It was going to be a little over 7 hours to drive to Dan & Paula's and I also needed to stop at packet pickup first. Loaded up the car Friday morning - needed to stop at the grocery store for a few last minute items - but I was ready to get moooooving! (I'll try to keep the "cow jokes" to a minimum)
Construction was bad as I got in to Kansas and I was also there close to rush hour traffic so I missed getting my "Welcome to Kansas" sign. *Sigh* I have one from when I was here back in 2013 but it isn't very good.
I had some difficulty finding the packet pickup location. It was at a Scheels Sporting Goods store but it was in a "mall complex" and set toward the back with other businesses closer to the road. There is a Ferris Wheel in this store and you get a coupon to take a ride for free. But I felt as though I was pressed for time and had to pass. 😢
It was then off to Dan & Paula's. I think I was one of the last girls to arrive. All of the single females were sleeping in the basement and the couples were upstairs in the bedrooms. There were 8 of us in that basement but we weren't crowded at all. It was fun down there with everyone and what a great opportunity to meet more 50 Staters!
Not too long after getting settled in, it was time to leave for the 50 States dinner.
What a gathering! And then toward the end, the Race Director, staff and Queenie showed up. This was such a fun evening and I even met some people from my home state at the dinner that I didn't know. The 50 States Club is the best.
We all piled in various vehicles race morning and caravaned to the start. The race takes place in Bucyrus, KS and was about a 40 minute (?) drive from Dan & Paula's house. We got lucky and were able to park in a grassy area. It had been raining and some of the fields where people would need to park were muddy.
How can you not love a cow themed race and then they have a baby cow you can get your picture taken with?!?!?!
More pre-race cow item pictures!
The race starts outside of the Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic School. We were able to wait inside and then post-race this is where the big spread of food also is. While hanging out inside waiting for it to get closer to the start time I was checking out all the delicious desserts they had. I saw these adorable cow cookies. I commented to the lady that there probably wouldn't be any left by the time my friends and I finished. She asked how long it would take us and said she's see what she could do.
Thankfully, the rain had let up by the time the race was getting ready to start. We were able to get in the different club photos.
For the first couple of miles, I initially tried to stay with a pace group that I couldn't keep up with but then found the 2:55 group and they were a lot of fun and I'm glad I was doing intervals with them. We ended up finishing in just over 2:52. This course was challenging with many rolling hills. I'm declaring this time as a win for sure.
I saw Paula and Pam (and little Mia) on the course and then saw Dan too.
Dan and Paula are all-stars at this race and this race embodies community. Dan pushed through some pretty bad knee pain but always maintained a smile on his face. It was so much fun to cheer them on crossing the finish line as well.
I'm happy to report that the lady I talked to pre-race about the cow cookies saved some back for me and I was able to share them with my friends. That was so wonderful of her to do.
Notice that cowbell? Along with these amazing medals we all also got a cowbell! (10 Years of Moo!)
I was super happy that the little cow was back for some port-race photos.
That medal though...
After everyone had finished the race and gotten some food, it was time to get loaded back in the cars and head back to Dan & Paula's house. They then began setting out the biggest spread of food that you've ever seen. Not only for all of us that stayed there but for all of the 50 Staters and other running friends. These two are just the best. Unfortunately I couldn't stay too long since I had to drive back to Indiana and I would lose an hour.
I truly had the best time at this race and made so many new friends. It might have been a whirlwind trip and a state that I didn't need but I'm incredibly thankful that I went and I will forever be grateful to Dan & Paula.
