So, two days to go on this super-low carb thing. And I feel fantastic! And cranky bitch is gone. But my knee does not feel fantastic, which was the point. More on that shortly.
Saturday marks the end of this try-it-for-a-week-and-see-how-it-goes thing. No, I'm not rushing to the ice cream shop or Mr. Bagel or anything. I'll slowly add in some carb--piece of toast here, a banana there, extra chocolate in my whey shake (microbrews in Boston).... But mostly, I think I'm going to try to maintain a super low amount until I'm able to train heavily again. I mean sheesh, if nothing else, this diet is keeping me thin and satisfied during a time of inactivity. I should probably keep with it awhile.
I did find myself looking longingly at a giant chocolate chip cookie today, though. So I know the addiction isn't broken. At least I know I can control it without tweaking out.
Next weekend will mark my third week off. Third week of rest. That's a long time to nurse a running injury. When we return from Boston, if there is not a marked changed, I'm going to go get my hundred dollar MRI (health care anywhere except the States is great) and see what's going on in there. The amount of time makes me worry--is it too damaged to heal on it's own? We don't replace knee cartilage naturally. So cross your fingers that the third week is the charm. I'm even crossing my toes.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
In Which Erin Realizes She's a Cranky Bitch
But not during the day. Only at night. But I don't feel hungry. But I do feel decidedly not-right. But only at night. During the day I feel great. I have energy all day; I wake up happy and alert and ready to go. And then it gets dark. And the bitch emerges from the shadows to snap at Tim or get really annoyed with anything. Then I eat dinner. Then I crash.
Is this healthy?
I just don't know.
I pee lots, which means stuff is getting cleaned out. But I feel fat. I have way more all-day energy (which is an enormous benefit I wasn't even expecting), but my knee still hurts very much a lot. I still want chocolate, but am only consumed by this need mid-afternoon at which time I eat an apple or just wait it out, and then it's gone (And that is so noodle waxing!). I'm at least a two-cups-a-day coffee drinker, but now I only want one (this is getting strange and unusual). And you know that glass of wine I was allowed every night? I kind of don't want it. Mostly because I feel decidedly not-right at night. But also because I have absolutely no specific urgings of any kind. And if nothing else, I've realized I'm an eat-by-the-urges (and whatever Tim puts in front of me) kind of eater.
So...strange things are happening to me.
Honestly, I HATE having to obsess about food. I HATE having to plan ahead so that I will not be stuck hungry without things I can eat, and I HATE it that my knee still hurts.
But then again, what did I expect?
That for half a week I'd cut out carbs and miraculously shed 5 pounds, feel great, my knee would be in perfect health, and I'd have a fabulous tan to boot?
I guess I need to chill out.
Maybe I will have that wine tonight.
In other news: I've been gym hunting. Uuuggggggggghhhhhhhhh.
I bought goggles and a cap yesterday for the pool by my house. Double ugh.
But I can't do nothing. And currently, my knee is allowing for none of my somethings. I am trying not to get depressed and am now going into "healthy injury-recovery mode."
Is this healthy?
I just don't know.
I pee lots, which means stuff is getting cleaned out. But I feel fat. I have way more all-day energy (which is an enormous benefit I wasn't even expecting), but my knee still hurts very much a lot. I still want chocolate, but am only consumed by this need mid-afternoon at which time I eat an apple or just wait it out, and then it's gone (And that is so noodle waxing!). I'm at least a two-cups-a-day coffee drinker, but now I only want one (this is getting strange and unusual). And you know that glass of wine I was allowed every night? I kind of don't want it. Mostly because I feel decidedly not-right at night. But also because I have absolutely no specific urgings of any kind. And if nothing else, I've realized I'm an eat-by-the-urges (and whatever Tim puts in front of me) kind of eater.
So...strange things are happening to me.
Honestly, I HATE having to obsess about food. I HATE having to plan ahead so that I will not be stuck hungry without things I can eat, and I HATE it that my knee still hurts.
But then again, what did I expect?
That for half a week I'd cut out carbs and miraculously shed 5 pounds, feel great, my knee would be in perfect health, and I'd have a fabulous tan to boot?
I guess I need to chill out.
Maybe I will have that wine tonight.
In other news: I've been gym hunting. Uuuggggggggghhhhhhhhh.
I bought goggles and a cap yesterday for the pool by my house. Double ugh.
But I can't do nothing. And currently, my knee is allowing for none of my somethings. I am trying not to get depressed and am now going into "healthy injury-recovery mode."
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Day Two
It's not as hard as I thought it'd be--this whole restricted diet thingie. Mostly it's just a pain in the ass. I have to cook things and prepare things and mix things and wash things. Toast is oh-so-much simpler!
I'm pretty hungry too. But I think it's because while I've taken out the carbs, I'm not really replacing those calories with veggies and meat. I mean, I eat the same amount, but I guess a bunch of green beans doesn't have the same calories as pan de yuca or bread and buttah. So I'll need to figure that out.
Other than being slightly annoyed by how much I'm having to think about food, and how I'm a little bit hungry, I feel good. My energy has been even all day, both days. Actually, I would even say I feel "energetic," which is not a constant state of being for me. But I've not experienced any partway through the day lows or highs on energy.
And really, things were going swimmingly until the gas stove ran out of fuel this evening. And now I'm trying to figure out what to eat for dinner. I was explicitly told not to skip any meals. So now it's tuna salad or hard boiled eggs again.
I'm pretty hungry too. But I think it's because while I've taken out the carbs, I'm not really replacing those calories with veggies and meat. I mean, I eat the same amount, but I guess a bunch of green beans doesn't have the same calories as pan de yuca or bread and buttah. So I'll need to figure that out.
Other than being slightly annoyed by how much I'm having to think about food, and how I'm a little bit hungry, I feel good. My energy has been even all day, both days. Actually, I would even say I feel "energetic," which is not a constant state of being for me. But I've not experienced any partway through the day lows or highs on energy.
And really, things were going swimmingly until the gas stove ran out of fuel this evening. And now I'm trying to figure out what to eat for dinner. I was explicitly told not to skip any meals. So now it's tuna salad or hard boiled eggs again.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Great Protein Challenge
In addition to trying the Hydration Challenge (and wow, is it challenging!), I am going to try the Protein Challenge. What is the challenge?
Eat protein and veggies for a straight week. Exclusively.
Well. With some berries thrown in. I can have 60g of carbs a day.
Apparently, this is supposed to lube up my joints really nicely. The docs think my body is so inflamed and messed up that it's mimicking arthritis. And I guess this is diet recommended for arthritics.
I don't know how much I actually buy into stuff like that. Whole grains are good. But maybe it's better to teach your body how to burn fat and not rely on carbs for fuel?
What I do know is that my goal is fiercely important to me--I need to get fixed so that I can run. So I'm willing to try just about anything. This challenge will be particularly odd for me. I have NEVER tried to stick to a diet (starving aside), do a cleanse, or anything of that nature. I always thought I wouldn't have the will-power or that I eat pretty well as is, so why bother? If this doesn't lube my joints, doesn't make me feel better, yadda yadda yadda--then what it will at least do is break me of my sugar habit which is probably the best thing I could do for myself right now.
So here's to sashimi, bunless cheeseburgers, whey shakes, and lots of eggs.
Bottoms up.
Full report to follow in a week.
Eat protein and veggies for a straight week. Exclusively.
Well. With some berries thrown in. I can have 60g of carbs a day.
Apparently, this is supposed to lube up my joints really nicely. The docs think my body is so inflamed and messed up that it's mimicking arthritis. And I guess this is diet recommended for arthritics.
I don't know how much I actually buy into stuff like that. Whole grains are good. But maybe it's better to teach your body how to burn fat and not rely on carbs for fuel?
What I do know is that my goal is fiercely important to me--I need to get fixed so that I can run. So I'm willing to try just about anything. This challenge will be particularly odd for me. I have NEVER tried to stick to a diet (starving aside), do a cleanse, or anything of that nature. I always thought I wouldn't have the will-power or that I eat pretty well as is, so why bother? If this doesn't lube my joints, doesn't make me feel better, yadda yadda yadda--then what it will at least do is break me of my sugar habit which is probably the best thing I could do for myself right now.
So here's to sashimi, bunless cheeseburgers, whey shakes, and lots of eggs.
Bottoms up.
Full report to follow in a week.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Update
So, the way I sleep, stand, breath and hold myself has given me some runner's knee and mild tendonitis. But not to fear! I'm getting it all straightened out. Or I guess I should say I'm getting me straightened out. I finally went to see Tim's chiropractic team--a multi-talented, multi-trained, married couple who seriously tag-team the session. Adjustments are much better with two people. One can distract the muscles while the other makes the adjustment.
Anyhoo, I'm going to need several sessions. I am seriously out-of-whack. But I think they can fix me, and I can fix me, and my knee will be fixed. It seems to be bearing the brunt of a lot of unnecessary pressure. The good news is that I'm taking care of this with plenty of time to spare for the race in July.
But I guess another cool thing is that they're more like total life coaches and sports doctors. The husband is an ultra-runner and the wife a sprinter. So they're going to help me with everything: nutrition and supplements, training, my running form, proper stretching and strengthening, and my hear-rate monitor! Que chevere!
Anyhoo, I'm going to need several sessions. I am seriously out-of-whack. But I think they can fix me, and I can fix me, and my knee will be fixed. It seems to be bearing the brunt of a lot of unnecessary pressure. The good news is that I'm taking care of this with plenty of time to spare for the race in July.
But I guess another cool thing is that they're more like total life coaches and sports doctors. The husband is an ultra-runner and the wife a sprinter. So they're going to help me with everything: nutrition and supplements, training, my running form, proper stretching and strengthening, and my hear-rate monitor! Que chevere!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Realism
The new year is a time for reflecting, making resolutions, and hoping you can stick to them. I generally don't like making resolutions because at the end of the year, if I feel I haven't really met them, I get a bit down about failure and all. But of course, my resolutions are always things like, be a better person, quit being so judgmental, be a better teacher....things I amazingly never live up to by the end of the year. So this year, I made concrete resolutions. But I'm not sharing them here. Because this blog is about my running. And my current goals were envisioned about 7 months ago. So they don't apply.
But some reflection and realism do apply. There is just no way I'm going to do an ultra this year. If I lived in the States, yes, sure, probably. But I don't live in the States and I've never even run a freakin' marathon. It's hard to do things here and I can't be out running past 6 pm. Or before 6 am. (Daylight) But that's not all of it. It's a pain in the ass to go to a gym and fill in or do strength training. A little company would be great, but other than Tim on a run here and there, I can't drag anyone out on this crusade with me. So, I'm letting the ultra go. For this summer. It's still something I'm utterly fascinated by and want to make a real attempt at--but I think I need to make sure I can first train for a marathon.
And so, with the new year, resolutions, reflections and reaslim, my goal has been set. I want to run the Leadville Trail Marathon on July 11th. It's the only trail marathon I can find when I know I will for sure be in Colorado. I've not yet registered because I decided this yesterday and have not yet sat down to the computer with credit card in hand. But I will soon. Even though my bib will read something like, 005. I just need to get it done. Make it real. Make it happen. Be something to work for. Something huge to me.
But some reflection and realism do apply. There is just no way I'm going to do an ultra this year. If I lived in the States, yes, sure, probably. But I don't live in the States and I've never even run a freakin' marathon. It's hard to do things here and I can't be out running past 6 pm. Or before 6 am. (Daylight) But that's not all of it. It's a pain in the ass to go to a gym and fill in or do strength training. A little company would be great, but other than Tim on a run here and there, I can't drag anyone out on this crusade with me. So, I'm letting the ultra go. For this summer. It's still something I'm utterly fascinated by and want to make a real attempt at--but I think I need to make sure I can first train for a marathon.
And so, with the new year, resolutions, reflections and reaslim, my goal has been set. I want to run the Leadville Trail Marathon on July 11th. It's the only trail marathon I can find when I know I will for sure be in Colorado. I've not yet registered because I decided this yesterday and have not yet sat down to the computer with credit card in hand. But I will soon. Even though my bib will read something like, 005. I just need to get it done. Make it real. Make it happen. Be something to work for. Something huge to me.
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