As you didn't know (because I haven't been writing about it), I've run in FOUR races this summer! They were:
I'll recap the other two 5Ks later, but today I want to talk about Rock the Crossroads. It took place in the Crossroads district of KC. It benefited the Midwest Music Foundation. They really hit the theme home by holding a free U2 cover band concert at the end of the race at Grinders (the race took place at night instead of in the morning). Pretty fun time!
Shirt design.
My mom and the rest of my family has been doing a lot of walking lately. They have a 4-mile loop around the neighborhood that they like to do. My mom is even considering walking the Tulsa half marathon with me in November! I'd love to have my coach with me in Tulsa :) Since my mom has been walking more often and is considering this half marathon, I asked her if she wanted to walk this 5K while I run it. One thing led into another, and suddenly my entire family was all signed up! We're pretty cute like that.
We arrived about half an hour before the race and walked around the "expo" in the courtyard next to Grinders. I spent the entire day lounging at the pool in the hot sun and being lazy, so I wasn't really expecting to do that well in the race, but I wanted to run it anyway. I haven't raced a 5K since high school cross country, so I was curious to see how I'd do. I can't say that I was expecting much.
Here's me at the start. I'm the gray-shirted gal above the red shirt buzz cut.
My brother and dad's start. My mom must be right behind them, lost in the crowd.
My finish! As you can see, the clock time is 26:23 but I my chip time was 26:13!! That's a little under a 8:30 split; not bad, considering my lazy day and the extreme KC summer heat!
Here's me dancing a jig across the finish.
My fam may have walked the race, but they ran across the finish line in just over 40 minutes. Yeah, they don't kid around about walking. Nice finish, Mom! (My dad's staring down the camera in the back.)
They announced that the winners would be listed outside of the concert courtyard. Out of curiosity, I wanted to see what my age group's finishers' times looked like compared to mine. Imagine my surprise when I saw that I came in FOURTH PLACE!!!! Oh my goodness I was so excited!!!
There I am at #109, fourth in my age group! The other girls were about 1:40 minutes ahead of me. I think I could speed up to that!
In fact, I had a great run this morning! Four miles at a 8:30 pace. I think I could go faster; I know I could. This 4th place was just what I needed to boost my confidence and get me back out on the trails.
I had a delightful time icing and relaxing with my book after my run today :)
Next race: Rivalry Run! And yes, I will be representing Kansas.
What keeps you motivated to keep running?
AWESOME!!! 4th place is pretty cool! and you sign up for a 5K in a month or two when it's cooler and I guarantee you'll be even faster! P.S. please feel free to email all of benny's race photos. Love this. And your mom, getting lost in a crowd?! NEVER! She's so tall!
ReplyDeleteOh Benny's race photos - especially his finish ones - are something to envy... ;)
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