Inaugural Team RWB 5k

A little late but here's my race report.... On Saturday November 7, 2015 I ran in the Inaugural Team RWB 5k. Team RWB's mission is to enrich the lives of America's veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. If you aren't familiar with Team RWB go to their webpage to learn more. I joined Team RWB earlier this year after learning about them through a friend. I kept seeing all these shirts with the eagle and Team RWB on them at local runs and wanted to know more. Glad I asked. What a great way to help our veterans, and those currently serving, be active in the community! I have met so many great people in the short time that I have been affiliated with the local chapter. 

I can't say I know what it's like to be a veteran or to serve in our military. I am not a veteran. I have not served in the military. I have several family members who served, including my father and brothers who served in the army. I have seen how hard it has been for one of my brothers to re-integrate back in to society after his military service. It hasn't been easy for him as it hasn't for many veterans. Being part of Team RWB is just one way to help. There are other ways but for me, it made sense to be part of a group that uses physical activity to help veterans. Running is something I enjoy and it has certainly helped me through some difficult times in my life. I can see how it might help veterans who are struggling. So, even though I had run only 2 times since being injured in August, I laced up my shoes and joined my fellow eagles for the Inaugural Team RWB 5k. What I love about Team RWB is it doesn't matter if you are fast or slow, everyone is included and no one is left behind! If you have been to a running event lately and noticed a large group running or walking in with the final finisher and wondered who made up that group... that's Team RWB. #NoOneLeftBehind #EagleUp

Here's some images from the race:

The Team RWB tent is a fixture at local runs. 

Gathering at the start....

Start and Finish Line were one and the same.

A common site in any run is a veteran or current military member carrying the American Flag or a  military branch flag. There were many in the Team RWB 5k.

Eagles heading out to bring in the last runner....

Second to last group. Derek Mitchell is in this group. If you don't know his story, he is inspiring and is a fixture among Team RWB.

 

Team RWB bringing in the final finisher. I'm in there somewhere....

 

The flag was offered and accepted by the final finisher as he nears the finish line. 

Although Team RWB brings in the final finisher, we leave the moment of the finish line for the finisher to enjoy. 

The medals are ready!

Bling anyone?

The Team RWB mission statement is on the back of the medal. Nice!

It's Our Turn

As for my race.... It wasn't my fastest 5k but surprisingly it wasn't my slowest either. Finished in 35:56 for a pace of  11:35 per mile. Not bad for not running for 2 months. I didn't have any pain in my hamstring so I am hopeful to resume running regularly again soon.

Me just after I crossed the starting line....

Crossing the finish line....

Spencer C Duncan Make It Count 5k

August 1, 2015 was the 4th Annual Spencer C Duncan Make It Count 5k. Proceeds benefit charities that support veterans.

This was my first time running this race. It was low key with lots of walkers, strollers and even some pups running or walking the race. I wanted to get a gauge of my fitness but it was hot and I ended up walking a little bit near the end when I got overheated. I met some RWB peeps though and that made it a fun event! I've run a couple races now wearing the RWB shirt but this is the first race where I actually got to meet some. It's nice to be able to show support for veterans and Team RWB is a great program to do that! And it was cool to receive dog tags for finishing rather than a medal!

Race bib, finisher dog tag and Team RWB shirt that I wore during the run.

Team RWB's mission is to enrich the lives of America's veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social interaction. If you want to learn more visit their website at:  http://www.teamrwb.org/.

Here are some pics from the race:

JOCO Fire District #3 and MedAct were on scene for safety of participants.   

American flag was displayed flying between 2 fire trucks. How cool is that?

Volunteers! 

More volunteers!

This was the flyover prior to race start. It was so cool and deservedly received a round of applause.

Near the start.... this is the flag everyone turned to look at while the national anthem was played.

All throughout the race were military personnel holding a sign of a soldier lost in combat. 

Even the animals who served and died in combat were recognized! 

Me trotting along with another runner. I have both feet in the air in this pic! I was pretty sure I was slower than a turtle so to see a "flying" pic was kind of nice. In the background is one of the many military planes and other equipment that was on display during the event. 

More military equipment on display...

The helicopters were a popular attraction for participants to get a closer look at.

The flag flew over the finish line. Not a great pic of the finish line but trust me, it's there!

One of the awesome photographers on the course....

Next up on my calendar is the Royals Charities 5k. It fit nicely in to my training plan on a Saturday of a lighter week mileage wise. It will also be the first year I have participated in it. Should be interesting as it goes in to Royals Stadium and we run along the warning track in the outfield.

Ward Parkway Thanksgiving Day 5k

On Thursday November 27, 2014 I ran the Ward Parkway Thanksgiving Day 5k Run. There are actually several Turkey Day runs to choose from in the KC area. I chose this one because I have run it many times before although it's been a few years... But also I chose it because the course is along Ward Parkway. I always loved running along Ward Parkway when I ran cross country and track in high school. I will never run close to my PR 5k time that I ran in high school (20:45) but I still enjoy running and especially when it's along a route that brings up some good memories.

I was pretty slow in this run. My official time was 35 minutes which works out to be about a 11:17 minute mile (62/131 in Age Group and 1448/2688 Overall).  That seems to be my normal pace these days. If I try to pick up the pace I can get in to the high 9s or low 10s but most the time I am in the 11 minute range. I suppose I could improve if I tried to... hill training, interval training, etc... but to be honest I run mostly for my mental health these days. Running is a great anti-depressant! I had fun despite my slow time. And it was great to run in to a fellow runner, Red Cross volunteer and friend - Sherri. She ran a PR in this race! So happy for her! Oh and another reason why I chose this run over the others in the area... Pie! We got a pie for finishing instead of a medal. I thought that was pretty cool! 

All finishers got a 6 inch Tippins pie.

Here are some pics from the run:

Can't have a turkey trot without a turkey!

This was the participant shirt. It's a  long sleeve tech shirt.

The Starting line.......

It was cold and I actually overdressed... I need to invest in some more appropriate cold weather gear!

Friend Sherri crossing the finish line after running a PR!

Me, Sherri, one of her kiddos and her husband after the race getting our pie!

John Glaser 5k

The John Glaser 5k to benefit SAFE was run on Sunday October 5, 2014. John Glaser was a Shawnee Firefighter who died in the line of duty in 2010. This race was created in his memory. I have completed it a few times. This year I was using it as a gauge to see how I feel before the Chicago Marathon which is next weekend. I ran without my phone so that meant no music, no clock and no gps program to tell me my pace. I cruised along at a comfortable pace that felt like a pace I might be able to run in Chicago. I am not fast and will never run close to my PR of 20:45 in high school and I can accept that. I was pleasantly surprised to see my official chip time was 32:42 which puts me a little over 10:30 pace. I would be thrilled to run that pace next weekend! Anyhoo... here are some pics from the race (some of the pics are pics I took and some are official pics taken by a photographer hired by race committee):



Shawnee Fire Dept, Police Dept and Med-Act were on hand:







Pre-race ceremony was in front of the Fallen Firefighter and Police Officer Memorial:











Flags and Firetrucks flanked the finish line:













John's family including mom were on hand and participated in the race along with firefighters from Shawnee and surrounding departments. Several firefighters participated while dressed in full bunker gear. Impressive! :





Some finish line photos to prove I actually ran the race. I couldn't quite catch the person in front of me. She saw the finish and took off for it!

The company I work for was a sponsor of the race. Here is the shirt. Sponsors are listed on the back.

 

And lastly, this is firefighter John Glaser's locker. I know a few Shawnee firefighters and they still think of John often. I am honored to be able to participate in this run and help support SAFE. RIP John.

I couldn't help but think of Bryan Pottberg while doing this run. Bryan died in the line of duty while participating in a diving drill with Lee's Summit Fire Department on July 15, 1999. I knew Bryan through a mutual friend. I will always remember his smile and quirky sense of humor! RIP Bryan.

And of course, how could I not think of Nico Cruz while doing this run. While Nico didn't die in the line of duty, he was a firefighter with KCFD and sorely missed by many. I hope and pray fire departments will work harder to protect their people not only in the line of duty but also off. Help is available for those who may be struggling with depression, ptsd, suicidal ideation or other mental health issues. End the stigma and reach out to each other! RIP Nico.