AM~Erica Ran Across the 50 Yard Line

So anyway...

I've done it again...I have only been running for six weeks (as of tomorrow), and I have run 2 races...

wha-WHA???

I know. Crazy to think about!

I ran my first 5k last weekend. (reminder HERE) And that night, I signed up for another one. Ummm...happening the following weekend. Which happen to be this weekend.

If you remember my original motivation (reminder HERE), the switch in me flipped when I saw some of my non-avid runner friends doing these 5k runs covered in colors, wearing tutus & getting some bling!

Last week, the Park Trot 5k Run/Walk was OK. I ran the whole way, and I decided to wear camo & orange due to it taking place around Bass Pro. But there was limited bling to give out. Let me point out that it was a FREE run! I literally used it as my "test run". But today was different...very different!

Somehow, my hubby came across the Chiefs' Finish on the 50 [yard line] 5k Run/Walk. He thought about doing it. He asked Teen Boy if he wanted to do it. He sent some feelers out to some church friends (and a couple others) to see if they wanted to do it. And there I was...faced with whether or not to jump back into another 5k situation with very little training.

So...I signed up. I decided I would turn right around & get in on this! I mean...seriously, folks. You should know my love for my Chiefs! (find out HERE if needed)

= It was happening AT Arrowhead Stadium...the hooooome of the CHIEEEEEFS!
= It involved running into the stadium AND onto the field! THE FIELD, folks!!
= It involved getting some bling (read: a medal) for crossing the finish line.
= The finish line was ON THE 50-YARD LINE!!
= I got to wear a tutu...DUH!

What.An.Experience.

From the sheer numbers of people involved, to the prize at the end, to even the group of people I knew running it this one (which was a completely different group from last week), it was awesome!

Sadly, I didn't get the needed time in this week to really prep for this race. It was killing me that I had to walk about a quarter of a mile in the second mile stretch. I hated (yes...strong word...but it was a devil mile) the second mile.

I want to back up a bit to this past week...so please allow me this moment:
As I was trying to get some time & distance in while dealing with humidity (which hasn't been going well so far), Lil Guy has decided to give running a try & wanted to get in some running time. I knew he wasn't gonna go far, or go very fast, so I ran with him one evening. I hold my phone so I can check out my running app while on the go. I have been wanting to try to get an armband, but had not gotten to that point yet. At one point, Lil Guy assumed I was making a turn (I wasn't), and he turned abruptly in front of me, hit my hand...and my poor phone went flying & hit the sidewalk, Not. Good.

After trying not to pull a Bill Hader in a T-Mobile commercial...

...I got my screen fixed & an armband purchased! So I got to try out my new armband, too!

And I was getting it in place, as well as mentally propping myself for this 5k:

When the countdown to the start of the run began (which was awesome to hear anyway), those who were running, I took off. I was hoping to watch my pace a bit...and somehow I was going at a pretty steady 9:44-47/mi pace! I couldn't believe it! I was being passed my several...but I was in my own zone (where I prefer to be when I'm running), listening to my Beastmode playlist & listening to the clipping & clopping of the trotting & stomping of hoards of racing feet hitting the asphalt. It's such a an awesome sound. I remember hearing the sound for the first time last week.

We were told that the halfway point would have a water station where you could get your water from Chiefs TE, Sean McGrath (The Bearded Wonder, for those keeping score). I did see him handing out water, he turned his back to get more water as I ran by. I didn't want to stop!

However...the Devil Mile (read: Mile 2) had a "slight" incline & kicked my behind. It broke my heart that the sun beating down on me, the lack of getting in my distance this week, and that stupid incline really took a lot out of me. Probably my killer pace at that time, too.
I had...to...walk. *sigh*
So, I walked about a quarter of a mile off-and-on...but then the great part was coming...

When I saw the opening to THE TUNNEL, I kicked up my pace! And I could tell there was music blaring in the tunnel! So...I took out my earbuds (since I wouldn't be able to hear my music anyway), and could hear the Tomahawk Chop blaring thru speakers & bouncing off the cement walls of the tunnel! Runners started getting pumped & going crazy. Heck, a guy went flying by me like he was Rocky on the steps in Philly acting like he'd just won the race! It was exhilarating!

Last week, I finished my first 5k. I really thought I'd be really emotional about finishing it. I wasn't. I was ELATED; I certainly wasn't emotional. Color me surprised! (I'm sure it's a total Crayola color)

Today, I was going thru the tunnel...feeling like a Chiefs player...and I could see it! The light at then end of the tunnel! It was the opening to the field! That did it. I was totally verklempt & emotional by the sight & idea. I got so choked up hearing loud music blaring, the people lining the raceway...and the finish line was coming into view!

I looked to my right...and my family was there with cameras, cowbells & cheers. On my left, I could hear my name being cheered for (which was hubby, Teen Boy, and another teenager from church who ran). It was beautiful!

My non-running kiddos with cowbells

Hubby & the boys after cheering me on from the other side (since they were faster)

No, my time wasn't recorded (I'm glad this time), but I got a chocolate protein bar, a bottle of water, and my bling.

I finished. I crossed the 50 yard line. I didn't stop. I kept going...

Finish line, crowds & just getting my bling

And it was incredible!

My hubby & I have had conversations about gift-giving lately. We have discussed that "stuff" isn't as awesome anymore...but experiences are...

This was one of those experiences. I'm so glad we did it! And now...we might do the Royals 5k this summer, too!

Participating group from church - not as a team...just cheering each other on

Apparent family affair as my brother was participating too

Yes...I'm planning more 5k runs. Hey! More tutu, more bling. Bring it!

Let's do it again!

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

So...AM~Erica Did a 5k

So anyway...

With all my butterflies racing last night (reminder HERE), I was a wreck this morning.

My jitters were rampant! I was trying to eat my breakfast fuel...but my belly was not having it. I only ate about 1/3 of my peanut butter, honey, pumpkin pie spice & almond on whole wheat toast.

I was getting hydrated & brewing the coffee...because this was not, I repeat - NOT, going to happen without some coffee.

So I drank water, had some coffee, put together some pre-race fuel (cheese stick & banana) along with bringing some coffee & more water, got my bib number attached, my camo & orange outfit on, topped off with the tutu so I could get ready to head out the door.

My running costutume for a the 5k around Bass Pro: camo & orange

So I headed over with Teen Boy (who was there to support me as Lil Guy had badly timed flag football games around the same time) so he could try to capture a bit of my first 5k.

I fueled up with my cheese, banana, water...and coffee...made sure my tutu was in place & then secured my timing chip to my shoe.

I then headed over to the starting line area to look for some of my peeps I knew would be there!

Found my baby sistah from another mistah before the race. YEA!

Then found my future sis-n-law doing the volunteer thing before she participated! Woo Hoo!

And time was getting close to begin the race. So I looked over at the sun rising & several runners beginning to gather at the start line.

So I took a moment to compose & begin to head over to the start line, too...

We found out the race was delayed by 10 minutes due to the traffic back up! There were over 1700 registered to be a part of this Park Trot 5k! That's a lot of people's folks!

I'm somewhere in that mob, folks. Lots. Of. People.

And after my niceties & excitement & nervousness...my girl, Beqi (the baby sistah from another mistah) & I decided we would quit talking to each other & just hoped for finishing...no matter who did it first. And the same for Angel, my future sis-n-law.
And...we were OFF!

I squealed in nervous excitement that we were starting...

And I ran...
And I ran...
And I ran...
...
     ...

          .....

I was focussed on getting to the next opening of people! And, as I did, I looked at my phone app to see that I was going at a MUCH faster pace than usual!
I usually do my 5k outings in about 35-36 minutes. My hubby predicted I would finish in 35:35! *GULP* No pressure!

However, I think in the power of the tutu (and since I was the only one wearing a tutu) made me run faster! I'm usually running about an 11:something pace. I was running just over 10 minutes per mile. wha-WHA??

I wanted to begin walking at one point, but I saw I was at the 3-mile marker...I couldn't give up NOW! So...I ran. I ran to the end...

And...I was exhausted. Smiling I finished & accomplished...but I was BEAT!

But I got to find my buddies & some others, too, after the race!

Beqi & I survived! *SMILING*

The Beems! Great family to run into! And...Kate (far R) is the one cheering me on as I cross the finish line

 Found Angel (future sis-n-law) after she crossed the finish line!

Found this lovely lady, Aimee, on the way to my car! So glad I got to see her!

OK, remember the large crowd? There was no line by the table to get your official time. There was just a mob of people! And I needed to get out of there. So I didn't take much with me when I left. I will look it up online later. However...here is my unofficial Runtastic results:

Can hardly believe I did it. But I did it. And I thought I'd be way more emotional...but I was totally elated...and exhausted. But really elated!

And then, Teen Boy & I got ourselves to the car, had a lot of issues getting out of our parking spot, so I got to finish some water, get down some dry roasted edamame & a granola bar, and take a couple of swigs of Gatorade before a very nice man, who was a race participant, figured out I wanted out & made sure I got to leave. God, bless that guy 100 fold for being aware of us trying to get out of a very busy place!

Now...I rest. And hydrate...and rest. That took a lot out of me! The full-out run & the stress behind it really took a lot out of me!

But you know what? I have tried to work really hard...but it has been the extra encouragement from my friends & family! I know it was funny when I started out. Who woulda thunk it? But here I am...and I cannot thank enough those of you who have inspired & encouraged me!

OK...now I'm gonna find some chocolate. Like a Cadbury Egg. Yeah...I deserve that.

Because I ran an entire, officially timed, 5k today. I will get the official results soon...I hope.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica's Lit'l Playwright

So anyway...

If you remember, Teen Girl had been selected, just over a year ago, to be on the Coterie Theater's Young Playwrights Roundtable. (reminder of it HERE) They are on it until they graduate. And they get some great feedback & inspiration from each other! It's a pretty awesome & big deal! It is quite an honor to have the opportunity to get your original work read & accepted by the theater to be a part of this group!

This group also uses each other to bounce ideas off of & to be able to hear their work verbally acted out by other playwrights in the room. This is so the playwright of the piece can hear how it sounds out loud, as well as get feedback from the room.

Along with this is a goal to have an original piece done on the Coterie stage! This opportunity can come during the Young Playwrights Festival at the end of the season. Even though there are around 20-ish on the roundtable, only 8 or so pieces of submitted material are selected to be performed at the festival. And, it is done on the Coterie stage.
big-Big-BIG deal! BIG!

Here's kind of what goes down:
If the playwright's piece is selected, there is a casting director that actually casts the play from the Coterie master acting classes & some of the playwrights (who are familiar with the pieces anyway). There is a director appointed to the piece. The playwright gets to be in the 1st rehearsal for the read-thru so they can give their notes to the actors of their vision. There is a bit of blocking that can take place. There is not much for memorization, so it becomes a glorified readers theater...with some props & costuming. Some of the stage directions are read aloud from another voice.
This basically becomes a rough draft for an audience to get a feel of what the piece might be like on stage. And, yes...there is an audience. The Coterie sells tickets for the festival.
Did I mention that this is a BIG deal? Just checking.

OK...I told you all of that to tell you this:
Teen Girl had a material submission accepted into this year's festival!!!

There were stacks & stacks of material submitted, and only 8 pieces accepted to be performed on the Coterie stage!!!

So, she got to sit in on the read-thru of her piece, with the cast & director, got to give her vision on parts of her piece, and was in tears of overwhelment (yes...I just created that word) witnessing a cast & director at work of her original piece.

She is a playwright. She will have a piece done ON the Coterie stage. It's a big deal, yo.
A big-Big-BIG deal! BIG!

Even more exciting? She will also get to perform on the Coterie stage! That's right...the casting director placed her in 3 of the 8 pieces being done! And she is not in her own work. So...she is involved in half of what is happening on the stage!

We've known about her piece being accepted for about 2 or 3 weeks now. We've had time to process it. But word is now getting out quickly, and the newness of all of this has kicked up all over again...

This past week, Teen Girl's theater teacher told the theater class/group that there was a big announcement that needed to be made. The whole class was making guesses about what it could be. The were asking him if it was good news or bad news. He did let them know it was good news. Then the guesses started up again...and they came to the conclusion that he was probably adopting a kid. Instead of telling the group the big announcement, he told them to, "...just read this." He, then, put the official email he received from the artistic director & head of the roundtable of Coterie about Teen Girl! She wasn't expecting it. The group freaked out & started congratulating her! She got very emotional. She wasn't prepared for it. And now her ITS (International Thespian Society) troupe is getting a group together to see it as one of the official shows they take in for the year!

It's funny...her piece is called "Anxiety." I don't want to give too much away about it right now, but the title says it all. Basically it's how anxiety can mess with an individual's head. It would be considered a drama, but there's no tissues needed. It's more intense & thought-provoking. It left her fellow playwrights mesmerized. But it's a subject she has dealt with in her own head...and it will be out there for all to see. And now, several of her fellow actors from school, whom she does look up to &/or sees their talents (which she compares herself to, sometimes), are now speaking to her by name. Ones that haven't willingly spoken to her in the past. And, even though she keeps her guard up about it, she is really blown away by these others who are coming out of the woodwork to express their congratulatory greetings & expressing their excitement to come see her & her piece.
Interestingly enough...this is causing her...uh...anxiety.

She is suddenly more accepted into a group by these great efforts than for who she is. Even after her large rolls in the dramas the last couple of years. (lead role posting HERE from last year, plus a large role this year, too) It's nice. She's thrilled...but she finds it weird that she has been such a wallflower & now she has an overwhelming amount of people vying for her attention. But she knows her true friends...and she is grateful for the support she's received to get to this point. She is a bit weirded out by her new semi-celebrity-type status.

This week is going to be crazy! Rehearsals are running rampant & we have a lot of driving to Crown Center & back...
...but it means she will get to put on a resume' that she has had original work performed on the Coterie stage, as well as performing on the Coterie stage.

(information about the festival HERE)

It's a big deal, yo. A big-Big-BIG deal! BIG!

And we are so proud of our abundantly talented playwright-actress-singer-performer. So proud! And she is learning to be proud of herself, too. Can't wait til it hits the stage!

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica