In the past, the KICK OFF 5K was held in the area around Arrowhead Football Stadium here in Kansas City. When I signed up for it this year, I thought it was still there! However, right before the race, I found out it had to be moved. At first I was disappointed as running around that location is pretty neat, but I knew the KCRunning Co., the folks who put on this race, would still make it a fun event......and they did just that!
The KCRunning Co retail store in Leawood, KS, was the location of the start and finish of the race, with the course being on Nall (on the West), 127th st. on the North and Roe on the East. Their store is in the upper right background of this photo.
My friend Karen came along to cheer for us that morning. We were hanging around in the store before the race started. They were offering nice discounts on some of their items.....we each bought a really nice stocking cap.
The weather that morning was nippy, but very sunny. I hadn't planned on wearing my hat in the run, but I later changed my mind and put it on.
In fact, here I am with my daughter, who also ran the race. We both decided to don those hats.
And we were off!
The KCRunning Co has photographers taking all sorts of pictures before, during and after the race.....and they are free to download!! This is the one they got of me on the course! haha Sometimes it just doesn't work out. However, what I like about the picture is a glimpse of part of the course. It was one hilly 3.1 miles!!
I was OK til I hit the 1.5 mi mark and then I faded. It was very obvious I wasn't as hill ready as I needed to be. I took about 4 short walk breaks from there to the finish. The hills, while not steep, were pretty much on the entire course.
Even though I walked more than I wanted to, I was still OK with my finish time, which was officially 32.54....... 3 seconds faster than my last 5K....where the hills were not nearly as bad. Three seconds are three seconds! :)
Karen took the previous photo and this one! :) I was checking my watch to see my race time......just part of the fun.....or not. :)
You can see that I'd removed the new stocking cap by the time I crossed the finish line.....as well as my jacket and gloves. I wish one day I would learn to not overdress for these events.
There was this great photo op for us to take advantage of. I'm with running friend, Mary, in this picture. We were sporting our medals and division trophies.
Following the race, we were treated to a wonderful "tailgating" array of yummy food!
We also received very nice black hoodies embellished with the race logos!
THE STONE RABBIT was impressed with my trophy!! I told him that, while my time was good for me, the folks who crossed the finish line first did it in about half the time I did. He promptly reminded me that I'm also twice their ages. Yes.....
I do know there are lots of really fast folks who are my age. . .I won't ever be one of those, but that doesn't bother me. Being out there on such a beautiful day, with my daughter ( who I watched through proud tears as she took off and ran her own race ahead of me ), and my good buddy Karen (who I met through running and spent her Sunday morning with us) and so many others I've also met through running (young and not so young)....well, that makes it all a lot of fun.
We are having a gorgeous weekend here!! Tomorrow I will be doing a 10K! It will be slow, cuz I'm not really ready for a 6.2 mile race right now, but it will still be fun. . .many friends will be there....and the weather will be nice.
Please visit Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND for a list of other bloggers who are ready with their weekly shares!!
DANA
