Our drive took a bit longer due to heavy rain and traffic caused by an accident, so we were extra excited to get out of the car and explore Kansas City. This is the first race we have done sans entourage/cheer section/built in drivers, so staying true to our non-directional selves, we forked over the extra dolla dolla bills and stayed at the host  hotel.  Which meant we literally just had to walk out of our hotel to the start line. Something we couldn't get lost doing if we tried. I can honestly attest, though is the pricier option, was well worth it.

After we checked in, we hit the expo.  Which was in the hotels ballroom. #winning. Got our bibs, and began the tedious task of exploring every vendor and spent a ridiculous amount of time finding the perfect Bondi Band.  At one point we were both on the floor, knee deep in headbands hoarding all our favorites like squirrels.

On the way back to our room we stopped by the hotel bar for our obligatory glass of wine to start off the race weekend. And calm our nerves. Then we looked at the elevation map and contemplated getting a bottle. Turns out Hospital Hill has SIX hills. Hold me.

We quickly laid out our race gear, freshened up, and met my old roomie for dinner ( here) at Power and Light District. Opting for the tuscan chicken pasta, and splitting the tapas appetizer I was pleased, as was my sen-si-tive belly with my choice. On the way back to the car in the opposite direction , we had gelato. Because life is better with GELATO.

Back at the hotel and into our jammies in record time, we were in bed, lights out before the sun went down.  And it was glorious.  #hotelbedsrock #ilovefluffypillows #goodnightsrest #nodogsbarking

Race morning we rose before dawn to get ready.  First up, coffee. Gratefully our hotel had Starbucks coffee in the room, so there was no need for my emergency stash of instant. 

Glanced outside to see the race final preparations being made, and the giddy jitters set in. We are running 13.1 miles today!

After prayer, we waited to start. The corral process at HH was the BEST in my racing days to date. Hands down, winner winner chicken dinner.  Each corral was separated by a rope and moved efficient and swiftly. Once we reached the front and were off, there was zero beginning-of-the-race-congestion-bob-and-weave. The morning started off with a threat of thunderstorms, but thankfully passed over KC so it was probably 65-70 and slightly overcast.  Perfect running weather.

Amie and I set off, like always together and encountered our first hill between miles 1 and 2. We ascended, chanting "what goes up, must come down", and finding our rhythm. The course gorgeous and idyllic, a great distraction considering all the hills.  Somewhere around mile 3 we split off cuz my spibelt got completely sweat logged and the elastic loosened too much so I had to slow down to retighten.  For the rest of the race I played my mental game of "find Amie", and while we could have caught up at a water station, I knew the hills were constant and didn't want to waste energy just for the sake of running together. The first toughest hill for me was the slow, sprawling almost two mile long hill along the UMKC campus. It was agony. At this point I was talking to myself aloud, panting like a dog, and sweating likeI'd just gotten off a water ride. But I pushed through.  I walked every water station, drinking both water and Gatorade each time to keep from dehydrating in the heat, and took gels every three miles. I had my routine down, music blaring and was focused. I bounced back and forth between pace groups, using them to keep me on task during mentally challenging times and to break up the solitude. I did constant body checks - "Can I push harder?", "Do I need to slow down?", "Is anything in pain?". I used my body as my guide and pushed myself mentally and physically as hard as I could. I made a conscious effort not to check my Garmin until almost half way done, and even then I tried not to dwell on the fact if all went well, I could potentially PR. Somewhere around mile 11 or 12 I found the pace group and they pushed me through the last hill, my second most tough hill. It was straight uphill on a steep grade and the two pace leaders keep yelling "just get to the top, it's all downhill from there", so I pushed, high fived the Elvis impersonator at the top, caught my breath and descended the hill like I was on fire. Until I realized the finish was still over a half mile away and the lethargy from the race and that last hill caught up with me.  I slowed slightly to conserve what little energy I had left, said a quick prayer and keep pushing my "comfortably hard" pace until I saw the finish line and sprinted as hard and fast as I could to the finish. 

Bib: 2626

Time: 2:23:35

In addition I rocked flats (with my new J.Crew capri purchase) and cozied up with my favorite socks. 

And ate all the post race snacks, including these guys. And was sad when they were gone. Light, crisp, nutty corn flavor made me dig the wrapper out of the trash, stalk them on all forms of social media. and beg to know where I could buy them all. To my shock and awe, this family owned Australian based company was ecstatic I enjoyed them enough to write them - epic blog post about this great company coming soon.