Oklahoma Memorial 5K Run - April 29, 2012

                                                       Amanda and Me -- 6:30 a.m.!

Sunday marked the 12th Annual Oklahoma Memorial Marathon, which takes place in Oklahoma City every year in memoriam of the 168 souls lost in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building. The events that are offered are the 1-mile fun run, 5K, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon and the Full Marathon. Runners from all over the country lace up their sneaks and hit the pavement. This year, over 30,000 people participated in the event and every state in the U.S. was represented (except Delaware—so if you are reading this and live in Delaware…you need to come out next year and represent!!!)

Due to my bum knee [as referenced in my last post] and the coercing of a friend to participate with her, I woke up at the crack of dawn (4:45 a.m.) to run the 5K. This is the second time I have taken part in this event—the last time was for the Half Marathon—and it is a madhouse downtown on race morning with participants and spectators all over the place. It took 20 minutes for the Half and Full marathoners to cross the start line there were so many people.

Once Half and Full were off, they opened the 5K Corral and we began our race. Although there was rain on the horizon, it stayed dry for the entire 3.1 miles that I ran and the weather conditions were perfect. Not too hot…not too cold—beautiful even.

I had previously purchased a brace to hold my knee in place for the run, but at mile 2.5 my knee gave out and the pain was immense; however, I carried on. I knew I was so close to the end and I actually ended up being one of the first finishers across the line! I paid for my choice to run for the rest of the day and even today it hurts to walk.

The only problem I had with this race were the walkers. I understand that this is a 5K run/walk—but if you are a walker in a 5K—or any event that includes running—get in the back. Seriously. Not only do these people not get in the back, they walk RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of the street. It makes it difficult for runners to pass, especially since many of us like to time our runs. My time would have been so much better if I hadn’t been held up [and if my knee wasn’t being a little bitch]…but oh well!

So…since this blog is pretty much all about me…and entirely narcissistic…you know that I am not above blowing my own horn. I am amazing…not only did I run this race—and finish it in excruciating pain—but I was one of the first done. It was a ghost town by all of the water bottle/fruit/hamburger stations when I finished…and about 5 minutes later…hoards of people came in.

Running is not something that I enjoy—but I really like the results my body has seen from it. I get off on the feeling of euphoria after a run. I love having something that I am good at. This is why I hope—I pray—that my appointment on Wednesday with the orthopedist goes very smoothly and he tells me the fix is easy and simple…and I’ll be running at my peak again very soon.

Here is a picture of Amanda, Amanda’s sister and me [and my Icy Hot knee sleeve]. Look—we have medals for being awesome!!!