The Oklahoma City Memorial marathon has special meaning in all of Oklahoma's hearts because it's in remembrance of the 168 people who died of a vicious evil act. I had been looking forward to running this race since I ran my first marathon last November at Route 66 in Tulsa. Even though I trained for Route 66 I was completely out of shape and almost let the Tulsa race defeat me. I wasn't going to let that happen again as I started training for the Okc memorial marathon. I was my own coach as always and started my goal to run a 4 hour marathon in 4 months!!
A change happened in my life first by giving blood after Christmas. I found out I had a very high cholesterol count and I needed to get it down. It was around that time I changed my eating habits and started eating more fruits and veggies to get better control of my cholesterol and at the same time lose some weight!! I quit eating out but when I did eat out with friends I looked for healthy choices. My goal for my 2nd marathon was to be better, stronger, and faster than my last one, and that's going to continue. After 4 months of training, and reaching my racing weight for the Okc memorial marathon of 160 lbs I was almost ready. I didn't gain the flexible i wanted to get my 4 hour marathon but I was 55 lbs lighter than my last full marathon.
On the day of the marathon I felt like I was ready and I was going to run this thing no matter what the weather or anything else. God blessed us with cool weather that day with plenty of hydration falling from the sky and that was enough for me. I ran in name of Randy Guzman, the marine on the 6th floor, my niece"s fiance. I met up with one of my disciples from my running group at the beginning of the race Sarah Knief who was running her 2nd half marathon! We took off together at the 10 min per mile marker but didn't see her again in the race. The rain and the cold didn't bother me most of the marathon as I made it to the 13.1 mark in 2hrs 14 mins which tied my PR for the half. I kept a 10 mins a mile pace until I got at Lake Hefner and started developing cramps in my calves. I took electrolyte pills and they seem to work and I ran another 10 miles before I got cramps again. No injuries in this race stayed healthy the whole way even tho it hailed. I had no problem with the weather maybe somebody else did but the only thing I was concerned about was cramps and tight muscles. As long as my legs were going I was going to finish in 4 something hours. I was so into the time factor in this race and not just finishing which I did in 5 hrs 25 mins which broke my old record of 6 hrs 51 mins in Route 66.
This was a great race and I had a good time met some good people along the way. If you ever think about doing your first marathon this is a great one. Never give up on your goals and this was a good one even if you don't run the interest is there. Crossing the finish line in my 2nd marathon was even more wonderful a feeling and planing to do White Rock Dallas marathon on Dec 4!! Thank u for reading and God bless u all!! See ya on the running trails!!
Ralph Breckenridge Jr
Monday, May 9, 2011
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