The Race I didn't Run :(

Yes...Most of you know I did not get to participate in the good old fashioned Ragnar Race last weekend. I decided it was not worth risking long term injury, so I sat it out. It sounds like the team had a decently good time as they are very close to signing up for next year. The crazy thing is they have to sign up on Monday or there will be no "next year." I think I have a spot on the team next year and it sounds like the team will be expanded to 2 teams... I believe the Otter Pops will have 2 teams. I am very hopeful that I have a spot and starting today.... I will begin training for reals. I now know what not to do in order to stay healthy and not over-train too close to the fact. I have less than 1 year to get into Ragnar shape- Along the way I hope to get in half Marathon shape as well.. since I intend to run a half marathon as well.... It all starts with the Neff Family Run for fun run of fun runnning just for the fun of it 10 K 2012 July @ Wolf Creek...!!!

On a completely different and totally unrelated note - I also lived out one of my dreams this morning. Have you ever seen a movie where the main character is locked out of a room? Usually there are 2 ways to deal with the problem. 1) Take the gun and shoot the door open. 2) Kick the door open by kicking right where the door knob is... So I don't have a gun and this seems a bit overkill. I do however have legs of steel and Raw power...so I did what any rational sleep deprived man would... I kicked the freaking door open >:) I am sure my wife will not be super pleased to hear this news...and I am sure there will be some sort of backlash. Oh well! There is a lesson to be learned here - If one doesn't respond to a text stating that the bathroom door is locked there is a good chance that a door might become a victim of sleep deprived and tired..RAGE!

I am in trouble...I think-

So, as many of you know I am preparing to run this insane race thingy called Ragnar. I have been training and Saturday (yesterday) was a big test for me. I decided to run UP Millcreek Canyon for 4.5 miles and then attempt to run back down the same distance- This I did attempt, but not without some heartache. I got up the canyon just fine... slowly, but I made it up without too much trouble. Midway down (around Mile 6.5) I felt this sudden SHARP pain in the left (outer) side of my knee.. not on top..the outside. I stopped running and decided to see if I could stretch it out (maybe I pulled a muscle in my knee? I don't know I'm not a Doctor) As I was stretching a couple of runners stopped and asked me if I was OK.. I told them about the pain and they suggested I messed up my IT band? They recommended a few stretches and a few minutes to cool down and then to try running again..
I did as they suggested, and to my surprise it seemed to go away after 10 minutes of stretching...so I started back down the canyon.. around mile 7.75 it came back WITH A VENGEANCE!!!!! This time I couldn't stretch it out, or rest it out...I couldn't hardly walk. I then decided to call it quits and have Eva come and pick me up.
I got home and took some pain killers... this helped a little bit and I decided it might be a good idea to go for a bike ride to work those IT band muscles. This I also did with little to no trouble. We rode about 10 miles on the Jordan Parkway. And everything was good, still soar and mild pain...but good.
Last night I went to bed with mild pain in the Iliotibial band area of my knee - I slept until about 6:00 am and then woke up to the most dull / achy pain I have ever felt.. I decided to try something... Just answer a simple question- Can I run? The answer....^&%(*&^& no :( I really can't , it HURTS like the dickens! I have 2 weeks until Ragnar? Will I be able to recover from Iliotibial band syndrome? Or should I bail out of the race?? Maybe I should see a medical professional??? 


...To be continued