Race Recap: Run Toto Run

Scott Lee and Chris Thomas ran the 10 mile trail run at Wyandotte County Lake known as “Run Toto Run”.  We ran the “easy” race, as they offered a 10, 20, and 30 mile trek.  This was our first trail run as TRR and while enjoyable, it was very demanding.

Scott and Russ

I had read on line that trail running can be like running double for road runners like us. I could not believe that a 10 mile run would really feel like 20 miles.  I quickly changed my mind on mile 7 when I started to cry, by mile 8 Scott’s legs were locking up and the last two miles we ran like zombies.  We were mumbling, bouncing off trees, each other, while knocking down other runners.  It was awesome.

The race day started out around 7:00 am leaving Overland Park to get out to “the Dot” for our 9 am start.  Jaime Davis-Thomas was an awesome co pilot, she volunteered at the race and took video/photos for TRR.  With 6-8 inches of packed snow on the ground and 25 degrees when we left the house it was definitely a different element than we had ran a race in prior to this. 

The race had a good crowd, 500-600 runners; we got to chat with Ben Sigle.  Ben runs the Manhattan Running Company, and if you don’t shop there you should!  MRC is very helpful and knowledgeable.  We are lucky to have them as part of the KS running community.  Oh yeah, Ben got 4^th place, he is fast.

All in all, the race was a great learning experience.  We realized how tough it was to pass people, hopping through snow.  We fell down.  We fell up. We cussed hills.

I am pretty sure there is more trail running in our future. Lastly, shout out to Ben, Sophia, and the Trail Nerds for putting on a great race. 

Official TRR Playlist #1

I finally figured out how to make a playlist in iTunes!! So I think for my inaugural list, I'm gonna put together a TRR running track. But I want your help. Play along and submit your TOP 5 FAVORITE running songs. I'll try to make the list about an hour long (10 miles for me! HA!).

Thanks!!

A New Adventure Begins

A few members of TRR (Russ & Jaime) are dipping their toes into the shallow end on bikes. Having recently purchased two bikes to gear up for the spring, we've go a lot to learn about the world of cycling.

Feel free to join us for the ride!

Anatomy seems a good place to start

Groundhog Recap- By Joshua Holloway

January 30, 2011  (Ed note: written by my 8 year old nephew, very proud of him)

TRR Groundhog Team

Today I ran my first 5k with my Uncle Chris and my mom.  I was wearing my new Thunder Road Racing shirt (TRR rocks).  We ran in an underground tunnel, which was like a small city.  It was a Groundhog Race – there was a 5k and a 10k.  My Uncle Chris, Aunt Jaime, and Scott ran the 10k, too.  It was my Aunt Jaime’s first 10k and she did a good job.  On the way to the race I set some goals with my Aunt Jaime helping me…my good goal was to finish the race, my better goal was to finish in 45 minutes, and my best goal was to run the whole race or finish in less than 45 minutes. 

Groundhog 2011

I think it was 65 degrees and it was kind of dark.  We saw a lot of businesses that I recognized like:  Fed Ex, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Hallmark Warehouse.  There were a lot of people – 3,500 people running the races.  It was kinda scary in the beginning when we started the race.  I held my mom and Uncle Chris’s hands until we found some space to run.  We ran 20 minutes before I needed to walk.  We had two water stops in the race.  At mile number two my mom ran to the finish line by herself – leaving me with my Uncle Chris.  Uncle Chris and I dumped water on our heads at the second water table.  It was one of my favorite parts of the race.  Uncle Chris told me, “We will finish this race together!”  We started to run and then the finish line came quick.  At the end we ran our fastest to cross the finish line…it felt good to cross the line and hear them say my name over the speaker.  My dad, mom, crazy sister, Sophia, and Uncle Chris all hugged me.  Then Scott, Suzy, Rachel, and Aunt Jaime all said, “Congrats!”   I did finish the race in 45 minutes.  It was a fun experience! 

Steph Holloway, Chris Thomas, Joshua Holloway

I was tired after the race.  I fell asleep on our way home from KC.  I need to train more before I do another 5k, but I am going to do a mile fun run with my mom and sister in Emporia in March.  It’s a benefit for Girl Scouts – “Thin Mint Sprint”!