Jack Rector Beacon 25K-2/28/09

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtjI5_K4qEU

I completed the Jack Rector Beacon 25K in OKC on 2/28/09. And, just so you don't have to complete the math, 25K=15.5 miles. This was my longest run to date!

Above is a link to me running the last half mile of the run, thanks to my friend Glen! Now before we get to the last half mile, I better start from the beginning of the day. The morning of the race brings 30-40 mph wind, and wind chills in the teens. It took some major urging that it wasn't going to be that bad to get my Aunt Susie out of the door on time. But, we were running late! When we arrived at the race, she let me out and said that she would go park my car, so that I could attempt to make the 9:00 a.m. start. Susie was going to run the 5K, but it didn't start until 9:20 a.m. So I get out of the car with approximately 5 minutes to get my chip and get lined up. So I take off running accross the park. Now, we know I am not exactly the most graceful. So I am sure we all know what is coming next, I manage not to see a wire rope in between two posts, and of course catch my foot as I am running. So I fall over the rope to the ground! Some guy comes running over asking me if I am okay, do I need to go see the medic? I let him know that I am fine, just embarrassed. So I continue on with my pride, and my knee hurting before I am even started! I get in line, and I am trying to put my chip (it records your time) on my shoe when the gun goes off. So we are off and running. The race takes place at Lake Hefner which has no wind protection, so I am bouncing around like a rag doll. But, the only thing I can think about is where is the bathroom?
Mile 1-Where is the bathroom??
Mile 2-Where is the bathroom??
Mile 3-Where is that guy going? Oh my goodness, is that a bathroom I spy? Hurry guy hurry!
Mile 4-This is about when I realize I haven't turned on my Ipod. So I start listening to my music. I also see that I am really at the back of the pack, never a good feeling.
Mile 5-6-I am just battling the wind, and praying that it will eventually be at my back.
Mile 7-8-This is when I am starting to contemplate that I don't really know exactly how the course is laid out. I am thinking that we have to run around the lake twice, but that seems way too long. Then people start coming at me, and I realize that we must have a turn around somewhere.
Mile 8-13-I picked up a new friend. She (Mary) was going to quit, but I talked her into finishing the race with me. I was kind of excited at this point, we had made the turn around, and I was realizing that we weren't going to have to run the lake twice! I was a strong woman! If I could do this in the wind-I could do anything. The marathon is going to seem easy. This is no problem, I have it. Who knows where all these crazy thoughts came from, dehydration, exhaustion.
Mile 14-15-I am pumped up! Mary tells me to go ahead, she can see that I have the energy to push hard for the final two miles. So I run hard in the wind for those miles. I can't wipe the smile off my face!
Mile 15-15.5-Who in the hell designed a course where you run by the finish line, then have to continue running a loop before you can actually go back and cross the line? But, I spy Glen and the video camera at this point, and for some reason that gives me motivation to keep going strong!
I finally cross the finish line at about 2 hours and 50 minutes. Way longer than I ever expected it to take me. But, I reason that I was practically running backwards for 75% of the race, so it was a really good time.
My aunts are waiting for me, and I am so excited to get into my warm car. But, guess what, someone accidently left the lights on (I am not naming any names), and we have to jump the car! But, all in all it was a pretty good day.
And, for anyone who is curious, yes, I have several bruises on my leg, and a scrape.