So in the last 9 days I’ve run in 3 half marathons.

The first was Tulsa Golden Driller with Run The Streets. It’s a running mentoring program that I’m very thankful to be a part of. Basically we help young adults ages 12-18 prepare to run a half marathon in 12 weeks. 58 of them completed the half marathon this season and it was a wonderful accomplishment by each and every one of them. If you are interested in learning more or donating to the program go to http://www.runthestreets.org. It’s entirely funded by donations.

Here’s a link to the video of the race:

 

The second was the OKC Memorial Half Marathon. It was definitely one of the best races I’ve ever done. My time was 2:01 which I was really happy with since I had just run 13.1 the day before. The course had the best support I had ever seen. And the water stops were every mile which in the Oklahoma heat was needed. And I got to run it with 25,000 of my closest friends….like this guy.

I wish I knew what he was thinking. Were his nipples chafing? Was he overheating? Was he trying to show his pecs to the camera? I guess I’ll never know. Interesting running form though.

I plan to run OKC Memorial again next year. I saw several people I knew along the way, I had family and friends out there as spectators and fellow competitors and just had a blast.

And then this past weekend was Nebraska.  I was worried going into it. My knee had been bothering me and a lot has been going on so I wasn’t in the best place mentally going into it. That morning though I decided I was finally going to break two hours. A former professor of mine had told me to “bring the heat”. Which he said later means to leave it all out on the race course. Well, Nebraska brought the heat. It was in the mid 60s at race start and they didn’t get us going until 7:25am (race was supposed to start by 7). The first couple miles though I got into the rhythm and just kept repeating motivational sayings in my head. Reading signs always helps and there is seriously nothing like a high five from a child to keep you pumped up. The course was tough though. Not a lot of shade and some decent hills. Coming through the last quarter mile towards Memorial Stadium I knew it was going to be close so I sprinted. But I did it. And I’m proud. I think that physical preparation is important but mental strength is what can mean the difference between success and failure and I had decided not to fail that day.

Running into the stadium was really awesome. I wish OSU had something similar.

I got to ring the PR Bell!

After the race I met up with my Aunt and we went to eat at The Green Gateau, a little restaurant in Lincoln. It was on the race course so we got to watch the race continue which was really wonderful. I ordered chicken cordon bleu crepes which were delicious. And the waiter brought me a carafe of tea because post race hydration is something to take seriously. (I wish it had been sangria but you know, had a long drive home).

Shortly afterwards I headed back to Oklahoma. On the way I was talking to someone and they asked how I was feeling. I responded that I was tired. (I had said the same thing earlier when the gentleman who handed me my medal in the stadium asked me how I was feeling and he said it was the first honest answer of the day). Well this person responded and said “well you may be super woman but you’re not that super.” Now that’s a bit of a contradictory statement and I think was meant well but all I could focus on was the “you’re not that super” part. This is someone who SHOULD think I’m super. It really bugged me, and still does, but then I thought back to the race. I was running next to the 4:00 full marathon pacer and he kept losing people who wanted to wait on someone. He would say “run your own race”. So I’m focusing on that instead. I know I’m not doing anything miraculous or life changing by running 50 states, it’s been done before and it will be done again. However I’m learning so much about myself. It’s making me physically stronger, mentally sharper (except immediately post race when I’m basically unintelligible until I find a drink and a snack), and I’m meeting so many amazing people. I’ve seen so many examples of bravery, kindness, and the indomitable will of the human spirit. The running community is one I’m proud to be a part of. And I’m just here to run my own race.