Just say no to Kansas City!

Well I had quite the weekend. Gina and I went to Kansas City to run the Kansas City Half Marathon. It was definitely more than either of us expected. Gina had the flu last week and was still recuperating. It was a cold morning so I don't think that helped her either. We decided to line up with the 2:05 pace group - we knew it may be a stretch but could be doable. While that group took off like bandits the first 3 miles. Then it all went downhill from there- or uphill I should say. The first hill was literally 3 blocks long it just kept going and going- you would turn the corner thinking it would stop but no more hill. Gina was starting to fail, I could tell she wasn't feeling well but I wasn't going to leave her. Made it through that hill and I think there was 3 more hills before mile 5. By that time Gina was not looking good and we had lost our pace group. Gina ended up pulling out shortly after that. She gave it her all but some days are just not good running days. So here I was no running partner, I had lost my pace group, and no ipod with eight miles to go!
The next eight miles was rough. It was hill after hill after slight incline. I thought about throwing in the towel at mile 9 but I just kept my eye on the 2:10 group and was determined to beat them. I finally caught up to them and passed them and was told the rest of the course was all downhill after mile 10 but oh no they had to throw in another hill right before the finish. Give me a break! But I did it- I finished. My time was 2:08 which really is not bad as I think this is the toughest course ever and we did all that walking the first 5 miles. Pain is temporary people pride is forever :) I will do another race but never Kansas City again.

Gina was okay the rest of the day so we went out for drinks that night. Here we are with our liter of beer!

We went to a Piano Bar called Howl at the Moon. It was the best dueling piano bar I have ever been too. They go all out ther. They even had drums and a guitar player. I love piano bars. I will say that Missouri people are psycho about their football. People were getting mouthy at bars and during the marathon. We decided it would best if we not announce that we were from Nebraska. I am surprised the Jayhawk mascot that ended up at our hotel didn't get beaten up.