Why We Ran the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon....

I was only a freshman in college when the Oklahoma City Tragedy occurred.  I remember sitting in my dorm watching the news as I listened in disbelief that one man could do something so horrible.

That day, I didn't know how I could help other than to pray.  I did pray.....

Heartbreaking pictures from April 1995.

And 18years later, I find myself here at that place.....running a race to remember, a race that keeps the memory of 168 innocent people alive.

Below are some pictures from the Memorial Park.   (Angel Watts took several of these beautiful pictures.)

 

This picture above is showing you one side of a wall that says 9:01, while the other side (not pictured) says 9:03.  The time 9:01 represents the moment in time when life was "normal".  The 9:03 time represents the time that live was "changed and lost".  Therefor, 9:02 was the time of the tragedy...that changed everything for Oklahoma City. 

168 Chairs on the site of where the federal building once stood

Explanation of the Field of Chairs

This picture above is a chained link fence along the outside of the wall of the memorial.  Certain items, belongings, and pictures of loved ones hung on this fence.  And what was really neat to see come Sunday after the race, were race bibs all over it.....as many family members and friends were running the race to remember a loved one.
WOW!!! The thought that came to mind often when I was running, is that there very well could have been children (who were grown up now), running this race for a parent they lost??? Heartbreaking to say the least! ****And more the reason to keep on running!

The Survivor Tree

The Survivor Tree is a very important symbol for the OKCity people.  In matter of fact, our medals we received had a picture of the tree on the back of them.  This tree is dated back to the 1920s and it SURVIVED the blast of the bombing. The Survivor Tree is a symbol of human resilience.... a tribute to renewal and rebirth, the inscription around the tree reads, “The spirit of this city and this nation will not be defeated; our deeply rooted faith sustains us.”

Worship Service the morning of the race at the Survivor Tree

And it was a beautiful morning to have Worship Time around the Survivor Tree just before we started the race.


What a humbling experience this weekend was!

A Race to Remember

WE DID IT!!!  (Glory to God!!!)

OKCity GetFit Marathon Team

Back in November or December of last year, Morgan asked me if I would be interested in helping out with training a running group.  I gladly said yes, not knowing what to expect.

I have been an athlete as long as I can remember.  I have coached many teams throughout my adult years.  And I have trained myself for several different races. But, I had no idea what to expect with leading a running group.   This experience was much bigger and better than I ever imagined it would be.  In my 37years, this weekend was probably my most proudest athletic achievement.  And it wasn't just because I finished my first full marathon....but more because I felt like I had a TEAM that did it with me. 

Growing up I recall playing basketball, running track, and cheering. These were my fondest memories.  Thinking back on those days I remember lots of training/practicing together, as well as, all the competing together.  But, what made it so "memorable" was the laughing together, the crying together, the pushing and challenging one another, the encouraging of one another, and the praying together. 

Our running group did the same thing this past weekend and in the past four months. 
WE TRAINED.
WE PUSHED EACH OTHER.
WE ENCOURAGED.
WE LAUGHED.
WE PRAYED.
WE RAN.
WE WERE A TEAM!!!!!

This was indeed a Race to Remember! 

Love this group of women!

***This week I will be posting A LOT more pics and a few more blogs on our weekend together!! STAY TUNED!!

Oklahoma City Bound!!

Has it occurred to you that among the 11 or 12 of us ladies we will have covered 104.8miles as of Sunday mid-day??  OVER 100 Miles!! FOUR FULL MARATHONS IN ALL!  WOWZERS!!!  That's CRAZY!  And I love that we are crazy!

This past week has been full of preparation, planning, packing, and of course our last group runs and meetings! 

Morgan, Wendy, Stacy, Becky, Jynna, and Shelley--last group run

Look at us? We must be getting smaller from all the mileage we have put in cos we fit in the camera shot at arm length!!

And now the weekend is here!! :-).  We are packing our bags.  We will carpool 3hrs to Oklahoma City.  We will check in.  We will walk, talk, and settle our nerves......  

My bags! My shoes! My watch! My deodorant!  ALL THE NECESSITIES!!

And take a look at what Morgan did tonight! HAHA! She thinks we are gonna be really hungry this weekend!!! :-).

Morgan went shopping! Can you say CARBLOADING?? LOL

Tomorrow begins the Memorial Marathon Adventure!  May God Bless each of us as we take part in something that is so much bigger than us! I can't wait to see what is in store!  LET'S RUN THE RACE!!!!

Getting Anxious and Antsy Legs

It has been so hard not to take off for a long run this week!  My legs are itching for a long run:-)>  But I am saving it for the Race Day!!!

It's almost here!!!  And tonight, we have our final training session (which everyone is invited too).  I am excited but also sad that it's almost here:-).  We have worked so hard.  We have grown quite close.  We have shared a lot in the past few months.  We have prayed a lot. And, we have some mighty sexy legs to show for it:-). HAHA!

So a few things we will go over tonight....
1) Final Training (jog, walk, stretch, fellowship and pray) at 5:30pm at the track.
2) Please be sure to PRINT your EMAIL CONFIRMATION and bring with you to the Expo to pick up your bag with your race bib, timers, and goodies!
3) We have two departure times...and tonight we'd like to know which departure time you prefer? Morgan has a early crew leaving around 9am.  Mandy has a crew leaving around noon or shortly after.
4) Don't forget to check the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon weblink for some cool details.  One really cool option is to have love ones receive messages about where you are in your race and how you are doing.  Also, there is an APP you can download, too, that will track you.  My husband will be using this Sunday to map us out---while he is in church:-). LOL!!
Also, check out the course and such.  It's always good to get an idea of what to expect!
5) Get those ipods and iphones ready!! Update your favorite music and such.  I always start off with some really slow and old country music so I can make myself settle down and start with an easy pace...rather than get competitive and try to out run everyone at the starting line!  (If you know me, you know that I am serious about that! I can get very competetive!  Ronnie Millsap will slow me down, tho!)


WHAT TO BRING: (This is straight from my personal list)
-shoes and I bring two pairs to be on the safe side
-socks and I bring a few pairs (just in case it rains or something)
-Email Confirmation
-iphone/ipod
-ear phones
-body glide
-ponytail and head band
-running capris and running shorts
-cotton panties (cos I'd be nervous inside---lol)
-bathroom necessities
-running watch
-comfy flip flops for ride home
-clothing
-light jacket
-sunscreen
-chapstick
-GU or Energy Supplements for half and full marathoners
-extra money (we would like to eat an after meal together on the way home since we are coming into two different groups on the way there---and we will most likely be very hungry by then)
-I will bring a little medical kit too.
-favorite snacks or pre-run meal (protein/energy bars or such).  We will have the typical fruit and PBJ sandwich stuff.

For most of yall, this may be a first time race.  And if so, my suggestion is to not worry about anything.  Go with the flow.  Don't worry about the details.  Show up, run, and take in the every part of the first time experience.  Don't worry about time, pace, or any of that stuff.  Take in the crowd. Take in the run.  Take in the other runners.  Enjoy OKCity scenery.  I saw on the marathon website this quote....and I loved it, "The Memorial Marathon is not about running, it is about life."

Race Week!!! Race Week!!! Race Week!!!

I am sooo flip'n excited!!!  It is almost time to run our race!!!!  This week's agenda seems silly to post....cos it is such an easy week.  HA!  But it is soo very important that you follow this agenda to keep your legs fresh and prevent injury.  And trust me, you will want to run and workout more than I am posting, but this once, I am asking you to NOT DO IT!  And yes, that goes for me too:-).

RACE WEEK AGENDA:
10K/12K-
Easy 2miles and/or cross train
Easy 3miles with lots of stopping and stretching (this should not be done any later than Wednesday)
Easy 2miles
**Take several short walks this week too....and get inside your head to start to start mentally preparing for your race

Half Marathoner-
Easy 3miles and/or cross train
Easy 4miles with several walking and stretching breaks (like around every half mile)--**this needs to be done no later than Wednesday
Easy 2miles
**Take several short walks this week too....and get inside your head to start to start mentally preparing for your race 

Several things to do this week......(I have links posted on the underline words)
1) Go to the Oklahoma City Memorial Website and do some homework.  Check out the course, check out the FAQ section, and other race info.
2) Fuel and hydrate properly this week.  Lay off the sodas and adult beverages until after the race:-). And educate yourself on what to do and what NOT do during the race as far as drink stations and fuel is concerned. 
3) REST!!!   Rest early this week, cos if you are anything like me, the day(s) just prior to race I am sure we will be too anxious and nervous to rest well! HA!
4) Start thinking about what you want to bring. I will make a separate post about this tonight or tomorrow.
5) Pray

Also something else you may want to know about----if you go to the Oklahoma City Marathon Website...half way through the homepage, you can find a section that is for your friends and family back home.  You can have your loved ones follow you on your race through messaging systems.  This looks super cool and I know my family will be using it.

I am sure I am leaving out some important info.  As the race draws closer, I will be sure to keep this blog updated with information, as I think of it.

Motivation or Fear?

The Boston Marathon, a world famous and one of the most prestigious marathon races, was bombed yesterday near the finishing line.  Words can't express how sad and how angry I was to hear and see the footage I was seeing on the news.  Innocent spectators cheering on their loved ones as they were finishing up a 26.2mile race.........were killed or severely injured!  It was a bloody, scary mess:-(

As a runner, I know what an emotional moment this can be as you near or cross the finish line of a race that has taken months of preparation for.  But yesterday, these runner had to endure a completely different emotion as they finished their race.  And because of this, I am more determined than ever to run 26.2miles in 12days.

BUT----I want to admit something though right now.  As I watched the news, I had an immediate reaction of fear.  Fear for Boston.  Fear for our country.  And fear to run in the Oklahoma City Marathon.

http://www.okcmarathon.com/Home/AboutUs/tabid/63/Default.aspx

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is a race that benefits the 1995 bombing of Oklahoma City, that took 168 lives.  WOW!! Talk about hitting home!  Thoughts filled my mind....is it safe to run this race since this race does benefit those who lost lives in the OKC "bombing"? Is it safe to race when it's only 13 days from the Boston Marathon race, in which no one has been made responsible for such a hatred crime?  Will they cancel the marathon?  Will I want to run the race now? -----For once I was fearful for running the race!!! FEAR!!

A few hours later..........my fears turned into motivation!  You know why? Well, maybe my kids shed some light on this? Zander looked me right in the eye and said, "You aren't safe ANYWHERE, are you mom?"  You know why he says that? Because our kids are questioning our safety these days.  I mean, who shoots people in a movie theater??  Who bombs buildings of innocent people?  Who blows up planes and crashes them into buildings? Who goes into our schools and kills our children and teachers? Who bombs a marathon race? This is insane!!!  And my kids have FEAR, just as I do!  But guess what, I do not want to have my kids living in fear.  I want them to live life as God intended full of PASSION, COMPASSION and LOVE.  Just as Jesus modeled.

If I have fear of running this race, I am letting "the bad guys" win.  My passion has been for running.  My life has changed because of my love for running.  I will not let them take away this passion.  I am more motivated to run this marathon (hurt foot or not) than ever before.  I want to run because I love it.  I want to run to remember the Oklahoma City Bombing.  I want to run for the Boston Bombing.  And I want to run to show my kids what this stands for!

This will definitely be a race to remember!!!!

13 Days and Counting.....

I can't believe it is almost here!  I am so excited!!!!! (Please foot be healed! Please foot be healed!) 

So today at CrossFit, I could definitely tell that the heat and humidity was getting to me! Which is why I want to remind everyone to please hydrate yourselves.  The weather is getting much warmer and with only 13 days till race day, your water intake is very important now! Lay off the soda and drink tea if you need the caffeine.  Otherwise, water, water, water!!!

Got us a nice easy week planned:
Monday: 3 or 4 easy miles on the track
MidWeek: 4miles with no stopping
10K/12K LONG RUN:  One hour easy jog and walk
HALF MARATHONERS: 8miles easy OR 1hr30mins of jogging/walking

***And I just turned on the TV to hear about the Boston Marathon Explosion! WOW! Scarey!  Be praying for them!  Kind of makes your hair stand up:-(