#DreamBig : 13.1 in all 50 states : DreamBig 2014

STATE #25 - Olathe, Kansas
Garmin Wickedly Fast Half Marathon
Finishers: 2203

April 25, 2014
I flew into Saint Louis late Thursday night before the roadtrip with momma dear to Kansas City on Friday. Mom is from Kansas City so we thought this would be a fun race for her to tag along to. After the four hour drive across the great state of Missouri, passing through Columbia on our way, we reached Kansas City and went right to the expo to pick up my race packet.

The reason I picked this race is because I promised my friend, John Schlotz, (well he is basically my older brother) that I would run my Kansas race with him before he graduated dental school at UMKC. He was a month away from graduation so it was perfect timing before I missed my deadline. John's girlfriend (now fiance!!), Lauren was in town for John's dental school prom dance thing, and then John's younger brother Kyle, who is one of my very good friends, drove over from Saint Louis to watch the race as well. All in all, it was a big Kirkwood reunion.

Mom and I drove the course that afternoon, and two miles in she started complaining about how long of a drive it was and how there was no way I could run this whole thing. Mom....this is my 25th race, I got this. We planned on meeting John, Lauren, and Kyle for dinner and due to some phone technical difficulties and travel issues, everyone ran a little late but I was excited to see everyone when they finally arrived. We all caught up and told stories as well as plotted our race plan for the next day. Mom was extremely happy that she had a chauffeur and race guide for the day instead of having to navigate the course on her own. One less thing! Once we had come up with our plan, we all went our separate ways and planned to reconnect in the morning.

April 26, 2014
We woke up and I put on my costume (that I have forgotten to mention) and went downstairs to pick up our car.

Prerace - while I still looked decent

The race was a while away (20 minutes or so) and the highway exit was packed that we needed to get off at. Cue Ashley's anxiety. I knew we would have plenty of time but started to get nervous that John and mom's pit crew were going to get stuck in the madness. We were able to park near the start and then I got on the phone with Kyle and navigated him through traffic and we exchanged passengers (a mom for a John).

The whole crew - minus mother

Gator chew pic! Very normal John face.

After a quick picture, John and I head to the start of the race where we enjoyed looking at all of the other Wizard of Oz costumes. I like to think I had the best shoes. John decided last minute that he had to use the restroom and was actually in the port-a-potty when the gun went off. Thankfully, your time doesn't start until you cross the starting mat so we were all good.

For the first 4 miles of the race, the weather was perfect. We were cruising at a very good pace and I assume John's long legs were keeping our pace. We saw our crew along the way - mom wrapped up in a blanket and Lauren and Kyle with posters. I was feeling pretty good and then the winds began to change. No joke, I am dressed as Dorothy and a black cloud starts coming up behind us. A BIG black cloud. Around Mile 5 we start going uphill and between the threatening cloud and who knows what else, I start to not feel good. John was extremely encouraging and kept reminding me that this was my halfway race. He has always been a huge Ashley supporter ever since high school.

The turn near Mile 2

Do you see the cloud I am talking about?!?!

Near Mile 7 or 8 - I was struggling and the rain was on its way

As we cross over a big bridge, we catch our crew one more time and I do my best to just smile and keep on going. At Mile 8 we turn into a neighborhood and onto a path and the rain starts. Slow and drizzly at first and as we run, the rain starts to build. I was thinking very negative thoughts on this wooded trail and John refused to leave me and just kept shuffling along next to me at my turtle pace and kept counting down the miles by my side.

Lauren and Mom out on the course

We finally got off the trail and into a neighbor for the last 2 miles and that's when the hail started. Because my shoes were covered in sequin fabric, all sorts of water was going in but none was coming out. I was literally running with buckets on my feet. That plus the extra weight I was carrying in my water soaked Dorothy costume, it was almost humorous. We actually did start laughing just trying to figure out what was next. We were praying we wouldn't be 2 miles from the finish and have them call the race so we just tried to stay positive. As we looped behind a big parking lot, we could see the yellow brick road home stretch. I was thrilled to not only be crossing the line of my halfway race, but also to be crossing the line with one of my best friends.

Finishing on the yellow brick road!

We did it!

Hugs and high fives all around!

We met Lauren and Kyle at the finish line and they told us mom did her best to stand outside but they finally had to put her in the car after she got too cold and wet from the weather. We walked over to the car to find what looked like a pile of blankets stacked up in the backseat. After knocking on the windows, mom appeared from underneath the mountain of covers and decided to join us outside.

25 down! Halfway done!

The wonderful Schlotz brothers

Captain Kyle - Leader of the Cheer Squad

Mom - always cold - bless her heart standing out in the hail

A crazy morning - but with great company!

Official Race Pic - 25 states down, 25 more to go! #DREAM BIG (2 wet dogs - me and Toto on my arm)

After snapping a ton of pictures (see above) mom and I went back to the hotel and later picked up Kyle for lunch at Arthur Bryant's for some good old fashion Kansas City BBQ! It was actually during this lunch that Jeremy called and asked if I would want to be on the board of his new foundation - little did I know that role would turn into a little more than just being on the board.

After lunch, we dropped Kyle off and I went to go chill for a bit since it had been a long day. Mom and I switch hotels and got a room right on the Plaza. Later that night, I met up with Kyle and we went out to dinner with another one of our Kirkwood friends, Alex Ricke and his roommate. I need to get back to Missouri more - so many friends to reunite with! We didn't stay out too late because I was exhausted but still a great way to end the evening.

April 27, 2014
Mom and I had an early brunch before she had to take me to the airport. Before we left, she took me to a shop where she and her mom used to get all of their dishes and kitchen trinkets. It's always fun getting to hear about things mom used to do growing up. I flew out of Kansas City because I had another work trip I had to get back to Atlanta for and mom drove home to Saint Louis.

Another fun surprise once I got back to the ATL airport, was that my bestie Megan had just gotten back from two weeks in China and was about to take off her work trip as well, so I found of her gate and ran through the terminal to surprise her. Gotta love meet cutes in the airport.