Over the last few months my focus has been setting the tone for a successful school year, keeping a foster care routine, and getting settled into my new home. It is important to set high expectations and to remind my Smootents of them daily. Students cannot learn in the midst of chaos. I don’t do chaos or clutter.

People often ask me if I still run. The answer is: Yes. I will always run as long as I am able to. I average three to four miles a day with a 5-6 miler on the weekend. Regardless of mileage, a proper running shoe is mandatory.

The Brooks Ghost and Glycerins in my rotation were on their last cushion. I used some GO365 bucks to order the Glycerin 17 from Amazon. The newest model would not let me “run happy.”

I went to Fleet Feet for a foot scan. I learned from the Volumental 3D foot scan that my feet are almost in the narrow width. After trying several brands, I decided to go with the Hoka Clifton 6. They are very lightweight despite the heavy cushion.

Cute running gear makes the time on my feet more fashionable and enjoyable. I don’t know how long Goodr sunglasses have been around, but I discovered them last summer. I bought a pink and green pair called, “Flamingo on a Booze Cruise.” I needed a Fall neutral, so I picked up these:

The last weekend of daylight savings time was the perfect opportunity to visit my Grandma. I treated her to a day pampering with a pedicure, hair cut and eating all the shrimp she wanted from Red Lobster.

My visit happened to fall on the same weekend of the Marshall University Marathon/Half Marathon. I did not want to risk injury of pushing through 13.1 miles without the proper training, so I registered for the 5k.

The race website mentioned how all 5k participants would receive a finisher’s medal and only the Top 3 male and female would win additional awards. I drove from Madison to Huntington with no expectations of winning anything. Boy was I wrong.

The MUM and half races started at 7:00 a.m. with 31° temps (28° real feel). There were runners from 44 states. I spoke with a lady from Florida who needed a WV race for her 50 State Challenge.

I warmed up in the Joan C. Edwards Stadium parking lot before the 5k started at 7:15. We took off and right away, there was a young lady putting in work by my side. We were neck and neck for 1.5 miles until she stopped for water.

Next, I had my sight on a lady in green. I was feeling confident about being able to pull off a strong finish. I didn’t want to hawk her down too early though. The last half mile of the race took us through the campus of Marshall University. I saw the Memorial Fountain that stands as a tribute to the lives lost in the 1970 plane crash.

I thought there was another woman who was with the speedy runners who jolted out of my view after the first turn. I ran onto the football field a few steps behind the woman I tailed. She didn’t take the football, but I did.

Running with the football gave me a super charge. At that moment I wished I was wearing cleats. In my mind this was not a 5k; I was on a punt return. I did not want to slip and fumble on the AstroTurf. Once I made that loop towards the end zone, it was all she wrote. My running tights rolled down on me and everything.

A volunteer told me I was the first woman to cross the line in the 5k. I was like, “Nah, there was a lady in pink way ahead of me.” Again, she said she was sure I was the first one. I checked the results, and 24:11 was enough for me to win it all! Ten men finished ahead of me, placing me at 11/316 overall.

I ran the MUM Half Marathon in 2016 and placed 2nd in my age group. This course holds my personal best record of 1:41:54. I felt very accomplished on the ride back to Louisville. I was able to brighten my Grandma’s weekend and this race experience was a bonus.

‘Til next time. Expect the unexpected.

🍃🍂 Kelsie Lou 🍂🍃