Kansas City Royals 5K Report

3rd Annual Kansas City Royals 5K

Kansas City, Missouri
August 28, 2011
Time: 19:09
Finish: 13th out of 1479
Place: 1st Place ... Male 40-44

• Great day with my kids
• Beautiful day at the Stadium doing what we love
• 3 out 4 of us PR'd
• 3rd Age Group win of 2011
• I'm the fastest 80 year old!!!

All in all it was a great day at "The K" ... Kauffman Stadium, the home of the MIGHTY Kansas City Royals!  I got to combine my three favorite loves in life ... family, running, and FRIGGIN' BASEBALL!!! I ran the 3rd Annual Kansas City Royals 5K, benefiting Royals Charities, with my daughter Madison and her boyfriend, Nate.  My son, Gage also came out the stadium and watched his sister and ol' man run ... which was AWESOME to have him there!  Michael didn't run with us ... she had a previously scheduled 10K at the Northface Endurance Challenge with Dean Karnazes in downtown KC.  She also did a great job and PR'd, which you can read about here ... Slowly Tri-ing!

Great 5K race bag ... 2 T-Shirts, whistle, cup, pasta, 20% coupon to our favorite pizza shoppe, free ticket to Royals Game!

There were four of us running on Sunday in two different races, and I had hoped to write a race wrap-up about how all of us PR'd ... but I can't!  Three of us PR'd, but "someone" kinda let the group down ... that someone was me!  I was the only one who didn't.  Gotta get faster to keep up with these peeps I guess!

Nate, Madison, and me before the race at "The K"

It was a beautiful day, but a little warm for really fast performances.  And as a result, all of the times were a little slower than last year.  It was about 75 degrees with 75% humidity at the beginning of the race.  And about 2 miles into the run, the humidity kicked in and slowed everyone down a little.  I don't remember seeing any of the top runners stop and walk in a 5K before today, but I passed three different guys at the end who had stopped to walk.  Believe me, I wanted to join them a couple of times, but I just slowed my pace a little and kept going.

I had originally planned to run with Michael at the Northface race, but when Madi & Nate decided to run the Royals 5K a few weeks ago ... I changed my plans to run with them.  My thinking was that Madi is going to be getting married and having babies in the next few years.  As her life gets a lot more hectic, I don't know how many opportunities I'll have to run with her.  I really missed running with Michael but she understood, and we all had a great time at our own races.  Plus, I had ran in the two previous Royals 5K's, so I was excited to keep the tradition going, and try to set my 5K PR ... more on that later.

The Kansas City Royals 5K is a smaller race but is gaining in popularity and size every year.  As far as the course goes, its pretty uneventful other than the finish.  The Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs Stadiums are located right next to each other and share the same parking lot.  The race starts out in front of Kauffman Stadium, then circles Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs.  After that, it's pretty plain until the finish.  The course basically takes runners around the back of Kauffman Stadium, and then loops the parking lot. But if you're a baseball nut like me, the finish is AWESOME ... because runners finish on the field of Kauffman Stadium!!!  The last tenth of a mile is a loop around the warning track in the Royals outfield, and the finish line is at third base.  I'm like a kid when it comes to actually being on the floor of the stadium ... it's awesome!


Awesome spread after the Royals 5K

The organization of the race is getting better too.  But probably the best thing about the race, other than finishing on the field, is the post-race food.  They have everything!  Hot dogs, nachos, and beer ... and of course the traditional post-race food as well.  This is always the best post-race buffet of any race I run.  Pretty cool!

Madi's Awesome Run!
As far as the running goes ... like I said, everyone set a PR except for this guy!  It was Madi's second 5K ever, and she topped her previous 5K PR by more than 2 minutes at 27:58 ... a 9:02/mile!!!  Gage and I got to watch her from the stands as she circled the outfield and she was FLYING!!! She was passing people right & left with a great final kick to the finish line.   I can't believe how well she is running ... this kid is awesome!  Gage even said, "It's pretty awesome to watch your little sister kick butt like that!"  You're awesome Mad, we love you!

Nate's Big Day!
It was her boyfriend Nate's first 5K ever and he also ran a great race.  The only problem was, his timing chip in his bib didn't register ... (mine didn't either - more on that later.)  He finished a few minutes ahead of Madison, but at this point we don't have any idea on an exact time.  He was a little bummed, which is understandable.  They must have been having trouble with some of the chips, because two out of our three didn't register.  Nate's fairly new to running and ran a great race too!  Plus, he's a pretty cool dude ... "I guess!" I have a "verrrrrrrrry strong suspicion he's gonna be around for a while" ... and we couldn't be happier!

Gage & Madi playing a little catch after the race

Big Talk ... No Results!
Which brings me to my race ... big fat flippin' fail!  I won my age group, which was cool ... but I REALLY wanted to PR, and I didn't!  I had written posts over the past few weeks about how some of my training times had been around 5:30/mile - and I honestly thought I was gonna shatter my 6:03/mile 5K PR pace, but I just didn't have it in me on Sunday.

Basically, it was very confusing.  My legs felt fresh and light.  My energy level was great.  My race plan was solid.  And the whole time I was running, I never felt like I was pushing to hard or anything ... but I just couldn't get my speed down to where it needed to be???  A couple of times I felt like I had really kicked it in and that my time was finally down around a 5:30ish pace ... but when I glanced at my Garmin - it was only 6:00ish???  It was humid, but I've put up much faster times in much "muggier" conditions.  So I dunno???

After the race, we waited around at the awards ceremony.  I was 13th overall so I thought I might have placed in my age group.  But when they announced the winners ... no Jim.  Huh, that was odd ... because I had passed the winner in my age group at about 2.5 so I know I finished before him.  Plus his time was 19:15 ... and I my Garmin read faster than that.  My initial thought was that I had been DQ'd because I wore headphones.

Fastest REALLY OLD GUY on Sunday

After the ceremony, I talked to the official results guy and asked him if I had been DQ'd - he said no, they wouldn't have disqualified me for that.  We went over to the Ultramax timing guys who were awesome.  I told them what had happened and they pulled out a tape of all the finishers and found me crossing at about 19:09. They were very apologetic and said for some reason my chip didn't read?  They actually went and found the medal lady and asked her to give me a first place medal - awesome!  Problem, they had already given away the first place medal that read Male 40-44, and the only first place medal they had left was one that read Male 80 & Over!!!   AWESOME!!!  That was hilarious!!!  So basically, I was the fastest 80 year old on Sunday ... which I'll take!

There is no way not PR'ing could have ruined the day on Sunday.  I was with my two awesome kids and my future son-in-law (more on that later) ... and nothing could have put a damper on that.  Of course, I'm always a little bummed when I try to run my best and don't ... but the day was much more than that!   I was with the people I love and watching them have a great time and do well was a million times more important than an "over-competitive" old man not accomplishing his goal.  They ran great, but more importantly, we were together and it was awesome! It was a beautiful day that we'll never forget!

Look how happy the Royals were about our great day at Kauffman Stadium ... thanks Bret Saberhagen!

... be great today!

Lees Summit Night Flight 5K ... Running After Bedtime

Madi & an ugly old guy

Race Report: Night Flight 5K

June 10, 2011

Lees Summit, Missouri

1st Place 40-44 Age Group

15th out of 602 Overall

20:06 ... 6:29/mile pace

72 degrees/82% humidity

I'm an EARLY morning runner.  So any run after 6AM is getting a little late in the day for me.  And a 5K race that starts at 9PM is ... well frankly ... after my bedtime! (My family and friends say I'm 42 going on 63 ... they're probably right, now get off my lawn!)

Friday night I ran in one of my hometown races, the 30th Annual Lees Summit Night Flight 5K.  It's a fun after dark race that is sponsored by the Parks & Rec Department.  I've ran this race a few times before, but this year I got to run it with my daughter Madison!  (Michael was at a play with her friend Cindy) We actually ran individually ... but hey, it was the same event.  And we both had a great time, with Madi setting a PR!!!  In her first 5K ever, she ran 28:59 for a 9:24/mile pace.  AWESOME!!!

Race shirt with "glow-in-the-dark" logo & glow-sticks

This is typically a small race, with about 600 runners this year.  And since it's ran in June, warm weather and slower times are usually expected.  But I went into this race with a pretty good attitude, just wanting to run well regardless of the time.  Due to the 9PM after dark start time, most of the runners were a little out of their comfort zone to begin with.  Also, it was a nice evening for hanging out, but a little warm to run your best ... about 73 degrees with 82% humidity.  I wasn't SUPER EXCITED about my time of 20:06, about 1:22 off of my PR. But it wasn't bad considering everything.  Ya'll know by now that I'll probably never be satisfied with my time, regardless of where I finish. But I DID end up being one of the fastest "old guys" in the race, winning my age group for the second straight weekend!  Plus, there was only one guy older than me who finished ahead of me.  HOORAY FOR OLD GUYS!!!

I started a little fast trying to keep up with the area Cross Country runners ... too old and too slow for that.  I think the winner was about 15 years old and ran 16:30 or something - a little out of my league.  But I did keep the flashing lights of the police pace car in sight the whole time!  My gut began burning at about 1.5, which was a reminder to this idiot that I need to get back to my ab program and stop eating cheese burgers, fries, and donuts during the week.  I'm not kidding about that.  But as we approached mile 3 I only saw a couple of "30 something" runners in front of me in the last mile and I knew I had enough in the tank to pass them, which I did.

Madison and Nate

The course was not "hilly" at all. There were only three 50ft inclines that were only about .25 miles long. But most of it was completely unlit by street lights.  I've ran this area hundreds of times and I knew there weren't any pot holes, but not being able to see in front of you in a race is a little weird.  You have very distorted depth perception.  Plus, I forgot to start my Garmin until about a half mile into the race, so I wasn't sure exactly where we were other than just knowing the neighborhood.

I NEVER feel like I'm going to throw up during a run ... my problem is fighting back the other end. My biggest fear is being one of those pictures on the internet where there was literally "an explosion."  I would like to think that I would never "allow" that to happen, but hey?  However, I can tell you that last night at the finish line was the closest I've ever come to hurling.  I ran about a 4:45/mile pace the last quarter mile and my heart rate got to 197.  195 is what I use as my max!  And when I crossed the finish, I was seeing stars and actually thought, "Okay, this is the day I throw up from a run!"  But like a champ I held it down!

Madi with the final kick of her 5K PR!!!

Madison's boyfriend, Nate was at the race watching me run ... okay, he was there to see Madi!  And he was kind enough to hold onto my camera, which I got from him immediately after I could breath again. I then rushed over and attempted to take a picture of her crossing the finish line.  The picture I got was horrible!  It was really blurry.  I'm not sure if it was because of the darkness, or the 3 gallons of sweat that I slathered the camera with. But Mad's step-dad took the one at the left and it turned out awesome! Seriously, it's one of the best race photos I've seen!  Great action shot! I joked with him and told that my stupid camera probably cost 3 times what his did, but his took better pictures!  Maybe he's just a better photographer.

I also ran into Lisa from Eat, Pray, Run after the race, but I didn't even think to get a picture (we live in the same town).  I wish Michael could have met her - she's a really cool blogger! I've met Lisa a couple of times now at the gym and at this race and she is always very nice.  According to her time she ran very well also!

Madi and Nate then waited around while I got my medal for 1st in my Age Group.  The medal was pretty ugly, but that's okay.  When Michael saw it, she said, "Wow!  Did they get from a Cracker Jacks box?"  But I really didn't care that much about the medal.  It was just awesome to run the race with Madi.  And honestly, it was pretty awesome to come in first two weekends in a row.  I know when I look back at this period in a few years when I'm a broken down old man, this will probably be the fastest I've ever been.  I still want to improve, but PR's are getting harder and harder to come by.  I think I'm getting pretty close to my ceiling.  But you never know.

1st Place M40-44 ...  2011 Lees Summit Night Flight 5K

After the race when Madi went home, she sent  me this text ...

"I'M SOOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!!! Winning first in your age group two weeks in a row!?  Are you kidding me! You KILLED it.  And I love you!  You were great today! :-)"

That was the best thing about the night.
...be great today!

Just The Way You Are

Michael and I had dinner on Saturday night with my daughter Madison and her boyfriend Nate (who was a really cool guy!) And during dinner these gals demonstrated why I love them so much.  It reminded  me of that Bruno Mars song on the radio ...

... and when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while!

.... cause girl you're amazing just the way you are!

Pretty woman and an old wrinkly balding man!

Madison and Nate

 Love my peeps!  But I think is visual evidence that the dudes were the only normal ones in this bunch!