Groundhog Run 2014

I participated in my first run of the year last weekend.  I would normally say I ran a race but this was far from racing. The race was the Groundhog run in Kansas City.  It takes place in the caves at Hunt Midwest Subtropolis.  I have taken part in the 5K they have a couple times before.  The trip started with Lisa and I driving to Garry Gribble's in the Ward Parkway Mall to pick up our packets.  I was surprised when we got our shirts in that they were nicer than the shirts they handed out in the years past.  The comic groundhog was gone.  We then took a tour through Traders Joe's.  We had not been in before and I picked out some cheese and crackers, Laura bars and bananas for the next day.  Then it was off to the Power and Light District for a late lunch/early dinner.  We ate at a restaurant called BRGR.  I had a really good wedge salad and a not so tasty burger.  The burger was called the Juicy Lucy.  The waiter said I should get it medium and I usually get mine cooked well done.  I listened to him where I should have listened to experience.

 The next stop was the Harrah's North Casino and Hotel for the evening. I  have never stayed here and wanted to give it a try since it was close to the race.  It was OK but very expensive for this civil servant.  I do not gamble but we decided to try some video poker.  Twenty minutes later we were twenty dollars poorer.  It was a refresher course why I don't gamble.    The next morning we were off to the race by 7:30.  It was only a four mile drive and we parked and met the in-laws.  Lisa's dad and his wife Shirley came over for support.

 Lisa ran the 5K and did well at 8:00 and then I ran the 10K at 10:00.  I knew I was not ready to run that far but I decided to anyway.  It was a two lap course in the Subtroplis caves.  It makes the course seen longer than a race outside.  I went through the first 5K in 27 minutes, but I slowed down after that.  It was a a very difficult day for me.  I finished in an hour and 11 seconds.  I know now I have to get with the program and put in more miles before I run my half in April.

Till next time, Remember, Live Life at Full Speed!!

Kendall