only Half crazy: Race Recap: Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon

Just 6 days after Iowa, I was off to Missouri. Kansas City was a blast but boy, was it COLD. A couple of awesome things happened at this race: another PR and I mooned up with Half Fanatics! And adding another state to my challenge wasn't half bad either.

After a 3 hour drive, we were in Kansas City. I said "we." Dan came with me! I know he probably didn't have fun, but it's nice having someone at the finish line waiting for you. We went straight to the Expo and picked up my race packet. I got a sweet white Dri-fit shirt and a small jar of BBQ sauce! The Expo had a lot of area businesses; chiropractors, health food industries and various other vendors. I was hoping for a little more. We did get pulled in by a vendor sporting this stick contraption. You've got tight muscles? Oh.my.word. This "thing" is amazing.

I wanted to purchase a "finishers" shirt. Instead of just purchasing a shirt, you could have one made anyway you like. I wasn't a fan of any of the vinyl iron on decals nor the price. So I opted out of getting a shirt. The Expo building was attached to our hotel so we walked over and checked in. The Sheraton was a gorgeous hotel with a great view of downtown. The only complaint I would have about the hotel was the unavailability of late check out. Most Host Hotels will offer late check out to their runners...not this one. I feel sorry for those running the Marathon and not getting done before noon.

Dan and I walked around the Crown Centre. We had pizza for dinner at d'Bronx and went back to the hotel. GREAT pizza. I laid out my running clothes and went to sleep.

Saturday morning came early. I couldn't sleep. I got dressed and just sat there...waiting! I decided to go downstairs and walk near where the starting line would be. It was sooo cold outside that the runners were all coming into the Crown Centre just to stay warm. I was able to meet up with the Half Fanatic and 50 States group! Met some new people and saw some old ones! I wish it was warmer so I could meet everyone. Pic was taken and we all went back inside!

The race started and things were going well. The first mile was a long "gentle" uphill. Not too bad. What comes after a "gentle" uphill...a DOWNHILL! I decided this race that I was going to take advantage of those downhill's. I normally don't want to over stride and hurt my knee but I felt good and I was flying past runners. The short, "steep" uphill around mile 3.5 was exactly that...steep. I decided to walk up this hill. I wasn't going to waste my energy on that stupid thing. Can you guess what came next? A DOWNHILL!!

I kept watching my Garmin...ahead of pace. 10 min miles. I was staying consistent, real consistent. That never happens. I thought could I actually get another PR just 6 days after my last one? I decided at that moment that I was and I kept chugging. The weather was so cold. The wind didn't help much either. The buildings were blocking the sun which made me want to run faster. I just kept thinking the quicker I get this run over with the quicker I can get warm.

The split came and the FULL marathoners continued straight and the HALF marathoners made a left turn. I had a quick thought of a fellow Half Fanatic who made a wrong turn and I wasn't going to do that :) Go Gwen!!

The run was quite scenic. We ran past the War Memorial, through Westport and past the Plaza. There was a ton of crowd support with fun signs that made me laugh. I would like to say a personal thank-you to the random crowd supporter with the box of Kleenex. I really needed to blow my nose. Thank-you! The miles kept increasing and I decided to just take it.

Around mile 12, the wheelchair winner was coming in along with the FULL marathon winner. It was cool seeing them come in with a police escort. I've never seen that before. But I guess I've never been this fast before. I was making it into the home stretch and saw a fellow Fanatic, and then I saw Dan! I looked at my watch as I crossed the finish line: 2:19:58. I did it. I FINALLY broke 2:20 and I set another PR. Thanks Kansas City for an amazing time.