Why not?

vickie, me and Pam

Well, I did it.

Friday–Pam, Vickie and I all traveled to Tulsa. It was nice, but a cold drive. We had a great time talking in the car, but I was very nervous.

Saturday–Vickie and Pam worked out. I went to carb-load in the breakfast, while there I saw a great deal of “real” marathoners…which made me very scared. We then went to the tiny expo, which was fun. Finally, I had a great pasta dinner at cheesecake factory.

Sunday–I slept well, got ready, and set out for the start. There were so many people and I felt out of place. The race started, it was 27 degrees when I started, but it warmed up quick around mile two I ditched my gloves and was starting to get hot. My tights drove me nuts! They were rolling down and wouldn’t get in place. I was starting to doubt myself. Then, the turn around came for us to move out of downtown and onto the path that follows the river. I was feeling pretty good. I managed to name all the people around me and was watching them to keep pace. There was “skinny mini” a tiny woman that was trucking along at a regular pace. I would often pass her at water stops, because I brought my camel back and didn’t need to stop at this point. Inevitably, though, she would be back in a matter of moments at my side. Then there was “bad-ass babe” I named her this because she was dressed like it was 100 degrees outside, and she was perfect, looked like she lived in the gym. She was plowing on slowly at first, I was passing her. Then she sped up. Then, she went off into the woods I assume to use the restroom. I thought I would never see her again, then she whizzed past me at mile 13.

Speaking of mile 13…that is when it all started to head down hill. I found a huge blister on my big toe and stopped to bandage it. Then, I called my friends to see where they were. I slowed significantly. At mile 15 I was ok, but by mile 16 I fell apart. It started as feeling like I needed something solid in my stomach. My diagraph felt strange, like it was solid, stuck or something. I ate a granola bar from my pack. Then I started to shiver. My teeth chattered. Then I began to cry. I couldn’t stop it. I was hitting the wall. I barely walked, I even sat on the side of the road at one point. I was horrible.

Then, I started to run again. Mainly because I needed to. Just like that I felt better. Lesson #1–walking makes it worse. I finished strong. I didn’t really walk again.

4:57 minutes.