My First 26.2 Experience.

      I did it. I completed a full marathon yesterday at the 14^th Annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. We ‘Run to Remember’ those lives that were lost on April 19, 1995 and it will be one I will never forget. When I first registered, it was for the half. Then I spoke with some friends and was finally persuaded by my new found running buddy, Kasi, to switch the full. They assured me that I was good enough and would be fine if I clocked the miles during training over the next three weeks.  Yes, three weeks to prepare for going double the distance I originally intended to run.


      The week prior I remember being super nervous, more than I was about anything currently in my life. As the week flew by I gained more and more excitement. Seeing all my friends posting about the race to come got me pumped. Friday came, which kick started marathon weekend. Never have I felt such energy as I did those two days prior. Friday I picked up my packet at the expo, now it just got seriously exciting. Saturday I went back to the expo to acquire a couple more pieces to my running get-up, because every first needs something special. And it was a reason to buy new running cloths and accessories. That evening a small group of us went out to dinner, which just rounded off a journey before the race kick-started the next day.


      I had every intention of going to sleep early, but the jitters and thrill got the better of me. Roughly five hours before one of my three alarms would go off I finally forced myself to bed. I slipped on my compression sleeves to sleep in at the suggestion of my friend Cory and dozed off. My first alarm went off at 4:16 and within a split second I set up and was reared with new found life. My legs felt great, my energy levels charged, my mind was clear, my feet laced with intent, my soul and heart were ready.


      Parking was easy when I arrived around 5:15. I met up with Kasi and Matt before walking to the OKC Landrunners tent. My new friend Nicole, a representative for a company at the expo, showed up for support since she was in town until the afternoon. Kasi and I were ready to go along with the other 26,000 full, half, 5k, kids, and relay participants. Then it came, lightening delayed the race. The storm that was to hit the night prior reared its head at us. Originally it was 30 minutes and then hail was coming so we were told to take shelter-which we were already doing to avoid the slightly cool rain. Glad I had excellent company to pass the time.


      Race on! After the 168 seconds of silence we started running. The crowd and their support were unmatched. Kasi had to keep me in check several times, I like to go fast and lose pace. The energy always gets to me during a race. She held up decently through the hills. I could tell around mile 10 (I think) her hip was giving her problems. I tried to support the best ways I could, but I was drawing blanks and my support was lacking. I felt bad. I could tell she was getting worse as we trudged through the hills. Finally that moment came; she had to stop shortly after mile 14. I looked back and could just tell it got the better part of her. I wanted to stop, but I knew I would be done if I did. She waved me on and said, “Go, this is your race now” I turned and shouted, “Please don’t be mad at me”. To which she responded, “I won’t, just don’t stop”. I turned around, looked ahead, and pushed forward.


      I felt bad leaving her, but knew this was something I definitely had to do now on my own. Not just for me, but for Kasi as well. She believed in me and I still had to prove to myself I could complete this. I still had 12 miles to run on the course and the worst was yet to come. I had to focus. Lake Hefner is never forgiving with its wind. Once I rounded onto Grand a giant wave of support gave me another energy boost. My speed was averaging a 9:20 pace per mile and I still felt great. Got to Nichols Hills and was on familiar territory, but the Classen Death Stretch was still ahead. It is a 3+ mile stretch that is slightly inclined the whole way. To top it off there were winds coming from the South (the direction we had to run) and it was blazing hot.


      They say the last 10k is the worst part of a marathon. I found it to be the last 5k. Right at the end of the Classen Death Stretch I was worn down. I still had about 27-30 more minutes if I kept at my current pace. The wind slowed me down a little when it gusted. I knew this route; I have ran this route twice during training. It was the homestretch of winding up, around, and down to the finish line on Broadway. The showers and hoses people had out felt amazing, just as the sponges felt on Classen. When I saw the flag marking mile 25 I got excited as my body started feeling extra exhausted. I was 1.2 miles from the finish and I sure wasn’t going to quit now.


      I turned onto Broadway from 13^th. This is it. I picked up the pace and my right calf started pulsing with cramps. I pushed through as it kept throbbing with pain. The encouragement from people on the sidelines distracted me and kept me propelling forward. I see it, there it is, the finish. As I approach the last 15-20 feet they called out my name, wow what a feeling that was to hear. Boom! I was done. I just did 26.2 miles. Holy cow, I wanted to cry. I didn’t have anything left in me. I was slightly delirious. I hurt, but I felt amazing. I just completed my first marathon: in full and without stopping. My official time was 4:32:10.


      I took my phone off airplane mode and the overwhelming followers I had commenting and texting me was truly spectacular. It is such a warm, comforting feeling to know that I have such support from all over the country. Last year I ran my first half at the OCKMM and now I can saw the OKCMM was my first full. It was the best decision to make and I couldn’t imagine having my first marathon experience being any different. It was my first 26.2 and it surely won’t be my last 26.2.