I headed to KC bright and early Thursday morning to run in my 2nd half marathon! The atmosphere for this run was different...I was running for fun and with many of my friends, My parents would get to see me enjoying my new hobby, and I was going to get to see the city I grew up in, on foot!
Friday I had the opportunity to have lunch with my old co-workers. I went up to school to visit them during their (extremely brief) lunch break. It was really nice to see everyone…I miss them! In preparation for the big ½ marathon, my mom made a wonderful pasta dinner, so we (the runners...Amy, Mark, and I ) could “carb-up”. We had plenty of spaghetti, lasagna, cheese bread, and salad…yum! We had a great turn out with my cousin Mark, his wife Carrie, their son Carter, grandma, Amy, Paul, and my friend Megan and her sister Jana…great time!
Friday I had the opportunity to have lunch with my old co-workers. I went up to school to visit them during their (extremely brief) lunch break. It was really nice to see everyone…I miss them! In preparation for the big ½ marathon, my mom made a wonderful pasta dinner, so we (the runners...Amy, Mark, and I ) could “carb-up”. We had plenty of spaghetti, lasagna, cheese bread, and salad…yum! We had a great turn out with my cousin Mark, his wife Carrie, their son Carter, grandma, Amy, Paul, and my friend Megan and her sister Jana…great time!
Mark, Carrie, and Carter
Mom preparing our carb dinner.The Big Day started out wet and freezing. Due to my parents and brother-in-law volunteering along the race course, we were dropped off and transported by Megan and George. Once we arrived at the race, and navigated through some heavy traffic, the rain had stopped. We made our way towards the pace group running a 10:15 mile. Our group consisted of Megan, Jana, and Me (all running the ½), Erin, and my sister’s friend Sara (running the 1st leg of the marathon relay). We were off! The 1st 3 miles flew by and our group was able to stay together. As we approached the 2nd leg of the relay we said good-bye to Erin and Sara and were joined by my sister and best friend Becky! Besides the cold weather the run was off to a great start. Becky and Amy stayed with us until shortly after mile 7 when we parted ways. At this point my attention was drawn to a throbbing pain in my knee and ankle. I pushed myself and continued running. We paced well and finished with our goal time. The following are my stats:
Time: 2:14:09
Pace: 10:15
2,549/4,487 Overall
341/664 Age
1,217/2,717 Females
After the race I met up with family and friends. We ate, talked, and hung around in the cold weather!
With the exception on my leg and ankle continuing to hurt the rest of the day through Sunday I had a fun weekend. It may have taken many years of convincing and hearing about their other runs, but it was finally nice to be able to run with my friends!
I was able to capture a few good pictures along the way…yes, I carried my camera with me!
Union Station
Plaza
Nelson Atkins Museum
Me Finishing!!! (Should have put my gloves back on)
Amy and I
Me, Becky, Erin, Megan, Jana
Bravo Mark!!! Mark placed 48th in the 1/2
Paul, Mom, Amy
Marathon relay group: Becky, Erin, Jason, Rozella, Justin
