The Stone Rabbit

Memories of My First Marathon

 A few months ago the idea of doing a marathon first nudged its way into my mind.  It started to grow as I was going longer distances with Verna, a running friend, who was preparing to do a marathon.

She had done several such races over the years. . .as well as longer distances.  She is my running idol who eagerly shares her knowledge and expertise about the sport.   

And she's patient.  

I struggled on more than one of the long runs we had done.  My elderly body rebelled now and then.  She didn't give up on me.  We just kept at it.  And as time went by and the distances grew and the encouragement from Verna was never failing, well...I finally started believing that "maybe" I was capable of going the 26.2 miles.  

Then the reality check would hit.  I was going to be 69 when I did a marathon.   I'm an old woman...what was I thinking about?    What was wrong with me?  Why wasn't I thinking more about knitting or making pies? I'm a GRANDMA for goodness sake!!  

Then I'd find myself out on the trail on a really hot day with her, and often times other running friends,  and it just seemed to becoming a reality.  I was going for longer distances and they weren't always so hard. . .don't get me wrong, they were still often times hard, but they weren't "as" hard.

I came to the decision that the Kansas City Marathon would be the one I'd run in October 2016.  It was there, in 2010, that I did my first 5K and then again my first half marathon in 2013. 

 

I knew it was not an easy course. . .

but I signed up for it anyway.  

 

 

 

After months of slowly building up my distance ability I found myself at the expo with these running buddies the day before the race.   They had both signed up for the half.  We are pictured with Steve of BODIES RUNNING.

He has been a steadfast running support for us over the last year.  He'd started a speed workout group where, once a week,  he gives us a plan  . .and then we meet at a local trail and attempt it!  :)  Steve is the first person that made me realize that if I wanted to run faster....I needed to practice running faster.  He introduced us to  tempo runs and fartleks and pyramids.  All of these were foreign until Steve became a part of our running experiences.

L to R:  Brenda, me, Steve, Karen

 

 

 Karen was another big cheerleader for me over this marathon journey.  She insisted that she was going to pick me up the morning we did our races  and she would be there when I finished my distance.

I knew it was gonna take me twice as long to complete my run as it was going to take her to do hers and  I really didn't want her to have to hang around for me all that extra time.  However, she was not going to have anything to do with my argument.  She won.   She picked me up bright and early on the morning of the event.  We arrived at the parking lot near the race start well before daylight..... giving us premium parking and ample time to find restrooms!   haha

 

 

We also located the spot near Crown Center where lots of folks meet up before the race to get their group pictures.

 We know several of the folks pictured here  as we  belong to a local running group called the RUNbelieveables.   Many of them are amazingly fast.  Several of them were pacing the half or the full marathons that day (you can see the pacer sticks they are holding).  At that point I was still undecided as to exactly where in the corral I would start my run.....which pacing stick I would try to follow and keep up with as I made my way along the 26.2 miles of the marathon.

 

 

Brenda, Karen and I , plus a few others, run together once or twice a week.  On this day, we probably wouldn't be side by side on the course, but we certainly would hold each other in our thoughts as the race went by for us.  On this morning one of Brenda's daughters was also running the marathon.  She's on the left in the photo below.  

For this race we supported TEAM WORLD VISION, a great organization that helps provide clean water to Africia.   We arrived at their tent around  6:30 a.m. for a little "inspiration" and pep rally......

 

 

 

 and a group picture!!

 

 

The next photo shows us packed in with thousands of other runners waiting for the start of the race. . .scheduled for a little after 7:00 a.m.. 

I don't know how my other buddies felt during the time we spent waiting . . .I just recall feeling a little jittery. . .praying I was really prepared to go that distance of 26.2 miles.   I was pretty sure I could made the distance physically, but it was the mental challenge that scared me. . . knowing I'd be alone most of the way after about the 8th mile.  I'd be on the slow end of the runners and the fast folks would be long gone.  I hadn't trained to do more than 5 miles alone.   The picture of me plodding along, alone for many miles, was one that kept popping into my mind.

Also, I was  worried about being able to finish before the 6 hour cut off.  I didn't practice "speed", but rather keeping a slower, steady pace as I got my body used to going such a long distance.   I had to be realistic that just finishing was more the goal I needed to chase.....but I REALLY wanted to finish before the 6 hr. cut off! :)

 

 

Besides my running buddies, my son was there.  He was also doing the marathon!!

I just grin every time I look at this picture.  I could have never dreamed that in 2010 whenI ran my first race ever, a 5K here at the KC Marathon event with this guy  by my side, that in 2016 we'd both be doing the marathon!!   He had done a few others, but this was my first.  I think the look on my face kinda speaks volumes.  :)  This part was pretty danged neat!

 

 

Looking north on Grand, the old Western Auto sign, a KC landmark,  was barely visible in the dark sky. 

The weather that morning was predicted to be warm for mid October.  I don't do well in heat, so I cut the sleeves out of a lightweight running shirt to make things a bit cooler!  However, the weather did hold out for us!!  It was pretty overcast most of the race and we had a good breeze.

 

 

 

As the moments ticked by, waiting for the "start", we could see four drones in the sky!  If you look carefully there are 3 dots of light......they would be drones! 

You can tell by the 2:40 pacer stick that I decided to line up there.  Why?  Because Brenda wanted to hang with that time group to finish her half. . .sound decision for me, too, right?  haha

I just knew MY JOB was to go slow. . .no matter where I started.

 

 

In past races, I've taken a gob of pictures along the course.  I didn't this time.  I think that just shows how focused I was on actually completeing the course upright and not too exhausted.   However, this picture does show us heading south on Oak....going up part of the challenging Hospital Hill !!  It's definitely well known in the KC area!

 

 

At the 2 mile mark, we were going up another hill, headed to the World War I Memorial / aka Liberty Memorial.

 

 

Here's the Liberty Memorial....it doesn't lean in real life!  haha

See those glorious clouds?  Yay.  No sun! 

 

 

 Around the 6 mile point we had reached The Plaza Shopping District.  It's full of fountains.....with this one being one of the most popular!

 

 

My first goal was to "start out and keep a slow pace", but still make it to this point....the COURSE SPLIT.  It was here that the half marathon people went left and the marathon folks went south.  And if we (the marathoners) weren't on a certain time pace by the time we hit this split, then we  would not be allowed to continue the marathon course because that meant we were too slow to make the 6 hour cut off time limit of completing the distance.

HOWEVER.... I was in good shape at that point.  Yay!!!  Happy dance, big smiles, this was fun.....I happily made a right turn and headed south.....

and that's when it got reallllll lonely!!

Most of the runners had signed up for the half.  I think there were only 1500 that were doing the marathon.  I was one of them......and I was not fast....and I promptly found myself pretty much on my own.  

 

 

By this point, there were tons of  runners ahead of me. . . .and many folks behind me. . . but not many to actually chit chat with as I ticked off the miles.

We'd already dealt with several challenging hills on this part of the course.  I walked them, saving my "strength" to run 3 min. and walk a min. intervals on the flat stretches.  Cheering support groups seemed slim on the second part of the course, but they still maintained great water stations and porta potties about every two miles.  Each one was like a little oasis for me!  :)  Water, smiles and good wishes from the volunteers and the oportunity to use the potty if necessary. 

Porta potties are huge on long runs....especially for me.  I drink lots of water and, well, that means I need to make pit stops sometimes.  On that day, I remember, around mile 10 or so that I thought I should use one of those facilities at the next water station, but when I got there, there was a line for it....so I figured I'd be OK to make it to the next one.  Funny, though...the feelling went away and never came back.  I actually made it the entire race without needing to use one!!  That was probably right up there on my list of : big accomplishments for the the entire race for me personally!

 

 

Fatique was setting in.  Around miles 17 or 18, I had to start using some mind distractions to keep me moving as best as I could.  I had a prayer list that I'd already gone through . I had a gratitude list, too.  

I was  feeling pretty emotional along with the tireness that was creeping in and my cramping calves  ( a new experience).   That's when I started thinking about some of the moments that prepared me for this day. . .and all of the good running buddies, in all sorts of weather experiences and distances!!!  

From freezing at the Battle of the Bean 5K in January, to......

 

 

weekly speed work sessions in the dark and the cold. . . 

 

long runs on the weekend also in the cold and later in the blistering heat. . .

 

to 10 miles in the cold and rain. . .

 

 

speedwork in the heat of summer.  

 

 

Countless runs with so many supportive, like-minded friends had brought me to this point!!  Yes, I was very emotional and so very thankful that, at my age, I was completing my very first marathon!!

Somewhere prior to this photo being taken, I received a text from Verna.   She was out of town, but had been "tracking" me on a race app and knew that I was slowing down a bit.  Simply she said:  "RELENTLESS. FORWARD. MOTION!! You've got this!"

I no longer felt "alone" on that course. . . and I puddled up for a bit.

Verna was the reason I did the marathon in the first place.  She lit the fire, she encouraged me, she taught me. . .and I will be forever grateful.

 

 

As I said, I  did have issues with my upper calves cramping. . .something that had never happened before.  In turn my right knee started hurting on the outer side.  I don't know if it was related to the cramping.   All I know was by the time I reached the last couple of miles, my plan had been to totally run them and not do the 3 min. running and 1 min. walking intervals I'd used up until that point.  However, my knee wasn't wanting me to do that, so I adjusted my plan.  I could run 1 1/2 min. before it started twinging.  When it did, I stopped and took a few rapid steps, then ran til it hurt and walked a little.  The 1 1/2 min. time was what my knee wanted and that's what I did until I reached the final stretch of the marathon.

This is the last hill of the course. . .the "finish line" is in the distance. Yes, it was UP HILL!

I  recall turning the corner and seeing the hill and thinking how tired I was feeling and how far away the finish looked to be.

 

 

It took every ounce of energy I had to make that final push!!

I was tired, I was happy, I was tearing up and THEN, as I was near the finish line, three of the cutest little grand kids in the entire world. . .

 

 

came out to help me cross the finish line!

I had no idea they would be there.

Words can't express how full my heart was in those moments!

 

 

 

 

Also waiting at the finish were my son (who had finished his marathon quite a bit ahead of me!!  ). . .

 

 

and my good buddy Karen!!!

This day was a big one for each of us with our own individual goals  met!!

My daughter in law was at the finish line taking photos, as was my husband. 

I was a lucky woman!!

AND I had not only finished, but I did it under the 6 hr. cutoff with an offical time of 5 hrs. 55 minutes and 23 seconds.  Not speedy, but a time I was very happy with.

 

 

 

My blogging buddy and Facebook friend, Nancy, made this fun sign for me!!

 

 

 

Fellow runner and friend, Jacqui, got Jon Bon Jovi in the action for me, too!

WOW!! 

 

The next day one of my friends sent me a sweet text and asked if I was going to do another marathon.  Uh..."not today", I replied!!

THE STONE RABBIT is so proud of my accomplishment.  He knew I could do it all along, too.  

In fact, he's so taken with the idea of longer distances that he's been using my GPS watch to train for a possible race in the future!!

 

 

I hope you weren't too bored with this race recap.   Reliving that time through writing this post makes me think that perhaps another marathon "might" be in my future one day!  As in most goals we set, it's really the journey that's probably the most important part.   Celebrating the steps along the way. . .embracing new friendships. . .cherishing the old ones. . .and just being grateful for the oportunity to take on new and fulfilling challenges.

Please visit Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND!  There you will find a long list of others who are ready with their Pink Saturday shares!!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!

DANA

 

Another Surprise Gift...and Visit....and a Big Goal!

 

Karen recently took a trip to Hawaii. . .and look what she brought back for me!!!

I told THE STONE RABBIT that these are the very best chocolates I've ever eaten!!!  He asked me why I kept them hidden from my husband. . . I just looked at him.   Seriously?   I'm not sharing these treats!!  :)

 

 

Yesterday, these two great friends (I met them through running about 4 years ago) arrived at the same time to visit me at the Oktoberfest Craft Sale where I had a booth!

It's always a treat to see them in settings other than while we are running!  We surprise ourselves with how different we look in regular clothes and not drenched in excercise sweat.

This upcoming weekend is a big one for each of us.  Mary will be doing a 10K distance with her son in Minnesota.  He's doing his first full marathon the same morning!   Karen  is doing the half-marathon distance and I'm  doing the full marathon distance of the Kansas City Marathon!

We've been working hard for several months. . .getting ready for our goal distances.  It will be my first, and probably only, full marathon.   It will be hard for me to do, but I'm actually looking forward to completing it.

 

 

L to R  Karen, me, Mary

 

 

I've been a lucky gal to have received running mentoring  from Verna. . .another lady I met through running.  I think it's been about 3 years since we first met.

She's an amazing runner who has completed about 40 marathons and numerous ultra distances.  In fact, she's the one who really sparked my interest in tackling my first marathon distance earlier this year.  She was training for a full and I tagged along on some of her longer runs.  She was sharing all sorts of tid -bits about dealing with the additional miles. . .as up until then my longest distance was the half marathon which is 13.1 miles.  Anyway, the goal was distance and not speed and as the weeks went by.  She made me believe I was capable of completing a marathon distance ( 26.2 miles).  I figured out that this olden body didn't have a whole lot of time left in it to do such a thing...and if not now, then when?  So I signed up for the race and now, here it is, just a few days away!!  In the photo below, Verna is on the right.  We had just completed a long training run one hot day not long ago.

 

 

So, today in church, our priest spoke on a topic that really smacked me in the face.  It was about "gratitude"....mostly about how that related to our faith and the Lord...and all of the gifts he's given to us. 

I'm so grateful for the gift of physically being able to do th activity of running at this advanced age in my life.   . . .and also so very grateful I've found other folks who share the same enthusiasm.   Through many hours and miles of running with these ladies, we've developed great friendships....truly a gift.  

Another "gift" for which I'm grateful is Pink Saturday....and all of the wonderful cyber friends I've met because of that.  I'm so very lucky to have found Beverly and her wonderful blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND, over 8 years ago!!!

Beverly hosts a weekly link up called Pink Saturday. . .a place for you to share "whatever"!   If you click (HERE) you will be taken to her blog and all of the others who are ready with their weekly shares!!

DANA

 

 

A Fun Fall Day!

 

Yesterday, Bonnie and I went to a little town near us to attend what we thought was going to be a showcase of various vendors selling their handmade and vintage wares.  For several years, that's the way it was there.  We hadn't been to the sale for some time. . . .and were pretty surprised to find that the promoter no longer held the sale with multiple vendors.  However, she did showcase her items of primitive treasures and a few market candles in an old house adjacent to her home.

While we were disappointed in it not being "the way it used to be", we still had a great time visiting with her.  We both bought a pumpkin, a couple of squash and a candle.  All perfect items for the days ahead!

 

It feels so good to "get away" from the city life for awhile.  The little town we went to is a farming community.  They were busy harvesting.  

I took this photo of the farm equipment at work in the cornfield while we waited for a train to pass.

 

 

We visited a little antique shop in that town after we left "the sale".  I found a great basket...which I forgot to take a  photo of for this post.

Afterwards, we went to a restaurant, located next to the antique store.

The sign on the front door should have been an indicator that this lunch was not going to be a good experience.  It told us they were "closing at 2:00"'

Hmmmm.....that was odd for the only eating spot in town to be closing.

Anyway, the place was packed.  

We waited and waited and waited for someone to take our order....then the process of waiting and waiting began  again for our food to be delivered.  

As we were twiddling our thumbs, I noticed people starting to gather in front of the restaurant ...many wearing t-shirts with the years they had graduated.  Soon folks were pulling out umbrellas and sitting in chairs along side the road.

Uh......"Bonnie", I said, "I think we might be parked on a parade route!"    Just then our waitress walking towards us with our food.  I quickly asked her if there was going to be a homecoming parade going by and she prouding answered "YES"!!  (duh....that's why they were closing early!!!!)

I threw money at Bonnie, told the waitress to bring us "to go" boxes and bounded out to my car to move it before we got locked in for the duration of the parade!!

We made it off the parade route.....pulling into a gas startion parking area....where we sat and inhaled our overdue lunches!!  I had a very good cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and Bonnie had fried walleye...the daily special!

We got a good laugh out of our day.  It certainly wasn't what we thought it would be, but it was still a great time together!

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT got a big chuckle out of our trip to "the country".

 

 

 

I hope you're having a great time this weekend, too!

Please visit Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND ,for a long list of other bloggers who are ready with their Pink Saturday shares!

DANA

 

Dreaming of Summer. . .

 

 This is a late PINK SATURDAY post for me. . . .but I made it!!

The last two days have been packed with so much going on!!  I won't bore you with all of the details, instead, let's just say I've been all over the place in locations and activities!  I'm pretty tired as I type this. . . but, with the exception of attending a sad event, the rest of the time has been very good!

Our weather in KC, on the other hand,  has been pretty icky.  We've had rain and cold and ice and wind and kinda warm and back to cold and getting colder.  Tomorrow morning we are supposed to be in single digits!!!

The picture below, of THE STONE RABBIT and I, was taken exactly one year ago. . . same weather, same feeling. . . .we HATE THE COLD!  Well, I hate the cold....THE STONE RABBIT isn't really bothered by it.

 

 

 

 

 All I know is that I'm  over this winter stuff and am  ready for being able to enjoy our local trail when the trees there are loaded with leaves. . .

 

 

 

and its sunflowers are blooming. . .

 

 

and our Wednesday evening running/walking group can gather there around 6 in the evening and it's still daylight. . .

 

 

and it's WARM. . .

 

and when our Tuesday morning speed work crew can meet at 6 in the morning and it's daylight. . .

 

 

and we can attend July 4th parades and. . .

 

 

outdoor flea markets. . .

and there are fresh picked peaches to eat. . . .

 

and  zinnias to pick!

Sadly, there's a lot more winter to deal with before summer returns. . .but I can still dream!!

 

Be sure you visit Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!  There will be a lot of other bloggers who have their Pink Saturday shares ready for you to enjoy!!!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!

DANA

 

 

 

And Now We Begin Another New Year. . . .

 

It was a whirlwind December from start to finish!!  However, it was a good month of busyness..nothing too earthshaking going on other than normal efforts to prepare for and enjoy the holidays.  OK, I take that back.  Our son and DIL and grands were in Texas for Christmas and (thankfully) got back home right ahead of the dreadful weather (tornados, snow, ice) that hit the midwest and on the 30th our youngest grand had his tonsils removed.  All went well and he's now feeling much better after a couple of days of not being his old chipper self.

For the last few years we've been fortunate enough to be able to close out the old year with two other couples.   We enjoy a yummy dinner prepared by the hostess (and it's not me :) and an assortment of Christmas leftovers (side dishes or appetizers or desserts).  The other two ladies and I always, ALWAYS get in our final toast of the old year!

 

This is the second year I've met up with others for a New Year's Day run!!!

It was really cold when we did that yesterday.  Because we've had snowy and icy streets and sidewalks, we had to find a spot that was clear.....and what better place that the sidewalk that goes around our local hospital?  :)

I scoped out our normal spots on New Year's Eve and they were not safe, so I went in search of a new location....and this is what I came up with.  Actually, it's a great one mile loop around the hospital and its parking areas.  There's also an asphault walking trail that follows along near to the sidewalk, but it had many more icy spots on it than did the side walk.  We got in 3 and 1/2 miles and were very happy to be able to do that!  Because it was so cold, we didn't encounter anyone else on the trail or sidewalk. . .just us four crazy ladies having a great time keeping warm and enjoying eachother's company as we started our new running year!

 

THE STONE RABBIT and I also made a big pot of black-eyed peas and ham.   We weren't taking any chances with that "luck" thing!   

 

 

I hope you had a great New Year's Eve/Day!!!   I suppose I'd better get busy and come up with a few new goals for the new year....I like to say GOALS and not RESOLUTIONS.   I feel less trapped that way.  :)

Have a great Pink Saturday and  wonderful NEW YEAR!!

Special thanks to Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND for hosting our weekly linking event!!

DANA

Merry Christmas 2015

 

Today THE STONE RABBIT helped me with my Christmas gifts to Bonnie.   It's so hard to believe that in just two weeks I've decorated, shopped, wrapped, cleaned, cooked and entertained both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  

I often dream of having everything done by the day after Thanksgiving, but there is no way that will ever happen.....I just don't operate that way!!  I actually must enjoy trying to cram everything together at the last minute as that's the way I've always done it..... actually, these next few days are some of my favorite.  I love knowing all the "work" is over and now I can bask in the glow of the Christmas lights that are all over our house on various trees and greenery vignettes.  

Anyway,  Bonnie and I had a great breakfast this morning , followed by our gift exchange.  She and I roll the same way.....she's also always down to the wire  getting  her preparations done for the holidays.....so us getting together AFTER Christmas is pretty much a tradition for us and it's one I really look forward to.  We're not stressed and thinking about what all we still need to do...we're done and ready to relax for the next few days!

 

 

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!!  

Please visit Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND for a long list of other bloggers who are also ready with their Pink Saturday shares!

DANA

 

Running the Candy Cane Course 5K 2015!

 

Last Saturday, I ran my last race of the 2015 season......The Candy Cane Course 5k/10K in Independence, MO.

I took this picture from way back in the pack of  folks (nearly 1000 participants!) as we were listening to the National Anthem just before the run started!

 

It was perfect weather!!  Just nippy enough so once we started moving it felt great!

 

 

 

Following the run, we posed with The Elf, Steve.   Steve is in charge of the running events put on by BODIES RUNNING.  He also leads a few of us in a weekly speed workout session.

 

This great group I'm pictured with (I'm second from the right) are some of the awesome folks I've met through running over recent years.  Well, I've know Santa for a lifetime!

 

 

 

After we left the race, our group met for breakfast and a great time of socializing in a place where we weren't running!  

 

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT  and Twiggy love the gorgeous snowglobe medal we all received for completing the 5K!  I do, too!

 

 

Thank you, Beverly, of HOW SWEET THE SOUND, for hosting our weekly event!!

Happy Pink Saturday to all of you!

 

DANA

 

KANSAS CITY HALF-MARATHON 2015. . .we did it!!!

 

WARNING....WARNING.....WARNING....this is a picture heavy post . 

I am being selfish here, but I wanted to document our big day ,last Saturday, when we ran the Kansas City Half-Marathon.   I hope my running friends will enjoy this and my non-running friends will tolerate it!  :)

Karen and I worked hard all summer to prepare for the last half we did in September and then this one.  We have one more lined up in November.....then that's that for 2015.  That's plenty.  :)

We ended our training for the KC Half by meeting up early the morning before for a short run.   The trail was dark at 5:30 a.m., so the headlamps were necessary!

 

 

Later on Friday, Mary and I attended the "packet pickup" for the run.  This great sign was outside the entrance to the expo.

 

 

We studied the course map that showed the routes for all of the events to be held the next morning:  the 5k, the half and the marathon!  It was the same route as the one we ran the year before. . .killer hills in the first three miles.  :) 

 

 

We went to the "pacer booth" to pick up "pace bracelets" to wear during the run so we could monitor the progress (time wise) we would be making along the way.  The picture shows some of the "pacer sticks" that are carried by  amazing runners.    

The first year we did the half we sorta "fell" into the 2:50 group (two hours and 50 minutes, meaning if we stayed with them we would most likely finish the run in that amount of time).  We actually did just that.  Last year, Karen and I just wanted to do as well as the previous year. . .so we stuck again with the 2:50 pacing group AND we came in right at that time.  This year, we still planned on using intervals of run/walking, but we had been training all summer to use 1 min. walking rather than 2 min., but still keep the runing intervals at 3 minutes.  

I spoke at great length with Vita, who also paced the half we had done in Sept.. . . we were able to stay with her group.   For this run, she was pacing the 2:45. . .so I picked up bracelets for the 2:45 AND (being real hopeful) the 2:40 times.

 

 

While I've loved this run each time I've done it, this year was truly a bit more special because my son and daughter ran it, too (yes, they ran it a lot faster)!  Here we are not too long before we got in the corral to start the run.  We had hoped to meet up with a few others for a group picture, but that didn't happen.  It's pretty crazy at these huge runs. . . and it's hard to actually "find" folks some times.  

 

 

We ended up being almost as far back in the crowd as you can go by the time we lined up.  Looking north, in the direction we would soon be running, I couldn't even see the 2:40 or 2:45 pacers, but that was OK, cuz I figured we'd catch them at some point along the route.

 

 

And wouldn't you know it. . . .two of the folks we had hoped to take a pre-run photo with actually FOUND us in that pack of people!!

This was the first half for three in this photo. . .so that really added to the excitement of that moment. I had my son take our picture.  Left to Right: Julie, Sue, Bridget (all about to run their first half marathon) Mary, Karen and I'm in the middle front.  We are all in a running group that meets once a week on the local trail!

 

 

One of the things that makes this half so special is that it takes us through so many of the great "spots" of Kansas City.  The first mile goes by the SPRINT CENTER. . .that's quiet a feeling to run by that enormous structure.

 

 

 Mile two goes up the VERY CHALLENGING "hospital hill" (really more than one hill), then in  another mile we are at the  LIBERTY MEMORIAL/WWI MUSEUM.  This is one of the best parts of the run to me as we are heading toward that awesome monument. 

 

 

 

We are so lucky to have photographers (provided by the event!) who take our pictures along the way. (AND the photos are FREE on line later).

I have fianlly learned to be on alert for them, because I have been captured with the most horrible looks on my face during various runs.  Mercifully, I saw this one in time to wave and smile.  It was also still early in the distance.....10.1 miles to go!   

 

 

After we left Liberty Memorial, we had the last awful hill, then made our way through the mid-town area, then over through another neat part of town that's full of fun shops and restaurants : WESTPORT.  I didn't take a bunch of photos there as we starting to "feel" the run.  I'm thinking that was round miles 5 - 6....I may be off.  Anyway, we headed South on Roanoke which is residential.  That's where we were when we saw this puppy handing our hi-fives.   

 

 

 

Next, we found ourselves in another pretty part of town, The Country Club Plaza.   The Plaza is full of fine shops,  dining venues, fountains and beautiful buildings.

 

 

ROYALS flags were waving in the breeze as with headed East through The Plaza.

 

 

 We were on the look out for this lovely lady...Fritzi!!   She was the course monitor for the spot where the half marathoners turned left and the marathoners turned right!   This was right before mile 8!

 

 

Fritzi is known in our area as a great runner and supporter of the running community.   She's one of the first "real runners" I met when I started my own running journey five years ago.  I have so much admiration for her. 

 

 

I didn't take many photos from this point on......with 5 more miles left to go, I was just trying to "get this over with"!   I did manage to catch up with the 2:45 group at some point......I don't recall just when.   I know we ran north on the beautiful Harrison Parkway for quite awhile, then we turned right and got on Paseo Blvd. until we reached 18th street.

 

 

By this point a nice young man struck up a conversation with me (I think he thought I was nuts taking pictures of the mile markers).  Anyway, he wanted to know how long I'd been doing half-marathons. . .of couse I'm thinking "he figures  if that old lady can do it I know I can "......I answered this was "my third time to do this particular run and my third half for the year" and that I had one more "planned in a month".    He then said he thought "women did better at running long distances than men" ( was he thinking the old lady is able to do it because she's a she and not a he? ).....I said well, I didn't think that "was true" and yet while there were  usually more women running the halfs I'd done, that most of the marathoners seemed to be men.    With that, we had a nice chat for that looong last mile to where we turned and headed for the finish line.    I really appreciated that distration, because that last mile seems like forty.

 

 

The first time I crossed that finish line, in 2013, I cried.  It was such an accomplishment for me.  This year, I just felt great that I had actually crossed it and still felt pretty decent....that's definitely an improvement.   My time was 6 min. faster than the years before AND my son was waiting for me.  He'd crossed a long time before I did. . .with a great time....and he was cold and ready to go home!  :) 

 

 

One of the best parts of the "post race" festivities is taking advantage of the free cup of beer and the sandwich.  I never would have thought that a cold beer would taste so good as it does right after I'd just completed a half....but it's wonderful!   

 

 

We didn't stay too long after the run. . .we had our beer and food and checked our "official times"  and spent a bit of time just trying to catch up on how we were all feeling now that it was over.   We were tired and starting to get cold.  However, we had to take a few moments to get our "post run" picture in front of the fountains at Crown Center.   Once again, they are BLUE this year in honor of our hometown boys THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS who , we hope, will get to play in the World Series again this year!

L to R:  Karen, Pan, me, Mary

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT really loved our Half Marathon goodies!!  The finishers medal and the personalized race bibs were great. . and WOW, what an awesome  shirt!   Most of all, he loved seeing all of the pictures and hearing all about our experience.   He's such a supportive rabbit!

 

 

So that's it. . .you really are lucky cuz I do have lots more pictures. .. I held myself back!  haha

I hope you won't hold back about visiting Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND because there will be a lot of other bloggers who are ready to share their posts with you, too!

Have a great PINK SATURDAY!

DANA

 

A ROYAL RUN!

 

When my niece tossed out the idea of signing up for the ROYALS CHARITIES 5K Run/Walk. . .well, I wasn't sure about doing it.   The run was to be held in mid-August, which typically means HOT, HOT, HOT in Missouri...and it didn't start until 8 a.m., which meant it would be HOT, HOT, HOT at that time of day in August. . .and it was mostly held on the concrete parking lots that surround the Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums, which meant REALLY HOT, HOT, HOT!  However,  since it ALSO meant spending some fun time with her AND part of the run was to be done on the outfield inside the Royals stadium, I signed up. . . .and am I ever glad I did !!

It actually turned out to be a FABULOUS morning!!  Rain had been predicted....but it didn't happen!!  The skies were a bit overcast to start, but they cleared up to a gorgeous blue. . .I'm sure in honor of our Royals blue!!

This picture is of  my niece and I prior to the 5K!  I credit her for my  start in running 5 years ago!  We are so lucky to live  close to each other . . .we get to do one or two runs together each year!  

 

 

This was a heavenly sight. . .lots of Royal Blue porta potties. . .and they were clean and fresh!!

 

 

My running friend Karen came to cheer me on!!  This picture is out of sequence cuz it was taken after I'd completed the 5K.....she looks fresh as a daisy....I'm sweating profusely!   It was so awsome to have her there!!

 

 

 

I'm with one of my newer running friends, Sherri!  She ran with a group called Team RWB (Red, White and Blue).  It's an organization   whose mission "is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity."  The Royals are huge supporters for our veterans.

 

 

Her blog is called Adventures of a Middle-Aged Drama Queen!   We "met" on line nearly a year ago. . .through a running facebook page . . .and finally in person at at  10K in September!  We've been "running into each other" ever since!!

 

 

This fellow was kind enough to give us his blessings as we headed to the Start of the run!  :)

 

 

 

 

There were about 2,500 participants at the 5K!  It was really family friendly. . . lots of serious (and not so serious) runners were there, but  so were tons of kiddos with their parents, getting to experience running/walking at such a fun venue!!   

 

 

An airshow was in town last weekend, and as  the national anthem was nearly over, this formation of planes flew over us. . . twice!!  It was such a moving experience!!

 

 

When I'm doing longer runs, I do run/walk intervals, but when I do 5Ks, I try to concentrate on running as much as I can.  I take lots of photos on my walk intervals on the longer runs. . .but not so much on the 5Ks cuz, like I said, I'm trying not to walk!  However, when we were near the end of the run, we ran down a tunnel and BAM....we were on the outfield at the Royals!!!  It was so neat that I had to take a few pictures!!!

 

 

 I "borrowed" this one from my niece's album of photos!!!  I don't even remember seeing this spot!  I was in lah lah land!!

 

 

 I did take this blurry one. . .cuz I was still trying to run!  I just wanted to remember what the outfield looked like at that level and not how I typically see it from up high in a seat in the stands!

 

 

 Karen took this picture just as I had finished the run.  That was a happy woman there!!  I was glad it was over, but I was pleased that I didn't do too badly with my time.

 

 

There were so many awesome Royals "celebrities" at the event. . .all were so great about posing for photos!!

Here I am with Royals historian Dave Webster aka KayCee.....he's known to us as the "W Guy" because every time the Royals win at home, he climbs stairs and and hangs the W on the Royals Hall of Fame building and salutes it!!

He was waiting for all of us at the finish line!!

 

 

This Royals fan ran with moose antlers strapped to his back!   One of the Royals players is Mike Moustakas....lovinly known as MOOSE  !!!  He took the antlers to the to the stadium last fall when the Royals were  in the  Worlds Series and became a "hit" with the fans.  

He was right in front of us at the start of the run....I tried to get a picture of him there....but he took off and left us in his running dust!!  I tracked him down for a photo afterwards.  He said the antlers weighed about 15 pounds. 

 

 

I was thrilled to find out I'd placed third in my division!!   My niece took this photo of me holding up my little certificate!  In the background you can see the announcer for the awards ceremony.....his name is Toby Cook.  He used to be an anchor at a local news station.  He has been the Vice President for Community Affairs and Publicity (for the Royals) for several years now!

 

 

 

Yep, I had my niece take a picture of me with Toby, too!  :)

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT loved hearing all about our great time at the Royals 5K!!  He was impressed with my running on that morning. . .but even more by my swell new Royals shirt!  He got pretty tired of hearing me grumble last year about not being able to find a shirt I loved. . .cuz this city was so Royals crazy our t-shirt suppliers couldn't keep the shelves stocked!  :)

 

 

Be sure you visit Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!  There will be a lot of other bloggers with great shares for you to enjoy!!

Happy PINK Saturday!

DANA

 

 

 

My Favorite Summer Flowers

 

 

One of my favorite summer flowers.......the zinnia!

Folks who have success raising them tell me how EASY they are to grow.  They don't grow for me.....even though I LOVE them.

So. . .I have to rely on the kindess of others to SHARE a bouquet with me!!!  

My mom was the Zinnia Queen.   She had big ones and little ones and they were all different colors. . .almost always started with the dried seeds from the previous season.  When I visited her in the summer, she would send me home with a huge batch of them to enjoy.

Since they are usually going strong around my summer birthday time, my buddy Bonnie has frequently given me a beautiful arrangement from her zinnia patch as part of my birthday gift!

 

This picture is from 5 years ago.  Bonnie shared these gorgeous zinnias with me AND that vintage Rodney Kent hammered aluminum pitcher were in!!  I keep it displayed in my kitchen all the time!!

What t was I thinking with that hairdo?  :) 

 

This year Bonnie didn't plant zinnias !!!!  Boo Hoo!!!

However, yesterday I was visiting my neighbor and she was showing me her flowers and I FLIPPED when I saw her zinnias. . . .

 

 

 

and she picked a bouquet for me!!!  

Ahhhhh......

 

 

 

 

She also gave me a tomato plucked fresh from the vine!  

I don't grow tomotoes either! 

I put the zinnias in one of my mom's vases. . . .

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT was wondering what are you favorite summer flowers?

I love so many of them, but these are the top of my list. . .they remind me of my childhood and my mom's love of gardening.......a skill she did tried to pass on to me, but it didn't take.  :)

Happy PINK Saturday to all of you!

Be sure you pay a visit to Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  You will find a lot of other bloggers ready with their weekly shares!!

DANA