TURKEY TROT: BRANDON LOREDO

When it comes to Thanksgiving traditions, many of us think of family gatherings and feasting on delicious food. But for Brandon Loredo and his mother, Thanksgiving takes on a unique and active twist. For years, they've been participating in the YMCA Turkey Trot, not only as a race but as a cherished tradition that strengthens their bond and promotes a healthy lifestyle. In this blog, we sit down with Brandon to learn more about their inspiring journey, memorable moments, and how the YMCA Turkey Trot has positively influenced their perspective on health and fitness. If you've ever considered joining this iconic Thanksgiving event, their story might be the inspiration you need to lace up your running shoes and hit the pavement.

What inspired you and your mom to participate in the YMCA Turkey Trot together?

I started running after college to get back in shape, but I needed to start off with something manageable yet challenging. My mother, being pretty athletic her entire life and playing soccer for her college, loved the idea of competing with me to see who could finish faster. And so that is how the tradition started, and we agreed to run it every year since then.

Could you share some memorable moments from your previous experiences in the Turkey Trot?

The first race we ever ran, I was the "fastest" I had ever been. Since I had never really done long-distance running before, I was not sure of my peak performance, but after some test runs figured I was definitely progressing in the right direction. On the day of the race, I wanted to make sure I was always ahead of my mother while not completely leaving her behind, but after some time, it became hard to gauge the distance between us, so I ended up just focusing on the race to finish. To my surprise, when I crossed the finish line, she was waiting for me. Never let me forget it to this day.

How has participating in the YMCA Turkey Trot strengthened your bond as a mother and son?

It definitely has kept us active, and it's something we share personal experiences about. I have done half/full marathons with her, and she has even pushed me to do the BMW Dallas Ultra Marathon this year. It definitely has kept us more focused on our fitness goals and has made us more excited about trying things outside our comfort zone.

In what ways does the YMCA Turkey Trot promote community engagement and support a worthy cause?

The Turkey Trot is designed to be inclusive, welcoming participants of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels. It encourages community members to come together, celebrate Thanksgiving, and engage in a healthy activity that promotes physical fitness and well-being.

How has the YMCA Turkey Trot positively influenced your perspective on health and fitness?

The Turkey Trot has positively influenced my perspective on health and fitness by how it encourages physical activity for participants of all types and ages to engage in a run during the Thanksgiving holiday. I have seen the community engagement and how it inspires individuals to incorporate regular exercise into their routines and highlight the benefits of an active lifestyle.

What advice would you give to others considering participating in the YMCA Turkey Trot?

Definitely do it, even if you have doubts. I recommend it to all people of any age, height, size, athletic capabilities. This race is whatever you want it to be. It can be an exercise goal you are trying to accomplish, or it can be a workout with friends on a Thursday morning. Everyone runs for a different reason, but we are all running together, so that's what makes it worth it.