Applause/Half-marathon race report April 28, 2008
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I give a hearty round of applause to my family and friends. Mine are the best, ya know?
Without excuses of “it’s too early/wet/cold/far/troublesome” they showed up to offer support as Nathan, Dale and I ran the OKC Memorial Half-marathon. They cheered loudly at our approach, giving encouragement as we faced the toughest part of the course.
Not only that, they helped all along the way without even realizing it. As we took off in the cold drizzle at 6:30 AM, I knew that my timing chip let them know the race had begun. After the first few miles, as the crowd began to thin, my thoughts turned again to those waiting. As I passed cheering onlookers I had the comfort of knowing that there would be those cheering as I passed them by, those who actually knew me!
Anxiously I ran, faster than normal, looking to cross that next timing mat. I wanted them to know I was still doing well and that my pace was holding steady. I couldn’t stop running because they were counting on me to be there in a certain time range.
Even when I knew that nobody was scheduled to be at a specific corner or waiting in a specific park, I continually scanned faces in hopes that there would be a surprise spectator. The surprise spectator. Other than my desire of having friends and family showing their support, this is probably my next greatest wish: to see someone I didn’t expect. Unlike last year when I saw a former co-worker who yelled his heart out for me, I didn’t see anyone I knew, but I kept running because I knew that up ahead were those who were waiting.
We crossed a timing mat just before the 8 mile mark and then rounded back onto that final west-bound stretch. Just before the corner I spotted Mom and Dad. With a big grin I picked up the pace a little and started waving. (Looking back, I’m not sure where I found the energy to lift my arms that high, but it’s quite wonderful what a little incentive can do!) Wow. If felt so good to see them! It made the last 8 miles feel like they never existed. I felt like I was starting afresh. (I know I didn’t look or smell very fresh, but I felt it!) I wanted to ask how far ahead and behind Dale and Nathan were but I only had the energy for a “thank you so much for coming” as I purposed to run until the end of mile 9 without stopping to walk.
More loud cheers and uplifting grins came just before mile 9 where three more special friends were gathered. Fellow runners who had been there for the last several months to run/walk/push me on my training runs. The ones who encouraged me to keep going, to be persistent and to log the miles needed to run the half-marathon. The ones who witnessed most of the 130+ miles it took to get to the race. After that encouragement (and a little horn honking a bit later!) it was up to me to get to the finish line. That’s where it gets tough. That’s where you start tapping in to the emotions that kept you going for the first part of the race. That’s where you start coming up with theories to explain why it helps so much to have your friends and family there for support.
To put it into perspective for non-runners, it’s like an invitee’s attendance at your child’s birthday party. Maybe this line of thinking is flawed, but bear in mind it’s based upon “on-my-tenth-mile” logic! You put in the time and effort of making it happen (minus the blood, sweat and tears) and you hope it means enough to the friends and family you invited that they’ll strive to be there no matter what. When they do, it warms your heart and makes you feel loved! More importantly, on Sunday they did! That alone gave me the emotional encouragement I needed to keep running when my body kept saying it wanted to slow down a bit!
Once again, I offer up a hearty “THANKS Y’ALL” to my friends and family. They really are the best.
My half-marathon results: April 28, 2008
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bib number: H3484
gender: F
location: Oklahoma City, OK
overall place: 1448 out of 4352
division place: 108 out of 397
gender place: 616 out of 2570
time: 2:08:46
pace: 9:50
guntime: 2:10:51
10k: 59:44
Ouch March 10, 2008
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Right in the midst of training for a half marathon and here I think my toe is either broken, or very badly “stubbed”. With no ability to go running, and no pool to swim in, what can I do while waiting for my toe to heal?
Any suggestions?
Starting early February 29, 2008
Posted by regivizz Fitness, Other Runners, Uncategorized
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Enjoying a 4 miler out at Lake Hefner yesterday afternoon, I happened to spy a Mom and her two kids out for a run. As is my norm, I smiled…nay…grinned, gave a little wave and went on my way. It was only after I finished and met back up with one of my running buddies that I found out that the kids were participating in the OKC Memorial Kid’s Marathon. After they finished their run, we chatted a bit (they were parked next to us) and I couldn’t help but notice how enthusiastic the two boys were about running this marathon. It cheered my heart!
Curious to see how long the Kid’s Marathon is, thinking that it must be a mile or so and not a real marathon, I looked up the information and was quite surprised to see that the kids run the full distance. Not all in the same day of course, but they run a mile at a time until they reach 25 miles, and then they finish the last 1.2 on the day of the actual race.
How incredibly cool is that? I don’t have kids, but if I’m granted that privilege someday, I can think of few things that are better to instill into your children than the love of doing something athletic. Not only that, but to pick a meaningful event for participation!
I love the idea of including your children in something you are passionate about, whether it’s yoga, swimming, biking or any other sport. So I encourage you, if you have kids, include them in your Sweat365 goals and activities!
Of course, be careful, use common sense and caution so that your child doesn’t suffer injury or burn-out!
When pigs fly February 20, 2008
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Yesterday after our run, my friend and I were talking about food. (Are there better topics?) 
As running increases, so does the appetite. When you’re at work all day, it’s sometimes a challenge to find healthy snacks. I ran to the grocery store last night for a few bare necessities and realizing I had a coupon for Flat Earth Crisps, decided to try them. I bought two bags, one Apple Cinnamon Grove and one Garlic & Herb Field.
While I not sure what groves or fields are supposed to taste like, I do know that I’m fairly certain I’ve found a somewhat decent snack to add to my snack collection (which currently includes baby carrots, yogurt, Kettle Valley Fruit Snacks and Girl Scout cookies).
The 6th ingredient in one of the two flavors is pumpkin. Guess which one. Garlic & Herb Field. Yeah, that must be the field taste! These are baked, and you get a half serving of veggies in one serving of these chips…crisps (12 crisps per serving), they are bursting with flavor and have just the right amount of crunch.
As for the grove of apple cinnamon trees, my first impression was “whew, way too sweet”. Possibly that’s because chips, er, crisps just aren’t supposed to be sweet, but, eh, too sweet nevertheless.
Although not something you can snack on 24/7 (did you notice all of those qualifiers like “fairly” and “somewhat”?) and think you’re eating super-healthy (because you’re not!), they would make a great alternative to chips, to eat once a week or so. A nice break from the usual without overloading on fat.
Besides, if you visit the Flat Earth website, you can print two coupons for a free bag of chips crisps! Free food is always good!
For shame February 11, 2008
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It may have looked like I stopped running…I didn’t. Things just got hectic and I didn’t blog about it. But now, training for a half-marathon, I’ll be back at it again. It’s one of the things that keeps me motivated.
Saturday I raced. A five mile run. Twenty-nine seconds longer than it took me to run the same race last year which is disappointing but not surprising. Last year at this time I was training for a full marathon so my mileage was quite a bit higher. The time didn’t bother me as much as the placement. Last year I was 7th in my age group; this year I came in 21st.
For now I’m going to keep training for the half marathon in April and try to get a little faster. Aiming for 9 minute miles now for a couple of weeks.
