OKC half marathon in the books

2012 Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon is in the books!!

First the trip report

The OKC Thunder made the playoffs and the first game was Saturday night. They had some of the roads downtown closed off for the media trucks so we wanted to get there before traffic became a huge issue. I got in and picked up my race stuff and a few things I just couldn't live without (haha) and we were heading out to eat lunch by 1. It was starting to get crowded.

After lunch we checked into our skanky hotel. After staying at the Westin in Austin it was worse then camping out. It could have been worse I guess; it wasn't the worst hotel I have ever stayed at, that is for sure, but not my first choice. We freshened up and went to the outlet mall. I wasn't in the mood to try anything on so I wasn't 100% in the shopping spirit. I did buy a new purse and matching wallet at Coach, and a pair of khaki's at Banana Republic for $9.97, way too good to pass up. We decided we would rather find a place close to the outlet to eat instead of close to the hotel (race start) because it would take forever. It was a little early so we putzed around a little and then went to eat. We got back to the hotel around 7:30, I made sure I had everything I needed and went to bed (a sleeping bag on top of the bed )  While we were putzing I found a place to have my bangs braided so I wouldn't have to deal with a sweaty band.  I love it, I had my stylist redo it yesterday when I had my hair cut/colored.  I think I am going to do this before every race!

I had my alarm set for 4:45, the race started at 6:30. Since Sandra wasn't running I tried to be quiet but again, this wasn't the Westin and you could hear everyone else running around getting ready. I got dressed and ready to go and caught the shuttle out at 5:30. It was kind of strange being by myself at the start, I am usually with at least one other person at the start. It was kind of good to just not have to talk and be able to get in my groove. They have 168 minutes of silence, then the national anthem. I never heard the gun go off. It took me 10 minutes to cross the start.

I knew starting out that my knee was going to give me trouble. I just ignored it the best I could. By about mile 5 there was no ignoring it. I felt like someone was trying to pry my knee cap off with a crowbar. It was worse if I tried to walk/run so I decided I was just going to have to run slow. The first few steps were very painful but it kind of went numb after that. Granted, I wasn't moving very fast but I didn't want to walk the rest of the course and have another horrible finish.

Around mile 8, where the half and full marathon splits, Sandra was there with her cowbell. I started to cry and told her I can't do it anymore, my knee just hurt way too bad. Did I mention it was pouring rain at this point? She said something to the effect of SUCK IT UP YA BIG BABY, that I would never forgive her or myself if she let me quit with only 5 miles to go. I was pissed but I remembered the story of the lady that was trapped under debris in the Murrah building who had to have her leg amputated with no anesthesia. If she could live through that I could live through a little knee pain. Luckily there was a medical tent close by, they gave me some tylenol and put some biofreeze on my knee. 2 minutes off my time that was well worth the stop.

I am not sure when the pain died down but it did and I was able to speed up a little and try to make up some time.

Mile 11 sucked. Most of the run I looked at my Garmin and thought, wow already at 6.65, or whatever but it was almost like I ran mile 11 backwards. I couldn't figure out why that was such a tough spot for me until my friend asked me after the race if that was the mile the guy in Little Rock died. Sure enough it was. I wonder if I will always have the mile 11 curse

Anyway, I was feeling better. Got through mile 11 and felt if not great, good enough to finish strong. I made a friend the last mile and we ran in together, which is always nice. We were trying to sing Going the Distance from Cake from memory. That was fun. Before we knew it we had turned the corner and was about 5 blocks from the finish. Being the good newly formed friend that he was, my duet parter took off like lightening and left me in his dust. I approached the finish line with a huge smile on my face and running strong with a finish of 3:15. Not great, but a finish is a finish and I am not ashamed of my finish time. I finished having fun, which is the key.  My medal is so tiny compared to Little Rock and Austin!!

I was so tired when I got home I fell asleep with ice on my knee.  I slept at lease 2 hours, Dennis left to go eat with his family for his mom's birthday at my favorite mexican place, but even that couldn't get me out of my chair. 

Went to the sports med doctor yesterday. I think I heard his eyes roll when I told him I had ran a half marathon the day before. He is waiting for insurance to approve the Synvisc injections. He said on a scale from 1-4 my knee is at a 3. The injections should work for awhile but eventually I will be at a 4 and will need a partial knee replacement. I think he was just trying to scare me.

One more half marathon to go March 19, it will be another hilly one

I still haven't found my make-up.  I have given up and started to buy new good stuff on piece at a time.  I think the B-12 shot helped, I don't feel like I losing my mind as much.  I am going to get another one this week

losing my mind - seriously feel like I am going crazy

is 40 too young to have early onset Alzheimer's, because I feel like I am losing my mind.  In the last week I have

1.  lost the majority of my make-up.  I had the make-up I use the most in a Ziploc bag for travel (I usually keep it in a large train case).  Since I am going to Oklahoma City for the marathon I decided to just keep it in the Ziploc bag until after this weekend.  Now I can't find it, none of it.  I still have a lot of make-up in my train case but my favorite stuff is in a bag in a black hole somewhere.  We are talking about a lot of money, too much to just go out and replace the stuff I use.

2.  I lost my debit card.  I was going to pay a bill over the phone and when it came time to put in my number, the card was no longer in my hand.  I had no idea what I did with it.  I looked for it for 30 minutes at least.  Turns out I had it in my hand with the dog food scoop when I fed the dogs and dropped it in the dog food container.  I'm lucky I ever found it.

3.  I went for a follow up appointment for my mammogram (they found something on the first one but it turned out to be nothing) a day early.  I even have it written down on my planner that the appointment is Wednesday but I went on Tuesday.  Luckily the worked me in.

4.  forgot the decimal place in my car payment online and instead of paying 270.00 they tried to charge me 27,000.  Needless to say that didn't go through but I had a screwed up account that day while they put my account on hold while they tried to charge it.  I did call the bank and the credit place but it was too late to do anything.

So I guess my question is could this be a vitamin thing?  I am really a laid back kind of person and am able to leave my stress in the gym or on the road so I don't think that is it.  Maybe I need a B-12 shot?  I feel like I am going crazy.

Could this be band related?

A whole lotta running

I am back from my running adventure in Austin.  It was so much fun.  I never thought I would say that again.  The route was pretty flat, the 20 bands (I took their word for it, I didn't count them) were mostly great, and the medal is amazing. 

We thought we were staying downtown, but as we were informed by a guy on the super shuttle, the Domain is the Rodeo drive of Austin.  That was all two girls on a girlfriend trip needed to hear.  We shopped until we almost passed out on Saturday.

I thought I ate more then I should, but I am becoming more aware of the fact that just because I feel that stuffed like the thanksgiving turkey feeling, it doesn't necessarily mean I binged.  I did, however, eat a cake ball at the most amazing place ever called Austin Cake Ball Kitchen and Bar.  I was up to 125 when I got home but I am already down to 122.6.

I went from Austin to Houston for work training.  My work running buddy was in the class to and brought her husband and 8 month old baby.  I am not a kid person so this made me pretty nervous.  Thankfully the kid is pretty laid back and decided I was pretty cool too.  We had an understanding; her parents are scared to death to leave her alone with me because I haven't been around a baby in my adult life.  Kind of strange I know.  The baby even did good on the flight home.

I got home from Houston on Friday and did the usual post trip errand running and laundry.  Sunday Kim and I ran in a 5K called Run Tulsa Pink, two inaugural races in almost a week.  The 5K was really hilly, a lot more hilly then I expected.  I thought I would PR but I came in at 40 minutes and some change so I didn't make it.  I blame the hills, they were horrible.

My other running friend, the one in the Austin picture with me is thinking about lap band surgery.  I told her I would support whatever decision she makes but I am not going to push the idea on her.  I think she would do great with it but I also think she has some unrealistic expectations of it changing her body shape.  Anyway, she went with me to my first support group meeting.  It would have been great if it wasn't for that ONE person who had surgery like a month before me and knows all there is to know about lap band.  She doesn't exercise and was trying to answer questions about fueling for a marathon.  I really wanted to duct tape her mouth shut.  Of course if I am ever in a group and there isn't a ONE person, I assume it is me and try to keep myself in check, lol.

I need to run tonight but I have a sick four legged kiddo and I don't want to leave him alone any more then I have to.  Besides, we are setting records for the heat today.  If it isn't a little cooler tomorrow I will go to the gym.  Plus Dennis will be able to watch him tomorrow, he has to work late tonight.

This Sunday is the OKC (half) marathon.  I am really not stressed out about it at all after the Austin 10 mile run.  We will see how I feel as the week goes on.

I leave you with some pictures in no particular order.

Medal and bib for Austin 10/20, love this medal

Finish line picture from Austin

With my friend before the start

At Run Tulsa Pink, I swear my friend is not looking at my chest, lol



This is what the back of an SUV looks like when you have three people and a baby traveling in one car.  Thankfully we were just going to the airport.





So my scale said 126.8 this morning. I refuse to believe I ate THAT much Easter candy!! That is a big jump.


So, lets see, Saturday I did the Aquarium run 10K and had a blast, really good running day. I really didn't want to turn at the 10K mark, wanted to keep going and do the half. My finish time was 1:27, not stellar but not bad for my slow ass, considering this has been my longest run since I hurt my knee. I was very happy that I felt like I could have kept running after I crossed the finish line' it was; after all, a training run. Later in the day I started to get a pain in the groin area that hurt like he!!. I took a muscle relaxer and it went away.

Sunday we went to Dennis' sister's house for Easter. I got lots of compliments on how much weight I had lost, which is always a good thing to hear. I was very careful about how I ate and how much I put on my plate so I didn't get sick. She is such a good cook!

I took off Monday because I had three different appointments. The first, I took Cassidy AKA Sassy Lashes to the vet for her monthly weigh in (she is on diet medication for dogs) This is her trying to talk daddy out of making her get in the pool. Since she is missing a leg we can't just increase exercise so we have to closely monitor he weight to make sure she isn't getting obese and putting too much strain on her three remaining legs, she loves to guard the food bowl if she is hungry or not. She is a little princess.

I had to go in for my first mammogram, which is just as exciting as it sounds. I was a nervous wreck. Turns out it isn't as bad as the other female doctor visit. It is still rather humiliating though. I met my older sister for lunch at a trendy new Mexican place, which was a waste of money for me since I ate only a small portion of it and still had more appointments and it would have to sit in the hot car .



Last appointment of the day was with the exercise guru. We sat down and watched the video he took of me walking and running. Turns out my running form is OK, except for my feet/ankles, which takes the brunt of the impact and twist and turn outward instead of staying straight and my hips which seem to drop as my weight shifts. We watched both walking and running and it turns out it is worse when I walk, so I am a better runner then walker, who would have thought. I gave him my running schedule for the next few weeks and he said it was perfect, but he really doesn't want me to do two half marathons so close together (April 29 and May 19). Yeah well I'm gonna. He gave me exercised to do, half of which are foot and ankle exercises I can do at my desk, the other half are core/hip exercises. He said that in a month he has no doubt that I will be running at least an 11 minute mile if not sub 11. I told him that I had been entertaining the thought of running the Route 66 marathon in November and he said there is no reason I couldn't do it and do it with 11 minute mile average. It is all a little to much to take in all at once!! He is supposed to be emailing me some stuff today on my training program and I am supposed to get back with him in three weeks. He said that until we fix my bio-mechanics there is no use working on my speed because I am probably maxed out running on the wrong muscles. We have to fix that first. He also said he was thinking of putting on a summer running program where he works one on one with runners to try and fix their form and make them more efficient runners. I am anxious to see how it all plays out. I am so gonna sign up for that.



Now I am getting ready for Austin Sunday and my trip to Houston for work next week. The girl I am going with is having some serious achilles tendon issues and hasn't ran since Little Rock. She is still in a lot of pain so she doesn't think she is going to run it, or attempt to walk it. I know how she fells after the whole Dallas Rock N Roll DNS. But part of running is knowing when to stop and give things a chance to heal. We are leaving for Austin Friday afternoon and I am looking up things to do in Austin that doesn't involve shopping or walking/running since Sandra is hurt. I suggested we stalk Lance Armstrong but that didn't make her top ten list



OK, I have bored you enough with my running tales. Please excuse the typos, my fingers DO NOT want to work today.

10 things Thursday

1.  This time last year was when I seriously started to consider lap band and doing research.  I told Dennis about my decision over Easter weekend of last year and he was very supportive.  I had no clue that a year later I would be 55 pounds down and wearing a size 2.

2.  I fell like I need a fill but I am going to hold off until my scheduled appointment April 30.  I am running a 10k Saturday, a 10 mile race next Saturday and a half marathon two weeks after that.  I may need the extra calories.

3.  I had my yearly viginacologist apointment today.  I went shopping afterwards to help me forget the feeling of being violated, lol.  I bought mostly small shirts, size 2 pants and a size 4 dress.  Wow, last year at this time I was pushing a 16.

4.  This is the dress I bought.  For the first time in a very long time I think I look almost skinny!!!  I still need some spanx for the tummy.

5.  This picture was taken right before I started my liquid diet.  Yup I can finally see the change in myself.  No level of spanx would help that.

6.  Monday at 10:45 I have to go for my first mamogram.   I go back to the exercise physiologist at 1:30 to get my results.  I may just take off work after 10:15, doesn't hardly seem worth the gas to drive across town when the offices are right next to one another and I could go shopping again ;-O

7.  I am supposed to run with a different girl from work today for the first time.  It always makes me nervous to run with new people because I am so slow.  Not sure if I am afraid they will kick my butt or make fun of me for calling myself a "runner"

8.  I am stuck on the last book in the Hunger Games series.  I read the first two books in a couple of days, not that I loved them that much, they are just fast reads.  For some reason I just can't get into this one.  But dang it I am going to finish it just because it is the last one.  I think the movie was better then the book but only becuase I read the book and I'm not sure if it would have been good otherwise.  Does that make any sense whatsoever?

9.  I have to go to the in-laws this weekend for Easter.  They haven't really seen them since Christmas. 

10.  Reese's peanut butter eggs are a product of hell.  Just sayin'.

VO2Max and Lactic acid test

Yesterday I went to the human performance lab at the local medial school to see an exercise physiologist.  I had my VO2 Max and lactic acid levels tested.  These tests were very intersting. The entire appointment took a little over two hours but I should get everything I ever wanted to know about my fitness level out of it.


When I first went in he had another doctor come in and check my heart to make sure there was nothing wrong with it besides the inappropriate sinus tach. Everything checked out fine and they gave me the go ahead to do the test. I asked him how high my HR had to get before he pulled me and he said that as long as I wasn't light headed or or acted like I was in distress he wouldn't. Of course they did the baseline vitals at rest.

Next he had me take my shoes off and he looked at my feet and ankles. He had me stand up in just my sports bra and running skirt (thank god for those 55 lost pounds) and had me stand facing every direction and took measurements of my shoulders, spine, hips, knees, etc. Apparently I put a lot more weight on my right side than my left and one shoulder is higher then the other. He also did my weight and body fat percentage. He didn't calculate it but from the figures I remember and plugging them into the computer it is somewhere around 20%, that seems a lot lower then I would have expected so I will see what it says in his report. He did say that it was very good.

Then he put me on the treadmill barefoot and had me walk at 4.0 and run at 5.0 while he video taped it from all angles.

My favorite part is next. The VO2 Max test. I had to put a contraption on much like this thing.

Let me just tell you that running with that thing in your mouth and your nose plugged, not to mention fighting the tube from getting yanked out of the machine or out of your mouth through your teeth is not easy!!


Before I started running he pricked my finger to get resting lactic acid levels. The treadmill started off slow (about 3.5) and got faster every 3 minutes. At the end of each wave I had to put my thumb on the side of the treadmill so he could take more blood....all while running and trying to breath through my mouth with this tube thing I made it to I think 5.5 or 6 before I felt like I was going to drown in my own spit and having a panic attack from trying to run and breathe through the tube, having my fingers pricked every 2.5 minutes and feeling like I was on a leash from my the mouth tube. I probably could have gone up one more level on the speed, but I just couldn't do it anymore.

The preliminary results I got was that my HR was indeed high, it was over 200 when we stopped the test, but my VO2 level was in the excelent range. Go figure? My lactic acid levels were also through the roof, which isn't good because that kind of triggers muscle fatigue.

I told him before we started that i do intervals to try to keep my heart rate down. He said his goal is to put me at a training pace that I don't have to do that. I go back in Monday so he can go over the test with me and give me a custom training plan. I am excited about everything but seeing the tape of me running in a sports bra and running skirt


The ends of my fingers are bruised up today from all the blood letting, but that was the worse part of it.

I kind of wonder if my lactic acid levels are so high because of my low calorie intake.  I don't know enough about it and the Google isn't much help to me, way to scientific for me to follow.  I guess I will find out Monday.

Food fest

I am up a pound this morning and not the least bit surprised.  I had lunch at Chili's on Saturday and ate the salad, soup and chips.  I ate the entire bowl of soup, half the salad and probably half the bowl of chips.  Then I went to the movies and had popcorn and an icee.  Serious sodium!!

Yesterday wasn't much better.  Dennis brought me a bag of peanut butter eggs (he has decided I shouldn't lose any more weight) and I ate three of those...they aren't the full sized ones but still.  About 5 I realized I hadn't eaten any real food and I was kind of having a blood sugar issue so we went for pizza.  I ate 4, yes 4 slices of pizza.  Granted it was a medium so the pieces were a little bit smaller and it was thin crust but DAMN!!  I was an eatting machine.  Considering I couldn't eat anything during the week without throwing up.  Oh the band is a fickle biotch.

I wonder if it might be time for a fill.  I am not scheduled to go in until April 30; after two of my three half marathons are done.  I wonder if I should just wait so I can take in a little more calories for those runs. 

I am going to see an exercise physiologist tomorrow and I am sure he will help me figure it out.  I hope he can also help me with my heart rate issue.  I ran friday night with my friend and my heart rate was getting up to 214!!  We were going to do 5 but ended up just doing a little over 3 and walking most of that.  something about a HR that high, it was really hot but that is still scary high.  I hope he can help me figure out a way to train/run smarter and not have to worry about cardiac arrest, lol.