The clocked ticked off, 38:13; 47:24; 2:08:23, it was over, we finished. Owen my 9 year old nephew, Meghan my sister-in-law (his mother), Chantelle and I, all finished our first race.
There were 7 of us total that day, Meghan, Keith, Chad, Amanda, Chantelle, Owen and myself.
Planning started over a year ago. Keith had been asking to find a race the two of us could run. We would always look for something in the Boston area around the times he would be back in town for work meetings. This never worked. So we started looking for a destination race. Maybe it would be easier for us to meet at a location, and also use it as an excuse for a vacation? Anyone who has tried this, quickly realizes this can become very costly.
"Maybe we can find a race in KC?" I was already on the computer looking up potential races before the question was completely asked, and more questions started coming. When do we want to run? How long will the race be? It took a couple days but I had found the race, "Rock The Parkway", in Kansas City, Missouri.
This race quickly morphed from Keith, Chantelle and I running together, to a much larger family affair. Meghan had started running, and Owen too. The two of them decided RTP would be a good goal race to aim for, they'd have plenty of time to train even if the Mid-West winter temps (they ranked 10th coldest state this year) were on the cold side. I set up a training schedule for Keith and Chantelle, we were set to go!
Training December through March can get very difficult living in New England or the Mid-West. Short days coupled with low temps made for very difficult running. There might have been a couple days we were met with frozen water bottles mid-run. Add in work and family obligations, and you're right on the edge.
Chantelle and I were able to incorporate some races into our schedule from January to late March ranging from 5k to 5 Miles. The Mid-West family wasn't so fortunate, they were left with treadmill training. Through our winter races Amanda was able to complete her first 5k (ended up being 3.5 miles). With the positive outcome she decided she would also register and run RTP. Chad, hearing the rest of the family was going, also registered.
Flights were booked, bags were packed, April 12th the 7 of us were Rocking The Parkway!
It was a staggered start, Chantelle and I started a half hour before everyone else. We were in Wave C in a field of 4,932 runners. The other 5 were able to start together in their field of 1,554 runners. Neither Chantelle or I had been able to run in the last 3.5 weeks and never made it over 8 miles in our training runs ( not recommended ).
The course was amazing! Some mild hills in the middle and a down hill finish. There were 4 or 5 bands playing throughout the course. Support staff was great. This was the most organized race I have been to yet. A few of the cities 47 fountains were flowing to make an amazing backdrop to the race including the Meyer Circle Sea Horse Fountain.
Chantelle and I came through the finish line, the rest of the family cheering us from the sideline. Everyone was there had smiles on their faces, I knew we had all finished. It was a great feeling. We met up with the family, first thing from Owens mouth, "We need to do more of these!" There were stories, videos and pictures of everyone's accomplishments. Chad and Amanda PR'd their 5k. Meghan and Owen, ran their first 5k, this was Keith's first race with his son. Chantelle and I finished our first Half. It was a day of firsts, but definitely not a day of lasts. And we all Rocked The Parkway!
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