My wife and I met Ned Landers and his wife Kate at a resort in Cancun last year when we were on vacation. Ned and I get to talking and Ned is and American Veteran. One of those people I give my highest respects to. I proceed to tell Ned how I belong to Team RWB and how I try to honor American Veterans during some of my races. He immediately invited me to come run the OKC Memorial race that is held in memory of those lives lost and adversely effected by the bombings that took place there 20 years ago this year. I instantly felt compelled to do it as soon as he mentioned it. Especially considering my 12 in 2015 goal. So, we kept in touch after arriving back in the state. A few months go by and I secured my registration for the race and made sure to tell Ned that I am officially registered for the race on April 26th 2015. Which also happens to be our 18th wedding anniversary for my wife and I. You've all read how awesome my wife is through my blog here, but let me tell you what a wonderful woman I am married to. When I told her that the race was ON OUR ANNIVERSARY she never blinked. She insisted that I run the race knowing how much it would mean to me and even more importantly, how much it would mean to the veterans I'm honoring. She ASTOUNDS me!! I hit the jackpot, got a bingo, and a full house all at the same time when I took vows with her. You're Awesome Baby!!
But, I'm getting distracted...
There were talks of motorcycle escorts along the plans that never came to fruition because of liability issues, but there were other plans that Ned would jump in the race at the 10 mile marker and help me bring Old Glory to the finish line. Ned knew this would get the rest of the gang to the race just so they could see the leader of the American Veterans Motorcycle Club (who doesn't run, by the way) run for 3 miles and keep up with what they were referring to as a (professional runner). There were plans to have my favorite after run beer there, landshark lager with lime wedge, and lots of pictures. And to make it even better, I was going to have my 3 favorite ladies there to cheer me on. My wife, my daughter and my Mom who was traveling up with my stepdad who is another American hero from the Vietnam War. Thanks for your service Pop!! There were news cameras hovering helicopters over me constantly it seemed and I couldn't help but notice the big news cameras at the finish that captured Ned and I bring Old Glory across the finish line. Now it's understood that the helicopters were not just there for me. But, by golly I got nervous anyway!! I've honored veterans before but, never have the veterans I'm honoring been right there along the race course. Let alone, actually running WITH me. So, I was nervous!
A week or so before the race I get my email with my bib number. Then panic set in!
I had to take a step back and remember that these guys are just happy to be remembered let alone have some little runner guy carry a flag for 13.1 miles in their honor. It'll be fine John! I kept telling myself this the entire week.
My wife, Daughter and I all traveled to OKC a day early to have a chance to relax and get some time with my Mom and Stepdad and enjoy some family time. We even took in the local scenery trying out Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill there in OKC. Kind of a cool place...once. Of course this was after taking time to go to the expo to pick up my race packet/bib. And while I was there I even got a picture with the TomTom Rep.
I spent time with the family that evening getting in my carbs at a local Italian restaurant across the way from the hotel were staying at. Then had some "Anniversary drinks" in a Hilton across the way where we met a couple of ladies who happen to be running the OKC as well. They were running the full marathon and had arrived early as well. Shout out to Michelle Bovee and See C Run!! You ladies are motivating!!!
I got to bed early the night before the race and had everything staged to an easy get away in the morning. I even had the specially purchased flag that Ned and the guys at AVMC had provided just for THIS race race. As I was staged in corral D, I sent a text to Ned knowing that he planned on being at the start of the race. I let Old Glory fly early to give Ned an easy way to find me. Ned and Pill Box (nickname) found me and kept me company as the race slowly began letting the first to corrals get on the road. It takes quite a while to let 26,000 people get started in a marathon setting.
I had no plans for a PR or even a specific pace or finish time in mind. It was all about honoring our vets on this day. It's a good thing I didn't make any goals because my stomach was in knots as it was anyway. It was really encouraging to find some of my friends from the Rockwall Running Club along the way cheering and taking pictures for us all.
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I got to mile 10 with no problems and eventually I caught sight of Ned standing in the median of a major street that the course follows. Ned jumped in there and we cantored our way toward the finish line. Ned was even nice enough to carry the flag for me as I made sure to text my wife as we approached the last mile so she could have some idea of when I might be crossing the finish line. As Ned and I approached the timing towers as the finish, I invited Ned to grab the handle on the flag pole and we brought Old Glory home together. Let me tell ya!..THAT WAS COOL!!!!!!
That made for a runner's high like I've never had before. I was so appreciative of all I have and what these guys (our vets) fight for. I was PUMPED!!!
Now Ned and I have crossed the finish line. We're both really pumped and pooped at the same time. "It's time for some nutrition and that beer we talked about Ned", were the first words out of my mouth after catching my breath from speeding up toward the finish. I grabbed a chocolate milk for the long walk to go back to the gang where they were taking pictures and video from the side. But, I hadn't found my family yet. So, I picked up my phone to call and low & behold, my wife is calling me. After some confusion, we found one another for the "post race" pics and went to go get that beer.
Ned and I made our way around the barricades and found the members of the AVMC and after a few pictures, the vets took time to properly fold Old Glory so that they can get a shadow box and have it displayed at the clubhouse next to the picture that I took with the gang.
Now anytime I go to OKC I'm invited to go to the AVMC clubhouse and see the display and remember the day that made me so nervous and left me so pumped. It was definitely one for the record books!
And I finished off that entire 6 pack of LandShark Lager with exception to the one I gave to my wife. And the best part of that? With the 3.2 laws in Oklahoma, I never even came close to getting drunk. Wait...maybe that's bad news. Haha!!! Wink Wink
Remember...
Happiness is a Choice; Make it Daily
