Recently I shared (click here) that two of my running friends and I were heading to historic Leavenworth, Kansas, to participate in the Candle Queen's 3 Rd 5K Romp! Well....we did just that on April 26!
We drove there on the day before the run so we could spend lots of time at Stacey's shop, The Candle Queen Candles and Boutique, and visit other great places in town!
The picture below was taken outside of her store right after Mary and I had picked up our race packets!! L to R: Me, Mary, Stacey and Carol (the race director).
Stacey's boutique is PACKED with wonderful clothing, jewelry, signs and her great handpoured candles and so much more!! Mary is making her purchase at the beautiful pink buffet that is the checkout counter!!
The day before the run was rainy and gloomy, but the wonderful old buildings in downtown Leavenworth stood tall and welcoming!
We were both ready for something hot to sip on, so we found a great coffee shop and just enjoyed chatting while the rain came down. Pretty soon it was time for lunch, so heck....we ordered that while we were there!
When Karen arrived in town, we took in a few more of the local shops.
While inside SOUL, we came across the perfect quote for what we were about the do the next morning!
We attended Saturday afternoon mass at the beautiful St. Joseph Church.
After church, Karen took us on a great tour of the town, then we had dinner!!
The next morning, we were up bright and early for the run. As we were heading to our car, a nice lady at our motel took our pre-race photo.
Last year we didn't wear tutus. . .but this year we ordered these online from Walmart!! It was our premier run in tutus!
It was still cloudy that morning....and COLD...but it wasn't raining!!
This photo shows the race arch that we would all be running beneath in just a short time!
SeeKCRun took so many wonderful pictures that day. You can tell their photos in this post because they put the Queen's 5K Romp logo on the lower left corners! This is one of my favorite pictures. . .also taken prior to the run.
The intersection where the run would start was filling up fast!
Stacey drives the coolest car!!!
We were now lined up , ready for the Candle Queen to blow the horn and send us on our way!!
This is also one of my favorite pictures of the run. It was taken by First City Photos and Frames in Leavenworth! Do you see me? I am in the middle behind a lady in a turquoise shirt!
I did't take many photos along the run because my plans were to totally run as much as I could...not take walk breaks. This first one is blurry because I was running! :) It shows the area where we came off the streets and headed to a gorgeous trail that was below street level and followed a little creek.
In the distance you can see the overpass and the dip on the left which is the creek. It was somewhen past the overpass area that I recall the presence of a lady pushing a jogging stroller on my left and I recall hearing a little one talking, but I wasn't understanding what she was saying. Soon the lady was running along side me and said: "she (the little girl in the stroller) was telling you that she likes your tutu!" OMG.....that was the sweetest moment!!! I now know we selected the right tutus! :)
Unlike my running and blogging friend, Sherri Odell of Adventures of a Middle Aged Drama Queen, I take HORRIBLE race photos! And as bad as I look in this one....it's actually one of my better ones! I think we had just finished the horrible hill that's right around the 1.5 mile mark, turned around, went up the hill again and we were headed down and home! Luckily I saw the camera guy and mustered a weak smile . . . . .or it would have been awful and you wouldn't be seeing it. :)
This photo isn't blurry cuz I was walking....trying to catch my breath after the first hill. This part of the run goes along side the Missouri River. . . what a great view!!!
I am doing something I normally don't do. . .sharing a really bad picture. Once again, it's no where near as bad as my finish line photos usually are, but it clearly shows, to me, how tired I was at that point. And of that I'm proud.
I was not unhappy with my time....while not fast, it was 4 min. better than last year. I did it in 33:44 min. this time. Last time, I was recovering from a knee/leg issue that kept me from doing a whole lot for a coupe of months.
Karen and I run right at the same pace....so it was great that we were able to get a picture shortly after we'd crossed the finish line. The tiredness goes away very fast once it's all over. . .and is usually replaced with happiness over our accomplishment!
One of the many fun parts of this run is the great chalk art Stacey has ready for us to use for photo backgrounds. We were definitely sparkling and shining at that point. . .what a fun, fun run!! This is a wall on her building!!
This year, the Queen's Romp brought in $12, 000 which was distrbuited among 4 deserving groups. While all races contribute to a charity, this one targets local (or fairly local) groups. . .keeping the money close to home. I love that.
While we were running, the cold didn't seem so bad, but standing around after the run for the charity presentation and over all winner announcement, the cold became bad. We headed back to our motel and were THRILLED beyond belief that they still had the breakfast bar open!! Oh my goodness....the warmth of the oatmeal, eggs, muffins, grits and coffee really hit the spot!
While we were running the Queen's Romp, my daughter and son were doing one of my bucket list runs, The Trolley Run, in Kansas City. Love this photo of my kiddos!!
THE STONE RABBIT really likes the finishers medal everyone received who participated in the Queen's 5K Romp!! I also LOVE the wonderful bib and shirt! Thank you, Stacey and team, for such an enjoyable and PINK event!
Hope you all are having a day and weekend full of fun and pinkness. You will find many more bloggers who are ready with their shares for PINK SATURDAY by visiting Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!
DANA
Hi Dana, You and I were in a race for 1st and 2nd to link. HA! On a rare moment I came in first. LOL! Most of the time I'm not home this time of day. Your photo caught my eye and I knew you would share the Queen's 5K Romp. What a wonderful post with awesome photos. I loved it all. The tutus were great and fun. You look beautiful. Running looks good on you and your co-runners. I know you had a wonderful time even if it is a grueling race. As always, I am very proud of your dedication to running. I especially loved the chalk saying for your finish photo. The pink is PS perfect. I did find you in the middle of the group behind the turquoise shirt. There was a good crowd.
It is great that your son and daughter ran together in the other race. They both look wonderful. I know you are proud of them and for good reason.
The one outstanding thing about the Queen's race is the support of the selected charities. That makes the run even more worthy.
Thanks for sharing your awesome race.
Happy PS.
Love, Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne, backyard neighbor | May 15, 2015 at 12:31 PM
Hi Dana, I found your blog through Beverly's and I am glad I did. Nice to meet you! Congratulations on your race! Love all the pink and the tutus are adorable on you girls!
Posted by: Gina | May 15, 2015 at 12:58 PM
I do not get the exercise I need, so just running along with you and friends has made me tired. Lots of pinks.
Posted by: LaVoice | May 15, 2015 at 01:26 PM
I was reading this great review, and then saw you gave me a shout-out!!! What a surprise! But trust me...I've taken my share of bad photos...the Trolley Run, for instance...!
What a fun race! I loved the bright, happy pink everywhere - so pretty and happy! And what a great time you had - you're turning Kenyan!! Woot woot! I'm like you - I'm trying to push myself more to NOT take walk breaks, as I know this will help our time in the long run. Ha - see what I did there? A pun. ;)
So - when is your next race? My next "big" race is Hospital Hill 5k/10k...doing both of them. I have some smaller ones, but HH is the one I'm focusing on.
I'll see you soon, I'm sure!!!
Posted by: Sherri O | May 15, 2015 at 09:53 PM
Congrats Sounds like an awesome time. I see the stone rabbit was ready for a photo op. Angels to you!
Posted by: Susan | May 16, 2015 at 07:04 AM
This looks like the most fun of the races you have done. LOVE the pink tutu's and all the pink balloons. I need to go back to Leavenworth and visit some of those great shops.
Ann
Posted by: ann | May 16, 2015 at 09:57 AM