Ice, Ice baby or should I say snow, snow baby!
With finisher's medals and personalized bibs ready to go, I met Jackie at noon and we set out to mark (otherwise known as chalking) our course for our 2nd Annual New Year's Commitment 5K that was set for 4:30pm. This year, we decided to start from Warren Middle School and we would run a single loop course that would take us on Tonganoxie Rd to 20th Street to New Lawrence Rd and back to Warren Middle School. As we drove to Warren Middle School, we discussed a Plan B current temperatures was around 25 degrees but weather forecasts showed snow was moving into our area during the early evening hour. We decided Plan B would be to postpone the race until Friday, January 3rd but we would make the final decision at 2pm.
As we began to drive the course, it became increasing clear that we had to come up with a plan C for the run route. There was a large section of the course that was completely covered in snow & ice and no amount of ice melt would be able to fix it before our 4:30pm start time. So, we decided to make a 1 mile loop and have everyone run it 3 times with the start and finish line located in two different places to add the additional 1/10 mile. With our course now marked with chalk arrows, we were ready to go--there would be no Plan B!
Everyone began to arrive shortly after 4pm, I passed out bibs and asked everyone to wait in their cars until start time (it was bitterly cold and I wanted everyone to stay warm). At 4:20pm, I waved everyone out of their cars and gave one final race brief. Just our LUCK, light snow flurries began to fly. No time to cancel now, so we took a group picture and walked over to the start line. With a "on your mark, get set..." from our race photography (a.k.a E) we officially started our race.
When running, I always prefer to do a one loop course --that way I only have to see the same scenery once--over an out/back or even a muti-loop course. However, I must say that I really enjoyed running this course. First, the course was flat, flat, flat (something that is a rarity in our area). This made the run slightly easier even though breathing was a huge challenge with the sub 20 degree temperatures. Second, since most of the BB ladies (and hubsbands) run at different paces, it was nice to be able to see, encourage and wave to everyone multiple times.
E (our official photographer for all BB events)was busy taking pictures of the group--that's me in the pink jacket-- during each lap. I came across this picture. She managed to get a snow plow in the background of one of the pictures. I'm sure the driver was thinking what "the heck are these crazy people doing?!"
Sometimes when you are in the moment, you don't realize how quickly the weather can change. Below is a three picture time lapse of how the conditions worsened between each one-mile-lap. All I can say is this is typical crazy Kansas weather :D
Even with crazy Kansas weather, nothing stops a Bouncing Buns' girl from finishing what she started! 5K (actually 3.4miles) completed on 1.1.14! What a great way to start the new year...here's to many many more fun BB running events!
2014 is sure to be an exciting year. I have three fitness goals and I'm going to spend this year working towards those goals. My inspiration, which is on my finisher's medal, "Run when you can, walk if you have to...just NEVER give up."
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete