Tulsa Half Marathon. Part 1

So I have been fighting with blogger regarding pictures. To make a very long story short, this is going to be the verbal recap of my race. I'll do another post with pics, once I figure out what is wrong.

Here we go!

Gorgeous weather. I could not have asked for better weather. I was super excited, and anxious. After getting there around 6:45, I headed over to the port a potty line, in which I did not get through until 7:26. Race starts at 7:30. So I ran over to the starting corral with just enough time to put in my headphones and take a pic. Then we were off. I started with Jen and a nice comfortable pace. It was so fun seeing the thousands of runners just fill the road. Indescribable. I had told Jen to leave me if I was too slow, because honestly, I knew she could run faster than what we normally did. And she took me up on it. And was glad. So basically, I cruised until mile 9. I think I hit the "wall" so many talk about. It just was really hard at that point. But after about 5 minutes of a mental pep talk, I was back on track. That is until mile 11. I ran under this overpass, then suddenly realized, I was lightheaded. So I ran a little more, thinking I was just imagining it . Nope. I wasn't. So much to my dismay, I stopped and walked. Goal #1, missed. I did not want to walk at all. So as I'm walking, its not getting any better, so I plop myself on the curb amongst the spectators, much to my embarrassment, and put my head between my legs. And rested. Then got up and started again. I saw the hydration station ahead at mile 12 and decided to walk there and then guzzle some Gatorade and water. Which I did. I mile to go. So I start running again. Only to find an excruciating pain in my right knee, had me literally hobbling. What the heck??? I walk, then try again. Same terrible pain. So at this point, I'm about to cry. I am so close to the finish, I do not want to walk the last mile. Some where deep within, I mustered up the courage to try to run again. This time, I was going to push through the pain. And I did. Once I started and ran on it a little bit, the pain subsided substantially. I ran the last mile. I even picked it up a bit for a strong finish. Nothing, I tell you, nothing feels like the feeling of when you cross that finish line and your done. 13.1 miles. I did it. I got my medal, took my finisher's pic, and hobbled to the food tent to devour some pizza, bagels and oranges.

So after some reflection, here were my mistakes. I think I should have had a mid run snack, which I did not. There are many things out there that you can eat like sports beans, gu packets, etc. I think not doing that and my long sleeved shirt were my demise. I got too hot in that long sleeved shirt. As far as the knee goes, I have no idea. I actually ran 3 miles for the first time since the race yesterday and my knee gave out again. So reluctantly, I made an appointment with an orthopedic dr. and am going to take a short break.

It was an amazing experience. And I want to thank all of you who made such encouraging comments along the way. I hope you'll venture out yourselves, if you haven't already done it, and try your hand at a half marathon. There's nothing like it. And if I can do it, I promise you, YOU can do it!!!

Stay tuned for pics.