Pop-up runs 2023

December 6: Ain’t nobody uglier nor sweatier than this guy!

I had to have a little fun with this one, so I busted out some mismatched socks (or maybe it wasn’t intentional – you will never know), half-cocked-and-locked hat that I randomly found with our Christmas ornaments, and some of the funniest holiday music around. You won’t find this version of “Pretty Little Dolly” on the streaming giants, other than YouTube. I was there live that night, and well over a decade later it still tickles me to listen. As always, saw many of my run fam. For the record, the ugliest thing I saw was Alex’s Green Bay gear.

October 31: Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.

A little last-minute fun with the nerd costume I didn’t wear on Sunday because I got scared of the snow. Super easy, although the black felt was very shed-prone, so a lint roller repeatedly saved the day. It was a small gathering at the Running Well Store’s new location in Martin City – still the gathering for KC Running Company events. It ended up there were just 2 of us doing the marked run, but there JUST SO HAPPENED to be a cat among the other attendees, so she graciously stood in as my Pam. The soundtrack was largely the audio of some of Jim’s best pranks, mostly on Dwight.

September 16: I’m Batman. It’s my day.

This was more fun than I planned. Checked in to the hotel for tomorrow as quickly as possible, then got the suit on and hit the elevator. A preteen boy said, so eloquently, “You’re Batman.” He asked why, and I told him it’s Batman Day. He’s like, “Oh.” By the time I got to the main doors, I heard “Batman, Batman” called out by a dozen similar voices. The run itself was mostly uneventful, but fun to do in the waning daylight. You could have just called me Gnatman for all that I nearly swallowed. Gained a new IG follower on the elevator back up, but not before I got several more groupies telling me who I was. (On their way to or from a soccer game or the “scream room” that the team parents presciently rented out.) It’ll be giving a very different vibe in the morning!

August 16: Happy birthday, Madonna!

Adding to the ranks of “can’t wear that in Kentucky,” M. Louise Ciccone the birthday girl joined Whitney, Lucy, Brigitta the bier maid, and possibly Saint Patrick. I didn’t NEED leg warmers today, but they absolutely popped. Madonna is 65 today, and here’s sending her love and healing from her recent health troubles. Thanks to each and every fellow runner, walker, and biker on the Little Blue Trace that didn’t call me in or give me grief. “Express yourself” says the song!

July 4: One Nation Under Hat (Ward Parkway Four on the 4th)

Also, happy National Country Music Day! (Somebody in the made-up holiday space gets me 1000%.) This costume was so nice, I wore it twice. But yes, friends, I washed it in between. Does anybody know how to strengthen the elastic on the bottom of boot covers? One side of this pair has already broken. Anyhoo, one of my favorites and longest streak of crazy levels of patriotism long before the official KC Cosplay Runner days. Speaking of streaking, the final pic is simulated but accurately depicts how much blue dye I had on the thighs again today.

June 7: Global Running Day

Celebrating Global Running Day with many of my run buddies. I like the out-and-back, because if I don’t actually run “with” anybody in particular, at least I can say hi to the bulk as we pass one way or the other. As with last year, the playlist represents top hits from the countries of origin of the fastest male and female runners in the 100m, 400m, 1 mile, half marathon, and marathon. All but a couple of the flags represent the same list.

May 29: That day, no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run (Going the Distance 5K)

A new Memorial Day tradition for me. We made a second weekend trip out of this, staying all fancy downtown, going to the Celebration at the Station for the first time since maybe 2016, and enjoying a very nice breakfast buffet after the race. It was good as always to see my run friends. There is absolutely nowhere in Kansas City that is completely flat outside of levees or the riverfront (or a track), but for being around Loose Park, this course isn’t that bad. I counted at least 10 “Run Forrest” comments, and I tried to tell everybody to “Have a nice day.” As soon as I made the finish line, I realized, “I’m… real tired. Think I’ll go home now.”

Apr. 21: RIP Prince June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016

I’ve used this costume for the Trolley Run (once live, once virtual), but I had to pay tribute to the Purple One on the 7th anniversary of his passing. Don’t worry, you’ll see him on the soundtrack again this year. Logistically this was a pain. It was super windy, which makes long wig hair an un-tasty ordeal. Lots of folks around the park, though (English Landing, not really Paisley).

Mar. 13: National Workplace Napping Day

It’s observed the Monday after the start of Daylight Saving Time. I thought I had put this one to rest after my birthday weekend, but it was easy enough to rouse. Whenever I do a longer version, I’ll need to find a better way to hang/attach the pillow to me. Even super-strong Velcro doesn’t stay on if the adhesive comes loose.

Jan. 28: We Are the World

On this day in 1985, a collective of musicians known as USA for Africa recorded “We Are the World” to raise funds and awareness for African famine relief. The song was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and sold 20 million copies. My playlist featured the first 8 soloists in their recent hits; to do so with all 21 would have been hours long! The Trolley Trail was still squishy from recent snowfall. Right before the finish, I got a knowing look from a dog-walker like, “Oooh, I see what you’ve done here, and I like it.”