Oklahoma Memorial 5K Run - April 29, 2012

                                                       Amanda and Me -- 6:30 a.m.!

Sunday marked the 12th Annual Oklahoma Memorial Marathon, which takes place in Oklahoma City every year in memoriam of the 168 souls lost in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building. The events that are offered are the 1-mile fun run, 5K, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon and the Full Marathon. Runners from all over the country lace up their sneaks and hit the pavement. This year, over 30,000 people participated in the event and every state in the U.S. was represented (except Delaware—so if you are reading this and live in Delaware…you need to come out next year and represent!!!)

Due to my bum knee [as referenced in my last post] and the coercing of a friend to participate with her, I woke up at the crack of dawn (4:45 a.m.) to run the 5K. This is the second time I have taken part in this event—the last time was for the Half Marathon—and it is a madhouse downtown on race morning with participants and spectators all over the place. It took 20 minutes for the Half and Full marathoners to cross the start line there were so many people.

Once Half and Full were off, they opened the 5K Corral and we began our race. Although there was rain on the horizon, it stayed dry for the entire 3.1 miles that I ran and the weather conditions were perfect. Not too hot…not too cold—beautiful even.

I had previously purchased a brace to hold my knee in place for the run, but at mile 2.5 my knee gave out and the pain was immense; however, I carried on. I knew I was so close to the end and I actually ended up being one of the first finishers across the line! I paid for my choice to run for the rest of the day and even today it hurts to walk.

The only problem I had with this race were the walkers. I understand that this is a 5K run/walk—but if you are a walker in a 5K—or any event that includes running—get in the back. Seriously. Not only do these people not get in the back, they walk RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of the street. It makes it difficult for runners to pass, especially since many of us like to time our runs. My time would have been so much better if I hadn’t been held up [and if my knee wasn’t being a little bitch]…but oh well!

So…since this blog is pretty much all about me…and entirely narcissistic…you know that I am not above blowing my own horn. I am amazing…not only did I run this race—and finish it in excruciating pain—but I was one of the first done. It was a ghost town by all of the water bottle/fruit/hamburger stations when I finished…and about 5 minutes later…hoards of people came in.

Running is not something that I enjoy—but I really like the results my body has seen from it. I get off on the feeling of euphoria after a run. I love having something that I am good at. This is why I hope—I pray—that my appointment on Wednesday with the orthopedist goes very smoothly and he tells me the fix is easy and simple…and I’ll be running at my peak again very soon.

Here is a picture of Amanda, Amanda’s sister and me [and my Icy Hot knee sleeve]. Look—we have medals for being awesome!!!

Baker's Cyst Blues

During middle school and highschool, I played field hockey and somewhere along the lines I developed a Baker's Cyst on the back of my left knee. A Baker's Cyst is the build up of the knee fluid that develops when it produces too much in the joint. It happens in active people, people with arthritis and people with an injury such as torn cartilidge that goes untreated. But for the fact that there was a slight protrusion on the back of my knee, nobody could see it, it didn't cause me any problems and life was beautiful.

Until recently.

I have been running for about two years now--increasing both speed and distances--and, as I've stated many times before, it has been amazing; however, about three weeks ago, I did a 9.5 mile run around a Lake by my house and then two days later i attempted it again. At exactly Mile 6 on the second day, my left knee was shot. I was in excruciating pain--but it was weird. It felt like it had swollen up, but when I looked down at it, everything seemed normal, so I tried to push on. Big mistake. Big...Huge. By Mile 8, of mostly walking by now, I about died and Andy had to come and rescue me via Toyota Camry. It was horrible...so I iced it, heated it and stayed off of it for about a week.

My next attempt at activity was a fail. Even walking for a long period of time on my knee was proving difficult and the realization that I may never be able to do something that I enjoy so much was breaking my heart. I finally broke down and called the doctor to see what we can do about this Baker's Cyst--a part of my body that has never caused me issue before. He has put me in touch with an orthopedic surgeon--my appointment is next week--and I am not too excited about it. I have been researching the hell out of fixing this ailment and it scares the crap out of me. It looks as if it is an out patient surgery...where they slice the back of your knee open and stick a giant needle in there to suck out the liquid. Oh...that's hot, right?

I am also not excited about the fact that I can't run. My last attempt was Tuesday night and I barely made it 2.5 miles. The Oklahoma Memorial Marathon is this weekend--one of the biggest races in our city--and I am pretty sad that I won't be able to participate...but I will be there bright and early--bells and everything--to cheer on my beautiful friends for whom I am so excited!

P.S. If you are interested in attempting a peek at my Baker's Cyst (which you probably are if you got this far in the post)...go click on my 'Sunday Bang' picture where I am shooting the gun to make it bigger and look behind the left knee.  You can see it there--even with a bent knee it still sticks out a bit.  Just imagine what it looks like when my knee is straight!!!

Update:  My friend, Amanda, has talked me into running the 5K with her on Sunday morning.  I am going to pay dearly for this...but as of 1:30 p.m. CST today...I am signed up...Things Just Got Real!  :)

Sunday Bang

April Fools 2012 was an extremely busy day for me.  It started with a 10-mile bike ride with horrendous winds that about killed my ass...and then out to a property in Piedmont, Oklahoma where I got to shoot guns for the very first time. 

It's the American way, y'all. 

At first I was really timid about the experience, afraid that the kick back on weapons would hurt (I'm kind of a baby) and then I was full on shooting guns like nobody's business.  That's a lie.  I mostly took pictures...but I didn't hesitate to try everything except the shot gun which looked like a huge punch in the stomach (which would be great birth control).

Here is me:

All in all...it was a fantastic weekend for sure!