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Run to Remember

Last weekend I ran the half-marathon at the Run to Remember in Oklahoma City, which is a yearly memorial to the 168 people who died in the bombing in 1995. The race began and ended at the memorial to those who died, which is a constant reminder to the powerful meaning of the race.

I didn't really train for this race, figuring the low altitude and flat course would make it a piece of cake.  I didn't consider that the humidity would be a form of kryptonite for me, the firefighters running with us would continually choke me up to the point of tears, and the two-hour delayed start (due to weather and potential tornadoes) would leave me starving at race start.  So taken as a whole, the race wasn't easy, but it was easily the most moving race I've ever attended, and the people of OKC were very kind and welcoming.

Bringing it back to home, this morning I ran 8 miles in the GOG as a celebration to the first warm day in what seems like forever. With my OKC race still fresh in my mind, I quickly realized that although those race conditions were tough, my 8 miles along the rolling and often steep hills of GOG were tougher.  Our air may be dry, but it's also thin, and the hills are steep...and often long. Just another fabulous training ground that is right in our own back yard.  

And to think I drove 9 hours to run a race in OKC. It was worth it, but I think I'll stay a bit closer to home for a while. 

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Comment by Shelley Hitz on May 10, 2014 at 9:35pm

Wow...a lot of obstacles for you in this race.  We used to live in Ohio where the humidity would get thick and CJ said it was like breathing peanut butter!  Definitely can impact a race.  I can imagine this race was an emotional one too.  

Comment by Bill Beagle on May 5, 2014 at 9:14pm

silly girl….13 miles is 13 miles…and humidity…yuck! yes, we have a great place to train…when I run back east I refer to it as "fat" air.

Comment by Sean O'Day on May 4, 2014 at 10:42am

Nothing worse than getting tornadoed off a course.  :/  Welcome back!

Comment by Tim Bergsten on May 2, 2014 at 1:48pm

Nice work, Jill! A year ago, Shawn Finley (former president of the Jack Quinn's Running Club) and I hauled a load of new and barely used running shoes to the Moore, Okla., tornado victims. I was impressed by how green and beautiful the area was, and with the people, who were so gracious and friendly.

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