It seems these days, that every step I take is a milestone. A personal record (PR) if you will.
I've already talked about my Younique business and my summer job at Yellowstone National Park, but one milestone I haven't talked much about on this blog is my first Marathon.
I've run two Half Marathons before. My first one was November 2014, and my time was simply abysmal. I finished just short of three HOURS. Two years later, after completing a training course here in Wichita, I finished my second Half Marathon in roughly two hours and eighteen minutes. Which was under my goal time of two hours and twenty minutes. Yay me!
After that successful run, I decided to keep the momentum going and sign up to train for a FULL Marathon. Training has been going well, until the middle of March. Right when my speed group was getting to the long miles, further than I had ever run before and much needed for my psyche, I went down with some serious seasonal allergies for a full week, and then ANOTHER full week of something else for which I never saw a doctor. I missed a seventeen mile run, and when I tried to go ten, I felt like I was going to die. I couldn't believe it! How could this happen? How would I ever be able to finish a FULL marathon? 26.2 miles? YEAH RIGHT.
Well, I got over the crud, started feeling better, and knocked out FIFTEEN miles (and a quarter) on April third. I still feel great, and am looking forward to seventeen or eighteen this weekend (4/8).
My race is coming up at the end of April. The twenty-ninth to be exact. I can tell you that I am nervous, but I've been following the race on Facebook. They have been posting mile by mile videos, so that even though I don't live close enough to preview the course with a run, I can see where I'll be running.
This particular Marathon is special. If you're not familiar with distance running, or Marathon running, the first one can really get to you. It's a long way! If you're not already familiar with the story of the first "marathon" then let me enlighten you.
The legend is that a Greek messenger was sent from the battle of Marathon to Athens to proclaim victory. He ran the entire distance (supposedly 26.2 miles) without stopping, burst into the Assembly and shouted "WE WON!" before collapsing on the floor, DEAD.
*blink. blink*
Yeah, people use that as a means to tell me that I'm crazy. But do you know what? The Marathon has been an Olympic event since 1896. And people have definitely been running it longer than that. If they can do it, I can do it. I DON'T plan to run all out, so I will NOT be dying at the end. I plan on running my miles around 11:30/12 minutes per mile. And I plan to have a nice sprint at the finish so I look good for the cameras!
One of the specialties of the OKC Memorial Marathon, is that first timers have a different bib look. There are a ton of spectators along the route, and when they see the newbies coming they give a special hoot and holler! The city knows what this run means, and it shows.
I'm excited to be a part of it, and honestly CAN'T WAIT to run it! I need a few more miles under my belt, but I'm certain I'll be just fine come race day.
You can check it out at the links I've shared here, or you can drive to Oklahoma City on April 30th!
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