Heartland 39.3 Series

I don't have a clue what I was thinking when I did this but I registered for the Heartland 39.3 Series a little while back. I think I was hoping it would motivate me to get running. Well it's now March and I haven't been running regularly. I am so in trouble! It's not less than 5 weeks from the first race in the series... the Rock the Parkway half marathon. I usually volunteer as a course monitor at this race because I am not in shape to run it. Now I have no choice, I have to run it. I paid for it, time to suck it up and do the training and hope I can somehow run my way in to decent shape in time for this!

If you are interested in running in the Heartland 39.3 Series click here to register. It start with the Rock The Parkway half on April 11th, then moves to Olathe for the Garmin Wickedly Fast Half Marathon on April 18th then finishes in the cow pastures in Kansas with the Running With The Cows half marathon. I have only previously run in the RWTC half so the other races will be a new experience for me. Ugh... I hope I can get in to enough shape to enjoy it!

1st in the series....

2nd race in the series...

and last but not least.... the final race in the series.

Good luck to everyone who is participating! 

The Great Plains 10k

I completed the Great Plains 10k. Here is my brief race report.

 Some pictures from the race:

KCPD provided support for lead runner, last runner and at intersections to keep runners safe from traffic.

Me coming in to the finish.

And across the finish line...

The Great Plains 10k was scheduled for March 1st but due to weather (snow) the race was moved to March 8th. The extra week didn't really help me much as far as preparation. I am out of shape. Period! My time showed it. I was actually surprised by my time ... 1:11:00 (chip time) as that worked out to be an 11:27 pace and knowing that I walked some I thought I would easily be in the 12 min pace range. I really have not been running regularly at all. I'm lucky if I get 3 days of workouts in a week. I don't really have an excuse other than I don't like running in the cold and I don't like running on the treadmill so winter running tends to be non-existent. You would think I would move to a warmer climate huh? Nope. I just get lazy in the winter and spend the spring trying to shed the gained winter pounds. I thought this would be a good run to encourage me to get running regularly again. The course was relatively flat. It started at Kemper Arena and wound around some landmarks in the area. I can't say I really paid much attention to the landmarks. I really was out of shape and doing good just to finish this run. I was glad I did it though and may run it again in the future. The weather turned out to be perfect! High 40's and beautiful sunshine! I hope it's a sign that Spring has arrived. Now I need to take advantage of the momentum this run gave me and get ready for the Heartland 39.3 Series. I am so NOT ready for that series and wonder what the hell I was thinking when I signed up for it!

Bib and Finisher Medal