In the November issue of Oklahoma Magazine, I was able to write an article about the Route 66 Marathon and Coach Kathryn White. As most magazine, newspapers and tv stations do, we edit. The printed article was edited, so I am posting the original.
Enjoy and happy running!
Chera
Oklahoma Magazine November 2008 issue:
What’s the hardest thing you have ever done? Your answer may not be the same as the next guy, but many say it’s running a marathon.
Abdihakim ("Abdi") Abdirahman, a two-time Olympian in the 10,000 meters for the United States and a favorite in marathons says, “I love the marathon. It’s a challenge, and if you don’t like challenges, something is wrong with your life. “
Enter, Kathryn White—who echoes those sentiments to the Nth Degree. White is highly regarded as one the most dedicated, experienced and insane runners of T-town—thus her nickname, Captain Insane-O! Many know her well, as we runners try to keep up and not collapse.
“I started running 28 years ago,” says the 41-year-old mother. “But one day in 1994, I saw these cars lined up to watch runners and I thought, ‘That looks challenging, I want to run a marathon.’” And she did. But wait…there’s more! Captain Insane-O’s next goal is to complete her 100th marathon this year.
“Route 66 will be number 93,” says Captain Insane-O. “That’s about seven or eight a year, or about two marathons for every year I’ve been alive.”
Over the years, Captain Insane-O has won marathons in her age group and has earned passage into two special categories; coach for the Fleet Feet running group, and pacer in the Route 66 Marathon.
“This is not the Olympics,” says Captain Insane-O. “As a pacer, I’ll make sure we start out slow and get in our groove, then make up time later. Starting too fast will ensure a miserable final 13 miles,” she says.
Whether running your first marathon or your 93rd, most of us will be nervous. Here are tips from Captain Insane-O:
-Don’t worry about your sleep the night before. It’s normal to toss and turn. The key is to get rest two days before the race.
-Don’t change anything in your diet.
-Prepare yourself for all weather conditions. Dress like it is 20 degrees warmer. That means layering.
-If it is cold, cut a hole in the top of a trash bag and slip it over your head. You can also wrap one around your feet before the marathon to keep them dry and warm.
-The night before, lay out all your clothes and pack everything you’ll need for during and after the marathon.
-Get to the race early. Parking is usually difficult.
-Have faith in your training. You’ve trained for 18 weeks, and you can do it!
According to the October 2007 issue of Runner’s World, only about one-tenth of one percent of the population finishes a marathon each year. So, when the third annual Route 66 Marathon takes place November 16th, give the runners a hand, as they will have achieved an elite level of fitness—and Kathryn will be on marathon closer to her goal.
**Fox 23 News is a sponsor of the Route 66 Marathon. Chera Kimiko will be running the full marathon, 10 other Fox-23 employees will be running in the Relay in the Route 66 Marathon.
