The ER, Paranoia and my last long run

So it has been an eventful week around here. Last Wednesday, after a frustrating day, I ended up in the ER for an allergic reaction that required me to use my Epipen for the first time. I was scared to death but this time Mac was with me. We were in the ER for several hours so they could monitor me once the epi wore off and so they could give me an iv with meds to help stop the reaction. Friday, I went to see my regular provider and she had blood drawn to try to find the problem because she did not believe me when I told her what it was. I have been monitoring my food intake ever since the first reaction sent me to the ER last July. I have found a common thread and it is Red 40. When I told my provider this, she dismissed it saying red 40 is found in so many things and that it is probably something else. I know it is found in so many things and over the past 8 months, I have cut out most of those things because I have been trying to eat cleaner foods and almost always all natural if it is partially processed. That means I haven't been eating red 40 regularly and when I do decide to have something I shouldn't, I have a reaction. Every time I have had a reaction since July, whether it was minor or major like last week, I can find something in my diet that had a large amount of red 40 in it. Last week, it was a giant bag of skittles. I wanted something sweet and since I don't really eat much chocolate, I went for skittles and regretted it.

However, because my PCM was so adamant about me being wrong and told me that it was more than likely something else, I ended up becoming extremely paranoid about food. I barely ate anything for the first several days after and I still have a mini panic attack when I sit down to eat. I finally forced myself to eat pancakes Thursday night and then prayed that I wouldn't react. When Mac suggests certain things for dinner or as a side, I freak out and get angry because I am still scared to eat most things. Not eating when you are trying to train for a half marathon is not really an option.

Which brings us to my last long run. Mac and I had a plan for 9-11 miles on Sunday. We ended up completing just over 8 miles. Things were going pretty good and I was taking it easy for the first half. I decided to walk the first half and then start doing intervals on the way home. It was going alright until right around mile 5. I started getting really tired and my back was bothering me. Finally we were on the last road home and I decided to try running. After a few intervals I became extremely light headed. I had some Clif bloks with me and I tried eating them to see if it would help but it wasn't enough. Mac and I decided to just head home. The problem was that home was still two miles away. Fortunately we made it home without any incidents but I was wiped once we got here. I finally got a shower and then forced myself to eat. That wasn't the way I wanted my last long run to go but I am glad we got some miles in. I've done the math and I know I should have no problem finishing the race, I just have to get me head and gut back in line.

I'm starting to feel better and I have another follow up with my PCM tomorrow and then a consultation with the allergist the first week in March. It is just frustrating because I am pretty sure I am right about what is going on, she just has me second guessing everything now. Hopefully it will all get figured out soon.

Nerves

So the Princess is getting really close and I must admit, I am freaking out a little. I know I can do it. I have trained and I have done it before. I have seen major improvements in my running over the past year but the thought of another half marathon still makes me nervous.

We have our last long training run this weekend. I'm hoping it goes well but since I've been sick this week, I'm not sure what it will be like.

I'm excited to be heading back to Disney and hanging out with my cheerleader, Rachel. I think I am most excited about the fact that I will be doing this race with Mac. I can't imagine what it will feel like to cross that finish line with him this year and I can't wait.

Fat Girl Problems

Why is it so hard for plus size women to find good exercise/running clothes? I am so completely frustrated right now because I decided I wanted a new tech top for the Princes but I can't find anything in a wicking fabric for a plus size woman for under $30. Then you add $5 -$10 shipping and tax and I have to pay $50 just to have a good shirt to run in. I have lots of sleeveless shirts that I was able to get at a local fitness boutique that had a plus size section. Unfortunately, they went out of business last fall and none of the companies(like Nike and champion) carry plus size clothes in their stores. There is a Nike outlet near here and they never have anything that I can wear in the store event though I know they make it because I have 3 Nike tank tops that I love.

The problem is that I can't wear a tank for the half because I end up chafing on the inside of my arms from the arm hole seam. That's why I always wear a t-shirt for the race. I have the shirt I wore last year but I was hoping to go with a different color for this year's race. Sorry, I know this isn't really a big deal but it is just frustrating. People tell us all the time that we need to work out and lose weight, yet no one wants to sell us reasonably priced athletic wear so that we can actually do it. Everything thing I find I either have to order on line and hope it fits the way I want or it is made of sub par materials or straight up cotton which is not fun to wear for a half marathon(I know, I did it the first year.)

Hopefully I can find something before the race.