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by Ali Williams

On October 14th Misty Smith, the Macarthur High School girl's volleyball coach, track coach, and junior English teacher participated in the Spirit of Survival Marathon. the marathon was 26.2 miles long and took place at the Wichita Mountain Refuge. The run benefited the cancer centers of Southwest Oklahoma. In 2006, Smith placed 3rd overall.     This year she placed 4th overall and won first place in her age group. She ran 26.2 miles in three hours and forty-eight minutes, which was 20 minutes faster than the previous year when she finished in four hours and eight minutes. Her average mile rate was seven to eight minute miles for the first 15 miles an then it became really challenging.     Smith said," I was really pleased with
	my time. I was happy I improved." If you have ever been out to refuge, you know how different the terrain is compared to the plains. This type of terrain makes it more challenging. She had to physically "up-her-game" in her training for this type of hilly, mountains terrain. It was something her body was not used to. She had a strict eighteen week training program with hill training and short timed runs two days a week. Smith also did a long run every Sunday. In preparation for this marathon, she also gave up soda and candy- basically anything with sugar.      Smith agreed this year was easier than last year. "I knew what to expect, but it was so windy this year, which made it a little more challenging it was the hardest when I hit 20 mile marker, but I pushed myself and got through it!" she said.