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Home / Marathon

Oklahoma City Marathon

Last Updated on March 27, 2019 by Amanda Brooks
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26 Comments

Well friends, yesterday I was highly bummed about OKC. I had gotten very excited to run the half marathon in a few weeks because it was the site of my first full marathon…what could be more fun than going back and knowing I only have to run half the distance!

Unfortunately, my potential housing and carpool option to OKC fell through and now I’m sort of in the lurch (definitely not upset with this person because these things happen). Could I technically make the 4 hour drive alone, get a hotel room…alone, run the race…alone….Well yes, but that pretty much sounds boring and awful.

I also promised to come back to KC for work, based on being in town for this race, so stink on me because now in between all my DC travels I have to go to Kansas City no matter what and then fly from there to DC. I’m so lucky to be able to travel and see soooo many places, so I’m really not complaining about that, but hey I like to do it all on my own terms.

THEN Ashely and Indi and Beka came through and said I could ride with them…maybe a little sandwich between kiddos, but it was a ride.
THEN my dearest Samara said we could join them in Key West instead….

David made the final call, that I needed a little more time at home (key west) with him and I thought that was a good call based on still being sick.

Have you ever had to back out on race? It nearly broke my heart because it feels a little like failure, but I’m sure it’s the right call.
————————-
Gratitude Journal
April 14
I am grateful for hotel cost splitting
I am grateful for carpooling
I am grateful for direct flights
I am grateful for no crying babies on the flight
I am grateful for no one coughing on the flight

Category: Marathon

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Author

Amanda Brooks
I am a running coach with over a decade of experience helping thousands of runners to achieve their goals from running injury free to crossing that marathon finish line with a PR. I’ve run over 28,000 miles in my own running journey since 2002. Run To The Finish is my place to share that love and my deep dive in to researching all things running. I hold multiple run coaching certifications, as well as a personal training certification. But it’s my ongoing desire to learn and progress as a coach that has allowed me to help runners from their 20’s through their 70’s! More ways to connect with me:
Previous Post:Las Vegas RNR Marathon
Next Post:Hospital HillS 1/2 Marathon

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah

    April 14, 2010 at 7:57 am

    Back out of a race?! Yup! And it really does feel like a failure. My husband and I trained for months for a half, only to both get sick and hurt at the same time…right before the race. It wasn't worth driving all the way to the race if we weren't feeling too wonderful. Oh well, it happens! It's great that you came up with some other options….at least you will still get to enjoy the time. :)

  2. Marlene

    April 14, 2010 at 7:58 am

    I definitely have. Sometimes something just has to give.

  3. teacherwoman

    April 14, 2010 at 7:58 am

    Sometimes things happen. Sounds like a weekend at home is just what you need :)

  4. Laura

    April 14, 2010 at 8:01 am

    I did but with good reason as my husband was in the hospital…though he kept pushing me to run it anyway. Nutter…There is always another race is what our coach says…

  5. Fit Chick in the Cit

    April 14, 2010 at 8:16 am

    I have backed out of a race. Initially it feels strange and like a let down, but in the end it's usually the right thing to do. We're good at listening to what we really need to do and that's better than not missing a race we're signed up for.

  6. Heather Iacobacci-Mi

    April 14, 2010 at 8:26 am

    Hey girl. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I don't think you should feel like a failure. Things happen and some things in life supersede others. It's not like you just decided not to show up b/c you stayed up too late or weren't training properly. Things tend to happen for a reason.

  7. Michelle Kwasny

    April 14, 2010 at 8:43 am

    I have made plans to run a marathon about 3 times in the past and always quit because the long runs just got too… long. This is the first time I'm actually following and sticking to a training plan. I WILL run the Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon. Hell, I spent $100 to register! I don't want to throw that money away.

  8. Megan

    April 14, 2010 at 9:43 am

    I've never backed out of a race but I just started racing last year. I'm sure I'll have to at some point.

  9. Courtney

    April 14, 2010 at 9:51 am

    I've luckily never had to back out of a race. But I can imagine how you feel. Have fun in Key West!

  10. Indi

    April 14, 2010 at 9:56 am

    I've not had to do that yet, but granted I don't race much to begin with! Sorry we won't be seeing you, but staying healthy is key and sounds like that is top priority now. And Key West is not a bad way to spend time at all!!

  11. Morgan

    April 14, 2010 at 10:01 am

    I think David made the right call, you do need some more time at home RELAXING! :)

  12. Katie A.

    April 14, 2010 at 10:17 am

    Do not feel like a failure! You are the most hard working lady I know and sometimes having to make grown up decisions is hard!I have totally backed out of a race, in fact 2 last year! One was due to injury (actually got all the way into the corals and decided I shouldn't run a half mary) and then all the way to the bus line for a full mary in Dec. (it was cold, I had just ran 2 back to back full marys and knew it wasn't the smartest thing for me). Things happen, life happens, and being grounded at home is also important. Let it go and enjoy your time with David. Life is too short to sweat the small things – how ever cheesy that sounds :)

  13. Molly

    April 14, 2010 at 11:44 am

    sorry you had to pull out, but I think you made the right call.I'm going to go enter your 30 day challenge…..and btw, your comments on my Amazing Grass post were freakin' hilarious….

  14. Tricia

    April 14, 2010 at 11:59 am

    I went to the Keys for the first time this past weekend (pics on Mondays post). It was so much fun!

  15. Jamie

    April 14, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    Life happens! Sounds like you made the best decision for you! And with all that work travel it's good to stick close to the hubby for a weekend :) Enjoy your time in the Keys.

  16. 5 Miles 2 Empty

    April 14, 2010 at 12:37 pm

    Bummer! It is hard to back out of a race. I did it once for a 10K and all I could think about all day that day was the race and what I had missed. But oh well, life goes on, there will be more races for sure!

  17. Jen

    April 14, 2010 at 1:50 pm

    There's always another race and the Keys sounds like a great back up plan. Good for David! I need to go sign up for your challenge! It sounds perfect for me right now. You are one of the most goal oriented people I know. You're awesome!

  18. Tea Time

    April 14, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    Don't feel so bad about it. It's not like you are not able to physically do the race just logistically it doesn't work out as well as you had hoped. Sometimes it is about the quality of the race experience rather than how many you can cram into a certain period of time. Besides, spending time in Key West sounds like the life to me! :D

  19. Tara

    April 14, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    I'm so sorry that you had to back out! I know how you feel, I had to back out of my first marathon (those damn blood clots) and I felt awful! You'll find another race though and I totally think you made the right decision.

  20. Fair Weather Runner

    April 14, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    well lounging in key west sounds more fun than facing the OKC wicked winds ;) it would have been SO fun to meet you and see you! but good choice. hopefully we'll be able to do a race together soon in KC perhaps when you are back. enjoy that vacay! i'll run a mile of OKC for ya, cheers to it being a first marathon spot for us both.

  21. Mel-2nd Chances

    April 14, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    it's a hard balance of planning ahead and risking having to back out, and planning too late and not getting into the races you want!

  22. kilax

    April 14, 2010 at 5:55 pm

    I had to back out on the KC Marathon when I was injured last summer, and that made me realize it's always smartest to do what is best for me!

  23. Her Name is Rio

    April 14, 2010 at 11:09 pm

    Yes.. I inadvertently signed up for a race at the same time I was supposed to be mid-flight to see my parents. As a goal oriented person, I felt like a big FAIL, but in reality, it happens a lot more often than I previously thought. You're not alone. :)

  24. Adam

    April 15, 2010 at 12:08 am

    Amen to no one coughing on the flight!!!

  25. Andrea (Off Her Cork

    April 15, 2010 at 10:29 am

    The past two races I signed up for I had to bail on. One because my hamstring was still bothering me and one because it was pouring rain. I hate it and also hate wasting that kind of money on races to not run!

  26. IzzyBubbles

    April 20, 2010 at 5:30 pm

    Well, kind of bummed that you won't make it to OKC, but honestly I'd go for the weekend in Key West, too!! Hmmm…palm trees and ocean v. running 26 miles?? It's a tough call, but I love the beach. Then again, you did move to Miami, but still – everyone needs a vacation every now and then. There are always more races!

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