2012 Oklahoma City Memorial Memorial Marathon (A Run to Remember)

Hello friends

  The 2012 Okc Memorial Marathon was my 7th time being involved in the event that has touched so many lives and remember the 168 people who were killed April 19, 1995.  In 2005 of the event did the Memorial 5k run/walk which was in it's first year and I hadn't ran any race  longer than a 5k at that time!! Since then I've ran 4 half marathons and 2 full marathons just for the Oklahoma City Memorial marathon, running in memory of friend Randy Guzman, the marine killed on the 6th floor.

I've been a member of the Okc running club since July 1, 2004 who I trained with and met some great everlasting friendships. If you ever need  someone to run with this is a great group. In my training leading up the 2012 Oklahoma City memorial marathon I ran Little Rock marathon on March 4, 2012 and A2A marathon of Ardmore on April 1, 2012 in an attempt to become a Marathon Maniac by running in 3 marathons in 57 days which I became after running the Okc memorial marathon! Marathon Maniac is an online club website which has requirements for membership in certain amount of months or days you do marathons.

  Okc memorial marathon had 25,000 runners this year, many spectators, and volunteers to make this race, one to remember! And starts with 168 seconds of silence for the 168 people killed in the bombing in April 19, 1995 and the National Anthem! I knew I was ready as usual for a race!! For most of the race I ran at a 10 minute per mile pace according to my Garmin watch and tried to keep it at the pace but like my other marathon race I lacked a marathon kick my last 6 miles of the race. My marathon time was 2 mins slower than last year running a time of 2 hours 27 minutes.  I've since talked with a friend about that so I'll have closing speed for next race. Really enjoyed the race and spectators. It rain a little bit but this was nothing like I endured last year rain and hail!! And since I train in the evening heat  after work that marathon day felt cool with misty rain. I take that over tornadoes any old day!!

 Having been involved with my 7th memorial has very special meaning in my heart and as long as I'm living will always run this race!! Even if I have to use a wheelchair, the challenge is there. Looking forward to next year. Thank u all for reading.
                                                     God bless

                                             Ralph Breckenridge jr