My first race back! Oh, how I loved it.
My pre-race morning started off in true "Michelle" fashion. I was late. I thought that I totally gave myself a lot of time in the morning to eat a good breakfast, take Bear out on a quick walk, and then get myself dressed for the chilly morning race. Noooope. I arrived 10 minutes before the starting-gun went off. I'll be sure to give myself A LOT more time in the morning before my half-marathon! The things we learn from mistakes... :)
I started the morning making a cup of coffee and a protein pancake. I get very hungry during my runs and I wanted to make sure I ate something that would fuel me throughout the morning. After my hearty breakfast, I took my water bottle and sipped on it during morning walk with Bear. I knew I had to stop hydrating 30 minutes to an hour before my race, so I made sure to drink plenty of water the day before. Once Bear was able to stretch out and get a little exercise in, I began to get ready for my race! I decided to wear the long-sleeve tech shirts that each runner received with their registration. They're awesome! It was just the right amount of thickness to keep me warm during the race but not too think that I would overheat. I paired that with my Nike running tights and some Brooks running shorts. There was no way I would forget my gloves and ear-warmers! I'll admit- I'm a baby when it comes to running in the cold.
Even though I had only ten minutes before the start of the race, I was able to jog around to warm up AND use the restroom. You runners know how important it is to make that place your last visit before you head to the starting line. Moving on...
The environment of the race was so exciting from the moment I stepped onto Drury's campus where the event was being held. Music was playing, Drury's athletes and volunteers were everywhere helping with water, giving directions, and cheering us on. I really felt like I was being celebrated for running this event and I hadn't even passed the starting line yet!
I knew that I wanted to keep a consistent pace throughout the whole race and not go out super fast the first two miles. It is so hard not to pull up with other runners who are passing you- that competitiveness in you just wants to pass them. I kept the end goal in mind: training for the half-marathon. I needed to run smart and I needed to enjoy the race.
With each turn and aid station, kids were out passing cups of water in fantastic costumes! They had creative signs with sayings that made you smile. I wish I had taken my phone to take pictures...but that would have defeated the purpose of running smart. There wasn't one mile that I went without smiling. I'm not lying... smiling and running?! You must think I'm crazy. You just didn't see how awesomet these kids and volunteers were!
I felt great throughout the whole race and ended up placing second in my age group and 12th overall female. I was pretty happy! I stuck around for my second place prize in the 10K and the chance to win one of several prizes. Actually, several is quite an understatement. There were $20,000 in prizes!! I quickly grabbed a donut, some water, a quick massage and sat down for the giveaways. It was such a great time and everyone cheered for the people that were randomly chosen to receive the prizes.
After the event, I was screaming for some brunch. I couldn't think of a better place to celebrate my first race- Gailey's. It's nestled in our downtown and it is by far my favorite breakfast spot. There's an item on the menu called "The Michelle"... not biased or anyting, but it's my favorite.
My pre-race morning started off in true "Michelle" fashion. I was late. I thought that I totally gave myself a lot of time in the morning to eat a good breakfast, take Bear out on a quick walk, and then get myself dressed for the chilly morning race. Noooope. I arrived 10 minutes before the starting-gun went off. I'll be sure to give myself A LOT more time in the morning before my half-marathon! The things we learn from mistakes... :)
I started the morning making a cup of coffee and a protein pancake. I get very hungry during my runs and I wanted to make sure I ate something that would fuel me throughout the morning. After my hearty breakfast, I took my water bottle and sipped on it during morning walk with Bear. I knew I had to stop hydrating 30 minutes to an hour before my race, so I made sure to drink plenty of water the day before. Once Bear was able to stretch out and get a little exercise in, I began to get ready for my race! I decided to wear the long-sleeve tech shirts that each runner received with their registration. They're awesome! It was just the right amount of thickness to keep me warm during the race but not too think that I would overheat. I paired that with my Nike running tights and some Brooks running shorts. There was no way I would forget my gloves and ear-warmers! I'll admit- I'm a baby when it comes to running in the cold.
Even though I had only ten minutes before the start of the race, I was able to jog around to warm up AND use the restroom. You runners know how important it is to make that place your last visit before you head to the starting line. Moving on...
The environment of the race was so exciting from the moment I stepped onto Drury's campus where the event was being held. Music was playing, Drury's athletes and volunteers were everywhere helping with water, giving directions, and cheering us on. I really felt like I was being celebrated for running this event and I hadn't even passed the starting line yet!
I knew that I wanted to keep a consistent pace throughout the whole race and not go out super fast the first two miles. It is so hard not to pull up with other runners who are passing you- that competitiveness in you just wants to pass them. I kept the end goal in mind: training for the half-marathon. I needed to run smart and I needed to enjoy the race.
With each turn and aid station, kids were out passing cups of water in fantastic costumes! They had creative signs with sayings that made you smile. I wish I had taken my phone to take pictures...but that would have defeated the purpose of running smart. There wasn't one mile that I went without smiling. I'm not lying... smiling and running?! You must think I'm crazy. You just didn't see how awesomet these kids and volunteers were!
I felt great throughout the whole race and ended up placing second in my age group and 12th overall female. I was pretty happy! I stuck around for my second place prize in the 10K and the chance to win one of several prizes. Actually, several is quite an understatement. There were $20,000 in prizes!! I quickly grabbed a donut, some water, a quick massage and sat down for the giveaways. It was such a great time and everyone cheered for the people that were randomly chosen to receive the prizes.
After the event, I was screaming for some brunch. I couldn't think of a better place to celebrate my first race- Gailey's. It's nestled in our downtown and it is by far my favorite breakfast spot. There's an item on the menu called "The Michelle"... not biased or anyting, but it's my favorite.
The rest of the day consisted of lounging around and taking Bear on a longer walk along with going to the dog park. He lives for that place!
I couldn't have participated in a better race. Everything little part was very well-thought out and managed. The timing equipment that was used was incredible. It took me about five minutes to walk from the finish line to the tables where you give your race bib number, and you receive a receipt with your race time, overall place, division place, and age group place. It was so neat to see your results almost instantly!
I would really like to talk about Care to Learn.
If you were wondering why there were so many kids around the event, this is why! the Panther Run is a running event held every year that benefits Care to Learn. Care to Learn is an organization "that provides immediate funding to meet emergent health, hunger, and hygiene needs so every child can be successful in school." It was started in 2008 by two local businessmen Doug Pitt and Jim Morris. I guess philanthropy didn't just stop with Brad Pitt! It is so inspiring to see these big names supporting their local communities. Doug was the emcee at the event and did a great job getting the crowd going and keeping everything upbeat. At the event, Doug said that it didn't matter if a kid needed a pen or if a kid needed hearing aids- Care to Learn would be there to provide for them whatever they needed. Running mile after mile and seeing and hearing kids cheer you on was so humbling. There is nothing like seeing a kid truly happy and healthy. If you would like to know more about this organization hop on over to their website. So thankful for all that they do for local kids and in surrounding areas! Care to Learn is also expanding their chapters to bigger cities in Missouri. Such goodness!
I am so thankful to have participated in such a great event that supported an amazing cause! I have about three weeks until my half-marathon...goodness gracious where has the time gone?! I'm thrilled for the challenges ahead.
I would really like to talk about Care to Learn.
If you were wondering why there were so many kids around the event, this is why! the Panther Run is a running event held every year that benefits Care to Learn. Care to Learn is an organization "that provides immediate funding to meet emergent health, hunger, and hygiene needs so every child can be successful in school." It was started in 2008 by two local businessmen Doug Pitt and Jim Morris. I guess philanthropy didn't just stop with Brad Pitt! It is so inspiring to see these big names supporting their local communities. Doug was the emcee at the event and did a great job getting the crowd going and keeping everything upbeat. At the event, Doug said that it didn't matter if a kid needed a pen or if a kid needed hearing aids- Care to Learn would be there to provide for them whatever they needed. Running mile after mile and seeing and hearing kids cheer you on was so humbling. There is nothing like seeing a kid truly happy and healthy. If you would like to know more about this organization hop on over to their website. So thankful for all that they do for local kids and in surrounding areas! Care to Learn is also expanding their chapters to bigger cities in Missouri. Such goodness!
I am so thankful to have participated in such a great event that supported an amazing cause! I have about three weeks until my half-marathon...goodness gracious where has the time gone?! I'm thrilled for the challenges ahead.
*What are some of your favorite memories from a race?
*Is there a local organization in your community that provides for needy kids?
*Is there a local organization in your community that provides for needy kids?