The Turkey vs. The 'Roosta'

 It was the morning of my first Turkey Trot (and my first holiday completely by myself, but I digress).

Thankfully, this Turkey Trot was in Boulder City, NV, just southeast of Las Vegas, so the weather was perfect and we didn't even have to deal with any car traffic as the 12K race (7.46 miles for those of you wondering about this strange distance) took place on one of the trails from the up-and-coming "Rails to Trails" network where they take old railroads that are no longer in use, remove the rails, and keep the dirt "trail" that used to support the weight of a freight train...literally.  OK, so we weren't as fast as said freight trains but who is?

6 Tunnels carved out of the mountain side, panoramic vistas of most of the entirety of Lake Mead, and a turn-around with a view overlooking the Hoover Dam.  It could've been worse, I suppose.

Now, as luck would have it, the hotel that I am calling home at the moment "The Hacienda" was about 700 yards from the race start.  Only other time that happens is when I'm in Portsmouth and running the Seacoast Half Marathon!  That's 60% of the battle right there!  It was a small crowd and everyone seemed to have someone there with them...except a woman with an Ironman 70.3 hat on.  Of course we're the only two without someone there supporting us.  We are everywhere!!!

The last mile and a half I ran with a nice guy named Brandon who was up visiting family for the holiday from Tucson.  He made the last bit go by quickly and I was happy to have someone to talk to.  We wove our way through the tiny-ass gauntlet (think speedwork!) that was the trail at the finish and made it safely past a double wide stroller man with a harem of walking females, some EMT's, and two "downed" runners.  Not to worry though, I think they only tripped and landed on their faces as each had a nasty nose bleed going on.

Where does a Roosta fit into all of this you might ask?  In Spain, they are a symbol of good luck.  In Italy, it is tradition to give a ceramic Rooster pitcher
to friends or relatives as housewarming or wedding gifts as a good luck or good fortune blessing on the family and home.  It can also be a symbol of prosperity, strength, and fertility (guess which two I'd prefer over the other:)), chasing away bad spirits by crowing when everyone is still sleeping.

As interesting as this all is, it is not why I like the Roosta.  My reasons are for other matters, although strength might actually be pretty close.  The Roosta I know is loyal, compassionate, empathetic, and truly one that I am lucky to call a friend.  His most recent message to me (yep, they talk!!) came at a time when it did a world of good mentally with everything that has gone on in my life in the last 2 weeks....Lots of game changers.  It is SO nice to know that I am so lucky to have the friends I have.  To know that they are there for me and think so highly of me even when I don't think the same of myself.  Knowing this helped me get through Thanksgiving day alone, with only a few tears, and a lot to be thankful for.

You know, there just may be something behind a Roosta being a source of good fortune and good luck.

Have you hugged your Roosta today?