26.2, the race report

It's impossible for me to put into words the multitude of emotions that I have about finishing my first marathon. Elation at the success, disappointment for a goal not reached, frustration at the pain felt afterward, joy in sharing the whole experience with my family and friends. I have so many thoughts, I'm not sure they'll all fit into one post either . . . so I'm choosing to share my favorite moments of the race here and will save my other thoughts for later. From OKC I will remember...

- The 168 seconds of silence to honor the 168 victims of the OKC bombing before the start of the race. Immediately before the 168 seconds I'd been particularly frustrated because we were having a difficult time getting into the start corral and I was anxious because I was afraid we wouldn't make it. The hush of 19,000 runners observing the 168 seconds of silence was humbling, and gave me time to think about how fortunate I was to be there.

- Actually starting the race. It was a completely surreal moment, crossing the start line to attempt a marathon.

- Seeing two little boys in the neighborhoods around mile 6 who were very shily holding out their hands to high-five the runners. It's easy to get caught up in your own world out there and focus only on how far you've left to go, but looking at those faces it was obvious they were in awe of the runners. It made me mentally stop and go back and think about what an accomplishment running a marathon really is.

- In the same neighborhood seeing two adorable little girls handing out trays of chocolate...and bacon. Bacon? Really?? Beka tells me that the guy next to her took a piece, which makes me feel better because I can't imagine many runners were eating bacon at mile 6 and I can only imagine these little girls would be crushed if no one ate their offerings.

- Watching the half marathoners turn left at mile 7.5 to finish the last portion of their race, while the marathoners continued straight on up the road. I don't know why, but that moment was very emotional to me - thinking that the half marathoners were very close to done with their journey, while I was just starting mine.

- The Big Top Water Stop. Seeing the guy on stilts actually made me break into a huge smile even though I was really feeling the heat at that point.

- Seeing Matt at mile 12, and nearly breaking down because I was already so tired and knew I still had over 13 miles to go.

- Seeing my parents at the halfway mark, knowing that I was halfway done, but that the second half would be the true challenge.

- Turning onto the road that takes the marathoners around Lake Hefner. I saw Beka at this point on the other side of the road, and was screaming and waving my arms like crazy. The guy next to her saw me, but didn't realize I was trying to get her attention. He must have thought I was completely crazy.

- Hitting the wind head-on for the first time as we turned to go south along the lake. Realizing that the next 12 miles were going to be tough.

- Passing two women with Princess Half Marathon shirts around mile 15 and cheering for them "yay, Princesses!" and hearing them cheer for me after I told them I'd done that race.

- Hitting mile 16 where they started handing out Gu. I didn't need any Gu because I was carrying plenty, but somehow the fact they had it on the course made me feel better.

- Mile 18, where I realized Beka was about 50 feet in front of me. I couldn't believe it. I started running as fast as I could to catch up to her, not necessarily so that I could catch her, but because I wanted to make sure she was okay. It's a true testiment to my love for her that after I'd already run 18 miles and was really starting to feel some pain, I was giving it all I had to run a 9 minute mile to catch up. I kept praying "please let her slow down, please let her slow down!" and of course, she didn't. I think my first words to her after I managed to tap her on the shoulder were "do you know how fast I just had to run to catch up with you?" Feeling relief that I had someone to keep me going.

- Running the last 8 miles of the race with Beka. It was such a relief not to be alone. - Being passed by a guy around mile 19 who went dashing by Beka and I yelling "come on, only two 5ks and a mile left to go." Beka, who is normally so chipper and upbeat, said "yeah, why don't you map it out for us, buddy." Which got a few chuckles from me and some other runners around us. I didn't have the energy left to be sarcastic.

- Seeing my parents, followed by Beka's family, at mile 20. That was a huge pick-me-up, and I knew we were on the downhill slide of the race.

- Around mile 23, my knee started to feel weird. Around mile 24, I stopped to walk and felt searing pain so bad I could barely walk normally, much less run. I was so close to the finish, I could only think about how devasted I would be if I made it to mile 24 and didn't cross the finish line. Beka stopped to walk with me, and miraculously my knee started to loosen itself up. A few minutes later I was pain free - just a muscle cramp. What a huge feeling of relief.

- Passing the last water stop completely around mile 25, knowing we were so close to the finish and not wanting to stop at all.

- Finally rounding the last corner and seeing the finish line - what an incredible feeling. Words can't describe it. Ripping my earbuds out so that I could listen to the crowd as we headed down the straighaway to the finish. Feeling like that banner was so far away. Seeing my parents and Matt just before the finish, and hearing the announcer call out first Beka's name, and then mine. Beka and I started this thing together in January, and we finished together. For a few moments, I didn't feel any pain or exhaustion, I only felt incredible joy that we'd just finished the race.

26.2 miles later...

I'm a marathoner!! I finished the OKC Memorial Marathon on Sunday in 5:03:19. Not really close to my goal time, but considering the hills, the weather, and the fact that this was my first race, I can't be disappointed. I'm just so glad to have done it.

Major props to OzRunner, who finished his first half marathon this weekend, and to Fair Weather Runner who finished her first marathon this weekend and is almost single-handedly responsible for keeping me going for the last several miles of the race.