OKC Half Marathon Recap

It is amazing how good a race feels when you actually pace yourself!  Before Sunday, I had never wore a watch, calculated my time, etc. for a race.  Sure, I watched the race clocks and hoped for the best, but making those calculations in your head is so difficult while running.  Jodi's brain while running: no oxygen = no math.

I picked up this gem of a freebie at the race expo on Friday and decided that I would give it a go:

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, I also had this handy thing to keep me on track:

Yes, I got a Garmin.  Yes, I love it.  Yes, I am a true runner now.  Yes, I needed it.  No, I don't know how to work it. 

Leading up to the race, I thought I would try and run/walk combo and just enjoy the crowds, etc.  However, last Saturday, I had a pretty decent 8 miler which gave me confidence to actually try to see what I could accomplish given the amount of training I was able to put in.  I thought 2:15 was a conservative effort and felt pretty confident that I could meet that goal. This neat little tattoo provides split times for each mile so that you can maintain a consistent pace throughout the race, something I have never been able to accomplish.
 This race was all about not doing anything stupid that would negatively affect the runner's high that I am currently floating on 24/7.  I DID NOT want to be miserable by the end of the race, swearing that I would never run again as long as I lived.  I have been there and its not pretty folks.

Anyway, I carpooled to the start with my newly found group of running friends.

at the start; OKC bombing memorial 

Katie (in the pink) ran the half in 2 hours!! The other three all ran the full marathon and totally killed it!

We all started the race together, but it was pretty evident from the start that they were going out to fast for my comfort level.  So, after about half a mile, I was racing solo.  It was so hard in those first few miles to go slow.  The pace felt unnatural to what I was usually running, granted I have usually only been running 4 - 5 miles at a time, so I knew that if I want what felt natural, Bill would be picking my butt up at the medical tent on mile 8.  So I made a game out of my tattoo and Garmin combo.

After my legs warmed up, the miles seemed pretty easy.  Bill and Evan, dressed in team Jodi garb: 

planned to meet me around mile 6.  The day before we drove the marathon course looking for good spectating spots.  However, I did not realize that the first one we choose was the exchange point for the relay (go figure) and was therefore blocked to traffic.  Instead, they went to mile 9, where they were able to see the winners passing by: 

 

 

I followed shortly behind.  You know, give or take 40 minutes. 

 

This picture was taken at mile 9.  Obviously, I am the one running like a total dork on the wrong side of the road.  I had to stop and get a kiss from my two favorite guys! 

I was feeling really good at this point.  I have only ran this course one other time and it was here that I decided to speed it up last time. I regretted that decision in that race and was determined not to make the same mistake again, so i just kept trucking along at what felt like a comfortably, slow pace.  Life was good. 

I next saw Bill around mile 11.  It was here that I began to really realize that I was going to be able to run this entire race without stopping.  Granted, it was at a slower pace than I have previously ran, but all things considered, I was making good time for my current fitness level.  Most importantly, I was staying on pace, loving the race, and actually was not cursing myself for signing up for such a ridiculous event.  This is a miracle people.  I can only remember one other time when I ran a race, whether it be a 5K or marathon, that I did not feel like giving up at the end.  Go figure, that pacing thing people yap about actually works. 

That's me.  Still in the neon pink and black biker shorts.  Yes, I realize my outfit looks like Jane Fonda meets Richard Simmons.  Deal with it. 

Miles 11 - 13 were through one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in OKC, Heritage Hills.  It was right about this time that it started raining, big time.  I welcomed the rain at first, but it got to be a little annoying toward the end.  At about mile 12 I was still feeling strong and actually was able to encourage another female runner who was running alone.  She had stopped on this final stretch before the big turn to the finish and I let her know that she could run with me and that we would finish this race.  That is one of the greatest things about running.  I have been in races were someone helps me past the final push when I want to give up and walk so bad.  I remember those times like it was yesterday.  I am just glad that in this race, I was able to be that support for someone else.  

When I reached the final half mile, I decided just to go far it and increase my pace.  It felt a little silly sprinting at that point because, lets face it, I just ran a half marathon averaging over a 10 minute mile so if I had juice left, I could have wasted a little more earlier in the race.  However, it felt good to have that energy and finish strong.  Final time:  2:16.  Tattoo goal: 2:15.  Not a bad day, folks, not a bad day at all.  

Bill had planned to meet me at the finish, but given the rain decided to wait with little man in the parking lot.  I was so excited to see the two of them! 

 mommy's biggest fan

At that point, my friends running the marathon were in the last 1/3 of the race, and Bill and I decided to cheer for them on Classen, which is the longest stretch of road that spans for a few miles.  We were able to watch them in between 22 and 23 and they were looking so strong: 

Yes, they are amazing!  When it was raining on me in the nice, tree-covered neighborhood, they were running at the lake where the wind feels doubled and there is no cover in sight.  I could not be more proud of them.  

Overall, I felt the race went great.  No it wasn't my best time ever, but I went into it with a goal and stayed on target the entire race.  I learned something very very important in this race.  Training is for getting faster; racing is for pacing.   For once, I finished a race excited to plan for the next one.  Excited to get a tattoo with a lower time.  Excited to continue to float on this runner's high.

Bill, being the amazing husband that he is, grilled our buffalo burgers from the farmer's market as a celebratory post-race meal.  I am so lucky for a husband who cooks!