Post-Race Party Pics!

"Marathoning:  The triumph of desire over reason." ;-)

Okay, now it's time for the fun post-race photos -- LOVE this group pic!! ❤

Again, huge shoutouts and THANK YOUS:

• To Mom & Dad -- For waking up in the 3am hour to drive me there and drop me off at the Start Line in plenty of time, for coming to cheer me on at Mile 14, and for walking a ways to greet me at the Finish Line!
• To Rachael LaJo -- For making two masterpiece signs and showing up with food and water and helping me during my mini-break and returning my lost Airpod and encouraging me to keep pushing at Mile 20 and waiting at the Finish Line and letting me borrow her lip gloss and her flip-flops, and driving me to Ted's when she was planning to skip that! lol
• To Kristin and Frankie -- For the encouraging texts and phone calls, the chocolate-glazed donut and photo-worthy message, and the awesome "Yay, David!" sign that I immediately read in Alexis' voice!! lolol
• To Nash, Wesson, and Diesel -- For taking the time to make amazing homemade posters to encourage me, and for enduring two fairly long waits just to see me and give me high fives and happily pose for photos!
• To Chet, Karli, Tate, and Parker -- For the encouraging texts and FaceTime call, for making the trip from Tulsa to support me, for Chet's very timely pep talks with solid advice and meaningful encouragement, and for the thoughtfulness/assertiveness of telling the Finish Line announcer how to correctly say my last name - it caught me off guard in such a good way! lol
• To JoBug -- For the text encouragement and in-person support, and for bringing my race-day bag to the house at Mile 18 and coordinating my mini-break stop there!  (And to her friends for their kindness!)
• I'm grateful for lots of support on Facebook, and to Emily (counselor), Megan Elizabeth, Tiffany, JEM, Laura, Sarah, Holly, and Triston  for texting specific words of encouragement!
• To Dr. Aaron at The Movement Lab -- For checking in repeatedly after I called him about my foot injury a couple weeks back, including reaching out to see how the race went yesterday - if ever I need physical therapy, I'll be calling him!
• To God -- For orchestrating a million little details in His perfect, sovereign way - including my visit to the OKC Memorial Museum on Thursday, my foot healing and feeling much better just in time for race day, the perfect race-day weather, my favorite people showing up in big ways, them getting great photos and videos along the way, the food and drinks I needed showing up quickly when I needed them, raining out Saturday's 5k so I could get 3 medals for one race on Sunday, everything about the Mile 18 break, the 7:17 finish time, the race time extension, medical aid being very close/attentive when I was concerned about my heart racing, my phone not dying until our late lunch hour, no digestive issues surrounding the race, and consistently getting encouragement and inspiration when I needed it most!  I see and feel His protective strength and kindness toward me in all the big and small things listed above, and it all matters!!

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My "Memorial Marathon & 5K" medal!! lol  They gave me an individual one for each race, and one for signing up for the "Weekend Series" bundle.  But whatevs, I conquered 26.2 miles, so I'll take all the medals! =) 

Closeups because the detail here is very impressive!!

(*I know this feels very random in pics with others, but I requested this Cobra Kai sign to get a fun pic with Hawk-style Jaceman holding it, which we will hopefully get later this week!  They were at their dad's this weekend and it didn't work out for them to come for the Finish Line.)

At Parker's party on Saturday, Chet mentioned that they'd be happy to do lunch afterward, but understood if I wasn't feeling up for it.  I made no promises as I was expecting post-race digestive issues and exhaustion and figured I wouldn't be up for anything, but I brought some extra clothes just in case.  Their kids were hungry, so I rallied and postponed my shower and changed clothes in the small bathroom at Ted's. #notideal  My phone battery fully died and I was covered in sweat and salt, my purse and bag with my makeup and phone charger were in Mom and Dad's car, but least I thought to bring deodorant to reapply - everyone is welcome for that! lol  PS My fav thing about this pic is that Parker is holding the party balloons from the OG Emily doll I got her for her bday - I love that she was a fan enough to bring the doll and her accessories on the road trip with them! lol

Borrowed Rachael's phone to take these cute pics. =)

We discussed the race a bit, and the idea of forming a Relay Team to run with Chettles in his Route 66 Full this November - Karli, me, and potentially JEM and Evan and Gary?  Could be fun - and I'm very willing to sign up and prepare for a 5-mile portion at a faster pace! =) After lunch, I went back to Mom and Dad's and got my car, then finally drove home and showered whilst reviving my phone -- yes, please to both of those -- then texted with people and narrowed, edited, and posted photos for the next couple hours!  All in all, a fantastic day that makes me feel proud and grateful!!

Annnd very sore. lol  I'm using IcyHot and taking Advil and had a nice long epsom salt bath tonight.  This ad popping up on my FB made me laugh! lol #alwayslistening

Okay, so the left pic is me on a makeup-free morning walk one year ago today (4-28-24)... a 40-year-old woman pressing through a challenging internship and grad school program and just starting the Mel Robbins Launch course, opening my mind and heart to the possibility of real change, starting with her advice for regular morning walks.  Today, I am still on the lifelong journey of transformation with God, but I am grateful for the evidence of internal and external growth and progress... including graduating, losing over 100 pounds from my highest weight, 10 months of therapy work, and at long last, being a Marathon FINISHER!! ❤
...Or on a lighter note, behold the power of lipstick! ;-) #itmatters

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So many internal pep talks and "encouraging myself in the Lord" moments yesterday!

"Okay?  Okay.  What's next!?"  ;-)

Thank you all for being here, and goodnight!