Running Around

Today I crossed something off my bucket list!  I finished my first half marathon!  After competing in track and field for nearly ten years, you'd think that I'd love running.  This is a common misconception.  In case you didn't already know, I was a long and triple jumper throughout my college career.  My 30 meter approach to the sandpit was the extent of my running.  In fact the furthest I had ever run at one time prior to training for this race was about 3 miles.  My brother, being the wonderful brother he is, signed me up for the Rock the Parkway half marathon in Kansas City for his Christmas present to me.  At the time I was terrified but he was right- I needed a new goal!





It ended up being an awesome experience and I definitely plan on training harder for longer races.  One thing I learned is that the running community has a sense of humor.  People lined the streets to cheer on family members and friends with signs, bells and t-shirts.  Some of my favorite signs said things like "Worst Parade Ever" and "Chuck Norris never ran a half marathon".  It was so much fun to cross the finish line with hundreds of people cheering- and not because I won but simply because I did it!  I beat my goal of two hours and finished in a time of one hour, fifty-six minutes.  My brother and his girlfriend also ran personal bests.  It was a successful and memorable morning.

After I stretched, showered and refueled, I drove to Columbia for a couple of appearances.  I first went to MoJo's for a St. Baldrick's Fundraiser sponsored by Mizzou medical students.  They raised nearly $40,000 for kids with cancer by collecting donations as community members shaved their heads.  I mingled with kids, college students, physicians and parents and was so glad to have been a part of such a special event!

I ended the night at the annual Paintbrush Ball, a fundraiser for the local art museum in Columbia.  Toni, one of the board members of the Miss Columbia Scholarship Pageant is also a board member for the art museum and invited me to join her for the evening.  I was able to speak, dine and dance with many prominent members of the Columbia community- from school board members and doctors to lawyers and university professors.  It was an elegant ending to an exciting day!

Miss Missouri Orientation

After dancing the night away at the Heartland Task Force's Daddy Daughter Dance, I drove to Mexico for Miss Missouri Orientation.  What an exciting day!  We were incredibly fortunate to have Katie Stam, Miss America 2009 as a special guest.  She spoke to us about her experiences with the Miss America Organization, gave us preparation tips for competition and also inspired us to take full advantage of all the good there is to be done with our local titles.  She was the epitome of grace, humility and charm.

with Miss Audrain & Miss River City

It was fun to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones.  For example  from the moment I met her I knew that Stephanie, Miss Moberly, and I were going to get along great.  Before we knew it we were quoting lines to Pitch Perfect, a favorite movie of mine.  I also had the opportunity to learn about all the awesome stuff my fellow titleholders have been up to- from starring in theatre productions to being accepted to colleges and graduate programs these women never cease to amaze me.

My beautiful sister queen

Charlee and Me

J- my little sister!

The Heartland Task Force's Daddy Daughter Dance

One of my former health science professors is a board member of the Heartland Task Force in Kirksville and she invited me to make an appearance at the annual Daddy Daughter Dance.  This organization is a substance abuse prevention group that works to strengthen community ties, encourage positive behaviors in youth and foster healthy family relationships.  This event is a community favorite.  I joined the 8 other titleholders from the Northeast Missouri area in dancing the night away with about 800 young ladies and their significant male role models.  Talk about a night to remember!  Every single girl looked like a princess and I had a blast simply singing along to One Direction and starting a conga line.  Unfortunately I don't have many pictures from the event because I was too busy dancing.  I'm going to try to track down some other pictures but in the meantime, here's one of me and Caitlin, Miss Western Missouri!