Where to start….I had some serious goals for myself with The Tulsa Run. The first was to run the entire thing instead of my run/walk combination. The second was to finish around 44 minutes. I had been training and pushing myself harder and farther so a 14 minute mile could definitely be in my foreseeable future.
I’ve learned that when you wear a larger size you run the risk of not receiving a t-shirt if you register late for a race. That’s not something I’ve ever experienced though because I register early. So imagine my disappointment when I got to the Runner’s Expo and was told that the printer didn’t deliver any shirts larger than a large. By the way, I’ve lost weight and no longer order the 2x…now I get the XL. They didn’t have any. Between you and me though I think they were lying because I saw plenty of people at the race in shirts that were larger than a large. So I’ve paid my money and I don’t get a shirt until HOPEFULLY 3 weeks from now. I’m not happy about that.
And while I’m on the topic of disappointment, the expo was held at the Hyatta downtown and parking was $2/half hour. Y’all couldn’t validate parking for picking up runner’s packets? SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!?
On race day it was coooooooold outside!

WAIT….I forgot to tell you about my first runner’s expo experience.
IT
WAS
AWESOME!!!!!
Check me out in the gear I bought (doing my typical pre-race pose in the bathroom full length mirror LOL)
![IMG_2215[1]](http://i2.wp.com/divaindemand.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IMG_221511-e1351534187658-224x300.jpg?resize=224%2C300)
Wow…I can really see the weight I’ve lost in this picture. My shirt saysRun like a girl….STRONG FIERCE & SASSY!
I also bought this headband that is made out of the same material as swimsuits. It covered my ears and soaked up all the sweat. It worked fabulously. I regret not buying more than one. I found a great parking spot near the starting line and wandered around downtown trying to stay warm until go time. My RBS homegirl showed up early to give me a boost before starting her 15K and kept me hype.
![IMG_2223[1]](http://i1.wp.com/divaindemand.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IMG_22231-e1351535363693-300x224.jpg?resize=300%2C224)
Once the gun sounded I didn’t expect the crowd to be so slow. It was like 5:00 traffic…stop and go all the way to the actual start line. (I gathered in my 13+ per mile section to avoid getting run over). It was horrible. Here I was ready to go and tackle the pavement and I had to navigate my way around so many people.
My playlist was right on point. The night before I lined up the songs the way I figured I would need them and I was right.
We Ready – Archie (Time to go…time to move…time to get started….I’m ready!)
Right to Complain – Trombone Shorty (YEAH…I’m pumping up…LET’S GET IT!)
My Baby – Gudda Man (Don’t judge me)
Ratchet Girl Anthem – Emmanuel and Phillip (I’ve got a steady pace going. Easy and steady)
Something Bigger – Mary Mary (Keep it strong. People don’t expect you to keep going. KEEP GOING)
All I Do is Win – DJ Khaled (I GOT THIS!)
Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses (The first hill….harder….faster….do it…HIT IT!)
Pop That – French Montana (Stay strong…keep it up)
Welcome to My Hood – DJ Khaled (STAY….STRONG…)
Go Get It – Mary Mary (Easy pace but strong pace. IF YOU WANNA GET WHAT YOU NEVER GOT YOU GOTTA DO SOMETHING THAT YOU’VE NEVER DONE! Here comes this big hill. I have to stay encouraged.)
Wop – Lil Chuckee (UP UP UP Keep going UP)
Put it Down – Brandy (2 more hills….damn…..REWIND)
Wop – Lil Chuckee (I CAN SEE THE FINISH LINE!!!!!)
And they announced your name as you crossed the finish line. I felt like a doggone superstar! And I realized today that when I finished I didn’t feel like I was dying. It was like “Okay that’s done. Good job.”
Now let’s address these hills at the end. There was a sign that said What goes up must come down. THEY LIED. That hill went up and up and up forever and instead of going down it just leveled off….AND THEN WENT UP AGAIN! It did that 3 times all the way to the finish line. It was like torture. But I did it. My official time was 52:55 but I’m positive that was wrong. That is a pace of 17:04 and according to my app I was at a 15:38 at mile 2. There’s no way it took me 19 minutes to do the last mile. I don’t care how many hills there were.
So I stuck around and partied and ran into old friends while I waited on my team mate to finish. I saw the elite runners finish and they were total rockstars. I saw a 12 year old finish and a 75 year old man. AMAZING. When she finished we ate more food and stretched and made our way to our cars. After comparing notes I feel good saying that I can check the Tulsa Run off my list but I don’t anticipate doing it again. I won’t even tell you about the lack of crowd support out there.
My racing season is over. To celebrate I had this head of mine snatched straight an hour after the race
![IMG_2236[1]](http://i1.wp.com/divaindemand.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IMG_22361.jpg?resize=300%2C300)
![IMG_2250[1]](http://i0.wp.com/divaindemand.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IMG_22501.jpg?resize=300%2C300)
And I’m planning a wine tasting party in 2 weeks.
I set out to kick butt and I kicked it. YAY ME!