Time for Better Nutrition

Deep down every runner is really motivated by the food, drink or chocolate.

Runner's high? Bullshit.

Bucket list? Maybe.

Prerace carb-loading and post-race beers?! SIGN ME UP!

I freely admit I'm guilty of running for other reasons - particularly food. It justifies the additional piece of cake or the trip to Red Robin on the weekends. But throughout my running career, I've been satisfied with being 'fit enough' and not really concerned about a couple extra pounds (or belt loops).

Going into the next couple races however, I've committed to try a nutrition system that promotes whole body improvements. Weight loss is a benefit of course but the gist is that the body rids itself of all the toxins we might normally take in with our food, our environment and occasional over-indulgences. I'm excited and worried at the same time...what if this stuff doesn't work and I end up tanking at my race on 9/27?

It's a 30-day trial so what could go wrong right? Maybe lose a little weight? Maybe build more lean muscle? I can't imagine these are bad things by any stretch...

I'm on Day 2 and so far, I don't feel bad but I don't feel overly amped up like huge changes are happening to my body. I did feel like I slept better last night though. I feel like I've lost weight already too. I haven't weighed myself but the fit of my shorts tells me that either my ass is shrinking or somehow I swapped clothes with Fat Albert. Hey hey hey...

My overall concern is just being able to fuel my body enough to continue to put on the miles necessary for training. While it's still early, I hope I can find the right balance between staying healthy, eating enough and fueling myself for longer runs and more miles.

We'll find out soon enough I guess. I'll continue to capture how things are going on a weekly basis in case you're interested.

Happy running and be safe out there.

The fire is still alive

Post-MOG100. Even Hobbit feet look better than this.

A month has passed since epic sh*t went down at the Mogollon Monster 100 and my body is still reminding me that as an ultra-runner, the path to healing is never an easy one. For example:

1. The foot-pads on both feet are blistering and coming off. They are the size of Texas.
2. My ankle is still tender from where my shoes push and rub.
3. My lower back flares up after a run of any significant distance.
4. We are grieving the loss of one toenail.

Yet, despite all these issues, I went out to the Javelina Jundred race this weekend to do some pacing with old and new friends. I was ready to have some fun and log some miles despite all the issues and pain it might require.

In Ragnar-style, I ran 15 miles Saturday evening with Greg and was prepared to run 25 more early Sunday AM after getting 3-4 hours of sleep in my car. Not ideal but entirely possible.

Turns out, the additional miles were not necessary but I was already fired up from all the runners, finishers and their stories of tragedy and triumph. It seeps in and is nearly impossible not to get jacked up on the energy and idea of actually running the race yourself.

I know I committed to take some time off. My beer and crappy food intake over the last 3 weeks have been more than enough validation of that endeavor. But it's getting harder and harder to ignore that fire in the belly and wondering, is that indigestion or another 100-miler begging for my attention? Maybe some of both but I do know I'm going to need a race to train for soon.

Running, interrupted

One of the hardest things for an athlete to do sometimes is to stop. As in, stop everything...and take a break. In previous posts, I'd commented on how tired and lethargic I had been. To this day, I honestly don't know what it was. I had no energy. I felt weird in the head (yes, yes...let the jokes fly). It was even difficult to muster up the energy to just think about running let alone lace up the shoes and make it out the door.

So what was it? Who knows. Plenty of theories though.

#1: Fatigue - I'm tired plain and simple. I've been training for something for over a year now. It might be time to reassess the race calendar for 2011.

#2: Illness - The colder weather here in Arizona (yes, cold means below freezing!) may have brought about a slight head cold.

#3: Stress - The post-holiday let down crept up on me. Hosting family, trying to keep the mileage up and generally dealing with work may have contributed.

#4 Nutrition - Holiday and post-holiday saw a step back in nutrition (go figure). Processed foods and cookies are generally not the staples of all-stars.

Who knows. Perhaps it's all mental.

Thankfully, for whatever reason Sunday turned out to be a great new day and any feeling of fatigue and despair were gone. Perhaps it was not running for a week. Maybe even having a few beers and watching Jim Carrey do the Black Swan on SNL (HI-larious). Whatever happened, I was pleased to get out and have a nice run.

Who can say.

All I know is that I'm back to feeling good, not tired and looking to do the best I can this coming weekend in the PF Chang marathon. I'm not sure if my original goals will hold up due to the absence of any long distance runs but I'll give a shot and see how it turns out.

Next this week - product reviews!