What do you get when you cross a half marathon with The Wizard of Oz, the greatest racing costumes of all time, and a nine-pound shih tzu named Little Miss Truvy in the spotlight? You get pure, paws-itively magical chaos. And yes—Truvy totally stole the show.
A Kansas Run, Reimagined in Color
I’ve had this quirky little race pinned in my mental scrapbook for four years—ever since Truvy trotted into my life like the fluffy co-star I didn’t know I needed. The idea of running through Kansas in costume, channeling full-on character energy, awakened something in me I hadn’t felt since my days of racing in scrubs and a lab coat (yes, that was a thing—and no, I don’t regret it). This time, though, it was different. It felt like a performance, a celebration, and a pilgrimage rolled into one…and there was plenty of creative thought put into this race before we even stepped out to the start line.
Before diving into the (adorably small yet seriously awesome) race expo, Truvy and I made a pit stop for a quick photo. Priorities, right?
Truvy and I strolled the expo like pros. As we were exiting the room, we were asked to be in a quick video. Truvy looked at me like, “You got this?”
Spoiler alert: we nailed it in one take and understood the assignment.
Pacing Through Munchkinland and Crossing the Yellow Brick Road (Miles 1-3)
I knew today was going to be an instant classic. Crossing the start line onto a real-life yellow brick road felt like slipping into a storybook I’d somehow been writing in my head for years. The wind picked up, tugging playfully at my emerald jacket as the first few miles unfolded in a swirl of color and character. Tinmen clanked alongside me in metallic glory, a blur of silver beside ruby-red running shoes pounding the pavement under runners dressed as Dorothy. I even caught sight of a Cowardly Lion sprinting ahead with the confidence of a seasoned gazelle—proving once and for all that courage and speed are a perfect match. For a moment, I forgot I was in Kansas and half believed I’d crossed into Oz.
The creative signage popped up like bursts of encouragement, each sign telling its own story—some funny, some heartfelt, all fueling the runners’ spirits.
Pausing for the Perfect Shot—Then Off to Oz! (Miles 4-9)
I’ve grown used to being stopped along the course—by fellow runners, enthusiastic supporters, and kind-hearted volunteers. Many recognize me from a blog post they’ve read, a video that made them smile, or a recent media spot that aired in their city. But today was something else entirely. Maybe it was the costume, maybe it was the undeniable charm of Truvy—my very own Toto 2.0—but I was stopped for selfies easily over 50 times. And honestly? I loved every second of it.
These weren’t just photo ops—they were moments of connection, joy, and shared purpose. They reminded me why we lace up and travel mile after mile, city after city: to raise awareness, to build community, and to be fully present in something bigger than ourselves. The smiles, the hugs, the laughter mid-race—it’s the heartbeat of what we do. I’ll gladly trade a few seconds off my pace for a lifetime of memories made along the way.
We’re off to see the Wizard at the Emerald City! (Miles 9-13)
Past the poppies, with my eye locked firmly on the prize, I wove through a tapestry of city streets, race tunnels, whispering forests, and sturdy bridges. Each step brought me closer to the shimmering promise of the Emerald City, a beacon of hope and triumph on the horizon. Amid the journey’s twists and turns, my faithful Shih Tzu awaited patiently, her eager eyes full of encouragement, reminding me that this race was as much about companionship and heart as it was about miles and medals.
Paw-sitively Unstoppable: Shih Tzu Sprints Into the Winner’s Circle! (Miles 13-13.1)
I must’ve visualized this moment over and over—maybe 100 times, maybe more. But let’s be real: life rarely delivers on the scenes we build up in our minds. Except… this time, it absolutely did. Actually, it blew every expectation out of the water (or should I say, out of Oz).
Truvy was ready.
The second I saw Truvy—tail wagging like a metronome of joy, tongue flopping in perfect rhythm, paws stamping like she’d just been announced as best in show—I knew she wasn’t just going to cross the finish line. She was going to own it. Hopping over mini barriers like a fluffy Olympic hurdler, doing her signature shag shake across the yellow brick steps, she turned that finish into a full-on celebration. Truvy didn’t just run with me…she ran right into our forever winner’s circle.
