It's been a while...snap goes the kneezel!!

So I have been dreading this post....that's probably why I have been putting it off.  So my 1/2 marathon in Las Vegas didn't go as planned. I finished, but definitely not in the time I was hoping for. I felt great the first 6 miles, and since this was my first half marathon, all advice I received said not to push it to quickly, so I thought...after mile 7 I would push it to get in under my goal. Now my knee had been a pain (ha ha) since the Turkey Day Trot but I hadn't really worried about it as I hadn't really had any other issues. But I had that same slight twang feeling and "snap"...the knee became immobile. Now, I wasn't on the ground in the fetal position sobbing in pain, I just couldn't really move it. So my hope of running the whole thing, without walking at all, was "poof" non-existence. But hey, I was still going to finish so I just fast-walked and told myself when I got back to the Stratosphere I would (if I could) run again. I tried stopping at a medical station to wrap it and that only made it worse. So after 2 pee stops, a blown knee, and a medical station stop, it was all or nothing. I shuffled my feet below me and continued down the strip. I was really hoping to see my yummee and kids. I kept looking and looking, and thought to myself...we signed up for the tracking program so they should know where I am. Big mistake...I made it all the way to the finish shuffling my feet underneath me and crossed without seeing them at all. Turns out the tracking program didn't work AT ALL!! So my race from mile 7 until 13.2 was not the same joyous feeling of 0 - 7. I did finish 2 hours and 37 minutes and that includes 2 potty stops, 1 medical station stop, and a whole lot of in-between non-sense. So I have been resting my knee for the last almost 4 weeks and doing little bits and pieces of working out here and there. For Xmas, a co-worker (who knows I have a girl crush on Jillian) got me one of her 20 min. workout DVD's. I did it last night and the knee was fine. It was the push-ups I couldn't do...dang shoulder. I figure I will get back on track by taking it slowly and do the 20 min. work out 2x on my off-run nights to try and strengthen the legs and upper body. I will get back on this train...oh yeah!! So I am shooting for the half-marathon in May and sticking to halfs for now.
Oh, and the knee. I did a little research and it looks like it is ITBS...iliotibial band syndrome. I didn't go to a doctor or get an official diagnosis, but since it is not bothering me or aching I figured it was just a strain. Of course, if anything changes and problems arise....well that will obviously be another blog...just sayin'!

PS> Definitely more to come, because I didn't cover Christmas or my very cool new gift that I can't wait to try out!!

Happy Trails To Me...Until we stalk again!!

So in a couple of hours I will be on my way to Vegas. Butterflies are a flutterin' already. I am concentrating on my eating and hydrating already because lord knows driving 7 hours in the middle of the Nevada desert doesn't make for many healthy food choices or any food choices at all, unless you like fresh cactus. Speaking of cactus, I wish my ass was skinny enough to pee behind one...just sayin'.
With all the water I need to be drinking we will be stopping every 30 mins...in the middle of nowhere! I don't know if you have ever driven across Nevada, but small towns is an understatement, more like ghost towns!! So, tell me if you think this is just out of the question. I have to go to Target to buy an umbrella stroller for the 2 yr. old. He is also at the age where he needs to learn to go potty like a big boy. So what if I bought one of those little learning potties and used it while we are on the road. I mean come on, can't you picture it. You are driving down the highway,in your luxury vehicle(we can all dream) out in the middle of nowhereland and come upon a woman sitting on a child's potty seat next to her pimped out Chevy Tahoe. It would be one of those moments where you have to do a double take, just so you are absolutely positive about what you just saw! Ummmm....yeah, no! I will not be doing this. But to say that I have a non-existent bladder is an understatement and if I want to stay properly hydrated, I will have to figure something out! Also, I am totally freaked out about what I am going to eat while in Vegas. I am bringing healthy options for the road trip and my yummee found 2 cartons of Pure Protein bars at his desk, but when we are there and eating out. Oy vey!! I have been so scared to eat anything with my recent bout of MSG/Sulfite hatred that I don't even know what to do! Olive Garden for pasta may be an option as long as I stay away from the salad, the breadsticks, and get the sauce on the side. But who wants to go to Olive Garden while in Vegas...nope, I want to go to Margaritaville and veg on bad stuff so that I can feel miserable and perform miserably. Not really, so we will just have to wait and see. On a side note, I think meat (of any kind) and I are on a gastro tug of war. I just don't think it agrees with me anymore. The meatatarian in the family will not be pleased, but it's not like I force him to go vegan. Again, it's a wait and see!!
So here is my road menu:
Whole grain vegan bread
Almond butter
Bananas
Pure Protein Bars
Greek Yogurt (plain)
Granola
Blackberries
Cherry juice (good for recovery due to the anti-inflammatory properties)
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Sprouts
Lunch Meat (hopefully we find some without sulfites, if not...pass)
Avocado
Kidney Beans (help flush Sulfites naturally)
Trail mix
Coconut Water

Any other options I am missing???? Maybe some Peppermint Joe Joe's from Trader Joes. They give you minty fresh breath after you scarf eat them!!

I still have yet to post my Thanksgiving Turkey Trot review and my vegan menu items...maybe I will do that the night before the race when the nerves have me awake at midnight!! I am still thinking a couple of MGD 64's will help me sleep....what do you do to calm the nerves the night before a race??

Las Vegas Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon...here I come!! It's my first half, but not my first race....