On Thursday, birds of a feather will flock together in Kennewick. In fact, these turkeys will be up at the crack of dawn to see just how fast they can trot.

It’s not that anyone in this group is outrunning the Thanksgiving dinner plate. Instead, they’re racing in the American Red Cross Turkey Trot as a way to help save someone else’s neck.

With each entry, there’s an opportunity to donate to this life-saving organization.

How this event sneaked up on me is a topic for conversation over an eggnog latte. I’ve been aware that aerobic conditioning was required for this 5K run, but how can you jog and gobble a pound of divinity, too?

Family members who plan to run the race with me are offering encouragement about the upcoming event.

“Mom, don’t worry,” daughter Traci assured me the other day. “It’ll be a piece of cake.”

Oh sure. This is coming from a woman who whiles her day away teaching Zumba, R.I.P.P.E.D. and yoga. In the time it takes me to write this blog, she’s already burned close to a 1,000 calories. Me, I’ve just gained two pounds on pumpkin bread and hot cocoa.

There’s no need to butter me up with glib compliments about how I look like I’m in shape. When the rubber on my tennis shoes hits the road Thanksgiving morning we’ll see just how far that candy, homemade bread and holiday lattes take me.

According to what I’ve researched, a 5K is 3.1 miles. For some reason, that sounds more palatable.

And maybe if I cut this story short, I can still get in a run today. As you can imagine, I’m a little concerned about others depending on me to keep up the pace.

In fact, I feel like my neck is on the line. If I don’t get out there to at least train a little, my running companions may give me the axe.