Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight 10k

I opted for the 10k length of the ET Full Moon Midnight races for two reasons.  The first is that I wanted to be relatively functional to avoid any buses that smell like shit.  That was terrible last year.  I can understand BO but smelling an overflowing toilet for three hours was not my idea of a good time.  The second reason later developed in the form of posterior tibial tendonitis.

I got up early and headed to Vegas.  I ran some errands once in town.  I had read a bit about some SwiftWick socks and thought since the running store was closer to my hotel than a local running store is to my house that this was a great opportunity to run and grab some.  I checked into the hotel and headed to Fremont Street for lunch.  $1.25 hot dog.  It's a must.  I don't know why...but I crave hot dogs the instant I hit the city limits. I also went to the Main Street Brewery and ordered a flight of beers.  Carbo load right?  Hey, it was still early.  Not like it would still have an effect.

Later, I headed to the expo to get my packet and bus tickets for my spectator.  He was cranky, but I was still happy to have someone there cheering me on.  The expo is always simple and cute.  While it was crowded for such a small race, the lines went quickly.  The race director, Joyce, seemed bombarded but managed to get everyone taken care of.  Of course, I had to get details on the costume contest.  I HAD to enter the costume contest!!!

I managed to do a whole whopping 2 laps in the pool at the hotel and get in an hour nap before starting to munch on my final meal.  It wasn't very exciting - cold sweet potato hash and sausage.  I munched off someone who had that pre-race before and since I'm semi paleo/whole30 at the moment, I thought that would be a good idea.  It was just OK.

The bus ride took about 3 hours.  The 2-2.5 hours from Vegas is really only if you are driving yourself. Despite the bus being marked quiet, it was rather chatty so not much sleeping going on.  We stopped for the marathon drop, but no one got off the bus since it was a 10k only bus.  We made it to the Lil A'Le' Inn by 11:45.  It took all my will power to NOT buy a beer before the race.  I love my beer.

The costume - lets talk about the costume! I rocked a metallic blue spandex suit.  I had loads of sparkly blue makeup on and a green tutu.  I wore the green tutu mainly to cover the fact that I had a zippered crotch (this isn't a "normal" costume based on some of the strangely posed models).  Of course even though I had short shorts on underneath, I still couldn't use the zipper.  The tutu also matched my spiffy glasses.  The costume was super hot, but once outside in Rachel, it felt good!

Anywho, I won Best Female Costume.  The Nevada shaped rock in my hand was my trophy :)  I was super excited.  I didn't run but maybe a 1/4 mile in the glasses, gloves and with the ray gun.

The first 5k was a PR for me.  About 31 minutes.  The second half was a bit slower since my tendonitis started to bug me.  I finished in about 1:13.  My GPS said it was only 6.18...so I wandered around the parking lot for a minute.  Then I went and claimed my breakfast.  It's good when you are hungry, but any other time it would be horrible.  The veggies were dry, hard boiled eggs were over cooked, but the rest was good.  I wish I was more of a biscuits and gravy person...but eh.  It just doesn't do it for me.  Plus, I was trying to avoid that doing some of the semi-Whole30/paleo diet stuff. 

Now....how will I out do this next year?!

So Much Physical Therapy, So Little Time

Well, I knocked out my class (because I pretty much gave up my social life) in about eight days.  Yes, that quick.  So quick that the college wouldn't let me take my final exam yet.  I begged and pleaded and they are letting me take it next week.  It's amazing I accomplished so much given that I am now up to three physical therapy appointments a week.

Posterior tibial tendonitis therapy is going well.  I walk backwards a lot trying to stretch it out and train myself to have an arch that isn't really there.  It seems better...especially after the tri and the running experiment I did there.  I've been instructed to walk 4 minutes, run 1 for about 20 minutes a day, but I still HATE walking.

Now, the ischial bursitis....it's looking like that isn't really what it is.  It's looking like a pelvic floor issue even though I don't experience all the urinary incontinence issues.  I've been given the assignment of leg lifts against a wall, band exercises and kegels (TMI?), then they can work on my SI joint which may be part of the issue, and straightening my hips and tail bone (I don't want to know how they fix the tail bone *shudder*). 

So far, I've managed to do a whole lot of PT, finish my class and still make a whole lotta healthy foods.  I'm starting to tucker out.  Whole30 has to wait till vacations are over anyway.

Tri To Help - Mesa Edition

Last weekend, I completed my first triathlon - Tri To Help in Mesa, AZ.  For people who have never completed a triathlon, this is an EXCELLENT start.

My ONLY issue was I thought they needed signage.  I know it was a VERY small even (limited to 8 people per wave), but I was still LOST walking around.  It probably wouldn't be like that at every event, especially if you attend the YMCA - oh yeah, it was held at a YMCA.

The awesome thing - it was mostly indoors.  First, you grabbed your score sheet and some Activate, then headed to the locker room to prep.  Once you meander to the pool area, they marked your calf and arm with your number.

The swim was 10 minutes long and the water was super warm.  I'm a terrible swimmer even though I have been practicing.  I hate sharing lanes because I'm terrified I'm going to knock someone out...sure enough I was the only one who ended up sharing a lane.  The guy was big so it didn't make a lot of sense to me how that was figured out.  He had a huge wake which threw me off my game a little bit, but I survived and managed 16 one-way laps (that's how they count them).  They marked my sheet 15, but the hash marks were 16 and I know I was an even number based on how where I was when I finished.

I then had 10 minutes to change into my cycling gear and get to the Spin room.  I clearly need some better gear - like the kind that glides right on when you are damp.  I used a camp towel which is great for light drying, but not so great for the heavy stuff since it feels like it just pushes the water around till it evaporates.

The biking wasn't so bad.  It was hard to get comfortable and you obviously lose time if you have to stop and adjust your bike every so often.  Plus, there was no tension on the bike so I bounced a LOT.  My poor butt killed me pretty much all week.  I was still happy with my pace and made it about 8.34 miles before time was up.

Next, you had 5 minutes to get down to the treadmill.  I managed to run to the locker room and get my iPod and head phones and get my ankle brace on just in time.  I've never been so frustrated walking before though.  I wanted to run so bad.  Oddly enough, at a 4.2 mph pace, it was more painful on my posterior tibial tendonitis than running felt.  The last minute and a half I gave up and broke into a run.  It was GLORIOUS! I'd missed it so much.  And for some reason, I find it easier to run on a high tech treadmill.  It wasn't nearly as annoying as being at home doing it.  Maybe it was because it was bigger, more roomy, not as claustrophobic...  Anywho, I made it 1.42 miles in 20 minutes.  Not bad for mostly walking.  I am short afterall.

There weren't a lot of women to compete in this - 22 I believe.  I placed 14.  I'll take it and maybe next year, I'll do better.  I'm still pleased with my first time results.  However, it did not cure my nervousness about doing one outside with "real" transitions.  There is one coming up in April that will be local.  I look forward to it (pending ankle surgery decision/outcome).