hospital h*$@

  
Every year there is this "race" in kansas city. And every year I feel like I need to run it. Why? I have no freakin' clue. It's hot. It's "hilly". And by hilly I mean long, steep, never ending hills. And did I mention it was hot? Well it was.

13.1 miles of hot hilly "fun". It's like the 7th hilliest course in the nation. It's serious stuff folks.

Anyways, this year two of my sweet friends, Mardell & Keri, were running it. This was both of their first "official" half marathons.

Mardell

Keri

So I decided I would tag along this year. Because of how Mat's schedule played out this month he wasn't going to be able to come to take care of C...so some of the nicest friends I know agreed to wake up at the crack of dawn, head downtown with us and watch my child. For 3 hours. In the blazing heat. Oh and by the way, she was screaming her little head off. Loads of fun, right? Not only were they taking care of her, they drove to different places on the course to find us, cheer for us and offer us any goodies our little hearts might desire. (Oh - and they were also our photographers...like they didn't have enough to do already...)

Keri & Ann

Katie & Keri

C & Katie

This crying little face met me at mile 9. She was done. Mama was done. Leaving her crying and finishing my run was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I bawled for the next few miles. Then realized I needed to conserve any & all water my body was producing.

Not sure who was happier that I was done...

*Please note the lady behind us!! HOLY HEAT WAVE!!*

I'm not going to pretend like I had a good race, because I didn't. It was definitely my slowest half yet.  But that's okay. Seeing how Mardell and Keri felt at the end TOTALLY made it worth it.

Mardell & Keri - WAY to go ladies!! I am so proud of both of you!!! You definitely kicked some serious running booty.

Steve, Ann & Katie - could NOT have done this without you. Thank you SO much for putting up with taking care of my dear, sweet, calm, quiet baby, for cheering us on and for being the photographer.

PS: Would someone remind me of this post next time I sign up for Hospital H*$@????