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Monday, October 4, 2021

Kickoff to Kinnick 5K...a fun virtual endeavor


What happens when a favorite event, that benefits a great cause, is happening the same weekend you're out of town? 

Well, I don't know about you, but I opted to register anyways and run this event virtually. 

The irony? This event is affiliated with the University of Iowa, and I was in the University of Maryland area for the weekend...and there may have been a football game happening with these two Big 10 schools. 

Oh, and my team may have been the victors.

Also, I was meeting up with Debbie (from Deb Runs), and she'd decided to register and run the virtual event with me. How's that for a win-win? 


The Kickoff to Kinnick 5K  has been happening since 2014. I ran it in 2017, 2018 and 2019 (I had that cumbersome stress fracture last year, so I took a sabbatical from the 2020 event). The race itself ends on Kinnick Field, where the Stead Family Children's Hospital (pictured in the race bib) overlooks...the famous hospital that the football fans wave to on game day.

As an alumni from the U of I, this event is pretty meaningful to me. It benefits the Iowa Dance Marathon, which works closely with the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in supporting and helping children (and their families) who have been affected by cancer (and other illnesses).

I respect that many runners are over and done with virtual events these days. When these events support such a special and significant cause, though, I just cannot turn my head. Sometimes, running virtual is one's best option.

Fresh off a big Friday evening Hawkeye victory over the Terrapins, Saturday morning had me feeling all kinds of giddy and celebratory. Naturally, I had to wear some black and gold, so the 2017 K2K5K shirt was perfect (as were the not-too-obnoxious Waffle House arm sleeves).


We arrived at Deb's house just after 9:30. If this would have been an actual live race, that would be a very late start time, but since this was our own virtual gig (and we were only running a 5K), it wasn't a big deal.

We walked about 3/4 mile to the W&OD trail - a perfect distance for warm-up of sorts. Deb had mapped out a portion of the trail for our 5K distance, and the "route" was pretty straight and flat. 

We ran about a half mile, then made a quick turn-around and headed back to where we'd come from.

Jazz hands...I need to learn a new running pose (pic from Deb)

After we crossed our makeshift "start line," we continued on for another mile or so, and made another turn-around. Deb and her husband donated a bench that sits along the trail, so we got to take a quick break (#PhotoOp LOL) before heading to the "finish line."

on the bench

We kept a decent pace, while chatting the entire time (there may have been a few laughs as well). Even though we weren't anywhere close to a true "race pace," I don't think either of us really cared. Some events are more about the cause, and the experience, than the finish time. Besides, the trail was speckled with a lot of fellow runners, walkers and numerous bikes; it would have been difficult to "race" the course.

flying ponytails for the win! (pic from Deb)

As we ran that final mile, the heat of the sun was getting pretty warm. Deb told me to run strong for a big finish, so I did just that. And, she was right there with me.

my splits showed 8:55, 9:09, 8:35

Whew! That felt good!

As we walked back to Deb's house, we talked more about our love of football, and going to our alma maters' games (she's a Virginia Tech gal). She reminisced how, in 2017, they had waved to the children at the hospital back in Iowa City (via ESPN's College GameDay broadcast). So, we decided to do the same...

Waving and supporting the children virtually, and in spirit (pic from Deb)

The event swag was waiting in my mailbox when we returned home (late) Sunday afternoon from our trip to the DC/Baltimore/Virginia area. The shirt has a nice gender-specific fit (I detest boxy unisex gear).


The medal has a unique design, and the collapsible water bottle was a surprise bonus item!


So, although I wasn't able to run this race in person this year, I'm so glad that Deb and I were able to run it together. Running is such a gift; it's great when we can use that gift to benefit others. Plus, scoring some black and gold Hawkeye gear is a bonus (right, Deb?).


So, your thoughts?

Have you ever missed a favorite charitable race, but ran it virtually instead? Would you wear your team's colors the morning after a big victory (at an "away" game)? Have you heard of the Iowa Wave?

 I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up


I'm also linking with Debbie, DeborahLisaLaura and Jenn for the Runners' Roundup

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24 comments:

  1. What a fabulous virtual 5k, Kim!
    It's great that you could meet up with Deb and do it together. I love your yellow-black outfit! How cool is it that the K2K5K shirt matched your team colours?

    The motto on the bench that Deb and her husband donated is so fitting: "Long May We Run". Indeed!

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    1. The K2K5K is affiliated with the U of Iowa, so they're always certain to have the famous black and gold front and center ;-) Originally, I'd planned to run this virtual race in Maryland, the morning after the game, but it worked out much better to run it with Deb (and was a lot more than fun than had I run it solo). The bench is so nice, and the motto is totally on-point!

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  2. Congrats on the virtual 5 km! It's important to run the charitable races. Every year I sign up for the "Race of the Cure".
    The medal is very beautiful.
    Never wore my team's colors after a victory because our National Rugby Team rarely wins against the other most important teams.

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    1. A lot of people shun virtual events (and I sometimes do, too), but the charitable ones are SO important and quite meaningful. There were a lot of Iowa fans in their black and gold all weekend...it was fun seeing them them on the flight there and back. Go Hawks!

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  3. Ha Ha. I just red this recap by Deb. So fun to do a virtual in person with someone else.

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    1. It was fun! I strongly believe in supporting a good cause, and it was very generous of Deb to take part ;-)

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  4. I have heard of the Iowa Wave. I think virtual races can be a great way to support favorite causes. And getting to run with another blogger is priceless!

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  5. Always so much better to do a virtual race with a friend!

    Thanks for linking up with us, and apologies that I don't have a post today as my blog was down last night :(

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    1. Yes, we had a lot of fun together supporting a great cause ;-)

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  6. I'm so glad you told me about the race and that we were able to get together to run it. It was a fun morning indeed! And I may just have to wear my new shirt when watching your Hawkeyes play!

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    1. Woot!!! Our game this weekend is against Penn State and will probably be our toughest game of the season. The theme is "Black and Gold," and our seats are in one of the black sections so I might be sporting my new shirt ;-)

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  7. Sounds like a great way to run a virtual race! Congrats!

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  8. What a fun idea! You got to support a cause, hang out with Deb, and go for a run all at the same time!

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    1. Yes, and a Hawkeye victory the night before ;-) It doesn't get much better than that!

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  9. I love that you 2 got to run this together. So sorry I missed out on the fun. You did get to run on "my trail" too. Nice job you 2 for a good cause

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    1. I'd heard you, Debbie and Coco refer to the trail numerous times, so I'm glad I finally got to experience it in person ;-)

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  10. I think doing it this way was probably just as much fun- in a different way- than doing the live race. You do lots of live races, but how often do you get to travel and run in a completely new location with a blogger friend? I wasn't too enthusiastic about virtual races in the beginning, but I've come around. As soon as my foot heals up, I'm going to check out some virtual options!

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  11. So much fun reading this! Love that you had a great time not only running a virtual race but also meeting up with Deb.

    Thank you for linking up with us!

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  12. Congrats on this race! What a cute outfit you had! I agree that since it was for a good cause, it didn't matter that it was a virtual race. Plus you had a running partner, which sounded like so much fun!

    How nice that Deb and her family donated a bench!

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  13. Congratulations! I'm glad you were able to still participate in a race that means so much to you, and with Deb to boot!

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  14. This looks awesome and I'm so glad you were able to do this and have a great time!

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  15. Sounds so fun to run a virtual race with a friend!

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