Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon - 2009

I didn't run this one. Instead, Joe and I met at RunnersWorld Tulsa at 3:30 a.m. and headed to Oklahoma City to cheer for our teammates. It was warm, humid, and extremely windy. I don't think anybody met their time goal. I am actually glad I didn't run the race.

We had a pretty good sized bunch running the marathon and half marathon this year. We gathered at 5:45 a.m. for a group picture in front of the Methodist church.

The race started at 6:30. Joe and I watched everyone take off, and then we took off for his car and drove to about the 6 mile mark. We had trouble figuring how to get out of downtown, because most of the roads were either blocked because of the race or were one way in the wrong direction. Finally we were able to get out of downtown. We found a spot to park in a neighborhood about a quarter mile from the course, and then we changed into our shorts and ran to meet our runners. Everyone still looked good at that point. Fred Isaacs was the first one to pass us, of the runners who regularly train with the group. He waved as he passed by, as did most of the runners who were alert enough to recognize us. Joye was still enjoying herself at this point, and she actually had a great day, getting a new marathon PR! As soon as Tom and Bobby passed, Joe and I ran back to his car and headed to the 13-14 mile point. We figured we might just have enough time to catch Fred as he passed. We made it just in time. Fred (#435) still looked good at about 13.5 miles, just before the turn into the wind. Shortly after Fred, Marshall passed, and he was still looking fresh. Marshall, by the way, had a great race, finishing in 3:45. The first RunnersWorld woman was the amazing Neely Shenloogian. She reached the half a 1:55, which is exactly my half time from last year. Joe and I hung out at the turnaround for a long time, encouraging and giving advice to our runners, but we wanted to make it back to the finish before Fred, and my email alert said he would make it there by 10:15 if he maintained pace. So we headed to the finish. Got there at 10:12 - too late to see Marshall, but hopefully in time for Fred. We waited, and waited, and waited. Seems he had started cramping around mile 22. So, his finish was 4:05, rather than the 3:45 that he had been on pace for. Neely finished in 4:09. Not too bad for a first marathon. We stayed and cheered and took pictures until Kathy, Jason, and Joye finished, and then headed back to Tulsa. I am so proud of all who finished either the marathon or half marathon. To see more pictures, check out my facebook.