over cream cheese
  • Drizzle as much caramel as you wish over toffee-sprinkled bar
Serve with sliced apples!

Friends-Asking-Friends FRIDAY

WIN this awesome Baltimore in a Box prize package!


It is chock-full of #MadeinBaltimore items: Charm City Run water bottle, UTZ sleep mask, Herr;s Old Bay Chips, Fisher's Popcorn, Old Bay, "Home is Where the Old Bay is" print, Zeke's coffee, decals and MORE.


To qualify you must increase your fundraising total up to $250 on your individual fundraising page by Midnight tonight EST. Those who qualify will be entered into a random drawing for this prize package, which is great for you or to give as a gift.

Winners will be notified Monday evening.


Happy Fundraising!

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Fundraising: Where do I Start?

Three weeks from now we will be celebrating together Thanksgiving morning as we all not only reach our physical goal of completing a 5K, but an altruistic one of meeting our fundraising goal.

Runners and walkers of the Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K are encouraged to raise $100 to help more children in Central Maryland. Asking 10 friends for $10 can change the life of a child, how easy is that?

To read more about the cause please see this page.


There are two options for starting your fundraising page:

  1. Register to walk or run here. When you receive your confirmation email there will be a "Complete Your Registration" button at the bottom, click that to set up your page!
  2. If you prefer not to run or walk Thanksgiving morning you can still help put more "thanks" and "giving" into Thanksgiving by becoming a fundraiser. Go here and click either "Register as an Individual", "Create a Team" or "Join a Team" and then select "Fundraiser". (There is no fee). When you receive your confirmation email, click on the "Complete Your Registration" button at the bottom.
Once your page is set up you can:
Go ahead and try it. Ask ten people for $10 and see how easy it is to help.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Early Sunset - Not an Excuse!

The sun has set at 5:03pm, but do not allow the setting sun to stifle your motivation to move! It has yet to snow in Central Maryland, so there is till time to train outside for the Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K. Here are some top tips for training safely outside in the dark.



  1. Bright clothing! Who cares if you match? Throw on the brightest clothing you own.
  2. Reflect. Don't have clothing with built in reflection? Add some with reflective tape or a $4 vest.
  3. Run in well-lit areas or well-populated areas. Exploring new routes in the dark is a no-no, along with running in desolate areas. Stick to a well-beaten path.
  4. Run against traffic. Stay off the road or at the very least, on the shoulder, running toward traffic. You want to be able to see what is coming at you.
  5. Carry your own light. Whether is be a flashlight in your hand or a head lamp, it not only helps your sight, it helps others see you.
  6. Tell people where you are running. If no one is home when you leave, leave a note or a text. If you live alone, let someone else know.
  7. Easy on the tunes. Since your sight will be impaired, you want your ears to be open and receptive.
  8. Dress warmly. The setting sun will also means dropping temps.
Have fun and be safe!

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Try the Y for 30 Days!

Not a Y Member, yet? Good news! Your registration for the Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K automatically kicks-off your complimentary Y membership - good for up to 30 days until December 31, 2015! Stop by any Y Center to activate your 30-day free Y membership today and start training for the race.