It was a great day to run a half marathon. I'm going to use the word "run" with caution here. I walked a LOT, and ran a little. I was doing 3 min. run with 2 min. walk for the first 8 miles. Then I flipped it to walk more. For the last 3 miles I had to walk. My upper inner thighs were cramping big-time and I couldn't run without cramps. It was awesome!! No matter- I had a great time!! I talked to a lot of people, I stopped and petted some cute dogs and I thanked EVERY volunteer that I could.
It was a glorious day. Some races are for running and getting a PR (personal record), some races are for testing your mettle, but this one was for remembering. Some races are about the journey. I enjoyed the journey. I read the names of those who died down Classen avenue (there are banners every few light poles listing the names of the 168 lives lost on April 19th). It's always emotional.
The upside is that 22,000 people in OKC were active and healthy today. That's a good thing!
Here are some pics from along the way:
Here's Rian and I before the start
I stood next to a man at the start who was carrying a HUGE American flag. He ran with it the whole marathon (26.2 miles). What a guy!
On Mickey Mantle Drive right past the AAA baseball stadium.
Heading up a big bridge- the first hill of the day.
Taken by a kind man who was standing on the railing of the bridge.
Look at the sea of people.
Coming up on the state capitol building. Around mile 3.
People running and having a great time!
These are the banners along the course that have the names of each of the 168 victims on them.
Each person gets a banner. They are very inspiring, and very sad.
(photo above courtesy of Kin Photography)
Coming down Classen Ave. with a sweet tailwind. Around mile 11.
At last: the finish line!
(photo above courtesy of Kin Photography)
Whoopee!!! A happy girl after her finish.
(photo above courtesy of Kin Photography)
Whoopee!!! A happy girl after her finish.
It hurt a LOT (because I hadn't trained properly), and it took a long time,
but I loved every minute of it!!
Catching up with Rian after he finished his full marathon. He's kinda salty, doncha think?
The worst part of a long run: the ice bath afterward. It hurts like hell, but we're never sore after
we do it. It REALLY helps keep the muscles from being sore.
It's torture that feels so good after it's done.
The marathon medals are pretty neat. This year they changed the design. I like it, but it's different. I'll get a picture of that up soon.
It was a great day to run. So glad I did it. So glad it's for a greater cause. So glad we get to remember those who we lost. We will NEVER forget when we have this Run to Remember!
8 comments:
Congratulations to you and Rian!! Great post too and pictures. I had no idea so many people did it, that's very cool.
I also didn't know about the ice bath benefits. Geez, that must be terrible to get into. Worth it I'm sure or otherwise you would be sore as hell.
It must have been quite the experience today, bet even though you're tired you feel really good having done it. Way to go!
Congratulations on your run! Glad you had fun and enjoyed the journey.
Thanks!!
Ice baths are the BEST! They ideally need to be done within 30 min of the finish of an activity, but even if it's after that- they still help.
I didn't credit your pictures, Kin- but I went back and did that. I added them last night and forgot to give credit where it's due). I wish I had your mad photography skills. I need to work on that.
Susan- maybe next year you could do the 5K walk/run. It's only 3.1 miles and it's a great way to participate (look at me trying to drag you into the scene).
Glad you like the photos. I take them to share with others and some have said that it inspires them to try these things, so that is great.
I thought of you at Western and 50th, where the half and full separate, disappointed that I would probably not get to see you. Glad you had a great day though.
You must've been ahead of me because I was moving rather slowly. If you were behind me you would've passed me. Then again, there were so many people there it would have been hard to pick someone out of the crowd.
It was a good day. Thanks for letting me *borrow* your pictures. If you ever mind- let me know and I'll remove them.
You like the banner photo, don't you?
I do like the banner photo!! I was so mad at myself for not stopping to get a picture coming down Classen. Things were really hurting then and it took all my focus to put one foot in front of the other. For the last few years I swore I would get a picture of that, but...
and now you have one. :)
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