March brought three races and more than 12 miles – but for me, it also brought relief. After nearly a week of limited movement and multiple physical therapy sessions for a stubborn back injury, getting to run again (even if still a bit tight) felt like a gift.
The first March race was covered in my last run post. In this post I’ll cover our St. Patrick’s Day 5K in Leawood and the Fleet Feet 5‑mile in Lawrence. These weren’t just races; they were proof that I’m finally on the upswing.
St. Patrick’s Day 5K – Leawood, KS
March 14, 2026 – Park Place, Leawood
This was our second festive green‑themed run this month, complete with 743 runners in costumes, pint glasses as swag, and a sea of shamrock gear. The event partnered with Lucky 13 Rescue, a Kansas City-area dog rescue focused on saving and rehabilitating homeless and neglected dogs.
- Nate: I finished in 28:30, a pace of 9:10/mi, putting me in the top 21% of racers. Coming off of a recent back injury, I was happy with this time. But I have some work to do to get back to where I’d like to be for the remainder of the season.
- William: William finished in 32:12, a pace of 10:22/mi, placing in the top 35% of runners.
We had a great time racing a chilly and challenging course with our friend Emma (who finished before both of us!) and hope to get to do so again next year!
Just a week later, we traded shamrocks for sunshine and headed west to Lawrence…
Fleet Feet Spring Fling 5‑Mile – Lawrence, KS
March 22, 2026 – Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence
This was a new distance for us – five miles instead of the usual 5K (3.1 miles) -and it turned out to be a fun challenge. The race itself had only 50 participants in the 5-mile distance, making this our smallest race in a long time. It was highly competitive, though, with the first finisher coming in at 33:07 (6:37/mi)!
The race starts and finishes at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, which is also the event’s charity partner. The organization serves more than 1,400 kids per day across 12 locations in Lawrence, making this a meaningful community‑focused event.
Fleet Feet raised $1,185 for Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence.
- Nate: I finished in 47:00 (9:23/mi) and placed 5th in my age group.
- William: William finished in 56:24 (11:16/mi) and placed 6th in his age group.
This race ended up being a much tougher test of pacing than we expected – longer than a 5K but not quite a 10K, sitting in that sneaky middle zone where you think you can push harder than you should. It definitely exposed where our endurance is and where it isn’t yet. I went out too fast and paid for it in the final miles, especially with the sun beating down for most of the course. Lesson learned.
Afterward, William and I both admitted we were disappointed with our results. The race felt harder than we anticipated, and we both walked away feeling a little out of shape. But instead of discouraging us, it lit a fire. If anything, this was the wake‑up call we needed heading into April’s lineup – motivation to tighten up our training, rebuild some confidence, and show up stronger for what’s next.
What’s Next: A Big April Ahead
March felt like the warm‑up lap. April is where the real story of our 2026 season begins. Three races, three very different goals:
Rock the Parkway 5K (Kansas City, MO)
A Kansas City classic and one of the most popular spring races in the region. We’re excited to see how our pacing holds up on a fast, well‑supported course.
KC Pet Project 5K – Our Fundraising Race! (Kansas City, MO)
This one is close to our hearts. We’re so close to hitting $1,000 raised, and we’d love your help pushing us over the top before race day. Every dollar supports animals across Kansas City who need care, shelter, and second chances. You can donate to our fundraiser here.
Garmin Olathe Half Marathon – “Land of Oz” Edition (Olathe, KS)
This will be our second half marathon of 2026, and our third half marathon ever.
It’s one of the most whimsical, themed races in the Midwest – and also one of the most challenging courses we’ll face this year. We’re equal parts excited and nervous, but March’s races gave us some much-needed momentum we’ll take into April.
March reminded us why we love local races: community, charity, and the chance to grow a little stronger each time we lace up. April is going to be big, bold, and full of yellow‑brick‑road energy – and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Current fundraising focus
Support us in our runs by donating to our fundraiser for Kansas City’s Starlight Theatre.
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