I am unbelievably proud of Brian for completing his first full Marathon in 5 hours and 29 minutes! Amazing! Over the past year, Brian has become a runner. During all of his unanswered, unresolved health problems, he decided to start running. Before long, he figured out that if he ran, he had a good day. And if he didn't run, he didn't feel as good. So that was motivation enough...soon, 2 miles became 5, and then 5 miles became 10, and then 10 miles turned into a half marathon...and the goal to run a full marathon was set into motion. He made it his mission to go from the weakest point in his life, back to the strongest point in his life...and HE DID IT!!
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon was the week after we got back from Hawaii. Because my Poppa Jim was in the Murrah Building on April 19, 1995, the OKC Memorial Marathon has extra special meaning to our family. The kids and I met G-Ma and Rex & Poppa and Louise downtown by the capitol building for our first viewing location. It was very exciting as the runners began to pass by, and the kids loved giving high fives and cheering them all on. When Brian ran by us, I instantly got tears in my eyes...and I really almost lost it when he ran over to me and gave me a kiss...I am so thankful that God saw us through that hard time in life!
Our next stop was Lake Hefner, where we were around the 17 mile marker I think. Brian was definitely getting tired at this point (ya think?!) so the kids ran alongside him for just a bit. I love those pictures...their Daddy is a living example that you can do anything you put your mind to and work hard to accomplish! After cheering Brian on at Lake Hefner, we headed back downtown and found our place at the finish line. To say that it was exciting when we saw him coming was an understatement! What an accomplishment!
After he got crossed the finish line and got his medal, we met up with him and he held onto me and hobbled back to the van. His muscles literally locked up when he stopped running and it was hard for him to even walk. I can't imagine...if I ran 26.2 miles, I'd have to be carried away on a stretcher. We went to Braum's for lunch & then to Jonah's soccer game. Then Brian took a long nap to celebrate his victory!
I love you Babe, and I'm so proud of you for doing this!
Brian took these from the starting line...
The kids' signs were so sweet!
We saw several people we knew, including Mackenzie's Sunday school teacher and some of G-Ma's former students, running in the marathon.
There he is!! Our favorite runner! Now that's a great smile!
The Fan Club:
I saw someone with this sign, so I had to make one too...it just fit too perfectly! What can I say? I'm not a runner & never will be. I'm okay with it!
I got these text alerts every now and then, updating me on his progress.
And off he goes...
Here we are at the finish line, ready to cheer him across!
So many people in the Murrah building that day didn't survive...we are so blessed and thankful that Poppa Jim wasn't one of those people.
What a special picture!
Sporting their medals at Jonah's soccer game later that day!
