Jackpot at the LA Marathon Expo

I totally prepared for this photo ahead of time by wearing a yellow headband - can't you tell?

I can’t believe how crazy things seem to get!  I had a billion things to do today and I didn’t get any real food in me until around 3:00 pm – talk about feeling super aggravated!  The first stop was the expo to pick up my bib.  Dom and I quickly navigated around there rather quickly after picking up some LA Marathon gear before heading over to the USATF booth to renew my membership (I think being a member is a good way to support one of the sports I love).  We had to leave rather quickly because Dom needed to study for an exam and I still needed to see my doctor one last time before the race. We checked into the hotel and I left Dom to head to the Westside to see my doc.

I was feeling so much better 24 hours after I saw the doctor for the first time but by this morning, I was starting to feel bad again. When I saw him this time he mentioned that he thought my lower left pelvis was jammed too and he had only worked on the upper pelvis in the previous treatment.  He said I will be just fine for Boston but tomorrow is a gamble (which I already know).  I always try to remember what the doctors say they are doing and try to remember which body parts they are mentioning but all those terms are so foreign in my vocabulary that I forget them almost instantly.  Today I received more Active Release massage on my butt and lower lumbar area. It was a gentle session being so close to the event.  He also used Ultrasound and another round from the laser (Class 4).  According to the insurance claim documents, I have a Sacro-illiac Joint Disorder and sacro-illiac sprain/strain.  What ever it is…It hurts like crazy! Fingers are still crossed and I have been looking into other game plans just in case…
Back to the expo…Even thought we were not there very long, I was able to do some damage with my debit card! I had budgeted for this race and had planned on buying a jacket but they didn’t have any small sizes left so I opted for things that I would have in my possession for quite some time including LA Marathon branded running shorts, flip-flop, backpack and a tee shirt.

This shirt is so cute - I can't wait to wear it!

Dom suggested I get something that is NOT black so I chose red shorts. They should last me forever.

I thought these were really cute and I can always use another pair of flippy-floppies.

I actually needed this little bag - it will be perfect to take to track practice.

When I renewed my USATF membership, I wanted to buy the entire line of gear they had but I settled for the more unique jacket that I’ll probably only wear on special occasions like when going to a track meet or something.  Last year the USATF marathon championships were held during LA Marathon and I was totally surprised when I received a medal in the mail for placing third place (or second, I don’t remember and it doesn’t matter).  They will be holding the event this year again during LA Marathon and I renewed my membership just in time to participate.

Wayne Johnson gave me this for renewing my membership. THANKS!

USATF Jacket...Really cool!

The USA patch-like lettering is the best part!

2010 USATF Marathon Championships. Nice little surprise!

When I got my bib today there was special note for me to pick up my gift from some tent and I found it to be an LA Marathon shirt, water bottle and a certificate (notice the funky signature, that’s funny!) – pretty cool!

Another shirt to hang in my closet! I will definitely make good use of this bottle since I will probably lose the one I am drinking from now. I lose all my bottles.

I think someone's pen ran out of ink!

I was very disappointed with the shirt we received this year – it was more on the unisex side and I am too skinny to wear a manly shirt.  They had run out of XS so I has to get a small that actually fits like a large. I guess it is not a big deal but it is a waste of resources since it will just hang in my closet and never get worn.  I would be more than happy to trade someone for something…haha.

I am willing to trade this for something else...any takers?

Anyway, now I am back in the hotel room just lounging and I am going to have to finish my online traffic school for procrastinating so long. Deadline is the 21^st and I don’t know if it has to be done on or before – might as well do it now…  As far as food, I am back to a normal diet. I am not eating any starchy carbs though (no pasta), mainly brown rice or other more complex carbs.

The nice thing about staying in a hotel downtown tonight is that we are only a few miles from the start so we can get a little extra sleep and warm-up by running to the start.
I can’t wait until all of my friends get to the finish line so we can actually celebrate our hard work leading up to this race. Thanks for all the nice messages – always appreciated!  Whatever happens tomorrow is already in the cards so I am not gonna worry about it anymore.  Hoping for the best.

Talk soon,

Trace

Found my name on the driver's side door!

The race outfit.

Me and my Goose! ❤

Susan M., Jen L. and me - carbo-load dinner last night. Love them!