The first 13.1 miles were absolute bliss. I was on pace to do a sub 3:30!! I took a gel at miles 5 and 10. My original plan was to take one every 39.5 minutes, or 5 miles. At mile 15 I began to feel quite queasy, skipped my scheduled gel, and evaluated my situation.

I came to Tulsa to crack 3:30, and the only thing that was going to stop me was me getting sick/injured. Well, at mile 17 the vomiting began. All I was throwing up was liquid. Thats when I began to realize that I had WAY too much water that morning. I'm not used to fueling for marathons, but instead triathlons. I can drink a ton of water before a tri, because the run is last, and you've already peed/sweat out most fluid by that point. Well, not in the marathon! My pace really slowed down at mile 20, as you can see by my splits, the last 8k took me about an hour and a half!! I threw up 2 more times, miles 23 and 25. I saw my Mom and Dad right after mile 23. I've never been so happy to see familiar faces in my life, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. They are seriously the most awesome parents I could ask for and have NEVER missed a big race of mine...such dedication!
If all of this had not happened, I wouldn't have had the wonderful opportunity to be surrounded by a little bit slower group than what I was originally planning to be running with. The 4hr+ people are probably the most encouraging, uplifting individuals I've encountered. I was listening to a woman telling her running partner how elated she was to be holding a 10min./mile pace. Good for her, for being so positive, unlike so many of us that come down on ourselves too hard for our shortcomings that we assign ourselves!(myself included). At mile 24 I was hunched over, thinking I was about to heave again, when I glaced to my right, to see a Cancer ward of hospital. At that moment, I couldn't help but think that the people in that building would give anything to be outside on such a beautiful Sunday morning, puking their guts out at mile 24 of a Marathon. After that, I didn't stop until the end (except for that last vomit @ mile 25 :) )

I was slightly embarassed to be coming in nearly an hour late of my goal time. But you know what? None there knew my story/goal, and the cheers from the crowd were genuine and sincere, all I could do was smile, and enjoy the moment of finishing. Wether I was on pace or not, it was still a big accomplishment, more mentally than physically. Mental toughness is not something people have, but they build, and let me tell you what this race was a character builder. This race taught me a lot about myself, and that when the going gets tough, KEEP ON RUNNING!!!
If I had to do it again, I absolutley would.

Thank you to all of you for your kind words of encouragement. I will not let you down...I will Boston Qualify, and break 3:30 damn it!!

not drink 64 oz. water prior to the start of a marathon! I'll try to remember that in 2.5 weeks @ sunmart!!

gave mom and dad a hug, got my finisher stuff, and headed to the car.


a full gut of water/ projectile vomiting :)


If you're looking for a well-organized marathon to participate in prior to the holiday season, this is a great one. Plus, it has events for the whole family: half marathon, quarter marathon, and kids marathon (1.2 miles)