Rock 'n' Roll San Francisco Half-Marathon Race Report

I debated going to the gym on Friday but in the end I decided that since I planned to run 13.1 miles in a couple days with almost no training, best to get some rest.  Saturday night I got all my gear out and prepped.  It's amazing how much stuff you need!  Run clothes, body glide, hat, sunglasses, bib, safety pins, Garmin watch, heart strap, race belt, music, energy bloks/gels - and that's just the stuff for the actual race.  Then there's a change of clothes, pre-race water, etc, etc, etc.  I tried to go to bed early but I couldn't sleep.  And then Marek woke up at midnight with a nightmare and I was up for a while longer.  I think in the end I got about 4 hours of sleep.  Not ideal.

I got up at 4:20am to shower, eat breakfast and have some coffee.  I also took an allergy pill and two Immodium ADs to try and avoid GI issues.  My friend Laurie arrived at 5am and we were on the road shortly after.  I picked up another runner friend, Deanne, on the way into the city.  We were lucky enough to find parking just a couple blocks from the start.  Deanne went to meet her friend and Laurie and I went off to find the VIP area.

Just one of the tables.

We walked into a room with a spread of food (bagels, fruit, etc) and plenty of beverages.  The folks at Competitor sure know what they're doing.  Despite eating breakfast I was hungry so I had a half of bagel with a bit of cream cheese (oh, dairy, bad call).  We hung around for a while chatting up the other VIPs (most of whom were connected to the sponsors of the race in one way or another) and prepping our stuff.

We had a nice view of the start area from the balcony.  The area where people are milling around is actually the finish chute.

Aquatic Park and the start area (all lit up)

So I was feeling very relaxed with no pace goals and very few expectations of myself, which was nice.  It was a pleasant sort of anticipation, wondering what would happen.  Like reading a fun mystery novel. 

I hadn't been sure what to wear but in the end chose tights and a short sleeve top.  Starting temp was a pleasant 54°, not freezing my ass off like I was expecting.  We headed over just before the 7am start.  They had over 20 different waves based on pace.  Laurie and I were in different waves so I snuck into hers (wave 15), which I think was a 2:15 pace.  They had each wave take off with a "10, 9, 8..." countdown, kind of fun.  Our wave took off at 7:20am.

Almost immediately after we crossed the start line we had a small hill to climb.  Despite my plan to walk all the hills, I couldn't bring myself to do it this early in the race and it was a short, not steep hill anyway.  After that we had a nice downhill followed by a couple miles of lovely flats.

Elevation profile

I tried not to glance a lot at my Garmin, I didn't want it to influence my go-with-the-flow, easy, comfortable pace.  But of course, I had to look now and then and seeing something in the 10 minute per mile pace made me happy.  Miles 4 and 5 were the exception (as was mile 8) because of the hills.  Anyway, by the time we came to the next good sized hill around mile 4 I felt good enough to run up it.  I just took it slow and easy. 

I'd lost Laurie somewhere in the first couple miles and she showed up right when we started the hill.  Turns out she had to use the porta-potty.  We ran together for a while, chatting and posing for pictures at every opportunity.  I lost her again before the Golden Gate Bridge.  The hill leading up to the bridge was a challenge but I managed to run up that one too.  At this point I started to think I might be able to run the whole thing, but I also knew my legs/endurance could change that at anytime.  We ran on the public walkways on the bridge (the roads were not closed), which was fairly crowded.  I got momentarily stuck behind slower people here and there but mostly I was able to run a comfortable pace. 

The weather was just perfect for running - cool and cloudy with jut enough wind to keep my shirt dry.  I did my best to look out at the view of beautiful San Francisco.  I'd wore my headphones and was so glad to have them.  Normally, if I were going all-out, I'd need to hear my breathing to keep a nice rhythm going but this was a slow, easy run so I could listen to the music instead, which was lovely.  The route was very well signed, with huge mile markers at every mile as well as signs at the 5k and 10k distance. 

Just over the bridge and I saw the first and only band I remember seeing on the run.  Maybe there were more, but I don't remember them.  There was a threesome of steel drummers too, which was cool.  That morning I'd been chatting with a Competitor staff member in the VIP lounge and told her this was my first Rock n Roll half marathon. She let me know that this would not be a typical RnR experience because of difficulty getting permits for bands (due to power, amplification, etc type issues) on the Federal parkland property where most of the run took place. 

So, very little music on the run but what they did have were cheerleaders - and I loved them!  They'd invited high school cheer leading squads out to cheer us on and they were outstanding.  I liked them more than the bands.  They were so enthusiastic, so full of energy and encouragement it was great.  And some of the signs were very funny, I wish I could remember them now.  

So after the bridge we ran on a trail for a while we worked our way down and under the bridge. I was zooming down that trail!  The view was spectacular and some people even stopped for pictures - I couldn't imagine doing that.  Then it was a nice, evil hill during mile 8 to climb back up for the return trek on the west side of the bridge.  I managed to run up that hill too.  My hips were bothering me and my calves had been feeling a tad crampy for most of the day.  But I just told myself that I could walk if/when I needed to, that my calves have felt that way before and not cramped up, and that all I could do was run for as long as possible so don't worry until you have to.  That line of thinking kept me calm, cool and collected.  As did the people watching and sight-seeing. 

I kept wanting to run up to people and say, "great day for a run, eh?", but not everyone's as dorky as I am so I kept my trap shut.  And then Laurie caught up with me again, yay, I could chat a bit with her!  We discussed post-race beverage plans and the possibility of a full 26.2 in October, among other less important things I'm sure. 

Back over the bridge and a glorious downhill back to Crissy Field.  We ran on the walking trail on Crissy Field for a while, which was a bit annoying because it's covered in a fine gravel, making it feel like the running is a tiny bit harder than it needs to be. But it was flat and I was still in the 10 minute per mile range so that made me happy.  Normally I eat 2 shot bloks every 3 miles but given my lack of training today I was eating 2 every 2 miles and they were definitely keeping me going.  I drank a few sips of water at every water station (without stopping of course) and had a few sips of Gatorade at the last one. 

And suddenly I hear, "Michelle?". I glance around, surely no one is calling me.  "Michelle, is that you?", I glance again - and it's Cori!  Cori reads my blog and we got to meet back in January for lunch.  She lives within blocks of the race venue so she came out to cheer me on.  I was so shocked and happy to see her!  I got a double high-five and lots of encouragement.  What a cool thing to do, thanks Cori!  It was an awesome boost to get me through those last few miles.  Too bad I didn't have a camera with me to snap a picture.

Finally I see the mile 12 sign - only a bit over a mile to go!  My hips were achy and my calves were about the same.  And I was ready to stop running.  We came to the last hill and Laurie took off.  I let her go and then after a few moments something clicked and I decided to catch her.  So off I went, zooming up the hill.  Where that surge came from I don't know but I caught her before the top.  I zoomed down the other side of the hill and then there was the finish line about 1/3 of a mile away.  Yay!  Laurie passed me, encouraging me to keep up with her the rest of the way but I couldn't, which was fine.  Well, I'm sure my body could have if my mind had been willing.  Or a dog was chasing me. 

So I rolled toward the finish line feeling so damn happy I was able to run the entire race without walking but mostly happy that I was about to be done running.  The music was blasting, people were cheering and I crossed the finish line with a time of 2:18:31.  Woot!

My Garmin (full stats here) gives me an average pace of 10:31 minute miles but that's because it's spread over 13.17 miles instead of 13.1 miles.  Here's my official finish stats, with an average pace of 10.34.  I am so happy to have finished above the 50th percentile in the Overall placement, a first for me and an unofficial goal I've had for a while.  Now I'll need to find another place-related goal.  And I'm super happy with my 173/550 for my division (F 40-44).  If I do this race again next year and they do the same route I'm going to crush this 2:18 time!

Laurie finished in 2:18:01, thirty seconds ahead of me, so she was right there when I finished.  We got some finish line pics taken.  This race had more photographers than I'd ever seen at a race event.

We got some fun run pics too but I am waiting to see the finish line pictures (which I'm hoping they just haven't gotten to post yet) before I decide which ones to buy.  Here are my fave run pics so far.

There were tons of post-race beverages including a Jamba Juice, chocolate milk, Gatorade and of course water.  And Power Bars, pretzels and other snacks too.  So we grabbed a few things and then went up to the VIP lounge.  The Mimosas were flowing so I had one of those and a little bit later a ham and cheese croissant sandwich.  Before too long my stomach started bothering me and it just got worse as the afternoon wore on.

I hung out at the venue listening to the band (The Mowgli's) and going over the race.  But back home in the late afternoon my stomach was in serious knots.  And I ended up throwing up too.  I managed to survive the rest of the day but it wasn't fun.  I think I might have had too many shot bloks, and I'm sure the champagne didn't help (though I know it's not all that), and maybe more water during the race?  Who knows, but I hope it doesn't happen next time.  My half-Ironman dreams might be hampered if I don't.  

Anyway, I can't tell you how happy I am with how I did!!  This is over, my lungs are clear, and once I'm recovered from this race I can dive back into my exercise routine with no holding back.  By the time I'm up to speed it will be time to start training for my next event, the See Jane Run half-marathon in June, and a week after that the Tri for Fun.  I just might have to go for a PR on both of those. 

Great event Competitor, welcome to San Francisco and I hope to join you this time next year to do it all over again!  I'll close with a post-run picture of Laurie and I on the balcony overlooking the finish line.  Happy running everyone!!

Clear Lungs and Rock-n-Roll Race Prep

I never thought I'd be excited about getting a chest x-ray but that was how I felt Monday morning.  I was so hopeful it would be clear.  But having a cold and doing a bit of coughing has made me nervous.  What if I had a pneumonia relapse?  A LOT of people warned me about that.  Anyway, I got the x-ray and then tried to be patient and wait for the doctor's office to call me with results. 

Other than that Monday started with me feeling a bit down about some of my eating choices over the weekend.  I basically had chips and chocolate eggs for dinner on Sunday.  I think I had two bites of normal food and the rest was pure junk.  I told myself that it was an Easter thing and to just move on.  Besides, when the doctor's office called and said my chest x-ray was clear I felt like I got a fresh start.  Woo-hoo, it's on!  I went to the gym after work and started with a 15 minute run on the treadmill at 6.4mph with two 1-minute 7.4mph intervals thrown in.  The run was the best kind of hard.

While running I tried to dream up a pace that I might start the half-marathon on Sunday.  Does 11 minute miles seem too ambitious?  I'm going with a plan to run (except for the hills) until I can't and then do a run/walk combo to the finish.  If I finish, which I sure hope I do.  Going into this with almost zero training is like a good mystery novel.  Can't wait to see what happens!  One thing I know, they'll be lots of music and with any luck a good after-party so fun is sure to be had. 

Which reminds me.  I have a friend who has a big-time job in The City and she was sent two VIP wristbands for the race.  And she gave them to me!!  (Thanks Wendy!!) 

My favorite part of the VIP information docs is where it says, "Important note: Please bring your official ID if you plan to enjoy the VIP bar."  Oh yeah, a post run adult beverage is in my future.  If for whatever reason I don't finish the race, several post-run beverages might be in my future!

I finally took a good, hard look at the elevation chart for the event.  It looks scarier than it is.  I hope.

I know I'll be walking up the hill that leads to the bridge, it's fairly steep.  The rest of it I hope to run.  I love the second half of the race.  Running back over the Golden Gate and then cruising downhill back along the marina should be spectacular!  Which reminds me...weather.  A quick check of the forecast for Sunday and...

No rain!  Well, 10% chance.  61° with a moderate breeze sounds like good running weather to me!  Of course it won't be 61° at the 7am start, I'll be freezing my socks off next to the bay at that hour in San Francisco!  Shorts or capris?  Short sleeves or long?  Well, time to check the Runner's World What to Wear tool.

So the tool suggests to wear shorts and a short sleeve shirt if I want to feel cool or a long sleeve shirt if I want to feel in-between.  I think I'll go for in-between.  I don't want to feel like I'm freezing my ass off.  Which I know I'll feel standing there in shorts.  Might go for capris too, we'll see. 

Ack!  I can't believe I'm running a half-marathon on almost no training.  Oh well, life is nothing if not interesting and I'm very excited to be participating in the inaugural Rock-n-Roll half-marathon for San Francisco.  I've read so many race reports from Rock-n-Roll runs and they seem like such fun!

Oh boy, back to yesterday's gym visit.  After the treadmill I did legs/shoulders/core for strength training.  My legs are still weaker than they were but I'm slowly working my way back.  The biggest thing are my jump squats.  Partially because of my back too, but my jumps have me barely leaving the ground whereas before they were all JUMP! squats.  Now they're like (whisper) jump (/ whisper) squats.  But I can still do them and that's good enough for now.  I've been loving working my shoulders lately.  I'm upping my dumbbells to 20 pounds next time I do Arnold's.  A challenge, but one I know I'll enjoy.

Today my eating was a bit more on track.  I had my Kashi Go-Lean for breakfast and a cheese stick and banana for a mid-morning snack.  For lunch I was out in the field so I picked up a deli sandwich and enjoyed the lovely weather and beautiful surrounds in Southern Marin.  I only ate half the sandwich and saved the other half for later.  Later back at the office I had a half of a large chocolate chip cookie.  And just before the gym my stomach was growling so I had a few Shot Bloks I found in my car.  

At the gym I rode the upright bike for 15 minutes.  Man, it's still killing me!  And then back/biceps/core.  My back is still tender so I took it easy on some things but I did everything, just with lower (or no) weights on back extensions and decline crunches.  We'll see how my back feels in the morning but so far tonight it's good.  Dinner was a bit off course but can I call it carb-loading for the half?  LOL, if it's not one excuse, it's another.  

Before I go just want to mention that Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition is casting.  If you're interested in being on the show check out their casting site: http://extrememakeovercasting.com/home

Chocolate Eggstravaganza!

I'm enjoying a quiet moment between all the egg festivities.  Before I get into all that I'll jump back to Friday for a quick gym rundown.  I rode the bike on Level 8 for a quick 15 minutes and woah, it was a challenge.  I was grateful to not be doing my normal 25 minutes.  After that I did chest/triceps/core for strength training.  Spent a good amount of time stretching my back, which is s l o w l y starting to feel better.

A local bike store did a remodeling and was having a big re-opening sale so I stopped in to see what I could see.  I ended up buying a box of Shot Bloks and a box of Clif bars.  And they had a bike jersey I liked.

I like the lines.  I only have one jersey that fits me well, so now I have two.  As an aside my padded bike shorts are ridiculously big on me (size xl) so this afternoon I stopped into REI and got a new pair (size medium) with a 20% off coupon and a nifty little dividend from last year's purchases.

Friday evening I found myself out on the town listening to Phil Lesh play with his sons' band.  I wasn't out very late and only had one drink so it was a subdued sort of outing.  Still, I enjoyed the music and being out amongst the grownups.

Saturday came bright and early.  I helped set up the Easter Egg hunt for our mothers club.  The kids and Miguel showed up later for the hunt and we all had a nice time.

The candy situation is a little out of hand.  But I have a plan to get it out of the house after today so hopefully that will be the end of it.   Anyway, after the hunt we came home for lunch with friends.  The day rolled along nicely.  I made lasagna for dinner along with garlic cauliflower and grilled eggplant.  The veggies were mostly for Myra and I, since we're mostly the ones that eat them.  I had more lasagna than I needed.

Eggplant on the Foreman grill.

That reminds me!  I had a dream the other night that I got on the scale and weighed 159.  I was so upset, getting off and on the scale hoping it was a mistake.  Nope, 159 each time.  Then I noticed one corner of the scale was on a piece of carpet so I moved it and, voila! 138 (or something like that).  Ok, dreaming about gaining weight is not good.  I don't feel like I'm that preoccupied with my weight.  Though I do have a blog that is pretty much all about it so maybe that's not true.

After dinner we stayed up to watch more Game of Thrones.  The stuffy/runny nose was driving me nuts so I ended up taking some NyQuil before bed, pretty much insuring I'd sleep like a baby.

Today started with a lazy Sunday morning at home.  The kids had fun hunting for eggs in the back yard and I wish I could say I stayed out of their baskets but, well, I had more than my share of chocolate eggs.  By the time I settled on a bike ride I had to hustle to get out the door.  Miguel had a soccer game later so I was under a time crunch.

Sporting my new jersey!

The weather forecast rain later in the day so I took off hoping I could miss most of it.  The clouds were gorgeous, beautiful, fluffy white ones mixed with a sunny sky poking through in some spots, menacing gray in other spots.  I didn't wear my Garmin so I have no idea how many miles I rode but I was on the bike for about an hour.  I rode up a hill near my house that I've been avoiding for years.  And, as is the case most of the time, it wasn't nearly as hard as I was expecting.  Hills have a way of looking worse than they are.  Next time I'm going to face down the Lucas Valley Road hill up to Big Rock.  That's probably the last hill to be conquered on my big scary hill list.  It's steep and seems to go on for miles (and miles).  Anyway, the ride was great.  I did get rained on during the last mile or so but it wasn't bad.  The water didn't hurt me none. 

After the ride I picked up the kids and the three of us went to Baja Fresh for a late lunch.  I had a Baja Bowl of chicken, black beans, rice, and veggies.  I threw on salsa and jalapenos to kick up the flavor.  After that we strolled over to REI for the aforementioned bike shorts.  We ran into a dad friend out with his offspring so the bunch of us sat around for a while.  The kids had a blast playing in the fountain.  It was a little hectic but not a bad way to finish off the afternoon.  I foresee a lot of fountain playing while I sip a latte on a sunny afternoon in my future.

Well, that's all I got.  Miguel has a bunch of friends over.  They're grilling up carne asada and all the fixings in anticipation of a big soccer game coming on in a bit.  After that dies down and the kids are in bed we're going to watch more Game of Thrones.  9pm can't get here fast enough.  I need a rest after all this fun.

Oh!  I have some really cool news related to the Rock-n-Roll half marathon.  But that will have to wait, kids are needing me so I've gotta run.

Walking the Walk

The past couple of days have been good and not so good, all rolled into the same day.  Yesterday was my day off with the kids.  We had a play date planned with my mom friend Erin and her two kids at a local gymnastics center for "power play", a 2 hour open play session.  There are trampolines and balance beams, still rings, a foam pit and all the other standard gymnastics stuff.   The most fun was the foam pit.  We spent a lot of time in serious foam-warfare, throwing chunks of foam at each other while trying not to sink down too far into the pit.  I tried my hand at the rock wall but didn't get very far (which I will blame on my daughter being just below me in the pit and making me worry I'd fall on her).  We bounced on trampolines, hung on parallel bars, balanced on beams and swung on still rings.  I was even able to swing my legs up and hook my feet into the rings!  My back was iffy but I wasn't too uncomfortable to play.

I had at least as much fun as the kids and by the time we left 2 hours later I was wiped out!  All that activity reinforced the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, of being strong and fit and able to use my body for all sorts of fun.  It's so easy to forget these things at times when "dieting" seems so difficult.  From there we headed to a pizza parlor with a play structure in it because my kids were apparently not as wiped out as I was.  Miguel met us for lunch for the all-you-can-eat pizza and salad buffet - not the healthiest choice but I didn't go too crazy eating pizza.  Just a little crazy.

I was in a great mood.  Feeling energized by all the fun and the good company.  I took the kids home for nap/quiet time and my energy level started to take a big dive.  And then the cold symptoms set in, stuffy/runny nose, sore throat.  Grrrr...there went my good mood.  I settled on the couch and pretty much stayed there the rest of the evening.  And my back was hurting more too.  Insert violin track here.

I got up this morning and my back had gone from a minor irritation to outright pain.  I wonder if laying on the couch all evening made it worse.  I remember from my time working in a pain clinic that inactivity sometimes only makes back problems worse.  Anyway, I took some ibuprofen and moved gingerly through my day.  Mid-morning I started worrying about being able to walk if things got much worse.  Ouch!  Oh, and I definitely have a cold.  Thank goodness for cold medicine.

I ended up being away from the office for lunch and had to decide what to buy.  I remembered this local restaurant, Sol Food, that has a side order of black beans with a plantain and avocado.  Perfect!  I sat outside on their patio and enjoyed a comfort-foody, satisfying lunch all to myself.  By now my back was hurting a bit less, though still clearly out of sorts.

After work I questioned going to the gym.  I sometimes get stuck in a yes-no forced choice scenario when it comes to exercise and forget the sort-of option - go to the gym but tone down the duration and intensity, something I suggest to others but easily forget myself.  So today I walked the walk, literally, and started with a 20 minute stroll on the treadmill.  My back was a bit uncomfortable now and then but nothing major.  I upped the incline to add a bit of a challenge and was at 5% by the time I hit the 20 minute mark.  I think I walked about 1.2 miles.

Due up for strength training was back/biceps/core.  I didn't want to bypass this again so I decided I'd do it but skip anything that hurt my back.  Really it's only my lower back, my upper back seems fine, so I was able to do everything except back extensions (hello Lance!), including pull ups and seated rows.  I am still doing my recovery plan from the pneumonia so I cut back the sets across the board.  I spent a lot of time stretching.  There was a guy there doing some back stretches I'd never seen so I picked his brain and learned some really good ones.  I realized while I was stretching that I've been skimping on this part of my routine lately, rushing through the stretches to get out the door.  Maybe that's part of why my back is not so happy.  Today it was time well spent because I felt so much better when I left the gym.

Our weather forecast is kinda crappy for the next few days so I'm not sure what I'll be doing in terms of outdoor fun (besides hiding eggs!) but I know I'll manage to do something.  My brother is planning to visit so maybe I can coax him out for an easy run.  And then Monday is my follow-up chest x-ray.  SO hopeful everything will be clear.  If I don't blog before then, have a happy Easter and remember the holiday rule, Easter is one day, not two days, not a week, just one day.  So relax and enjoy it...then back to your routine come Monday!

This is What I Do.

Life is nothing if not interesting.  Twists, turns, blind corners and the occasional dead end street.  The future remains a mystery, which is always the case but we usually prefer a cozy little state of thinking we know what's just around the bend.  As you can see, my life remains unsettled but I'm doing my best to roll with it.

Yesterday, Monday, I went to the gym after work.  I did not want to go.  I felt tired and grumpy and just not in the mood.  It had been chilly all day and I found the thought of taking off my clothes to change into a gym t-shirt and capri tights uninviting at minimum.  But I reminded myself that this is what I do.  I go to the gym, I exercise, it's me and it's good and I will do it.  And I did.  And, as  happens 99% of the time, I was so glad I did.

I started with a 1.5 mile run on the treadmill.  I decided to run at my pre-pneumonia pace of 6.4mph but I left out the 7.4mph intervals.  I could have killed myself trying to do them but #1, I don't have the green light from the doctor to kill myself yet and #2, I generally am not a fan of torture on the treadmill.  So I ran 1.5 miles in something like 14:30 and then hopped off, already feeling better with a bit of endorphins rushing through my blood.

I had chest/triceps/core for strength training.  I started out with some bosu pushups, doing only 2 sets of everything instead of my normal 3.  Hey, I'm taking it easy, remember?  Then there were some chest presses, dips, double crunches, you know the drill.  By the time I left the gym I was feeling so much better than when I walked in.  Not just energy-wise but about life, my future, all of it.  Exercise is a miracle drug.

As has been the case lately I ate more food than I needed last night.  I had teriyaki chicken and broccoli over rice for dinner.  And a bunch of other crap I won't catalog here.  I'm still sort of watching myself, seeing what develops.  I know this is a passive approach, as if I'm not actually the one making decisions here.  But I have faith I'll swing back around and things will fall into place.  I can use brute force down the road if needed.  Now is a time to be gentle with myself.

Today was good.  My main issue is my friggin' back, it's been hurting all day.  I had back/biceps/core due up at the gym but I'm not that stupid so I switched to legs/shoulders/core.  I started with a 15 minute ride on the bike, Level 8 (my pre-pneumonia level, but 10 minutes shorter on time).  The bike went well, a challenge, but I handled it.

After the bike I did strength training.  You don't realize how much you use your back for stuff until it hurts like hell.  I was able to do everything except decline crunches.  I got up on the bench and started to decline and my back screamed NO.  So I did situps instead.  For jump squats I was barely jumping, you use your back a lot to jump, who knew?  Anyway, the gym was good overall, despite my back.  I have strong legs and they didn't disappoint.  And I generally enjoy shoulder exercises so that was good. 

I had a lunch meeting and didn't bring food so lunch turned out to be a series of snacks.  Mostly healthy snacks but toward the end of the day I was feeling like something less than healthy.  So I stopped at McDonald's for a small soft serve cone.  It was good.  Can that count as dinner?  Who knows because I continued with the snacking-but-not-really-eating thing once I got home.  I never ate a real dinner.  And now the kids are tucked in bed and I'm all alone with more snacks than I usually have in the house.  Let's hope I don't make too many questionable choices.  At least I don't have a gallon of ice cream or a case of Oreos!  In any case I'm tired and headed to bed myself so no snacks for me.  Sometimes going to bed is the best thing you can do to prevent nighttime snacking.