Running a race in a different city is much more than the few hours it takes to run the race.  You’ve got the traveling, race expo and race packet pick-up, finding a place to stay that’s close to the race but not too expensive, getting up early, actually RUNNING, post-race celebration, and the long trip home. 

IMG_1527.JPG
Originally uploaded by kerner.

First up – the drive to Tulsa.  It’s only about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Springfield, on a toll road even, so it’s a really easy drive. 

Plus, you get to see the world’s biggest McDonald’s (over I-44 near Vinita, OK). 

When we got into Tulsa, we went immediately to the race expo to pick up our race numbers, timing chips, and race shirts.  The expo was pretty small, but it was the first year for this race so it was to be expected.  Still, Emily and I were on the hunt for matching race gear so we headed to Target to check out their selection.  (Last spring when we ran a race in St. Louis we saw girls with matching shirts and it was really cute.)

We found some matching pink jackets, and then headed over for window shopping and people watching at Utica Square. 

IMG_1531.JPG
Originally uploaded by kerner.

We headed over to my uncle’s house for dinner – yes, we "carbo-loaded" with some yummy spaghetti and meatballs!  We watched Seabiscuit for inspiration and went to bed early – race starts at 8am!

Here’s our pre-race photo – it’s the best we’ll look for the rest of this post! 

We got the the start line about 30 minutes before the start of the race.  It was pretty easy to find parking close to the start – another benefit to a new, relatively small race!  I think about 4,000 people participated in the marathon, half marathon, and marathon relay.  

IMG_1534.JPG
Originally uploaded by kerner.

Here we are part-way through the race – either at mile 7 or 9.  My uncle came out and took some pictures of us while we were running, which was very handy. 

We were right on pace at this point – a bit later in the race my knee started hurting (an old injury flaring up – I’m hoping not!) and we were running against the wind so we slowed our pace a bit.  

We made it through the last three miles relatively well and I ignored my knee pain long enough to do my typical sprint to the finish line – I’m a competitor at heart, even when I’m at the back of the pack!

Yay!  Here we are after the race, with our finisher’s medals!  The after-race food was pretty good – fruit, bagels, cookies, powerade – the usual.  Also, they randomly were passing out hamburgers and chicken wings for a while, but all the hamburgers were gone by the time we got to that part of the line. 

IMG_1528.JPG
Originally uploaded by kerner.

My bagel only tided me over so for long, so after we went back and changed clothes we went to Emily’s favorite restaurant EVER – Lanna Thai – for lunch.  It was really good – you can’t get great Thai food in Springfield, so I was very happy. 

And that’s the end of my race weekend!