OUR BIG AUTUMNAL RUN. . .Part 1

 

 

 

 

For months I've been writing about how those of us in our little running group have been training to participate in the half-marathon  of the KANSAS CITY MARATHON!!  Last Saturday was the BIG day!!!

 

On the day before our run, Mary and I took advantage of being able to volunteer at the Packet Pickup for the event.  This was my first time to be a volunteer at a run and I have to report it was so neat to do that!!!

 

I LOVE this picture.  These are the "mile marker" flags all ready to be put out on the streets of Kansas City!!!  I didn't know just how much I loved them until we were running the next morning. . .and passing them along our route!!

 

 We thought we would be one of the people who passed out the T- shirts everyone got with their registration, however,  we got a job where we didn't have to stand!   We were seated at a table, armed with huge magic markers and given the job of writing the participants "bib numbers" on their clear plastic "gear check bags"!

Because of the Boston Marathon bombings, one of the safety measures taken at the KC Marathon was to only allow the runners to check any of their belongings in the clear plastic bags.   By "check" I mean there was an area where the runners could leave extra clothing in the bags that they didn't want until after they'd completed the run.   

 

Here's Mary as she happily writes a number on the first of the  MANY, MANY, MANY plastic bags over the course of the following three hours!  :)

 

Here I am  prior to the huge wave of runners/walkers who would soon be lining up for us to hand out their gear check bags!

 

 

 

This is an area where the runners/walkers are given their "packets", which contain their bib numbers and timing chips.

 

 

After all of our hard volunteer work, we were treated with a little neck and shoulder massage/muscle relaxing by a wonderful chiropractor, Dr. Nicole Dierking,  from BODIES PERSONAL TRAINING!

 

Before heading home, we spent quite a bit of time checking out all of the wonderful vendors set up at the event!!  Dorothy was even there promoting the GARMIN MARATHON (In the Land of Oz)  that will be held in April!!  It's a fun event. . .I did the 5K there a few years ago!

Later that evening, I dined on a dish of Quinoa, avocado, scrambled eggs, tomatoes, kale, yellow pepper....and a few dices of cheddar cheese!  I hoped that would give me lots of power for the run the next morning!!

So. . . here's my PINK phone on the morning of the run.  Yep, I was up at that time because we wanted to get a decent parking spot!

And we did!!!  We were the third and four cars in the lot. . . .front row parking with LOTS of time to find the bathrooms!!  :)

L to R:  Me, Mary, Joan and Karen!!

I'll finish telling you about the actual race next time because there's so much about it I want to share with you. . .and by sharing with you, I'm sorta reliving it!!  It was so much fun!

THE STONE RABBIT is in love with my finisher's medal. . .and so am I.   It represents a great time in my life.. . .all of the months spent getting ready for the event with my running friends, the excitement and anticipation about actually doing my first half, and the awesome experience of accomplishing the goal!

Have a great PINK SATURDAY!!!  Please visit Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND!  You will find a lot of other bloggers ready with their PINKS or Autumnal shares this week!

DANA

                                                                                                                            

Comments

[Nancy]

LOVE your picture, Dana! Honestly - if they had a massage after every volunteer event I'm sure they would have plenty of volunteers! I never thought about the Boston bombing but of course you would have to take precautions now...and forevermore probably. Well good for you and your three amigas. You guys deserve a big standing O! What a lot of hard work and perseverance. And I must say - you are totally dedicated to pursuing the perfect parking spot!!!haha Looking forward to hearing about the race next week. xoxo Nancy

[LaVoice]

Glad your big run day turned out so well. It is great each of your group is doing it. I need to get back into walking. That is what I enjoy.

[jeanne, backyard neighbor]

Good morning Dana, We had company (our son and his wife) this weekend and not much visiting happened. I read your post and I thought I commented and I don't see it here. I'm thinking maybe I commented on your FB. Sigh!

Anyway, your run was awesome and you can celebrate your long and hard work to get to your goal. I know the weekend left you exhausted but very happy. The photos you shared are so good. I can only imagine the elation you had to feel to cross the finish line with your running buddies. Congratulations on your success. What will you go for now,the Boston Marathon? Big smile here.

After 4 days of a freeze at night, we will reach close to 70 today. Crazy weather.

We are getting ready to go to Florida for over a week for two football games. BTW, Missou sure beat the heck out of the Gators. My great niece attends college there and is in their marching band. She was thrilled. Us, not so much. HA! We have really loved going to the games this year with Ashley and Cody both in college there. Both of them attended the games when they were babes in Diana's and Christina's arms. Where on earth did all those years go? The six of us have had season tickets since the girls and their husbands graduated from U of F. They are 3rd generation Gators. The cousins are very happy to be there together. Ashley is in a dorm and Cody shares an apt. So far they are kicking butt with their grades.

Well, enough news on what should be a short comment. HA!

Have a wonderful week my dear friend.
Love, Jeanne

[jeanne, backyard neighbor]

Good morning Dana, I just wanted to tell you I am thinking of you because I have so neglected my FB. Busy here as always but find myself with a bit of time to tell my sweet friend a HAPPY HALLOWEEN. I know you will be having fun with your grands. Their Halloween costumes are always so fabulous. I bet you had a hand in the planning as well. Have fun!

love, Jeanne