The Stone Rabbit

IT'S NEW CALENDAR TIME!!

 

One of the things I like best about a new year is starting over with clean and blank calendars.  Even in this techy age of calendars on my phone , on my iPad and on my computer, the ones I prefer are made of paper.  

I have a big paper one in a drawer in the kitchen.  It's the one that holds important info for both my husband and myself. . .like doctor appointments and special friend and family days( such as MY birthday}!!  I also have a little one, the size of a checkbook, that I keep in my purse.  My favorite kind shows a whole month when it's opened and it also has  two years...the current year and the next year.  I never really USE the next year during the next year cuz I like to start out clean, remember?  However, I like being able to refer to the next year with a flip of a few pages. . . or add appointments that I've already made into the next year.  

This last year I added one more calendar to my arsenal . . .it's my running/walking calendar.  It was by accident that I started using one like this.  I didn't buy the first one, a friend did.  It's not the kind I would normally use in my purse as I prefer the kind with a whole month at a glance.  This one had the days of a week , Sunday to Saturday,  when you open it.   However, it wasn't too far into 2014 when I realized I'd like to find a better way to quickly document my running or walking miles just as soon as I came in the door....and not to scratch them down on various scraps of paper only to later to try to figure out where the papers had gone!  That's when I remembered the PINK calendar my friend had given me. . .and the rest is history!  

It's really like keeping a workout journal. . .and it makes keeping track of my miles for the year much simpler.  I also enjoy going back and reviewing the various runs and the notes I made about them.  I see the struggles I've had (such as an odd knee injury...not running related...that took me out of exercising for nearly two months early in 2014), but most importantly, I see the gains I've made and all of the wonderful times I've had with my running friends, whether at organized events or at our local trails or even on the streets of my neighborhood, as we've logged our miles. 

I used that little 2014 calendar last night to finish transferring miles to an on-line spread sheet that's part of a running group to which I belong.  My goal this year was to log 500 miles. . .and I made it with a total of 570.32 miles. . . about 9 miles more than what I did in 2013.

I'm still mulling over my goal of total running/walking miles for 2015. . .maybe upping it to 600 miles!!  I'm sure I can do it. . .just have to be more consistent from mid-October until the end of December.  I realized, from my running notes over the last two years, that that's the time of year I am not as good about getting out there and running and walking!  I find I'm super busy with the sales I do and then the holidays hit and I can easily put off exercising cuz I have "so much to do"!!  :)

So now that THE STONE RABBIT and I have enjoyed another bowl of black eyed peas and have entered my runs from January 1 and 2 in my new 2015 calendar we are set to see how many miles the total will be come December 31, 2015!

*Note:  I blurred a few notes on these pages....you don't need to see everything!!  :)

 

  Please visit Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND!  You will find lots of other bloggers who are sharing their PINKS or seasonals with you this week!

Dana

 

A Walk for PINK

 

 Last Sunday morning I  participated in the KC Komen 5K Run for the Cure.

It was my pal Kathy (on the right) who asked if I wanted to do that with her.  I told her "Yes, but only if you drive".  :)  I know, that wasn't nice, was it?  However, she's very seasoned about getting to that part of town where the event was held and I get really "worked up" when I have to maneuver my vehicle there, so she promised to drive  and I paid my entry fee.  :) 

Kathy and I know several ladies (friends and family) who have bravely battled breast cancer . . .and the bottom line was that we wanted to be a part of that day to honor them.

Oh. . .and she created our race day shirts. . .with the names of our friends and family members on the backs.

 

 

 

 Union Station, in Kansas City, was the location for numerous vendor booths where participants could pick up "freebies" of various products or breast cancer awareness and wellness info.

 

 

 

This photo was taken looking South from Union Station. . .toward our Liberty Memorial which is houses the The National World War I Museum.

 

Lots of fun to capture prior to the 5K!!  

Kathy is pictured with the mascot of our local hockey team THE MISSOURI MAVERICKS!  He even PINKED his mane for the event!!

 

 

This sweet little pup was wearing her PINK tutu!!

 

 

PINK, PINK, PINK was EVERYWHERE!!!

 

 

Loved this shirt!

 

 

 

 

 

Here we go!! 

I walked this 5K with Kathy.

It's the first time I've ever just "walked" a 5K. . .and I figured my tootsies would start to get the itch to run. . .and they did.  However, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed "taking in" the scenery of our downtown area.  Even though I've been in that area on several other runs. . .it was that "running" part that kept me from enjoying my surroundings.  I was concentrating on RUNNING and not on where I was.

So. . .last Sunday, I really enjoyed the "moment" of being with so many others.... survivors and supporters together.....running or walking for the cure of breast cancer.

 

I did not hear the final total of how many participants there were, but I read that last year over 20,000 attended!  I just know, there were folks heading North on Grand as far as the eye could see!!

 

 

There were so many awesome sights that day.  Here was a husband walking with his wife who had battled the disease.

 

 

And here was a daughter walking with her mom.   So many amazing moments were shared that day .

 

We also were entertained by many little groups....singing and playing their instruments in support of the cure!

 

 

The SPRINT CENTER was on our course . . . 

 

 

and so was our POWER AND LIGHT DISTRICT! (Which the SPIRNT CENTER is part of). 

 

 

 

Another great band!!

 

 

 

I was thrilled when I saw Kansas City's very own "Running Superman"!!!  I'd seen him on TV and read an article about him, but had never actually seen him at an event until then!!

 

 

At this point, we were walking up a verrrrry steep hill next to the KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS!  I was secretly happy I'd decided to walk instead of run this course. . .that's a rough hill!  :)

 

 

More awesome entertainers . . . 

 

 

 

 and CHEERLEADERS!! Yes!!  We had CHEERLEADERS!!!

 

 

We hit a bottle neck near the end of the course where the folks who did the one mile event were merging into the folks doing the 5K distance.  

I had set a goal of us being able to walk at a pace of 15 min./mile or less during the event.  HOWEVER, the bottle neck was slowing us waaay down, so we maneuved over to the side of the street just as it turned into a bridge that went over railroad tracks!!  We were really feeling the "squeeze" until we slipped into a  walled sidewalk area that looked like a cattle shoot with runners who were also trying to avoid the crunch of people.  So,inorder to keep the runners from knocking us down. . .we had to do what they were doing and RUN!!!!

That's when I found out that Kathy had been holding out on me. . .she's a runner!!!  Yep!!  She IS!!!  We ran the rest of the way to the finish line.  I'm guessing it was about a 1/4 of a mile.

 

 

After we crossed the finish line, we made our way back to the vendors area and came upon this scene.  I'll have to share this "blonde moment" (OK...you know I'm old so maybe it was a "senior moment" instead).  I saw those little pools filled with ice and water and said to Kathy, "Wow, I've never seen that before....you can put your feet in there after the run".  I'm pretty sure she rolled her eyes back in her head at that moment then softly said..."I think they're giving out water".  Duh.

 

 

So there you have it!!  That's what I did last Sunday. 

THE STONE RABBIT asked if I'd consider taking him next year to the Susan G. Komen 5K.  He said he'd love to hop along with us!!  That's when I shared that Kathy told me that NEXT year, she would run it with me. . .so if he plans on keeping up with us, he'd better be a fast hopper!!  

Actually, he already is.  :)

 

 

 

 

Now it's time for you guys to run on over to Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!  As always, there will be a lot of other bloggers ready to share their weekly PINKS with you!!

Happy PINK Saturday!

 

DANA

Pink Saturday Holiday Treats!!!

 

Our Pink Saturday theme this week is  Holiday Treats.

This season has been filled with what I find are real holiday "treats".  They aren't the goodies that are made with lots of chocolate or sugar or nuts. . . but, instead, are very special experiences, with very speical people.   They are the   "treats" to my soul.

 

One such "treat" that immediately stands out is our annual family trip to a local Christmas tree farm.  We went to it on a very stormy, rainy, thundery day in October. . .and picked out and tagged our trees in record breaking time!!

 

 

 

 

 

Just before Thanksgiving, it was a great "treat" to meet up with some new running friends and participate in the Turkey Trails 5K Run at our local Bass Pro!  The weather was gorgeous and we had so much fun and were so pumped up. . . that we decided we needed to challenge ourselves a bit more. . .SO on that day, we discussed training to run or run/walk a half-marathon next October!!!!

 

 

Right after Thanksgiving, our families returned to the Christmas tree farm and cut down our trees.  The weather that day: FREEZING!!!  Fortunately, the guys snagged a good saw, so it didn't take too long to do the job!!

It was a major "treat" to watch the three grands watch their dad cut down their tree!!

 

On that day, another "treat". . .the three Grands with Santa in the barn at the tree farm.   This is Grand Boy #2's first Christmas. . .  :)

 

 

 

The tree farm also has this great cut-out scene. . where you can put your faces in the holes and have someone take pictures!!  This is my hubby and I with our three grands.  What a "treat" that was. . .especially since the kiddos all decided to wear mustaches that day!!   

 

 

Last weekend, I "treated" myself to another 5K!!  This time two more friends and I participated in The Great Santa Run 5K!  Here we are right before we lined up at the start!  See the swell Santa shirts and Santa hats we got for signing up!  :) 

 

 

It was such a "treat" to be with 1400 other runners and walkers that morning!!  A "sea of Santas"!!!

 

The realllllllly long hill that was in the first part of the run was not a "treat". . .but it was still fun to make it to the top with so many other folks!! 

I didn't know the three girls ahead of me and felt they needed to wear disguises for my post!  :)

You can see I ditched my Santa hat for the run and put on a really cool sweat band.   I sweat when I run...and that Santa hat would have been a real sweat inducer!

 

 

Another "treat". . .our post run photo!!  We did it. . .and it was another gorgeous day. . .in December!!!  I figured we'd be wearing our mukluks on that morning, but it was a real weather "treat"!!

Another annual "treat" . . .going to the Christmas Open House in Greenwood, MO.   We love to shop the local antique stores and gift/decor shops.  

Bonnie found a great pillow that day!!

This week,  Bonnie and I "treated" ourselves to making time to cut greenery (off her trees!!!) to use in wreaths and arrangements!

It's also a "treat" for me to fly around their property on their golf cart!

 

 

Finally, I'm really looking forward to this very special "holiday treat". . .seeing "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre!!!    If you live in the area, I certainly hope you "treat" yourself to this production, too!!!

 

 

 

Now, here's a real "treat" for you from the amazing staff and cast of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre!!!

OH. . .and the cute red-head with the Christmas lights. . .that's my niece!!!  :)

 

 

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT loves THE CHRISTMAS CAROL, too, and  told me he and his fellow concrete yard buddies are actually putting on that play this weekend!!!

YES!!  And he's playing Ebenezer Scrooge!!  Wow. . .I had NO IDEA that rabbit could act!!  He has a front row seat saved for me!  ANOTHER "holiday treat"!!!

 

 

You will find so many special "holiday treats", and probably lots of PINKS, when you visit Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND!

 

Happy Pink Saturday!

DANA

Pink Saturday Autumnal Welcome . . .or Welcome Autumn!

 

The weather we had on Thursday, November the first. . .was OUTSTANDING!!!  I  had to put my PINK phone on part of my Autumnal Welcome, because I can't think of a better way to Welcome Autumn than with this sight!

 

 

This is what our front porch looked like a year ago.  My friend Bonnie had obtained the wonderful cornstalks for us.   I put real bittersweet sprigs in each bundle, too, and added some burlap bows.

When it came time to take down the Autumnal decor, I just hated to throw away the cornstalks, so I experimented. . . .

I put each group of cornstalks in these blue plastic bags and hauled them upstairs to our attic until I was ready to "reuse" them this fall . . .a year later!

Here are the cornstalks before I carrrrrefully opened them recently to see how they did over the temperature extremes in the attic!

I have to say, they were pretty dry . .so several of the leaves promptly fell off as I removed the plastic, but overall, they looked pretty good!

 

 

I was getting ready for a run around our neighborhood this afternoon and was soooooo excited about our wonderful temps.  I was able to run in one of my sleeveless shirts. . . perhaps for the last time in 2012, because the temps are supposed to start really cooling off!

This time of year is so wild with weather. . . the temperatures can be MISERABLY cold like they were last Saturday morning when I did a 5K run (28 degrees). . .or 74 like it was this afternoon at the high!!  

 

 

You may be wondering what that "caution" tape is all about!  Well. . . it's really neat how I came to have this little snippet of tape in my possession!

Here goes. . .a year ago at this very time. . . two of my friends and their husbands, were visiting New York City. . .at the very time the New York Marathon was going to be run.  Well, this piece of yellow tape came from a part of the marathon . . .it was used to keep folks out of a certain area.  They actually took this when the run was over. . . for a souvenir for ME!!! I love it because it's the closest I'll probably ever get to The New York Marathon.

With much of the city still without power and with so many people still affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, many people are very upset that Mayor Bloomberg announced the marathon would go on, and believe the city's resources shouldn't be diverted from hurricane relief inorder to assist in the run.  Even some runners have called for the event to be cancelled.

 

However, the decision has been made, and THE STONE RABBIT and I do wish all of the participants, who have trained so hard to be there, the very best luck and an injury free run!

 

Friday Morning:  I wrote this post last night.  As I have watched updated coverage of the struggles in NYC on the news this morning, I personnally wish the decision to continue the marathon had not been made.   It's not too late to cancel it.   I would guess that most of the runners feel their many sacrifices (time training and cost to get to NYC) are nothing in  comparison to what the residents and businesses of the affected areas have lost.

 

Friday Evening:  Well, the pressure from the upset folks must have been too much. . .they have cancelled the marathon!  I'm glad they did. . . .but sorry they made the decision to continue it in the first place.

 

 

 

I hope each of our PINK SATURDAY bloggers ,who were and who continue to be affected by Hurricane Sandy, are doing OK and know that we care so much for them and continue to hold them in our thoughts and prayers.

Please visit our hostess Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  She will have a long list of bloggers who are ready to share their weekly PINKS or Autumn Welcomes with you!!

DANA

IT'S CERTAINLY FEELING LIKE FALL!

 

It certainly is feeling like Fall this morning!

It's been raining and the temps are in the mid-forties...with highs predicted to be in the fifties!!!

It's chilly in the house, but we haven't turned our furnace on. . . heck, the A/C was running just a few days ago!  It's that transition time of year, isn't it?  We'll have a few days of cool temps, then the 70s return. . . just as they are supposed to do this weekend!

If you look closely, you can seen little rain drops on this pretty mum I picked up yesterday!




Because it's a cool, damp day. . . THE STONE RABBIT suggested cooking turkey tenderloins in the slow cooker!!  I added lots of onions to the pot and later. . . 

some carrots and baby Yukon Gold potatoes will be put in, too!

 

It was also a very COLD morning last Saturday when I ran the 5K portion of the Kansas City Marathon---thankfully, there was no rain!!  

It was in the low forties a little after 7:00 a.m. when the marathoners and half-marathoners took off.  The 5K started about 15 minutes after that.

Do you see me?  I'm right in there some place!!!  :)  My hubby took this picture of the runners heading north on Grand.

 

Here I am shortly after I'd finished my run!  I had left my gloves at home and my hands were like blocks of ice and so numb at this point, but I was grinning like a fool because I'd just found out my official time!!  I ran the event in 31 min. 18 sec.. . . .which was my personal best time!!!  What I was really happy about was the improvement I'd made over running that same event last year, when my time was 34 min. and 58 sec.!!  The course was exactly the same, so it's really a great way to check progress!

 

Today is a scheduled "run" day for me.  I'd toyed with the idea of getting it out of the way this morning, but when I saw the rain. . . I'm thinking I'll wait and see what this afternoon brings!!!  A serious runner would be out there in the elements. . . so I'm guessing that tells us that perhaps I'm not THAT serious!  :)

Enjoy this Fall day!!

DANA

RUNNING AROUND ON LABOR DAY!

 

The Labor Day 5K Run couldn't have been any more perfect!!!  The weather was cool and the course was flat!!

My husband (on the left with the camera) and I met up with our son (on the right) in the parking lot.  

I am goofing off...showing my "bib" number.  

"Yep, I'm old and I run....and this is not a bib for drooling....yet!"  :)

 It was so great to see these awesome folks ready to run, too.   All but one is a relative!!   It's a running family!  :)   

 

 This is a BEFORE:  Mother and Son shot.

 

 

At this point, we have gathered in the area where we are about to start the run.

Here is a shot of our son  with one of his running friends and co-worker!! 

 

I'm waving. . .at my photographer hubby.  See I'm not the only grey haired person in the crowd...there were lots of us!!

 

Getting ready for the official "start"!!

The fellow with the white visor is going to be running in the New York Marathon!!  That would be such an exciting thing to do!

 

 

Our photographer didn't get our son's friend coming across the finish line or the New York Marathon guy.  He did catch the rest of our group as we each finished.

Here's one of the guys!!!

 

 

He had a great run!

 

Here comes our son!

 

 

I've only come to realize that he got his great running genes from me!!  :)

OK . . .that's meant as a joke!

He could always out run me....even as a  toddler!  :) 

Here is the first female of our group to complete her run!!




What a happy face!

 

And in just a bit, our next gal  crossed the "finish line"!!!

She looked very happy, too!!!

Annnnnd....about 5 minutes later, here I came!  :)

That was my VERY happy and exhausted face!  :)

I have to brag.  My official time was 31 min. 23 sec..  That was my "personal best"!!!!  Gotta LOVE those flat courses!!!  :)

 

Later that afternoon, THE STONE RABBIT pulled out some PINK Hostess cuppy cakes for a little running celebration!!!  

There was one for him. . . .

 

 

 

and there was one for ME. . . . 

 

and one for my daughter-in-law who let my little Grand Boy #2, due to arrive in December,  have  a little "sniff" of hers before she ate it!!!  :)  

She said as soon as he "sniffed it" he gave her a great big "kick"!!!

Do you think he'll be a runner, too, one day?

I hope so!!

 

 

You will get a great big "kick" out of your visit to Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!!

 She will have lots of bloggers all lined up who have PINKS to share with you!!!

Happy Pink Saturday!!

 

DANA 

A GREAT LITTLE ACCESSORY. . .with a touch of PINK

 

 

 

When I was picking up the registration packet for my first 5K run last Fall, there were vendors there selling all sorts of cool running items.  As a new runner, I was really interested in seeing all of the neat goodies they had to show us!

 

I found a booth with the product pictured below.  It's called a SPIBELT and is a great way to carry a few necessary items while running!

 

A big selling point for me was the  adjustable waist belt....so it fits around every size of running  tummy.

 

I hope you noticed that I selected the one with a PINK zipper!  As I recall,  the zippers came in a wide variety of colors.  

The little pouch is made of nylon - - - I paid a little more and got the waterproof fabric.   I wanted to be sure the items I put in it didn't get wet from a sudden rain shower or my profuse sweating.

What's really amazing is how MUCH the little pouch holds! 

 

Today I wanted to show you some of the things I bring with me on my runs- - - zipped safely away in my SPIBELT!

First, I bring along my vintage cell phone. 

I never know when I might need it.   What if I was attacked by a killer pigeon  or what if I tripped and fell down and broke my leg and no one was around to help me?    I  could just reach in my little SPIBELT and pull out my phone!  

OR what if I decided I wanted to call my Grand Girl and tell her about a little homeless puppy dog that was following me all around the neighborhood. . . with the saddest little face. . . and that maybe she would want to tell her mommy or daddy about it so they could come and get it for her!!!  I could do that.....I have my phone in my SPIBELT!!

OR what if I needed to tell my husband about the perfect diamond ring I saw at the jeweler's today and that I'd love it if he would pick that up for me on his way home from work.  I CAN DO THAT!!!  I have my phone in my SPIBELT!

See, there are a million  good reasons to bring my phone with me when I go running!!  :)

Next, I always bring a house key with me.  

We have a keyless entry pad on our garage door, but I would hate it if I had been running really hard.....and I SOOOOO needed to get back to the house to get a drink of water or use the restroom and for some UNKNOWN REASON the keyless entry pad wouldn't work and I couldn't get the garage door up!!!!.  No problem. . . I have my house key in my SPIBELT!!!

 

On those rare occasions when a long run becomes boring, I can always perk myself up by pulling my little orange lip whistle out of my SPIBELT.  

I can't help but get that happy and energized feeling back when I put that little plastic contraption to my mouth and blow away.

 

 

If you don't have one of these whistles, you really should get one.  It makes the "funnest" and most ear piercing sound.  Not only does it put a smile on my face. . . the local neighbors enjoy  it, too.  At first I think they thought I was losing my elder mind, but soon they realized it was a mood booster to see me with those orange plastic lips pressed on my face. . . jogging along and making that happy noise!!

Oh, and another use for that swell whistle. . . . it keeps the pigeons away!  ;)

 

 

 

You might wonder why I would carry a PINK Tootsie Pop with me on my runs.

 

My answer. . . .why not????

 

 

I don't have a running buddy. . . I keep hoping one of my neighbors will notice how awesome I'm looking  since I took up the sport and will want to join me.  However, until that time comes, I run alone.  

I have learned to take a paper and pen with me in my SPIBELT, too.  Because I'm spending so much time by myself running, my mind is always thinking of stuff.  I have found it's so easy to whip my pen and paper out and jot down those thoughts I want to recall......this is an especially great time to write my grocery list!!!  Of course, sometimes I can't read what I've written because I'm writing while jogging, but I can usually figure out what I meant!

 

 No runner leaves the house without a few tissues!  They don't take up much space in my SPIBELT and they are so necessary for nose blowing or sweat wiping OR dealing with what a pesky pigeon might deposit on my shirt!!!

 

 Here is my SPIBELT all packed up and ready for my next run around the neighborhood!

I have to say, it has made that time I'm away from home a lot more comfortable!  It was well worth the investment!

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT loves my SPIBELT, too!  In fact, here he is this morning. . . .ready to go on his little hop around the neighborhood!  

He tells me he also fills the pouch with lots of his own little needs while exercising. . . mainly a few baby carrots and, of course, he takes takes my phone and house key and  that  swell whistle!!

 

 

 I saved the best for last.

Here is the newest  SPIBELT business card.

 Guess what. . . that's MY tummy they are using to model the pouch!!!  I look pretty good for a sixty something runner, wouldn't you agree?

OK.. . . that's not my tummy. . . .yet!!! :)

 

 

 

 It's Pink Saturday again. . . where does the week go?

Please visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND.   You will find lots of other bloggers with fun pinks to share with you!!

 

DANA

WE DID IT AGAIN!

 

Yes, we DID it again!!!  

Yesterday, my niece (on the left below) and I ran our second official 5K run!!  

Here we are just before the "14th Annual Gobbler Grind Marathon, 1/2 Marathon and 5K" started in Overland Park, Kansas!  Just as we finished posing for our "before picture", we spent a few minutes walking to warm up. 

 

 

 

 

We thought these folks were lining up at the START line, but soon realized they were  in the bathroom line!!  OMG...I was really glad I didn't have to do that.  However, once I knew that's  what they were doing, I had this nagging feeling that maybe, I needed to do that, too.  My niece had to keep telling me I was OK. . . I didn't need to "go".  She was right. . . I lasted just fine.  These folks were probably gearing up for the longer runs.

 

 While waiting for the run to start, my niece was posting a photo of us on her Facebook page!  My phone doesn't take pictures, and if it did, I'm certain I wouldn't know what to do with it!!  I'm glad she does. . .she was my first "computer coach" years ago!  She knows her techy stuff!

 

Here I am with my husband, our official photographer!!!  He was so nice to get up early and hang out with us before, during and after the run!   I appreciate that!!

 

 

Our photographer got a great photo of the folks lined up at the "STARTING LINE".  The Marines were at the run and presented the flag as we sang The National Anthem.  

My niece and I were standing waaaaaay back in the line of runners.  The folks up front were the seasoned, mature and really good runners!!

 

You can tell really good, serious and dedicated runners. . . look at the  MUSCLES in their legs!!  The only things that pop out on my legs are veins. . . and they're not pretty!! 

 While the really good runners were shooting off that STARTING LINE like rockets. . . 

my niece and I were trotting along in the back. . . not too worried about our "pace" at that point.

 

 

 

 Neither of us had been running as much in preparation for this 5K as we had for the first one a month ago, so our goal was  "to finish" and if we finished a bit faster than we did on the first one. . . that would be a plus. 

 

I'm not certain at what mile marker this was, but these folks were pretty far ahead of us.  The fellow in the middle ran with a flag the whole way!!

 

Here we come. . . 

 

we were still feeling pretty perky at this point. 

 

There we go. . . .

 

These pictures were taken pretty close to the end of the run.  You can see "the flag man" again! 

 

I was feeling VERY tired at this point, but thought we were MUCH closer to the FINISH LINE than what we actually were.

 

The asphalt trail continued for what seemed like miles (it might have just been a tenth of a mile, however) before we turned onto a dirt path that took us to the END of the 5K.

I have to say, as we hit the path and headed for the FINISH line, I was worried about turning my ankle on the different running surface, but not my niece. . . she found a bit of energy and started moving FAST.  Well, I got tickled at what she was doing, so I had to try to move faster, too.  Heck, we were steps away from finishing.    I got in about four fast steps before hitting the blue timing pad.

 

The run organizers had oranges, bananas and grapes ready for us to nibble on just as we finished.  

 

Our official POST RUN photo!!  We were both pretty tired, but very happy we had actually finished our 2nd run!

 

 

My niece is pictured getting the "timer chip" removed from her shoe. . .

and so am I!  The chips are activated as soon as you step on the START line and deactivated when you step on the FINISH line!  

 

The run organizers post the times for everyone.  Here were our. . . .she beat me!!!!  :)  Actually, we were both happy to see that we had improved since our first run.  I was kinda bummed, cuz I thought we were going faster than what we were.  On my iPod, the NIKE + app  showed our pace to be in the 9 min range, but we were timed at the 11 min. speed officially.  I thought I was running a whole lot faster than I actually was. . . .it sure felt like we were moving right along!!  :)  I need to get the app. calibrated.  However, we still were pleased with what we did!

 

After the run, we headed over to The Doubletree and enjoyed a really good breakfast buffet!!  I'm pretty certain I took in more calories than I burned in the run, but we were celebrating!!!

 

 

 Besides a great Turkey Shirt, we also received a swell medal for running!!  I've NEVER received a medal for anything!!  Yes, indeedy, we got a Turkey Medal!!

 

THE STONE RABBIT was very impressed with my Turkey Medal. . . Twiggy wasn't so sure about it!

DANA

OUR JOURNEY

 

I had been experimenting with walking/jogging intervals earlier in the summer, but it wasn't until I heard that my niece Carrie, Mary, her step mom, Jen, her step sis and Kate, a good friend of Carrie's were training to actually run a 5K in October here in Kansas City that I jumped on board, too.  With the exception of Jen, the rest of us had zero serious running experience!!    

To train for such an undertaking, we used the  COUCH TO 5K RUNNING PLAN.  As August turned into September and then into October, we had all made significant improvements in our running endurance!  By the time we had completed the program, we were running at least 3.1 miles at a time, which is the distance of a 5K .

My son, who had already participated in two marathon runs and a variety of other shorter running events,  decided to run the 5K with us!!! How wonderful this would be. . . completing such a goal TOGETHER with four other "first timers" and with my boy to boot!!  :)

Last week,  I shared on my blog what part of the first mile of the 5K course looked like.   It was described as a "slight incline" on the official web site of the WADDELL & REED KANSAS CITY MARATHON.    The incline didn't look so bad as I was standing there. . . pointing at it.  Later, while riding in a car over the course, it looked pretty scary!!!

My niece kept pumping me up with positive thoughts about that stretch.  I just knew it could really put the skids to much of a  run for me - - -if I was totally wiped out at the end of the first mile I would have to walk for a while, and I really didn't want to do that.

So, our plan was- - - go slow on the first mile!  :)

The day before the 5K, which was held last Saturday, October 16, my husband and I headed to CROWN CENTER to pick up the registration packets for myself and my son.  The packets contained our "bib" numbers (what you pin on your shirt for identification) and our shoe "tags". Our tag would record the actual "time" it took to complete the run.  We also got a snazzy commemorative T-shirt!!  

It was official.  I couldn't chicken out at that point.

As we left CROWN CENTER, my husband suggested we have a late lunch at one of our favorite barbecue spots in Kansas City. . . .FIORELLA'S JACK STACK BARBECUE.  This particular restaurant is located near CROWN CENTER. . . behind UNION STATION.   It's in an area  called the FREIGHT HOUSE DISTRICT.   LIDIA'S is also located there.

 

 The weather was PERFECT for dining outside on the patio and  watching the trains go by.  In this photo, you can see the white/blue of the AMTRAK  getting ready to load passengers. (lower right corner)

Here's one of the many freight trains that  zipped  along the tracks. 

Since I was "carbing up" for the big run (don't I sound like a real runner?), I ordered their "loaded" barbecue potato, but had everything put on the side so I could eat just the amounts of "extras" I wanted.

 

A customer at a table by us had this dish, so I ordered it, too.  It was delish......sauteed green beans and red peppers served in one of their WORLD FAMOUS onion rings!!!

This is a little bowl of "burnt ends" that came with my potato......I'm not a huge meat eater, but this stuff was very good!!!  I didn't eat lots of it...but what I did tasted amazing mixed with the potato, cheese and sour cream!!  It was a PERFECT meal....not heavy, but extremely tasty and carby!!

My husband had The Jack Stack sandwich......beef on a bun basically.  He also enjoyed sides of their WONDERFUL baked beans and coleslaw!

We've been eating this barbecue for over forty years.  The business started out as a small family spot called The Smoke Stack.  In the early days, the sandwich my husband ordered last week at Jack Stack was called the Sixty Niner cuz it cost 69cents.  The price in this day and age....$10.00!!  It's still worth every penny!

If you ever eat at JACK STACK'S you'll have to have a stack of their onion rings.  This was the last of the six rings we ordered that day......I had ONE.  :)  Normally, I would have consumed at least three, but I didn't want my stomach to remind me during the night that I had eaten them!!!

 One was PERFECT!!!

The run started at 7:30 a.m.!!!  That meant we had to leave our house at 6:15.  Info we  read about the run suggested we be warmed up and in line by 7:15....so we needed to arrive early enough to find a spot to park. . . .

and hit the "potty" before we headed to the "start" line.  

The above photo shows a bit of the interior of CROWN CENTER....a wonderful shopping venue.  The starting line was just north of this area. . . you can see runners beginning to line up.

Here we are for our official "BEFORE"  photo!!!  Front row L-R  Kate and Carrie.    Backrow L-R  Mary, Jen, me, and Nate.  

Mary and Jen had flown in from Little Rock the night before just for this event!!!  

I have to say that Mary is one of the toughest and most determined gals ever!!  She had (and still has) an injury on her left leg and had not run for three weeks prior to this 5K.....hoping her leg would improve with rest.  She just sucked it up, took some Advil,  plopped a "pain patch" over the injured area......and jumped in the the race line, ready to go!

Here is a portion of the runners making their way to the "start".  There were about 11,000 participants entered in the various events that morning, which included the 5K, a half-marathon and a full marathon.  

I had NEVER been in such a crowd before.....there was so much excitement in the air!!!  Oh, and the weather was PERFECT, too!!  It was sunny and clear. . . a bit of a nip in the air, but just enough to keep us from getting overheated.   

 

Our official photographers for the run were (L to R) my husband and my niece's husband!  They were so awesome to get up very early on a Saturday morning and "mix" with the thousands of folks, just so they could cheer us on and take a few photos!  Thank you so much!!!

Somehow, my husband found us in the throng of runners.  I have on the blue shirt, red visor and big smile...and I'm waving at  you!!  My son is ahead of me....white shirt, big smile.  My niece is to his right. . .  cute red head, head band, waving,  and a big smile, as well!!!   You can see Jen's ponytail to the left of Carrie.  Mary and Kate were nearby, too, but not visible in this shot.

It was pretty tricky keeping our little group somewhat together as we made our way to the STARTING LINE!!!!!

Before we ran, they played the National Anthem.  Kate remarked that this was the first time she'd ever been a "participant" at an event when it was played.....she was typically a spectator!   Her statement rang true for me, too.  

Another  PERFECT moment!!!

That was the first time I had met Kate.....she is SOOOOOOO cute and funny!!!  In fact, Kate is the reason we participated in this event in the first place.  It was her idea to do it.  Then she asked Carrie if she wanted to.  Carrie said "yes"!  Over the 4th of July Carrie mentioned it to Mary and Jen. . . they wanted to do it, too!  I found out about it a little later and thought that sounded like fun.  What a thrill to find out that my son was planning on running that day, too!!

Wow. . . and here we were.  After all of the training and exchanging of e-mails and Facebook conversations. . . . .we were slowly moving toward the official START line. . . . getting ready to run!!! 

I couldn't stop smiling.......how often does that happen?  

I love this photo of the cousins. . . Nate and Carrie. . . getting ready to take on the 5K course!

I think this was taken moments before we took off. . . I was setting my "stop watch", and I think I see a few other folks doing that, too.  The shoe "tags" we attached to our laces would be activated as soon as we stepped on the starting line.  As I said earlier, I was more concerned about finishing the event running the whole way. . . the amount of time I did it in wasn't the "biggie", but it would still be fun to find out how long it took me to complete it!  




We don't have photos of the dreaded mile long "slight incline".....however, we all made it.  It wasn't that bad!!!   BUT the right turn we made that took us to the next street....WELL that stretch was REALLY a hill.  I was certainly  winded by the time we made it up that stretch, but the next mile was slightly down hill or flat, so I was able to recover.....sorta.

I think we are a bit over two miles at this point of the run.  My husband had left the START area and waited with his camera at this point....hoping to catch sight of some of us as we sailed by!!!!

 Nate is behind the turquoise shirted lady.  I think she was a "walker".  You can see I was not smiling!    
 

I was really starting to feel tired at that point.  My legs felt like they had 50 pound weights on them. . . and we still had a ways to go.  Thoughts of walking were floating through my brain and I know my son could hear the audible sounds of my labored breathing.  He was amazing. . . he kept telling me what a good job I was doing and how proud he was of me!!  Life just came full circle on that run with him!     

 

At this turn, we realized my husband was taking our photos and happily waved to him!!!  That helped take my mind off my negative feelings- - - for a bit!  :)



He also captured Carrie!!!   She had on the capris with the stripe on the leg. . . red ponytail flying!!!!    Doesn't she look great?

 

In a bit, we all crossed the FINISH line!!!!  Here we are,  not too long after we reached our goal.  What a PERFECT moment!   

 

Carrie, Mary and Jen are shown here right after they crossed the finish line, too!!!!  How wonderful!!!  

All of the time we had spent "learning to run" had paid off!

 We don't have finish line photos of Kate, but she made it just fine, too!!  She was celebrating with her family as soon as she completed her run.  

 

 

One of our AFTER group photos!!!

A side view!!  :)


We are standing in line at the tent where we found out how fast (or SLOW) we ran our event!
 

My fleet footed boy could have left me in his dust, but he stuck by my side every step of the run.  I have to say it was one of the best times in my life. . . he's such a good person and I love him so much.  Yep, he hung in there with me and we stepped on the finish line at  the same time.  We officially ran the 5K in 34 min and 59 seconds.  I'm pretty sure he didn't break a sweat with the run and I am certain that was his slowest official 5K run time. . .ever.    I moved as fast as I could that day and was very pleased with myself for not walking a step!  

This was the time that elapsed on my stop watch during the run from start to finish....but I started it before we actually stepped on the start line.  SO, I'd like to think that the Official time was accurate!  :)

Here our little group is enjoying some post-run chatting and relaxation.  After that, we had a leisurely breakfast at a local restaurant. . . another PERFECT part of the day.


Three cheers for the photographers!!! 

That afternoon, Carrie's husband took a cute photo of her, Mary and Jen.  They had gone to a local spot to dine and watch their beloved Arkansas Razorbacks play Auburn.  

Aren't they a cute group?  Ya would never know that just a few hours earlier, they were running in their first 5K!!!

 

Carrie is always so thoughtful.  She got each of us this great postcard of the POWER AND LIGHT DISTRICT, with a photo of THE SPRINT CENTER on the bottom portion.   We ran on the street in front of THE SPRINT CENTER for the first mile of the 5K!!!  She wrote the most wonderful message on the back of the card. . . referring to our run as a "journey".   Hence, the title of this post.  We did share a wonderful journey!

Knowing the importance of chocolate in the diets of females, Carrie purchased a bar of ANNEDORE'S chocolate for each of us.

 Kansas City was imprinted on top of each one!!!



Mary surprised us with the greatest silver bracelets - - - each one had a  "5K" charm attached!!  I am nuts over it and have been showing it off every chance I get!!!  It will always remind me of our special day.....running our very first 5Ks. . . together!!!  

PERFECT!!!
 
THE STONE RABBIT was also very proud of me for completing the 5K Run and happily posed with the postcard, chocolate and bracelet.  

He asked me what I had given to the others to commemorate the big run.  I sheepishly sad "nothing". . . .I had thought about it, but I just couldn't come up with a good idea.

So, as a little gift, I'm dedicating this post to my fellow runners.  

To my son.  Thank you for giving me one of the best times in my life. . . running by my side for 3.1 miles. . .giving me loads of encouragement along the way.  My heart just swells with pride over you.  

To Carrie. Without your initial enthusiasm the rest of us would not have been a part of this event!!  You are my favorite red-headed niece. . . and I am so proud of you for completing your run!!  You bring such joy to all you do and to the lives of those you touch!

To Mary.  You are such a determined person!!  With all of the pain you dealt with prior to and during the run. . . you forged ahead and completed your goal!!!  You are a force to be reckoned with. . . and I am so glad you did what you set out to do!  You are awesome!  

To Jen.  You were the first over the finish line. . . way to go!!!  I so enjoyed spending time with you and getting to know you better.  It was a thrill to be a part of your special day, too!!  I definitely see bigger running goals in your future!

To Kate.  If it hadn't been for you, none of this would  have happened!!  It was your idea to do the run in the first place!!!  To you, I say THANK YOU for being a part of one of the finest times in my life!! You were instrumental in changing our lives!    Congrats to you for reaching your 5K goal!

 

Here is a bit of PINK that was seen on the back of a T-shirt that day.  I think it pretty much says it all.

 

 

 

 

 Please visit Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  She will have a long list of bloggers with terrific PINKS to share!!!  

 

Have a great PINK SATURDAY.

 

DANA

IT'S THE DAY!

By the time most of you read this, I will have already completed my very first 5K run. . . I hope!!! :)  

 

Beverly asked me if I would be wearing PINK as I ran in this event.  Well the answer is: OF COURSE!!!  As I type this, I don't have a special PINK shirt or hat, but I hope to find one or both before the day is over.  I do know of one PINK item that I will for sure have on  while I am running and that is this great PINK watch!

 

 
 

 When I bought it, I never thought I would use the stop watch feature, but I have to say it has been one of the best things I could have ever purchased!  I have used it from the very beginning of my training for this event to time my warm ups, various jogs, runs and walks.  I will have it on during the 5K to keep track of my time against the mile markers.

 

Many of you have left such wonderful words of encouragement as I have shared this goal of mine with you.  You guys are great.   I can tell you I deeply appreciated your well wishes and have enjoyed your good spirited remarks!!

 

So, if you happen to see coverage of the KANSAS CITY MARATHON on the news this weekend, keep your eye out for the old gal with a PINK watch as she attempts to complete her first official 5K!!!  I hope you don't see her stretched out on a sidewalk about half-way through the course, gasping for air after attempting to jog the looooong incline of the first mile.   Instead,  I hope you see her smiling, wrinkled face as  she crosses the finish line!!!  She won't be setting any records- - - as her goal is not to finish in 20 minutes or less.  She just wants to finish!! :)

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you all have a wonderful SATURDAY OF PINKNESS!!!  I know you will if you visit Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND!! She will have the longest list of bloggers. . . who all have special pinks to share with YOU!!  

 

DANA