Race Photos (not all bad)

The other week I ran in a 5k (Abby’s Run for Dandy Walker Syndrome).  I wanted to do well because I know the race directors and the race was raising funds for a good cause.  And I did do pretty good – 5th overall and 1st in my division.  You can read the recap HERE.

In the recap you can see some other photos from the day (including the super awesome medal).

Anyway, they recently posted the official race photos, so I thought I’d share the ones that have me in them (because I’m so shy and modest).  Click on them to enlarge…

Milling about before the start – I’m off to the side behind the flag pole talking to my friend Pepsi. Yes, her actual name is Pepsi. I guess her parents were fans of sugar drinks???

And we’re off! I’m in there somewhere. BTW, none of those determined kids were able to sustain that pace past 50 yards. So yes, I had to do some weaving to get around them.

First mile.  I was wishing that guy wasn’t trying to draft off me.

Managed half a smirk for the camera. That dude behind me is wondering why I’m ahead of him – we have the same shoes after all!  Pepsi is back there in the hat.  She would’ve been next to me, but her hat fell off at the start and she had to run after it.  Yes, her real name is Pepsi.

The blue-shirt-same-shoes-side-mouth-breather dude is no longer in my photos!  You can however spot Pepsi (white hat) behind the silver grocery getter about to turn down the home stretch (2nd female finisher). Yes, her real name is Pepsi.

At the finish – All alone in 5th place!

Award ceremony – Trying not to get my race director friend (Ann) sweaty in our hug.

Yay! I got a photo with Abby (who the race is named for) and her mom. Ann photobombed us. Not sure why I’m standing bow-legged.

The next one is not an official race photo.  A friend snapped it and emailed it to me later…

I’m all thumbs.

So there they are, the long lost race photos (from two weeks ago).  Not too bad – compared to how I usually look (not flattering).  And it’s really cool of them to send them to us for free!!!!  Such a great event all around!

How bout you?  Any recent race photos?  What do you think the dude behind me the first mile was thinking?  Do you know anyone named Pepsi?  Why do kids always line up at the front of the race (I mean, come on)?

-Scott

Runner Staying Positive Thru Injury

So I’m not sure what’s exactly wrong with my knee.  I so know it is not IT Band Syndrome, as I have had that before….bad.  My first marathon, I picked it up pretty early in my training.  It was awful.  I couldn’t bare to run most days, but did find that it didn’t really bother me on the elliptical machine.  So I’d do three hour sessions on that thang to get my miles in.  Only thing that kept me sane was the Saved By The Bell marathons that were usually on at the gym Saturday mornings.

The problem was that on an elliptical, you don’t get the pounding on your feet that you get on the streets.  So when I showed up for the marathon, not only was my IT Band killing me, but my feet got all bloody from blisters, and chafing, etc.  Here’s what my shoes and socks looked like after the race…

But hey, I still finished, right?  Haha.  After that experience I got smarter.  I edumacated myself on  how to do these distances safely.  And I’ve been pretty diligent about trying to do all the right things, because I never want to go through that again!

That’s why this injury is so frustrating.  I thought I was being smart.  Cross training, yogaing, foam rolling, proper eating, stretching and a bunch of other thingings.

I don’t think this is Runners Knee, as I consider that a gradual injury you get, and this one happened all of the sudden.  One day I ran and felt great, the very next day I ran and it hurt.  I want to say I over exerted it landing too hard going down hill, but I can’t say for sure.  I must admit though, that after looking up the symptoms, I seem to have some of them – it gets stiff after sitting too long, hurts to walk down stairs, etc.

As for now, I’m hoping it’s still just an overexertion that needs a short time off to heal.  Of course I’m going to RICE, and do other good things like up my dosage of fish oil.  And so I’m going to rest some more, and if I still have issues, I will go see a professional.

In the meantime, I have to make a choice. I can wallow in a tub of french onion dip, or I can stay positive and send good energy to my parts that need it.  I think I’ll choose the latter.

So here’s something positive.  My 4 year old asked me to make Mickey Mouse waffles.  Here he is enjoying the original thang in Disney World…

And here’s the “healthy” homemade version I made for him.  I used whole wheat flour, local unfiltered honey, coconut oil, cinnamon, organic milk, free range chicken eggs.

More of a pancake than a waffle, but whatevs.

So as much as I wish I was running right this moment, I’m not going to complain about it.  I’m going to look at the positives and hopefully be back sooner because of it!

What about you?  How do you stay positive?  Ever recreated a favorite dish from someplace at home?  Which Saved By The Bell character would you be, and why?