Chica Bands Review and Giveaway

In October, Jim and I headed to the Kansas City Marathon expo.  We weren't actually running the KC Marathon this year, but since the expo is just a few minutes away from where both of us work, we decided to stop by on our lunch breaks.  The expo for this race is usually pretty good and being avid runners we are always excited to browse through the many vendors.

While shopping the expo I ran across Chica Bands head bands.  I have seen running head bands before, but have never really thought about purchasing them. I figured they'd be no different than what you might buy at Wal-Mart or whatever...which would mean they would either fall out, or I'd have to put 10 bobby pins in them to hold them in.  But yet, I found myself drawn to the booth with all the sparkles and color. 

I looked at a few of the head bands, but decided I wanted something pretty plain and chose a thin sparkly black Chica Band (shown below).  Chica Bands retail for about $12-17 dollars, and the particular one I was buying was $14 if I remember correctly.  I was having a hard time deciding if I wanted to spend that much and the sales lady told me "It will be your favorite head band, I promise".  So with that I decided to go for it.

Me wearing the black one I purchased before the North Face Endurance Challenge Half Marathon

Let me just tell you that I literally wore it almost every single day after that.  I wore it to run, I wore it in races, I wore it to my boot camp class, I even wore it around the house or to wash my face.  I wore it all the time.  Jim even joked one night when we were headed to dinner and I was wearing my Chica Band "Man, you really love that head band don't you"?  "Yes I do" I replied. 

It was then that I decided to contact Chica Bands and ask if I could do a product review for them.  They gladly said yes, and shipped me two Chica Bands.  A thin sparkly pink one, like the black one I had already purchased and a thicker pink camouflage one.  I didn't get to pick out my colors, and I have to admit I probably would not have selected the camo one for myself, but that aside I love them and they have hundreds of different colors and styles to choose from.

The two Chica Bands I received

Chica Bands aren't just for race day.  Wear for a comfortable all day look.

Chica Bands are awesome because they stay in place.  I have long bangs and it's often difficult to pull them back.  I usually put 2 or 3 bobby pins in when I'm working out or running.  But with Chica Bands, all I have to do is put in a single band and I'm done.  My hair, especially my bangs stay completely out of my face and the band literally does not move.  I have worn them for a couple of half marathons now, as well as a super intense cardio class.  I have even worn one while being interviewed by the local news!  They are super cute and can be worn for athletic events or even just out for the evening.



Before the Ward Parkway Thanksgiving Day 5K

My Chica Band, still in place after the race - and while being interviewed by Fox 4 News KC

So now, for the best part.  One of my lucky followers will win a set of two Chica Bands.  So what do you have to do?  Just two simple things (both are required).

• Be a follower of my blog and leave a comment below saying you are entering the giveaway.
• Like Chica Bands on Facebook here and leave a comment on their page about Slowly Tri-ing!

Bonus Entries: 

• Post the giveaway on your blog and leave me a comment telling me you did so.
• Sign up to participate in my December 5K a Day Challenge (that will get you 2 bonus entries)

That's all you have to do.  One person will be chosen using random.org.  Contest closes at 11 pm CST on Sunday, December 9th.  Winner will be announced on December 10th.

In the meantime, feel free to shop the Chica Band website.  Tis the season.  These would make GREAT Holiday Gifts!  AND, Chica Bands is kicking off a "12 Days of Christmas" promotion on December 1st.  They will be offering freebies and some percentage off discounts.  So check them out!

Disclaimer: I was sent two Chica Bands for free for this review however, I was not paid to review this product or asked to provide a positive review. The opinions contained in this post are my own.

A New PR & a TV Interview at the Ward Parkway Thanksgiving Day 5k!

OK, before you get too excited for me it was a 5 second PR, but hey it was a PR right??

The last few years Jim and I have actually decided to eat Thanksgiving dinner out.  I know, for many that's crazy...no homemade stuffing, or pumpkin pie etc....but it is super relaxing.  I have nothing to make, no grocery shopping to do.  We just show up and eat; which means it totally frees of Thanksgiving morning.  So, since we had time, we decided to do a local Thanksgiving Day 5k.  We've done one before but it was no fun because it was just completely overcrowded and you really couldn't run it at all.  After that experience we pretty much avoided the Turkey Day race.  However, last year, a new race began in KC -The Ward Parkway Thanksgiving Day 5K.  This run is only in it's second year, but it still draws a crowd - almost 2000 runners, but doesn't seem overly congested.  I had read online that it was supposed to be a great race.  Your entry fee got you either a nice long sleeve technical tee or a pumpkin pie.  We both chose the shirt....no need for a whole pie between the two of us.

There were tons of people in costume at the race.

Jim and I got up and were both feeling a little grumpy for some reason.  No way to start Thanksgiving.  We did our pre-race dance to put us in a better mood.  Which of course worked and we headed out the door for our race.  As we were leaving I said "man I don't feel very festive, I really wish I had gotten a turkey hat or something"....oh well.

Pre-race......already thinking about lunch!

The race didn't start til 9am, but we got there at 8am hoping to exchange our shirts, as they apparently ran very, very small.  My medium and Jim's large were both very snug....so we stood in line and exchanged, with at least 15 other people all saying the same thing I need a bigger size.  I never wear a Large, but I was glad to exchange it because I really did like the shirt.

Although the weather was an unseasonably warm for the end of November, about 60 degrees, there was about a 15 to 20 mph wind, so it was still cool when just standing around.  Jim wanted to warm up so I opted to hang in the car awhile longer.  In just a few minutes Jim was at the car to tell me "Hey Karli Ritter is here.  I just talked to her, she's really nice".  Karli Ritter is a local TV meteorologist for Fox 4 Kansas City.  We both watch Fox 4 religiously in the morning.  Karli is the morning weather person.  We love her, and the whole morning crew!  Jim left and I made my way down to the start area, where sure enough there she was.  I went over and talked to her and told her how much Jim and I loved the show.  She was super, super nice.  Karli is also a runner, so she was doing live coverage of the race and running it as well.  I wished her good luck and got ready to start the race.  It was so cool to meet her.

Jim & I with Karli  Ritter after the race

The course is just a simple loop and the first mile is a slight downhill which is awesome.  The problem with downhills is you know they will of course, go back uphill.  My first mile was FAST...well fast for me.  I did a 9:22 pace.  I knew the uphill wouldn't be that fast, but I thought if I could just have a decent 2nd mile, I'd kick it in during mile 3 and have a really strong race.  I was really wrong about this theory.  For some reason I had it in my head that mile 1 was downhill, 2 would be uphill, and then 3 would be flat and finish on a downhill.  No, this was not the case.  It was pretty much uphill from 2-3 and with the howling winds it didn't make things any easier.  There was no push in me during that third mile, and it was my slowest of the 3.  Finally the last little bit was downhill and I really pushed here knowing that I was close to a PR.  I crossed the finish line in 31:35 a 10:10 pace and a 5 second PR.  I was hoping for better, but was still happy.

Approaching the finish line for a new 5K PR

I found Jim.  He finished 3rd in his AG.  Dang, he always finishes in the top 3.  He's an amazing runner.  He said "let's go get a pic with Karli she's still here".  We walked over to her, and it looked like she was setting up for a report.  We asked if we could get a quick picture and she said "Yes, I'll trade you a picture for an interview".  I was like huh, I wasn't really sure if I wanted to do an interview or not...but thought it would fun. I just didn't want to look like one of those idiots they usually interview on TV.

So here you have it...mine and Jim's awesome TV interview with Karli Ritter of Fox 4 KC.  The video is just a few seconds long.  And once Jim mentions the turkey hats our part is over.  The quality is terrible because Jim just videoed it from the TV off of his phone, and there are people talking in the background, but it's still kind of cool huh??  Man I wish I had put on a little make-up or something that morning!

After our interview we headed home for our Thanksgiving Day dinner.  We had a wonderful and memorable day.  Who knew a 5K would end up being so fun.  Running and triathlon have brought me so many happy memories, and I'm so lucky to have someone like Jim to share them with!

Post race, cleaned up and ready for something to eat!

BTW, I apologize to those of you who read both of our blogs, I'm sure you get a little tired of the same stories and pictures :)

The North Face Endurance Challenge Recap

Last Saturday, November 27 was The North Face Endurance Challenge in Kansas City.  If you are familiar with the North Face race series it usually involves trail runs.  Well, Kansas City isn't exactly known for their trails, so it’s actually the only road race in their series.  The race consists of 6 events:  a 5K, a 10K, a half marathon, a marathon relay, a full marathon and a 50K.  So, pretty much no matter what distance you like to run, they have a race for you.

I did the 10K last year and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to sign up again this year.  If you upgrade to the half marathon or a longer distance you got a pair of North Face arm warmers, so of course I signed up for the half.  I knew it would be a challenge for me because I would be doing the Marshall University Half Marathon the previous Sunday.  Six days between half marathons was a new record for me.  I know some of you practically run a half marathon a day (or wait maybe that’s just my husband Jim), but for me it would be a challenge, but I was kind of excited about it.

Me & Jim in 

 

Jim and I got up Saturday morning to get ready and of course get our pre-race dance party on.  Jim would JUST be doing the 10K since he just did a marathon the weekend before – Wimp!  While I would be pushing myself and doing the half marathon.  Ha, this doesn’t happen very often – and maybe this was the first time where I was actually running a longer distance than him.

It was a pretty chilly morning, but not freezing.  It was about 40 degrees, with fairly low winds.  It was still cold enough for me that I wore full tights and a long sleeve shirt.  I was never hot during the race so I know I made a good decision on my race attire.

We arrived at the race start and there were tons of people buzzing around.  Jim and I split so he could do his pre-race warm-up and I just kind of wandered around.  In a few minutes Dean Karnazes (famed ultramarathoner) walked by and I just said “Hey Dean”, like a I was just seeing a friend walk by.  He said Hi, Good Luck today or something like that, which was kind of cool.  I’m a dork.  Dean is a North Face athlete and spoke at the race expo.  He was also there the previous year.  I’m sure he ran one of the races, but I’m not sure which one.
 

Since there were 6 separate races, the races were each supposed to start at a different time, and in fact the half marathon was supposed to start in 3 waves.  I was in wave 3.  I got in line around the 2:30 pacers and figured that should put me roughly in wave 3, I really didn’t know.  Then the gun went off and WE STARTED.  I have no idea what happened…I’m not sure why we started with everyone else but we did….so anyway, I was off and running…….running up a big hill!!  I expected this one, I remembered it from the 10K the previous year.  You start straight up a hill.  No fun.

When you say Kansas City – most people immediately think Kansas.  And while there is a Kansas City, KS, when most people talk about Kansas City they are talking about KC, Missouri.  Anyway, when you think Kansas City – and Kansas most people think FLAT.  Let me just tell you that Kansas City is not FLAT.  And this race was a KILLER!!  I guess since it’s not on a trail, they specifically tried to make sure they ran you through some of the hilliest streets in downtown to make it an “Endurance Challenge”.  I looked back through my Garmin and this was by far the hilliest half marathon I have done to date. 
 

My legs weren’t fully recovered from my half six days prior so this hilly race was tough.  There were at least 4 times during the race were you had 130-180 feet climbs over about a mile. The nice thing of course was that you also had some nice downhills.  My Garmin splits were all over the place alternating paces in the 10s and then the 12s every other mile during a long stretch of the race.

 

Other than the hills the race itself was fairly uneventful.  I felt pretty good during most of it, but did have to walk a few times up some of those major hills.  The most interesting part of the race was that their mile markers were a half mile off starting at mile 5.  I run with a Garmin so I usually know about where I am.  Of course, my Garmin is always a little off and I usually end up running about a .10-.20 miles more than 13.1.  I know this is common.  But in general your Garmin will match up with the mile markers pretty well and I did for the first 4 miles.  Then all of a sudden I hit mile 5 and see no marker.  I didn’t think that much about it, until I suddenly saw the Mile 5 marker.  I looked at my Garmin and I was at 5.45.  This continued for the rest of the race.  All the mile markers were consistently about a half mile off.  As I was passing the mile 10 mile marker, I passed another runner with a Garmin and said – what does your Garmin say – he said “10.5 miles”, I said “ok, mine said 10.5 too”.  He said “yes, it’s been off since mile 5”.  I don’t know what happened, but I was starting to get worried that the race was going to be a half mile long.  I finally reached the 12 mile marker and I was still a half mile off.  Then, my Garmin beeped to alert me I was at mile 13.  Only .1 mile to go right – well……I couldn’t see the finish line anywhere in site at that point, but I still knew it had to be fairly close, so I increased my pace and passed a few people at the end…that’s always fun.  I saw Jim and gave him the fist pump and crossed the finish line. 

In the end my Garmin distance was 13.38 miles so almost .3 miles long – but at least not a full half mile I suppose, but still longer than most races.  I heard a few people complaining about it at the end and one girl even asked me what my final distance was.  I wasn’t that concerned by it though.  My Garmin time was 2:34:09, an 11:32 pace.  Not too bad for me.  This was only a minute longer than my race the previous week and it had been pancake flat…and this course was long.  Also, compare that to the North Face 10K I did the previous year where my pace was 12:02 (of course the race was also in August last year and it was HOT).  Although, I’m still slow, my race paces really have improved this year.  When I got my final results they showed 2:35:05….again I got a gun time, and no chip time, even though there was a timing mat at the beginning of the race.  This is just weird though and was my second race in a row where I got a gun time…starting in the back of the pack definitely adds time.  This is totally not fair.

Rawk Fist, that's how I roll.

Overall I had a good race and was happy with my results.  North Face gives you a nice t-shirt, medal, and like I said already arm warmers for the longer distances.  What they don’t give you is any food whatsoever!  They have food trucks on site, but you have to pay for them.  You do get one free beer…which I know a lot of people love, but the last think I want is a beer on an empty stomach after a long race. 

North Face Arm Warmers - nice race swag!

I met up with Jim after the race, who did not have a great race experience…you can read his recap here.  But in spite of that he was really happy with how he raced.  We hung out for a few minutes and headed back home.  Another race under our belts. 

 

Marshall University Half Marathon - Delayed Recap

Finish line at the Marshall University Half Marathon

The Marshall University Half Marathon was last Sunday.  What a whirlwind it has been since then.  I sit here writing this recap now, with fresh pain in my legs from my most recent half this morning - that's two half marathons in 6 days.  That is a new record.

 

Fun with leaves, just because

Jim and I headed for Huntington, WV on Friday, Nov 9 for our respective Sunday races.  Jim would be doing the full and I would be doing the half.  Huntington is a small rural town in WV and is actually only about 40 minutes from where I went to High School in KY.  It is best known for the true story and movie "We Are Marshall" starring Matthew McConaughey that took place during the 70s when their football team was killed in an airplane wreck.   It was kind of nice to drive through all the familiar locations.  I had high hopes that I would see some of my family, but I didn't.  I was really disappointed by this, and even had a little breakdown/cry on Saturday in the hotel.  I'm not sure why I got so emotional, but it was just so weird to be so close to "home" yet so far away.  I always use "home" loosely when I talk about KY because I only spent 12 years there, but it is where my major formative years were I suppose since I was there from 8th grade through college.  Anyway, although I was only about 40 minutes from home, the majority of my family that is still in the area lives much farther away.

Outside of the football stadium

We stopped at packet pick-up on Saturday which was on the University campus.  It was a small pick-up area and we were in and out in just a few minutes.  There was no expo, but there was a local running company there.  Jim of course picked up a shirt, but I didn't get anything.  Then we walked across the street to have some Giovanni's pizza for lunch.  This was a staple in my small town and I was so excited when I saw it. They have DELICIOUS pizza and sandwiches.  Jim ordered an entire pizza, but I just opted for a pizza bread.  So good. 

Kissing the Bison for good luck.

Notice Jim's whole pizza to himself.
 

After lunch we walked around the beautiful university campus and took some photos, and then it was back to our hotel room for a much needed nap.  Later that night we had dinner at another little local place Decades Italian.  It was kind of cool because each area of the restaurant was decorated in a different decade.  We had the 1950s.  I tried to be funny and told the waiter there was no way we could eat our dinner in the 50s he was going to have to seat us somewhere else....but apparently no one thought this was funny.  After dinner we headed back to the room and got ready to race the next morning!

Jim sporting his new Brooks jacket - great race swag!

We woke up bright and early on Sunday.  It was cool, but not cold.  It was in the mid 40s with no wind, and the temperatures were supposed to rise into the 50s during the race.  I opted for capri tights and a short sleeve shirt and gloves.  After Jim's disastrous race in Wichita, we have re-instituted the pre-race dance pics.  So we did our pre-race party and then headed to the start.  I was super excited to catch up with my wonderful friend Coy Martinez of First in Philly.  We had  hoped to have dinner together the night before, but she had to work late and didn't get into Huntington until late.  We got a couple of photos and chatted.  Coy was running the full marathon with her friend Tami - it was Tami's first!  Coy was also with a smaller group of people, and it was the first marathon for several of them.  They were all excited and ready to get moving.

pre-race dance channeling my inner bison

It was finally almost time to start.  We walked the 10 feet to the start line.  That's the great thing about a smaller race like this.  You can practically part on the start line.  The gun went off and I started out by walking, waiting to cross the timing mat.  Finally after I had walked a minute or so I realized there would be no timing mat at the start!  HUH???  Anyway, I turned on my Garmin and started running.  The sun was coming up and I felt great.  I tried to tell my self to start slow, but in typical fashion I probably started out a little too fast.  This course is flat, flat, flat which is awesome.  I found myself running comfortably for the first several miles.  From miles 6-9 you run on a gravel path along the river.  It's a really beautiful area to run and I didn't feel like I was struggling, but apparently the change in surface had some kind of impact on me because I felt like I was running faster, but as each mile ticked away each mile was slower than the next.  Miles 6-10 were my slowest of the race.  Finally around mile 10 or 11 I saw Jim pass by me.  I gave him a high five.  He looked great.  It's always fun to see people you know in a race.  During those last three miles I felt like I still had something left and I picked up the pace.  It was so nice not to crash at mile 9 in this race like I had in Wichita.  I felt strong throughout the race - really in spite of many miles lately.  My Garmin hit 13 miles and I knew I was close, but when I reached the Marshall University football stadium I was a little unsure of where to go.  The course ran on the sidewalk around the stadium...and there were spectators and visitors everywhere all over the sidewalk.  You had to weave in and out of people and I wasn't sure if I was even going the right way.  I must have had a very confused look on my face because another runner who had already finished told me to keep running and make my first right!  Thank goodness.

Jim, me and Coy

I turned and entered the Marshall University stadium. This part was really cool.  You were running on the AstroTurf and there were a few people in the stands and around the stadium.  Just a few feet from the finish line they throw you a football - if you want to carry one with you to the finish line.  This was fun. I felt great at the finish and I rolled right through there with my football.  I crossed the finish line in 2:32:16 on my Garmin...although my official race time would be 2:33:05.  With no timing mat, those at the back of the race got gun time and not chip time, which kind of sucked.  It certainly wasn't my best or fastest race, but honestly I was super happy with it and felt like I had a good race.

Overall this is a great small town race.  It's super flat, and you get a nice technical tee and medal.  If you do the marathon you also get an awesome Brooks jacket!  And it is awesome!

 

I waited for Jim to cross the finish line.  He came across strong and had a great race too!  Then we headed back to the hotel for showers and check out.  We came back to Marshall just in time to see Coy one last time.  They were done with their race and had done so well!!  She decided to grab lunch with us before we headed on our way back home.....back to Giovanni's.  I think Jim could live on pizza. 

Jim finishing strong!

We got home Monday afternoon - just in time for me to pack and head to DC for work the next morning...like I said at the beginning - whirlwind.  I would come home from DC Thursday night, go back to work on Friday and then do another half marathon on Saturday...but that race recap is coming soon!

"Exercise" Your Right to Vote!!

So this morning I literally ran to the polls to vote during my morning run.  Puts a whole new meaning to the term "exercise" your right to vote!

On a serious note, it is truly a privilege to live in a Country where you can vote without fear.  Where you can cast your vote for a person and not a party without retaliation.  It doesn't matter if you are Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or something else....just go vote!

Nairn's Oat Cookies Review

I was recently contacted by Nairn's, a Scottish company that makes oat based cookies and crackers, to review their product.  They sent me two boxes of their oat cookies.  I received two flavors: Stem Ginger and Mixed Berries.

Nairn's cookies come packed in 4 individual packets, which make them easy to throw in your lunch or take with you on the go, and it keeps the cookies fresher.  Nairn's cookies make for a slightly sweet, but healthy alternative to a traditional cookie.  They are wheat (but not gluten) free, are made with 100% pure wholegrain oats, and have no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.  A serving size is 2 cookies and they are roughly 90 calories per serving.  The cookies are about $4.00 a box on the Nairn's website, but I also found them on Amazon for about the same price.

Individual packages

The Stem Ginger cookies have a very strong ginger taste and are almost spicy.  If you love ginger you will love these.  For me, the taste was a bit too strong.  I liked the Mixed Berries flavor more.  It was mild and not overly sweet.  The cookie is thin and crispy. They also have a dark chocolate chip flavor.  I really wish they would have sent these.  I love chocolate, and think I would have really enjoyed these and I really liked the idea of them being a bit healthier choice. 

As I already mentioned they also have oat based crackers in a variety of flavors, but they didn't send any of these for review.

Overall, I would try these again, but I think I would opt for the chocolate chip.

Disclaimer:  I was sent two boxes of cookies for free for this review however, I was not paid to review this product or asked to provide a positive review.  The opinions contained in this post are my own.

Double the Halloween Racing Fun!

On Saturday, I did something I have never done before.  I did two races.  One race in the morning and one race in the evening.  Now, the total distance was still less than I would do in a half marathon, so it wasn't necessary a huge challenge or anything, I just thought it would be fun.  My morning race was a 10K, and the evening race was a 5K.

Both of the races were Halloween themed, and I had planned to wear a costume at each of them.  However, we got our first hard freeze and super cold temperatures (mid 20s) on Saturday morning.  Since I'm a slower runner I knew I'd be out there for more than an hour for a 10K, so I thought I would be too cold in my ballerina costume.  I opted to just wear the costume to the evening race, which would still be cold, but likely be in the 40s vs. the 20s.  Plus, I figured with an evening race there would be more people in costume anyway.

Me & Jim pre-race

The first race was the Halloween Hustle in our home city of Lee's Summit, MO.  Jim and I did this race last year.  It's a fairly small race, but it's put on by Bodies By Brad and Jenn - a local personal training studio where I have actually trained.  Also, our good friend and running buddy is the massage therapist there.  So we are happy to race and support this local business.  They have a great set-up with a 5K and a 10K.  You get an awesome medal and technical tee - and PANCAKES at the end.  It's really a great event.  There's also a costume contest which I didn't compete in since I decided against the costume.  I decided to just go with black and orange attire....Halloweenish.

It was about 28 degrees at race start - COLD!  On my Thursday morning run it was 73 degrees, quite a temperature shift!  Jim and I did this race last year and we had both done the 5K.  The 5K had been 2 loops, and the 10K 4 loops.  I was expecting the same thing, and had this thought in my head.  This would turn out to be a HUGE MISTAKE!  I did the first two loops (3.1 miles) and I was struggling a bit more than I would have liked.  I was feeling really tight from the cold and just couldn't seem to get into much of a rhythm.  I started my third loop and literally was the only one out there for as far as I could see.  I thought man, am I seriously like the only one doing the 10K.  I figured the faster runners were ahead of me and I just couldn't see them, but wasn't ANYONE about my same speed or behind me.  I even said something to one of the volunteers - "Am I the only one doing the 10K"?  He said "I don't know, I'm just managing traffic".  I finally finish loop 3 all by my lonesome and start to do loop for when another volunteer asks "Are you doing the 5K or the 10K"?  Duh, the 10K.  He said, "you have to make a left and finish the 10K down there"?  "Huh???"  "But I've already done 3 loops and ran 5 miles - is it another out and back where I can just do 1 loop to get in the 6.2".  Yes, he replies, everyone does 2 loops.  I start running that direction when Jim runs up to me - "Have you already ran 3 loops" he asks, "yes" I reply.  He said "well then don't go that way, that's another 3 mile loop and it's hilly as heck".  I decided to just do my 3rd loop.  I knew I'd still get in my 10K even if it wasn't the route I was supposed to be on.  If I had done the other one I would have ended up with about 8 miles. 

It was a total bummer though because I ran the last 3 miles all by myself.  Where had that guy been when I completed loop 2????  I found out after the race there was some chalk on the ground to show that the 2 races split off, but I hadn't seen it.  That is my major complaint.  You either needed multiple volunteers there shouting - or you needed really good signage to show the course split!  It was frustrating to say the least.  In the end, I still finished the race with just over 6.4 miles on my Garmin.  It wasn't a great race but I finished in 1:13:11 - which was an 11:47 pace (officially).  According to my Garmin I did and 11:23 since it was just over 6.4 miles.  Not bad for me. 

After the race I met back up with Jim.  He had a great race and finished first in his age group.  We got some pancakes and waited for the awards.  It was absolutely FREEZING.  I had been fine while running, but as soon as I stopped it was cold.  By the time we got home I was chilled to the bone and it took several hours to warm back up.

*********************************************
The 2nd race was the Monster Dash 5K.  It's in the River Market area of Kansas City.  It's a great little shopping area near downtown.  The race didn't start until 7pm.  It was still cold, but at least it was in the low 40s.  I was doing this race with 2 girlfriends so that would be fun!

Yes, the pink tennis shoes really make this costume work...hahhaha!

For this one I went all out with my costume.  The Black Swan!  I had decided on this costume at least a month ago and I had working on putting it together for weeks.  Yes, I am a total dork but I LOVE HALLOWEEN!  My girlfriends didn't quite share my enthusiasm.  My friend Jocelyn did have a cute little mask, and my friend Cindy went all out in her trick or treat gloves.  There were lots of people in costume though, which is always fun.

I was planning to run this race fairly slow.  I was in costume and I had already done a 10k...so I wasn't expecting much.  I ended up running with my friend Jocelyn.  We passed the first mile pretty easily at a 10:11 pace - yikes, I told her, we are going "fast".  Mile 2 was a 10:12, but then mile 3 was pretty much up hill with a few pretty decent inclines and I started to fade.  Oh well, overall I finished in 31:47 (a 10:13 pace) - my PR is 31:40.  I had really run pretty comfortably and honestly could have pushed myself a bit harder in mile 3 - I had no idea I was so close to my PR or I would have pushed a little harder!  This was a pretty small race, but I finished 17th out of 57 in my age group, which is awesome for me!  I'm always towards the bottom half of finishers, this time I was toward the top.  That felt pretty good, even if it was a race that didn't bring out all the fast runners.

Close up

After the race we headed out for pizza.  Great way to end a fun racing day!

Finish line!