I ROCKED!

It hardly seems like it can be over already!  I’ve anticipated the Inaugural Portland Rock N Roll Half Marathon for over a year – and it’s OVER.  Oh, and I ROCKED! J

Let’s get the “numbers” out of the way first.  My goal-goal was to finish before the four-hour cutoff.  I knew, with much certainty, that I’d finish before the pooper-scoopers picked me up, as the four-hour time limit didn’t start until the last corral (#24) had started, as I was in #20…so that bought me a few minutes.  But, I wanted to know that I’d really beaten the four-hour mark.  I thought I’d finish around 3:45…but actually crossed the finish line with a chip-time of 3:35:45, for a per mile time of 6:29.  I was super pleased!  (Someone commented if I hadn’t stopped three times to use the facilities, I’d have made 3:30…but I’m not sure – I doubt I was in there two minutes each time!)

(For those offended by Potty Talk – you might want to stop here…there will be gas/poo/and bras discussed at some point!)

Nutrition Plan

So, Coach Lea asked me last week – what is your race day plan?  I admitted that I was just planning to finish…but it did drive me to think about my “real” plan.  The biggest plan was NO G.I. DISTRESS (a.k.a. stomach pains & poo)! (I warned you!)  For any athlete, G.I. distress can be an issue, if you change up your diet in the week before the race – especially in the nutritional supplement department.  I believe it can be even worse for a WLS patient – with our “unique” food restrictions.  So, last week, I was particularly prudent to stick to the meal plan Lea had written for me (I usually do ~90% - but this week I was spot-on!), and to make sure that I had a plan for race day.

The plan was this: carry my 40oz hydration pack with 4 dissolved NUUN tablets (my electrolyte of choice), and drink water at the aid stations – whether I felt I needed it, or not.  No Gatorade (the offered electrolyte), as I hadn’t “practiced” with it.  (No biggie –it was only lemon-lime – and I hate it!)  I ran out of NUUN right before the last aid station, and had one more chug of water…which worked out great.  (Need to have a plan for longer races, though – either a larger hydration pack, or a “refill.”)

Food-wise, (this was NOT Lea’s plan) I had a frozen banana with peanut butter early in the morning, a soy latte on the way to the race, and some trail mix while waiting in the corral to start.  My during-race plan was having a gel every 45 minutes. I like GU peanut butter (the ones handed out at the race expo!) and GU Mandarin Orange – as well as Chocolate #9 (agave energy gel).  Having this many gels in a row was new for me, and I was a bit concerned about a rumbly tummy, but I had them as planned, and except for a little gas between mile 7 & 10, seemed to have no issues.  (On longer training runs, I use gels & trail mix, and sometimes ½ of a p.b. sandwich on Dave’s Killer Bread.)

One thing that I need to work on is my post-race plan.  I really hate chocolate milk, which is the post-race beverage of choice for most folks.   (Though I didn’t see any here…but that may be because of my delirium – more on that later.)  In fact, I am pretty picky about my protein shakes in general.  The only protein drink I’ve really found that I Like-Like is Jay Robb Tropical Dreamsicle Whey Protein powder mixed with soy milk.  I’m going to have to learn to carry it along – even if I have to mix it with water.  Post-race, I just had half a bagel & another jug of water…though they did pass out these really neat little boxes (looks like airplane snack food) with pita chips, hummus, trail mix, and a little piece of dark chocolate. 

Race Execution

I did have a plan, too, for HOW I was going to do this race. If you’ve been following me long, you know that I’m still a wanna-be in the “run” department – though I’ve made great progress the past couple of months.  My plan was to WALK – JUST WALK – the first half.  I knew that most of the up-hills were in the first half, and that a group of friends would be at mile 7.  My plan was to walk until then, and see how I felt.  If I wasn’t having any wonky knee or foot pain, I’d try running on the down-hills and – more than anything else – I wanted to run the last mile.  I wanted RUNNING PHOTOS. 

And, that’s exactly what happened! J  There were a couple of down-hills that looked steep, and slippery with the rain – so I walked those.  But, on the longer, gentler slopes, I ran.  I think, all told, I ran 2.5-3 miles.  I am very happy with that.

Being in the Moment

One thing I’ve struggled with in this process is enjoying the journey.  A planner, by nature, I want to figure out how to get to the end goal – but along the way, I often miss the fun pieces of the process.  Only after the fact, do I realize that the let-down is that the process/journey is over.  So, I made a conscious effort to take note of things I enjoyed about this day, and things that might not have been so enjoyable – but still got noticed.  This was a huge step for me.  Here are things I can think of off the top of my head:

*One of my WLS sisters (Sarah) came from out of town to spend the weekend with me & do this race.  It wasn’t her first ½, but she was as excited as I was.

*First thing, I was able to hook up with a bunch of girls I’d met online (Running Chicks in PDX), most of whom I hadn’t met before.  One thing I did was put a sign on my back “I’m a Chick – Chanda,” and when other Chicks passed me, they said, “Hello.”  It meant the world to me!  (Sarah commented on the fact that some might think I was advertising I wasn’t a “dude.” LOL!)

*On my way to my starting corral, I ran into Iron Man Mike (I knew he was there, but hadn’t figured on being able to hook up).  We had a hug and photo, and were on our way.  Just minutes later, I happened across an acquaintance who is also an Iron Man.  He was encouraging, too!

*As we crossed the Hawthorne Bridge, I noticed a young gal carrying a baby!  I chatted with her – it was her first ½ - and her baby is only THREE WEEKS OLD.  It was, obviously, her baby’s first, too! J  I wished her luck, and kept going.

*I had a gal come up behind me and say, “Chanda?  Like, Enell Chanda?”  LOL!  I believe I discussed last year the importance of good “support” – especially when running – and she’d seen me (my post, not my “girls”) on the Enell bras FB page, saying that I was doing the RnR this weekend.  She was an Enell Sister!  Thank you, Kelly Mooney, for making the effort to say HI (and share your SUPPORT – LOL!) as you passed me.  (I tried to catch you the rest of the race!)

*The bands were great!  The second band was a group of young boys – not even teenagers – that were just the cutest thing!  There were all sorts of bands – all genres – but, my favorite one was at the last aid-station – a country-ish band.  They were singing Sawyer Brown’s “The Race is On,” as I passed by – and got READY TO RUN the last mile.

*At mile 7, a group of non-racing Chicks were there to encourage us & feed those who wanted pretzels, gummy bears, and M&Ms.  (I refrained, though the pretzels looked appealing.)  I stopped to thank them for being there –and use their chair while removing the rock I’d picked up in my shoe along the way.  Thanks to Rose & Shelly (& the others)!!!

*As we were mostly running in residential areas, there were lots of homes with folks out cheering us on.  One lady was even handing out Mimosas!  (Not part of the nutrition plan – and I did NOT partake!)

*There were several medical tents along the way, people stopping for minor (I hope) aches and pains.  I did feel a toe that was a little “hot” – but it wasn’t painful, so I never stopped.  (It did end up being a blister, I found when I got home.)  At Mile 10, the med tent was FULL…I’m hoping that it was just minor stuff, but one lady was laid out – looking not too good.  I am thankful to not have had to utilize their services!

*I did notice along the way that I was having a couple of the “issues” I’ve discovered in training – particularly hunched back & shoulders & bloating in my fingers.  (I’d remembered NOT to wear my rings.)  I worked at making sure to put my hands up over my head at times & to do some arm swings & circles.  It all seemed to help!

*There were folks of all shapes, sizes, ages & abilities in this race…and at all STAGES of the race.  Larger folks who ran the whole thing, “fit-looking” folks who came in right before the pick-up wagon (and at the medical tents), and folks racing in the wheelchair division.  It just goes to show that “fit” is not a size, age, or personality.  I need to keep being reminded of that.  An active lifestyle is just that – a lifestyle, not a demographic.

*We had rain on and off, but it was a warm day.  When out doing a recovery-ish walk today (Tuesday), I realized why it rained. This was the kick-off event for the Portland Rose Festival…and it ALWAYS rains during Rose Festival! J

Post-Race

So, as I finished the race, they took our photos.  I look like I felt – spent & elated.  There were LIMITED tears J  I’m just so grateful to have had this opportunity – a new life. 

I scheduled Monday off of work, and boy am I glad I did.  I wasn’t terribly sore, as I’d had a great session with my trusty foam roller on Sunday afternoon.  But, I was dehydrated & delirious.  In fact, from the time I came through the finish chute, I just couldn’t seem to focus, and Monday was much the same.  I spent the day resting…realizing I’d had 35,000 steps on Sunday and only 1,500 on Monday!  I slept, drank water, ate, hung out with Sarah, and slept some more.

Today, I returned to work, life, and workouts – realizing that my first duathlon is only DAYS away!  Tonight is my recovery massage…and then I’m back to real-life.

I’m not only planning my future – but I’m ROCKIN’ MY FIT DREAMS!