OCO ½ Marathon - Lucky Number III

In 2014 the temperature at race time was 38 degrees with a 25 mph north wind. That meant that we were running straight into the wind for 6.55 miles on this out and back course. In 2015 the temperature at race time was 36 degrees with a 25 mph south wind. Still cold, but a lovely tailwind on the run back into town. This year, 2016, the temperature was 39 degrees at race time and the wind was only 10 mph from the west! It couldn’t be more perfect and by the time I was finished it was a beautiful 60 degree day. Third time’s the charm for this 13.1 mile run!

Race Director Meghan has been kind enough to let me start early for this race and this year opened

Love spending time with Dixie W. 

up that option to others. I was not alone out on the course as I started this run! There were three other people who took advantage of this option and even though two wandered far in front of me and one lagged far behind I didn’t feel isolated. I have never felt afraid or uncomfortable on this run out in the sandhills alone, but it can feel like you are the only person on earth with very little traffic and no clear view of the horizon because of the hills.

My training had included several long 8 - 10 mile run/walks so I felt prepared and was actually hoping to push for a PR. For the first 9 miles I held to the pace I wanted, banking several minutes in the early miles to spend later in the race. But somewhere around mile 9.5 I really started to lag. I knew at that point I was not going to place (Gina G and another lady I was sure was in my age group had already caught and passed me, rats), so I had to decide if it was worth pushing my body hard and paying the price for a record that only I would care about. While others may have said it would be a personal victory and that I should have pushed on, I know I have to live with the aftermath of that effort. I decided to not push and enjoy the ride, if it can be called joy when my hips and knees are making every step feel like ice picks are being driven through my joints. So I walked the next three miles.

In true finisher form I managed to run parts of the last mile and finished with a respectable time, for a

Finishing my 7th 13.1. 

turtle. I was hurting but managed to snag a couple of cold water bottles and hold them against my hips and knees. I really need to invest in some ice packs.

And then we waited for the last finisher. She started with me 45 minutes ahead of the official start and was way behind me when I saw her on my way back. So we waited. And waited. Most others drifted on home to take a shower or soak in a tub. Only the volunteers, Race Director Meghan, and I remained, but we waited. When she managed to jog the last 30 yards to the finish line we cheered our loudest to help her home and I got the privilege of putting the finisher medal around her neck. 4:15. That’s 4 hours and 15 minutes of constant effort. If you think walking 13.1 is easy, think again. The joints take a beating like no other. I was proud of her for starting and even prouder that she finished and didn’t stop. Those fast people who finish early are amazing, but the effort put forth by the turtles is just as impressive. It’s hard to be left out there all alone with miles and miles to go. I have nothing but respect for the Back Of The Packers. Turtle Power!

After a bath and a nap I felt almost human. A swollen knee is reminding me a few days latter that I am not young and I do have RA. I’m glad I made the call to opt out of the OKC 13.1 so my body will have a little reprieve. Overall it was a pretty good day with thankfully NO WIND!