Coughing Up Blood

Daily Quote: "CT scanning—sometimes called CAT scanning—is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.CT scanning combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body. These cross-sectional images of the area being studied can then be examined on a computer monitor, printed or transferred to a CD."  --radiologyinfo.org


Sunday, Janurary 23:  I had been coughing up blood during and after my runs for the last four days and have determined that this is not going away and will need to see a doctor.  Searching the internet for causes and discovered 124 possible causes.  The color of my blood is very bright red about 1/2 teaspoon after every cough (several coughs during those running episodes.) The coughing lasts until my heart rate returns to normal, which is less than five minutes.  I don't cough any other times after my running.

Monday, January 24:  Since I haven't seen a doctor in many years had to contact my HMO (Health Plan of Nevada) for a primary care doctor.  My HMO had me on hold on the phone for three hours!  They finally had given me a primary care doctor who is looking for new patients by the name of Dr. Norris at Southwest Medical.  Unfortunately, her receptionist says the earliest my doctor can see me is February 21st at 8:00 a.m.  The receptionist highly suggested I contact my HMO's "24 Hour Advice Nurse" to allow me immediate urgent care.

Finally contacted my HMO's 24 Hour Advice Nurse, who told me to rush to Southwest Medical Urgent Care on Charleston Boulevard and see UC Provider, Dr. Robert Hanser, DO.  The doctor took my vital signs, x-ray tests, and health history.  Since I only cough blood when I'm running, the doctor considered that I might have EIA (exercise induced asthma) and prescribed me an albuterol sulfate inhaler.  He told me that the results of the x-ray would take about 24 hours and that they would contact me about the results.

Tuesday, January 24:  My wife called my cell phone after she came home from work stating that Southwest Medical Radiology had left me a message on my home answering machine when I was working.  Since it's late I won't be able to return Southwest Medical's call until tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 25:  Contacted Southwest Medical Radiology as soon as I awoke. During the examinations of my x-rays they noticed a red blotch in the middle of my right lung...and I need to schedule a Cat Scan as soon as possible. The "nodule" is very disconcerting as it probably disagrees with the guess of my having EIA.  I'm scheduled for a Cat Scan on February 2nd at 7:00 a.m.

Not much I can do until the Cat Scan.  I have been reducing the length and intensities of my runs as to avoid stressing my lungs.

A New Year

Daily Quote: "January is a great time to set aside a few days to reassess your personal running vision. Throw out the old; bring in the new." --Jeff Galloway, Olympic runner; writer.

I haven't been posting in this blog because of a bad computer motherboard, plus not much has been happening in my running as I'm very slowly adding more base mileage; ran only 28 miles last week.

Last year, 2010, I made a New Year's Resolution to run more races, therefore decided on running the Las Vegas Competition Series that had a race every month...ran only nine of those series' races due to a sore right hip flexor.  The LVTC Competition Series was fun as I ran a variety of races, 5k, 4 mile, 10k, cross-country, and half marathon.  Also ran my first ultra race, "The Labor of Love 50k Race," when I took 1st Place in the 50-59 year old division.  2010 was a very busy racing year!

I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions this year.  My right hip flexor is much better, nevertheless, I think it would be more prudent if I don't race as much this year.  My overall plan this year is to become a stronger, leaner, running machine.  I'm currently 175 pounds on a six foot frame, but would like to weigh 165 pounds with less body fat.  How should I reach that weight goal?  I definitely need to focus on making healthier food choices with smaller portions and I also should put more focus on weight training.  Would like to experiment with other crosstraining activities too such as rowing machines and maybe even ice skating.

I'll be 59 years old on February 7th, which means this is the last year I'll be in the 50-59 year old age division. Next year I WILL be running the 2012 Las Vegas Competition Series as a monster in the over 60 year old division!!

2010 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon

Daily Quote: "Gatorade and banana peels replaced the empty beer bottles that typically crowd newspaper racks. The only strip show involved athletes shedding sweatshirts as the sun peaked over the casinos."  --Las Vegas Review Journal, December 6, 2010, article "28,000 Take Part in Las Vegas Marathon."

Awoke early for my half marathon, 5:00 a.m., as to allow a small breakfast and to prepare for the 7:00 a.m. start.  Left home 45 minutes early as to assure a parking spot, but the only parking I could find was at the New York, New York Hotel and Casino about 1/2 mile from the starting line.  Due to the crush of humanity couldn't reach my Corral #3 in time, had to settle for Corral #22.  Didn't really matter as I had plan to run this race as a fun run as my right hip is iffy and missed alot of training due to the flu after my last 10k race.  Besides, I gain points from the LVTC Competition Series if I just completed the half-marathon.  I doubt that I could achieve a personal record in this event anyways as their wasn't much room to maneuver and couldn't find a clear path through the throngs of runners.

I couldn't ask for better weather at the start, 49 degrees, partly sunny, winds SSW at 9 mph, with a humidity of 41%...if anything, I wore too much as I had short tights and long sleeve technical shirt.

The race was fun due to the excitement and entertainment at most mile markers, plus it was entertaining just to watch my fellow racers in their variety of costumes.  This race is more of an event rather than a competition for most runners.

I probably had too much fun as my finishing time was very slow, in fact the slowest half-marathon I've ever ran with a result of 2:10:56.  Funny, but my right hip flexor only complained until after the race!  Next year I would like to run this half marathon again, but with a more serious attitude.

This race was a nice victory lap to a very busy racing year.

Half Marathon Tapering

Daily Quote: "It’s the 4-5 spots that are still undecided and are very closely contested. In fact, so closely contested that I’ve decided to add a 6th place for awards. Craig, Carl Wright (98), Brian Schreiber (98), Jesse Triplett (89), Sergio Ibarra (89), Bruce Robison (88), and Chris Perrine (87) are all in contention for those last two—now three—spots."  --Southern Nevada Running News, December 2010

I'm currently ninth place in the 2010 Las Vegas Track Club Competition Series and with only one more race (2010 Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Half-Marathon) I have a chance for the 4-5th place spots.  Considering the Las Vegas Track Club has 1,060 members my finishing in the top 10 would be pretty cool!  I wonder how high I would have placed if I had completed all ten races rather than just nine races due to my hip injury last summer?

Today was an easy 3 miler at about 10 minute per mile pace.  I didn't wear a watch, Garmin Forerunner, nor heart rate monitor as I wanted to recover as easily and stress free as possible.  During my recovery run wore all the clothes I'm planning on racing this Sunday...no problems with the clothes or shoes, I'm now fully prepared for the race.  I don't plan on running any more training runs until the race on Sunday, the rest of my tapering will be in the pool or on the upright stationary cycle.

My only goal for the "2010 Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Half Marathon" is to have fun!  I don't plan on racing hard as my right hip flexor is still iffy and don't wish to cause further harm.  Nevertheless, I'm usually so competitive that I would get wrapped up in the excitement and race faster than I intend.  The extended forecast for Sunday is a high of 65 degrees and a low of 46 degrees with intervals of clouds and sun.  The race starts at 6:00 a.m. and I'm guessing the temperatures will be in the low 50's.  Normally I would be extremely anxious to start racing during the taper, but this week I feel surprisingly calm and relaxed.

I'm looking forward to picking up my race packet on Saturday and exploring the race expo.

I need to get ready for work (I'm a Checker Cab driver)...I'm going to wear my Boston Marathon cap, maybe I'll pick up a few marathoners at the airport!

2010 LVTC Competition Series

Daily Quote: "Win or lose you will never regret working hard, making sacrifices, being disciplined or focusing too much.  Success is measured by what we have done to prepare for competition." --John Smith (from the book, "Chicken Soup for the Soul.")

I've been lax in my blog postings as I was sick with the flu last week and only ran once last week.  I'm better now with only one more week of tapering before the half marathon.

I'm currently in 9th place with only one more race left in the Las Vegas Track Club Competition Series, which will be the 2010 Las Vegas Half Marathon next Sunday!!  Due to my sore right hip last summer, I will only complete nine of the ten events, the following was my results this year:

1/30 LVTC Club Championship 10K:  50:36

2/6 Kendall Tenney’s 9th Annual Run for a Wish 5K:  24:32

3/20 Run Away with Cirque du Soleil 5K: 24:28

5/1 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K: 24:08

8/7 LVTC Legends of Cross Country 5K: 25:20

9/18 LVTC Forest Challenge 11 Mile: 2:22:20

10/3 Four Seasons 11th Annual Season 4 a Cure Cancer Run 5K: 24:36

11/13 Max Muscle Marathon Tune-Up 10K: 53:34

12/5 Rock ‘n Roll Marathon Las Vegas Half-marathon: ???

Not only did I run in the above series events, but this year I had also ran my very first ultra-marathon, which was the "Labor of Love 50k Race" on April 11th, winning my 50-59 age group with a time of 7:08.

The year 2010 was a very active year, I had never ran so many races in a singular year before!  Normally I would strive to peak for races by only running a couple every year with a marathon in December.  The races were fun and the training kept me relatively healthy and fit, but my right hip flexor has suffered and still not fully healed.  The big question for me is whether I'll attempt running the 2011 Las Vegas Track Competition Series?!?  Maybe if I ran ten events next year I could achieve a higher result in the LVTC Competition Series?  Perhaps a wiser choice would be to allow my hip to fully heal and work more on my upper body next year?

A Thank You from Max Muscle Sports Nutrition

Today is a rest day from yesterday's race & 10 miler.  Tonight I'll be bowling at the Sunset Station.  Received a nice e-mail letter from Max Muscle Sports Nutrition:

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition

November 14, 2010

Race Participants,
Thank you for your participation in the 2nd annual Max Muscle 10k and 5k.

We would like to once again sincerely apologize for the race delay yesterday. For any participant who had to leave before the race started please let us know and you will be issued a full refund for the race. For everyone else, thank you very much for your patience and please check your mailboxes soon for a coupon that may be used either at Max Muscle or applied to next years race entry fee.

We would also like to give a big thank you to all of volunteers. Results and photos will be posted to lasvegas.maxmuscle.com very soon.
Thank you again, and we hope to see you at our next race!

Sincerely,
Jennifer Lee

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition

Max Muscle Marathon Tune-up 10k Race

Daily Quote: "It's the 3-4-5 spots that are tight, as only 26 points separate Gerry from Gergio Ibarra and Bruce Robison who are tied for 9-10 with 79 points."  --Southern Nevada Running News, Las Vegas Track Club Competition Series Update, November 2010, pg 10.

Only two more races for the Las Vegas Track Club Competition Series, which is today's 10k race, and the Las Vegas Half Marathon on December 5th.  I'll only complete nine of the ten races this year, due to my not competing in the Notch Run because of my sore right hip, nevertheless I'm surprised that I'm still contending...where would I be in the standings if I was able to race all ten races and was 100% fit?

I awoke at 7:00 a.m. and had a grand total of five hours of sleep.  I wore my race clothes to bed, all I needed to do was eat my pre-race breakfast routine of a granola bar and Gatorade and set off for the race.  I couldn't wake Garfield (nickname for my Garmin Forerunner GPS watch) from his stand and had to leave him at home.  I don't know what's wrong with Garfield, no response at all, tried a manual reboot, which didn't work either.

The 10k course is rectangular with right turns that climbs uphill gradually to the midpoint, then turns downhill for a fast gallop to the finish line.  The whole course is on asphalt, which runs through the northwest Las Vegas suburb.

My half-marathon training schedule calls for a 10 mile run, therefore my overall plan was to race hard the first 6.2 miles and once I cross the finish line will continue onward for another four miles around the course...at least that was the plan, circumstances soon developed where I had to change that strategy.

The weather is brisk, sunny skies, 45 degrees with winds SW at 7 to 12 mph.  I feel comfortable with the weather, which was perfect conditions for me and I'm very eager to race!

The race starts at 8:00 a.m. and arrived at the race around 7:30 a.m. for my warmup routine.

7:40 a.m.  The director makes an announcement that their was a mixup with the traffic cones contractor who thought the race wasn't until Sunday.  The course is not ready, hence a postponement of the start until 8:30 a.m.  Not a biggie.  I decided to change my plans and run four miles before the race rather than afterwards.

8:30 a.m.  Finished my four mile training run and felt a little tired, but still anxious to race.  The director makes another announcement.  Las Vegas Metro Police says the course is not safe for a race yet, therefore the race will now start at 9:00 a.m.  The organizers proceeded with the raffle immediately instead of after the race.  As usual, I didn't win anything from the raffle.  Chatted with several of my age-group racers as we waited for the start.

9:00 a.m.  The director makes another announcement...as soon as the motorcycle cop o.k.'s the course we'll start the race.   I would say at least a third of the race participants have already left for home, and the rest of the racers were at a very negative and sour mood.  I tried to stay positive, but no longer felt eager to race!  I just wanted to finish this darn thing.  I might have left too, but I need the series points for the Las Vegas Track Club Competition Series and didn't want to waste my $35 entry fee either. Changed my race strategy, rather than race with a hard effort, I've decided to treat this race as a long tempo run at approximately half-marathon pace.

9:25 a.m.  The director now states the course is now safe for the runners!  We're all herded to the starting line and the director mercifully makes no further announcements.  This is a first for me, I've been running races since 1999 and most races are on time or just a few minutes late due to announcements...not 85 minutes late!!

I ran the course at a steady pace.  The first half of the course was strong headwinds, but once I pass the mid-point and heading downhill the wind was at our backs.  I pretty much tuned myself off to my surroundings and just focused on fast turnovers and making sure I cut the tangents sharply.  I miss Garfield as he would often help spur me faster if my pace started to drift downwards.

I crossed the finish line strongly, but didn't even glance at the time...again, I miss Garfield!!  The awards were given about thirty minutes later and discovered I took second place in the 55-59 age group, which was sort of a surprise since I was running at about half-marathon pace, but not too big of a surprise as many runners went home after the second start postponement...as far as I know it was just the two of us in our age group!  I'll update this blog later to state my official finishing time.  Naturally, it's 5:45 p.m. and the results still haven't been posted on the LVTC.org site...hopefully I can finish this posting tomorrow.