Here's what's up now:
ALL sugared drinks will most definitely trigger a relapse even in very small quantities such as a half can of Coke. It does NOT matter if the drink is non-caffeinated (Sprite) or non-carbonated (Powerade). The same holds true for beer for sure and probably sweet tea. Also, it does NOT matter if the drink is sweetened with high fructose corn syrup or organic cane sugar. Both are equally bad for me. Extra Liver is helpful. A small amount of Zinc is a game changer but only works if I am cheating. Otherwise, it's just as bad as the forbidden drinks.
Strangely, the only culprits are drinks NOT FOODS! I ate a bunch of strawberries and peaches this week from a local fruit stand and did not have a problem. Both contain high amounts of natural sugars. Even stranger is that salt water taffy was also tolerated. According to the labeling, just 5 pieces contain as much sugar (corn syrup) as half a can of Coke. A candy bar would likely be okay as well. Same with protein bars, which are usually loaded with artificial sugar.
Fructose malabsorption?
I thought about it but it seems highly unlikely. This has a totally different feel. With FM, without the xylose isomerase supplement, I was sensitive to EVERYTHING including fruit, which contained naturally occurring fructose. BUT drinks such as Red Bull (sweetened with glucose) were NOT a problem. I badly flunked the toe touch test within minutes of a forbidden item and that is NOT happening this time. How did I beat FM? It was caused by an extreme Magnesium deficiency as the key enzyme is dependent on Mag so once that was restored, I no longer needed the enzyme supplement. What's my current Mag status? I've not tested it in a while but I'd predict it to be sub-optimal but not nearly bad enough to explain THIS.
Any explanation or solution?
There MUST be different digestion pathways for foods and drinks. I see no other explanation for the differences in reactions. It's quite possible that the drinks have greater ill-effects on liver and kidney function than the foods. If that's true, copper dysregulation is likely to blame. Ceruloplasmin is a carrier of copper and indispensable but copper that is not bound to it can wreak havoc. Cp support is ABSOLUTELY necessary now that I must take the Paramin, which is why I need the Liver Beef supplement. Sugar breaks the bond between Copper and Cp, hence the problems. So what's up with the Zinc issues? Sugar causes the Copper to be unbound and since Zinc is antagonistic to Copper, it will clear up some of the unbound Copper. However, when I am not cheating and producing the Ceruloplasmin, there is less unbound Copper thus Zinc will reduce the "good Copper"and produce symptoms. Confused? This is more for my reference so that's okay.
Solution:
The only thing I can think of to clean out unbound Copper is Glutathione but I am unsure if it will be tolerated. The best thing to do abstain from sugared drinks for at least 21 days. Milk shakes and fruit smoothies are probably okay but I won't risk it. Water only. I've tried this many times before but lost motivation after a relapse related to the pills.
Nebraska/Colorado Trip:
I'm going regardless of my health and YES, I will be racing. The chances of a sub-2 hour finish are slim right now but I intend to try the half in Nebraska. I won't sign up until the day before race day but if I have to downgrade to the 5K, the 50 state goal will also be downgraded. DC was a freebie because it's not a state. I can't see myself returning to Nebraska any time soon even though the area that I intend to visit (Scottsbluff/North Platte) looks surprisingly beautiful. Also, the training updates will shut down for good after Detroit if this plan fails. I'll be resigned to being a casual jogger limited to 10K and below. I knew that would happen eventually but hoped it would not for another 20-25 years when I am pushing or past 60 years of age.
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Monday, September 24, 2018
Training 9/24-9/30
9/24- AM- The big questions were answered. Just a couple small ones remain. It was obvious upon rising that I needed BOTH Paramin and Liver Beef. No interval tests needed. Took 2 Paramin and 1 Liver then tried another Vestavia Mile. Time was down to 7:47.8 (MINUS 41) but still didn't feel all that great. Popped another Liver pill and though I didn't have time for another Mile, it was clear that it helped. Sprinted a 200 in an impressive 33.5 seconds (4:28 pace) so no doubt that another Mile would have been MUCH faster.
Reaction:
Took 2 of each and I'd say that's the best I can do right now. I won't exceed 2 but I'd like to see how I do on 1 of each. The synthetic B-12 is no longer needed because I get enough with the Liver. The molybdenum may be cut out as well.
PM- Just a junk run inside on a nasty weather day.
Distance=3.0
9/25- Unplanned rest day. Tried 1 Paramin and 2 Liver. Much better after taking the 2nd Paramin. I've also found that ANY sugared drink (even non-caffeinated) will trigger a relapse.
9/26- AM- 2x800. Tried 1 Paramin and 1 Liver- 4:25
2 of each- 3:35. MUCH better. However, by the afternoon it was clear that molybdenum is indeed necessary. Just a trace of it made things better in the evening. Tomorrow, I may have a full deck.
Distance=1.0
9/27- AM-Operating at what I presume to be a full deck, I managed a Mile in 6:37.9 at Vestavia. Not sure about my splits because it was still dark but I know my last lap was 92 and I hit a pain zone that I rarely feel nowadays. That's a good feeling. Can't be disappointed because this is my best time of the year but something still feels a little off. I was hoping for close to 6:20. Odds are that I should up my Liver to 3 or hope for gradual improvement by staying at 2. I may need to temporarily up my adrenal support as well. I hope to be back out this evening.
PM- Gold's 3 in 24:52 (8:17 pace). Definitely weakened by extra Liver. Even pace but no power or energy. I've got to go with 2 Liver and 2 Paramin and hope for gradual improvement. Another idea is to up my Sarcosine. I'm not sure if there is anything I can do that would result in a radical change.
Distance=5.0
9/28- THIS IS NUTS! Workout was a lame 3 miler on Lakeshore in a time of 25:32 (8:31 pace). Began with no adrenal support and was at 12:28 for the first half, which was comparable to yesterday evening. Took a stimulant and it was clearly not the answer. Slipped to 13:04 on the back half so I was significantly worse but it was not a night vs day difference. I would expect similar results with the suppressant.
In a stunning turn of events, I felt considerably WORSE after just a few sips of Sprite (non-caffeinated) and dumped the rest of the can. Then, I got BETTER after taking a trace of Zinc, which was disastrous just a week ago. Extra Liver didn't hurt. I can only assume that Zinc will only work if I cheat. Otherwise, it is to be avoided. Makes no sense to me. I will go without it and just hope for gradual improvement.
Distance=3.0
9/29- AM- Seaside Mile in 9:43. Extreme detox reaction. Barely made it to the bathroom after I finished but felt better afterwards.
PM- Repeated the Seaside Mile and my time was all the way down to 7:26 (MINUS 2:17). I often feel better after swimming in the ocean because the water is chock full of minerals.
Distance=2.0
9/30- Attempted to run 10 at Vestavia but had to settle for 5 in 44:55 (8:59 pace). I was doing reasonably well through 3 in 26:13 but crashed hard after that. Mile 5 would have been approaching 10:00 if not for a rally in the last lap. I blame the Powerade because I was significantly worse after drinking just a sip after Mile 3 and got "worser" after drinking more after 5. All sugared drinks are NO NOs now. I thought Powerade would be okay because it's non-carbonated. Wrong.
Distance=5.0
Reaction:
Took 2 of each and I'd say that's the best I can do right now. I won't exceed 2 but I'd like to see how I do on 1 of each. The synthetic B-12 is no longer needed because I get enough with the Liver. The molybdenum may be cut out as well.
PM- Just a junk run inside on a nasty weather day.
Distance=3.0
9/25- Unplanned rest day. Tried 1 Paramin and 2 Liver. Much better after taking the 2nd Paramin. I've also found that ANY sugared drink (even non-caffeinated) will trigger a relapse.
9/26- AM- 2x800. Tried 1 Paramin and 1 Liver- 4:25
2 of each- 3:35. MUCH better. However, by the afternoon it was clear that molybdenum is indeed necessary. Just a trace of it made things better in the evening. Tomorrow, I may have a full deck.
Distance=1.0
9/27- AM-Operating at what I presume to be a full deck, I managed a Mile in 6:37.9 at Vestavia. Not sure about my splits because it was still dark but I know my last lap was 92 and I hit a pain zone that I rarely feel nowadays. That's a good feeling. Can't be disappointed because this is my best time of the year but something still feels a little off. I was hoping for close to 6:20. Odds are that I should up my Liver to 3 or hope for gradual improvement by staying at 2. I may need to temporarily up my adrenal support as well. I hope to be back out this evening.
PM- Gold's 3 in 24:52 (8:17 pace). Definitely weakened by extra Liver. Even pace but no power or energy. I've got to go with 2 Liver and 2 Paramin and hope for gradual improvement. Another idea is to up my Sarcosine. I'm not sure if there is anything I can do that would result in a radical change.
Distance=5.0
9/28- THIS IS NUTS! Workout was a lame 3 miler on Lakeshore in a time of 25:32 (8:31 pace). Began with no adrenal support and was at 12:28 for the first half, which was comparable to yesterday evening. Took a stimulant and it was clearly not the answer. Slipped to 13:04 on the back half so I was significantly worse but it was not a night vs day difference. I would expect similar results with the suppressant.
In a stunning turn of events, I felt considerably WORSE after just a few sips of Sprite (non-caffeinated) and dumped the rest of the can. Then, I got BETTER after taking a trace of Zinc, which was disastrous just a week ago. Extra Liver didn't hurt. I can only assume that Zinc will only work if I cheat. Otherwise, it is to be avoided. Makes no sense to me. I will go without it and just hope for gradual improvement.
Distance=3.0
9/29- AM- Seaside Mile in 9:43. Extreme detox reaction. Barely made it to the bathroom after I finished but felt better afterwards.
PM- Repeated the Seaside Mile and my time was all the way down to 7:26 (MINUS 2:17). I often feel better after swimming in the ocean because the water is chock full of minerals.
Distance=2.0
9/30- Attempted to run 10 at Vestavia but had to settle for 5 in 44:55 (8:59 pace). I was doing reasonably well through 3 in 26:13 but crashed hard after that. Mile 5 would have been approaching 10:00 if not for a rally in the last lap. I blame the Powerade because I was significantly worse after drinking just a sip after Mile 3 and got "worser" after drinking more after 5. All sugared drinks are NO NOs now. I thought Powerade would be okay because it's non-carbonated. Wrong.
Distance=5.0
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Citrates, Oxalates, Liver Beef and Ceruloplasmin
Once again, recording the results of medical tests has paid off. I thought I had a Zinc deficiency, which would explain the intolerance to the IP-6, possibly the Beau's Lines on my thumbs and even maybe the weight gain and sluggishness over the past few years. While my Zinc level has usually tested normal in the plasma and in the hair, the best way to assess the status is an RBC (red blood cell) test. I wasn't sure if that was ever tested but a blog post from January of last year revealed that indeed it was. Was there a deficiency? NO! It was actually flagged as high! Forget supplementing with Zinc in that case. I'll go ahead and pitch the bottle.
Q:Why did the high oxalates flare up? Am I sure it was the oxalates?
A: It's possible that Whole Food C was the culprit because it is derived from foods that are indeed high in oxalates but more likely, it was the Sarcosine. Again, that is the one treatment that I cannot do without at this point. Without it, I become sensitive to everything. Yes, I am sure it was the oxalates because the treatment (Paramin) resolved the sensitivity to adrenal support that had only flared up recently.
Q: What is Paramin and is it necessary?
A: Paramin is a mineral supplement containing a combo of Calcium citrate and Magnesium citrate. It's on Morley's NO NO list but I've got to do what I've got to do. Symptoms of high oxalates were intolerable without it. Again, I was on it consistently until early 2013 and was a much better and more consistent performer but was eventually forced off due to intolerance to it. It must NOT be relied upon to keep my Magnesium stores up to par. Jigsaw Magnesium remains in the cocktail but if I happen to miss a day of it or forget to pack it, no big deal.
I believe it is "probably necessary." When I visited my parents last weekend, my need for it spiked and I felt better after taking it. If the Whole Food C caused the oxalates to flare up, it may not be needed now that I am off that stuff for good. However, the more likely scenario is that the Sarcosine caused it and I CANNOT quit that stuff. Nevertheless, I might try to go a couple days without it just to see what happens. The worst that can happen is that I endure a rough morning and get better again after I take it. If in the unlikely event that I don't need the Paramin, I probably won't have to mess with the Liver.
Q: Any risks with Paramin?
A: Unfortunately yes. It can and probably did deplete ceruloplasmin especially at higher doses. That's why I was so bad at the race in DC. That's why it's a NO NO according to Morley. Whole Food C won't work so Liver Beef is the only way to combat that loss. Morley wants ceruloplasmin at 30. I'm not real concerned about it being a little on the low side. I actually felt my best when it was around 20 versus at 25 so IMHO, I only need to keep it from falling below 20. I know from my history that YES, my Cp number DOES respond very well to Liver Beef so even a low dose IN THEORY should offset the loss from Paramin.
Q: Any risks with Beef Liver?
A: Again, unfortunately yes. It can crash Zinc and raise Iron. I likely overshot the balance point by taking too much Liver, which explains the brief improvement after taking Zinc. The theory is that if excess Iron is controlled through regular blood donations, Zinc will NOT crash. If the previous lab test is still accurate, I don't have to worry about low Zinc any time soon unless I really load on Liver. Though unconfirmed, I believe that if Iron is kept in check, my Zinc should be okay. Fortunately, if I can keep the Paramin dose low as it appears I can, high doses of Liver should not be necessary. I may not even have to mess with it at all if I only take 1-2. As an aside, if I do take the Liver, synthetic B-12 will NOT be needed any longer and molybdenum is a question mark. Methyl folate + DMG still is.
Needless to so, I am hurting emotionally. Every time I think I have this solved and can be consistent albeit much slower, something unexpected flares up. I really thought that by taking care of my health problems early, I would prevent chronic disease later in life and age gracefully. Not so! My expectations for the final outcome keep getting lower and lower yet I still end up disappointed and lower the expectations again. That's the exact opposite of Ephesians 3:20 and am questioning its truth. Can a degenerative condition that will ultimately lead to an early grave really happen to me? I have a Facebook friend who recently died of ALS so yes, it could. The only thing I can do if this is as good as it will get is to do as much as I can now while I still can. The Denver/Nebraska trip is a GO but I may alter the dates and take a Saturday-Tuesday trip because I can get a much better deal on the flight
Q:Why did the high oxalates flare up? Am I sure it was the oxalates?
A: It's possible that Whole Food C was the culprit because it is derived from foods that are indeed high in oxalates but more likely, it was the Sarcosine. Again, that is the one treatment that I cannot do without at this point. Without it, I become sensitive to everything. Yes, I am sure it was the oxalates because the treatment (Paramin) resolved the sensitivity to adrenal support that had only flared up recently.
Q: What is Paramin and is it necessary?
A: Paramin is a mineral supplement containing a combo of Calcium citrate and Magnesium citrate. It's on Morley's NO NO list but I've got to do what I've got to do. Symptoms of high oxalates were intolerable without it. Again, I was on it consistently until early 2013 and was a much better and more consistent performer but was eventually forced off due to intolerance to it. It must NOT be relied upon to keep my Magnesium stores up to par. Jigsaw Magnesium remains in the cocktail but if I happen to miss a day of it or forget to pack it, no big deal.
I believe it is "probably necessary." When I visited my parents last weekend, my need for it spiked and I felt better after taking it. If the Whole Food C caused the oxalates to flare up, it may not be needed now that I am off that stuff for good. However, the more likely scenario is that the Sarcosine caused it and I CANNOT quit that stuff. Nevertheless, I might try to go a couple days without it just to see what happens. The worst that can happen is that I endure a rough morning and get better again after I take it. If in the unlikely event that I don't need the Paramin, I probably won't have to mess with the Liver.
Q: Any risks with Paramin?
A: Unfortunately yes. It can and probably did deplete ceruloplasmin especially at higher doses. That's why I was so bad at the race in DC. That's why it's a NO NO according to Morley. Whole Food C won't work so Liver Beef is the only way to combat that loss. Morley wants ceruloplasmin at 30. I'm not real concerned about it being a little on the low side. I actually felt my best when it was around 20 versus at 25 so IMHO, I only need to keep it from falling below 20. I know from my history that YES, my Cp number DOES respond very well to Liver Beef so even a low dose IN THEORY should offset the loss from Paramin.
Q: Any risks with Beef Liver?
A: Again, unfortunately yes. It can crash Zinc and raise Iron. I likely overshot the balance point by taking too much Liver, which explains the brief improvement after taking Zinc. The theory is that if excess Iron is controlled through regular blood donations, Zinc will NOT crash. If the previous lab test is still accurate, I don't have to worry about low Zinc any time soon unless I really load on Liver. Though unconfirmed, I believe that if Iron is kept in check, my Zinc should be okay. Fortunately, if I can keep the Paramin dose low as it appears I can, high doses of Liver should not be necessary. I may not even have to mess with it at all if I only take 1-2. As an aside, if I do take the Liver, synthetic B-12 will NOT be needed any longer and molybdenum is a question mark. Methyl folate + DMG still is.
Needless to so, I am hurting emotionally. Every time I think I have this solved and can be consistent albeit much slower, something unexpected flares up. I really thought that by taking care of my health problems early, I would prevent chronic disease later in life and age gracefully. Not so! My expectations for the final outcome keep getting lower and lower yet I still end up disappointed and lower the expectations again. That's the exact opposite of Ephesians 3:20 and am questioning its truth. Can a degenerative condition that will ultimately lead to an early grave really happen to me? I have a Facebook friend who recently died of ALS so yes, it could. The only thing I can do if this is as good as it will get is to do as much as I can now while I still can. The Denver/Nebraska trip is a GO but I may alter the dates and take a Saturday-Tuesday trip because I can get a much better deal on the flight
Monday, September 17, 2018
DC Trip Report
Drama:
This was a trip that was almost cancelled due to the weather and more drama with the pills. In the end, Hurricane Florence stayed well south of DC. It turned out to be overcast, somewhat humid with a mild breeze and no rain. Race conditions were not bad after all and the walking tours were done in relative comfort. As for the pills, my chemistry shifted shortly after I left Birmingham and never thought to pack the supplement that I need for when that happens. I decided to downgrade from the half marathon to the 5 Miler and even that would likely be a struggle.
Trip:
I took 3 days off work so I could spend my birthday with my parents. I saw my sister, grandmother, niece and nephew as well. I got 3 nice dinners and got to see the new Unbroken movie about Louis Zamperini. Overall, I made the best of it despite not feeling well at all. From home, it was a direct flight to Reagan National (DCA). This one went off as planned. Like NYC, you are strongly advised NOT to rent a car but here, there is no need for Uber or a taxi to your hotel. The Metro is actually connected to DCA so I bought a card at the airport station then hopped on the next train. It was a long ride to the expo at the Armory in the east side of town but I arrived in plenty of time.
After checking into my hotel (Holiday Inn) near the National Mall, I took a stroll through the Capitol Hill district from Independence to Pennsylvania Ave. There are plenty of nice trendy restaurants and bars in this area but nothing appealed to me so I went back to the hotel lounge. It was twilight by the time I got back to the Mall and I highly recommend a brief tour in the dark. It's a different feel to see the monuments illuminated. I got some nice shots of the Capitol and the Washington Monument and also caught the WW2 Memorial before settling in for bed.
Race:
It started just outside the Washington Monument then looped around Tidal Basin with views of the Jefferson Memorial. The midsection of the course was all along the water with a golf course to the right. It then turned back towards the Mall for a finish back at the Washington Monument. Iconic American route. In bad shape, I simply settled into a pace that I hoped to be sustainable for 5 miles. I had NO energy at the start and expected to be reduced to a walk/slow jog within 3 miles. Surprisingly, I held the pace in the 9:30-9:40 range then managed to pick it up at the end. My time was horrible by my standards at 47:31 but the back half was more than 30 seconds faster than the first half. I probably could have finished a half marathon but it was still a good call to downgrade. Otherwise, I would not have had the energy to do any more touring.
Touring:
My first stop was Arlington Cemetery and the JFK grave. From there, I crossed back into DC for the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting pool.
I made brief stops at the Vietnam, Korea and FDR memorials before taking more time at the MLK site. One quote that I really liked was "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that." It was around the lake to the Jefferson Memorial then back to the Mall and eventually the White House area. There was heavy security so I could not get too close but still got a pretty good picture out of it.
The last stop was the Trump International Hotel. I knew the prices would be outrageous and I paid $24 for a burger and $8 for a beer but yes, it was excellent! I went up to the tower for another good shot of the Capitol and skyline. No skyscrapers here. By law, no building within the city limits can be taller than the Washington monument. Still a nice view however. I was now in the business district just across the street from the Federal Triangle Metro so it was back to L'Enfant to pick up my bag at the hotel. I made a brief stop in Crystal City before arriving back at the airport. The flight back to Birmingham was delayed and I did not get back home until it was nearly 11 PM. Yes, I did show up for work the next day.
Final Thought:
It's been about 15 years since I've been here. Although DC is not a state, IMO you cannot complete the Visit All 50 States goal without visiting our nation's Capitol. However, because it is not a state, I see no need to re-visit for a half marathon. The half marathon in 50 states is still on for now and yes, the Liver supp has made a difference already. Any race here is a bonus but I cannot rule out coming here again for another reason. It's quite convenient with the direct flight and Metro station at the airport. As for the strict/lenient rules, a walk across to Arlington meets the strict category for Virginia because it is a legitimate tourist attraction. All you have to do is walk through it. Maryland would require a bit more effort. You'd have to take the metro to the suburbs and at the very least eat a sit down meal if not spend a night.
This was a trip that was almost cancelled due to the weather and more drama with the pills. In the end, Hurricane Florence stayed well south of DC. It turned out to be overcast, somewhat humid with a mild breeze and no rain. Race conditions were not bad after all and the walking tours were done in relative comfort. As for the pills, my chemistry shifted shortly after I left Birmingham and never thought to pack the supplement that I need for when that happens. I decided to downgrade from the half marathon to the 5 Miler and even that would likely be a struggle.
Trip:
I took 3 days off work so I could spend my birthday with my parents. I saw my sister, grandmother, niece and nephew as well. I got 3 nice dinners and got to see the new Unbroken movie about Louis Zamperini. Overall, I made the best of it despite not feeling well at all. From home, it was a direct flight to Reagan National (DCA). This one went off as planned. Like NYC, you are strongly advised NOT to rent a car but here, there is no need for Uber or a taxi to your hotel. The Metro is actually connected to DCA so I bought a card at the airport station then hopped on the next train. It was a long ride to the expo at the Armory in the east side of town but I arrived in plenty of time.
 |
| My parents |
After checking into my hotel (Holiday Inn) near the National Mall, I took a stroll through the Capitol Hill district from Independence to Pennsylvania Ave. There are plenty of nice trendy restaurants and bars in this area but nothing appealed to me so I went back to the hotel lounge. It was twilight by the time I got back to the Mall and I highly recommend a brief tour in the dark. It's a different feel to see the monuments illuminated. I got some nice shots of the Capitol and the Washington Monument and also caught the WW2 Memorial before settling in for bed.
Race:
It started just outside the Washington Monument then looped around Tidal Basin with views of the Jefferson Memorial. The midsection of the course was all along the water with a golf course to the right. It then turned back towards the Mall for a finish back at the Washington Monument. Iconic American route. In bad shape, I simply settled into a pace that I hoped to be sustainable for 5 miles. I had NO energy at the start and expected to be reduced to a walk/slow jog within 3 miles. Surprisingly, I held the pace in the 9:30-9:40 range then managed to pick it up at the end. My time was horrible by my standards at 47:31 but the back half was more than 30 seconds faster than the first half. I probably could have finished a half marathon but it was still a good call to downgrade. Otherwise, I would not have had the energy to do any more touring.
Touring:
My first stop was Arlington Cemetery and the JFK grave. From there, I crossed back into DC for the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting pool.
I made brief stops at the Vietnam, Korea and FDR memorials before taking more time at the MLK site. One quote that I really liked was "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that." It was around the lake to the Jefferson Memorial then back to the Mall and eventually the White House area. There was heavy security so I could not get too close but still got a pretty good picture out of it.
The last stop was the Trump International Hotel. I knew the prices would be outrageous and I paid $24 for a burger and $8 for a beer but yes, it was excellent! I went up to the tower for another good shot of the Capitol and skyline. No skyscrapers here. By law, no building within the city limits can be taller than the Washington monument. Still a nice view however. I was now in the business district just across the street from the Federal Triangle Metro so it was back to L'Enfant to pick up my bag at the hotel. I made a brief stop in Crystal City before arriving back at the airport. The flight back to Birmingham was delayed and I did not get back home until it was nearly 11 PM. Yes, I did show up for work the next day.
Final Thought:
It's been about 15 years since I've been here. Although DC is not a state, IMO you cannot complete the Visit All 50 States goal without visiting our nation's Capitol. However, because it is not a state, I see no need to re-visit for a half marathon. The half marathon in 50 states is still on for now and yes, the Liver supp has made a difference already. Any race here is a bonus but I cannot rule out coming here again for another reason. It's quite convenient with the direct flight and Metro station at the airport. As for the strict/lenient rules, a walk across to Arlington meets the strict category for Virginia because it is a legitimate tourist attraction. All you have to do is walk through it. Maryland would require a bit more effort. You'd have to take the metro to the suburbs and at the very least eat a sit down meal if not spend a night.
Training 9/17-9/23
9/17- Tried Liver as soon as I got home from DC and YES, I did feel noticeably better. Still, the next day, I wanted to compare how I did with or without. I was tired from the trip so I didn't expect much.
Did 2x800 on Lakeshore then 1 Mile.
0 Liver- 4:26 (8:52 pace). Felt a little better than DC probably because of the Liver last night.
1 Liver- 3:56 (7:52 pace). MINUS 60 and once again, all it took was 1 pill. Not a night and day difference in how I felt but the effect was considerable nonetheless.
2 Liver- 7:04 Mile with the back half in 3:26 so once again, I cut off 60 seconds per mile.
Can I do better on 3 Liver pills? We'll see tomorrow or Wednesday.
Distance=2.0
9/18- Tried IP-6 and it was clearly a NO. Did not even attempt to run and may be out tomorrow as well. I believe that eventually my need for Liver and Paramin will eventually diminish.
9/19- Hoped to run 3 miles on Lakeshore but had to settle for 1 in 9:54. IP-6 hasn't cleared yet but began feeling a little better before bed time. Even with the Sarcosine, there is still stuff that I cannot tolerate, which really does not sit well with me.
9/20- AM- Vestavia Mile in 7:51.5. Much better but still haven't fully detoxed it. Still on 5 Paramin and 3 Liver but may try to reduce both next week.
PM- Never fails. Fixed the ceruloplasmin with the Liver pills but now my Zinc is depleted. I'm dropping to 2 Paramin and 1 Liver and will add some Zinc. I took some today and not surprisingly, I improved but overshot the balance point. Workout was 400-800-1200.
0 Zinc- 2:20 (9:20 pace)
1 Zinc- 4:16 (8:32 pace) MINUS 52
2 Zinc- 5:16 (7:01 pace) MINUS 91
Last 800 was 3:22. Took time for the Zinc to fully kick in but when it did, it was clear that I overshot. I predict that my Zinc tolerance will be low for a while but the need will spike before going back down again. MAYBE someday, I'll find the right combo.
Distance=3.0
9/21- Gold's 3 in 23:54 (7:58 pace). Had to rally to beat the Mendoza line. I was awful in the morning with the excess Zinc but I got better with Liver. There has got to be an equilibrium here. I'm going with 1 of each going forward.
Distance=3.0
9/22- Only took 1 Zinc in the evening and it was a disaster. Could not run at all without the Liver so it was back to the track for more intervals. 400-400-800-800-800
1 Liver- 2:26 (9:44 pace)
Extra Paramin- 2:25 (9:40 pace)
2 Liver- 4:25 (8:50 pace)
3 Liver- 4:04 (8:08 pace)
1/2 Zinc- 4:44 (9:28 pace)
Distance=2.0
Reaction:
The good news is that the Paramin has stabilized. It is now well tolerated and I don't believe it would make much difference if I took 1 of those suckers or 5 of them. The Zinc is another matter. I'm going to have to go REAL slow with that stuff but I predict that as was the case with Paramin, the demand for it will shoot up suddenly then eventually stabilize. I will NOT exceed 3 Liver pills.
UPDATE:
Found a blog post from early 2017 that showed that indeed I did do a Zinc RBC test. The result came back HIGH NOT LOW! I'm quitting the Zinc and will simply reduce the Liver to 1 going forward while keeping the Paramin at 2.
9/23- AM- 1 mile in 11:40. Zinc is a sustained release so it takes time for it to clear and it got worse before it got better.
PM- Felt better after a nap. Did another mile and my time is down to 8:28
Distance=2.0
Did 2x800 on Lakeshore then 1 Mile.
0 Liver- 4:26 (8:52 pace). Felt a little better than DC probably because of the Liver last night.
1 Liver- 3:56 (7:52 pace). MINUS 60 and once again, all it took was 1 pill. Not a night and day difference in how I felt but the effect was considerable nonetheless.
2 Liver- 7:04 Mile with the back half in 3:26 so once again, I cut off 60 seconds per mile.
Can I do better on 3 Liver pills? We'll see tomorrow or Wednesday.
Distance=2.0
9/18- Tried IP-6 and it was clearly a NO. Did not even attempt to run and may be out tomorrow as well. I believe that eventually my need for Liver and Paramin will eventually diminish.
9/19- Hoped to run 3 miles on Lakeshore but had to settle for 1 in 9:54. IP-6 hasn't cleared yet but began feeling a little better before bed time. Even with the Sarcosine, there is still stuff that I cannot tolerate, which really does not sit well with me.
9/20- AM- Vestavia Mile in 7:51.5. Much better but still haven't fully detoxed it. Still on 5 Paramin and 3 Liver but may try to reduce both next week.
PM- Never fails. Fixed the ceruloplasmin with the Liver pills but now my Zinc is depleted. I'm dropping to 2 Paramin and 1 Liver and will add some Zinc. I took some today and not surprisingly, I improved but overshot the balance point. Workout was 400-800-1200.
0 Zinc- 2:20 (9:20 pace)
1 Zinc- 4:16 (8:32 pace) MINUS 52
2 Zinc- 5:16 (7:01 pace) MINUS 91
Last 800 was 3:22. Took time for the Zinc to fully kick in but when it did, it was clear that I overshot. I predict that my Zinc tolerance will be low for a while but the need will spike before going back down again. MAYBE someday, I'll find the right combo.
Distance=3.0
9/21- Gold's 3 in 23:54 (7:58 pace). Had to rally to beat the Mendoza line. I was awful in the morning with the excess Zinc but I got better with Liver. There has got to be an equilibrium here. I'm going with 1 of each going forward.
Distance=3.0
9/22- Only took 1 Zinc in the evening and it was a disaster. Could not run at all without the Liver so it was back to the track for more intervals. 400-400-800-800-800
1 Liver- 2:26 (9:44 pace)
Extra Paramin- 2:25 (9:40 pace)
2 Liver- 4:25 (8:50 pace)
3 Liver- 4:04 (8:08 pace)
1/2 Zinc- 4:44 (9:28 pace)
Distance=2.0
Reaction:
The good news is that the Paramin has stabilized. It is now well tolerated and I don't believe it would make much difference if I took 1 of those suckers or 5 of them. The Zinc is another matter. I'm going to have to go REAL slow with that stuff but I predict that as was the case with Paramin, the demand for it will shoot up suddenly then eventually stabilize. I will NOT exceed 3 Liver pills.
UPDATE:
Found a blog post from early 2017 that showed that indeed I did do a Zinc RBC test. The result came back HIGH NOT LOW! I'm quitting the Zinc and will simply reduce the Liver to 1 going forward while keeping the Paramin at 2.
9/23- AM- 1 mile in 11:40. Zinc is a sustained release so it takes time for it to clear and it got worse before it got better.
PM- Felt better after a nap. Did another mile and my time is down to 8:28
Distance=2.0
Monday, September 10, 2018
Offensive Mascots
Just some light humor to poke fun at political correctness. Enjoy
New York Yankees- offensive to southerners
Minnesota Twins- offensive to children without siblings
Oakland Athletics- offensive to the out of shape
Atlanta Braves- offensive to cowards
New York Mets- offensive to rural residents
Washington Nationals- offensive to globalists
Cincinnati Reds- offensive to capitalists and Democrats
Milwaukee Brewers- offensive to non-drinkers
Pittsburgh Pirates- offensive to sailors
St. Louis Cardinals- offensive to non-Catholics
San Diego Padres- offensive to single mothers
LA Angels- offensive to devil worshipers
New England Patriots- offensive to British people
San Francisco 49ers- offensive to silver coinage voters
Dallas Cowboys- offensive to Native Americans
Minnesota Vikings- offensive to Scandinavians
New Orleans Saints- offensive to sinners
New York/SF Giants- offensive to short people
New Jersey Devils- VERY offensive to Christians
Calgary Flames- offensive to both gays and fire fighters
St. Louis Blues- offensive to Republicans
Hartford Whalers- offensive to GreenPeace
San Jose Sharks- VERY offensive to surfers
LA Kings/KC Royals- offensive to peasants
NY Islanders- offensive to mainlanders
Golden State Warriors- offensive to pacifists
Philadelphia 76ers- VERY offensive to British people
Charlotte Hornets- offensive to those with bee sting
allergies
Miami Heat- offensive to those from cold climates
Indiana Pacers-offensive to runners who start too fast
Ole Miss Rebels- offensive to Unionists
Miami Hurricanes- offensive to Katrina survivors
South Carolina Gamecocks- offensive to PETA
Holy Cross Crusaders-
offensive to Muslims
BYU Cougars- offensive to older women
Tennessee Volunteers- offensive to military draftees
Michigan State Spartans- offensive to Athenians
USC Trojans- offensive to Greeks
Washington Huskies- offensive to fat people
West Virginia Mountaineers- offensive to flat landers
Wake Forest Demon Deacons- VERY offensive to pastors and
their staff
Buffalo Bills- offensive to people in debt.
Alabama Crimson Tide- doubly offensive to Democrats
Training 9/10-9/16
9/10- Vestavia Mile in 6:41.1 (MINUS 49) plus a half mile cool. Best time of the year and 6 seconds better than last week's best. Got out a little faster today but once again slipped into a rut early. From 200-1200, I was only slightly better than 7:00 pace but finished in 91 (6:04 pace) on the last go round. There is still room for improvement but the rate will be much slower once I get down around 6:20. Then, I'll just chip away a few seconds at a time BARRING MORE RELAPSES!!
PM- Canterbury 4 in 31:19 (7:50 pace) plus a half mile cool. Even splits despite hilly route but since the back half is mostly down, I should see negative splits. Still, not bad. This was significantly better than yesterday at both distances. I'd say this translates to about 39 flat if not better on the mostly level Lakeshore 5 route.
Distance=6.0
UPDATE on DC:
I keep going back and forth. As of now, I think I've got about a 50/50 chance of finishing under 2 hours but the last 5 miles will be VERY TOUGH even with an ultraconservative start. I do think I have a chance at improvement in the next 5 days so if I am to go, I will suck it up and run the half. The race does offer a deferral for just $30 but I've booked a non-refundable flight and hotel and really don't want to eat that loss. As for the weather, it could still go either way. There's a chance if the hurricane hits South Carolina, it won't be so bad in DC and it might clear out by Sunday. If it hits in Virginia, we could see Tropical Storm force winds on Saturday and the flight in will probably be cancelled anyway. I've got another 3 days to decide and hopefully, the forecast will be known by then.
9/11- No Mountain Dew today for the first time in 4 days. Withdrawal was not as severe as Red Bull but unpleasant nonetheless. I was wired/tired much of the afternoon. When it was time to run, I kept it respectable for 2 miles then died. I would have been better if I drank a can but that would have only delayed the symptoms. I can handle an occasional Dew on.a cheat day but don't make a habit of it or I face withdrawal. That's what I figured but I had to know. Red Bull or Rockstar? I'm never touching that stuff again.
Distance=3.0
Weather Update:
At least for DC, the forecast has taken a turn for the better. It appears that NC will get the worst of it then it will turn northwest towards West Virginia. There's just a chance of scattered showers over the weekend. I'm going. I'm still intending to try the half because if nothing else, it will be good training for Nebraska and Detroit. If I'm hurting, I can still downgrade at the expo the day before.
9/12- Planned rest day
9/13- CRASH. Didn't know what was wrong but figured out I needed extra Paramin. That's right. Just a few days ago, I could not tolerate more than 2 pills. Now, I NEED more.
Distance=1.0
9/14- Intervals. Quarter miles at the track.
1 Paramin- 2:16
2 Paramin- 2:08
3 Paramin- 1:58
6 Paramin- 1:28
I really do not think it was any worse on 7.5 pills so my tolerance could be unlimited. That's good news. I will take mega doses for as long as needed and eventually, my dose will go back down.
Distance=1.5
9/15- More intervals. Not sure of the exact distance but I'm guessing it was about 0.3 miles. Definitely more than a quarter but less than a third.
3 Paramin- 2:34
4 Paramin- 2:23
5 Paramin- 2:18
6 Paramin- 2:19
Not a huge difference between 4 and 5 then fared no better on 6 but essentially no worse either. I bet if I upped it further, yes, I would have faded. This one felt WORSE than yesterday. I will be downgrading. Most likely, the citrates have depleted ceruloplasmin and I need the Liver Beef, which I did not pack in my bag. Unless I can find it in DC, even the 5 Mile race will SUCK.
Distance=1.5
9/16- Navy 5 Miler in 47:31 (9:30 pace). Yes, that sucks but I actually feared worse based on how I felt. Managed a rare negative split in a race.
Distance=5.0
PM- Canterbury 4 in 31:19 (7:50 pace) plus a half mile cool. Even splits despite hilly route but since the back half is mostly down, I should see negative splits. Still, not bad. This was significantly better than yesterday at both distances. I'd say this translates to about 39 flat if not better on the mostly level Lakeshore 5 route.
Distance=6.0
UPDATE on DC:
I keep going back and forth. As of now, I think I've got about a 50/50 chance of finishing under 2 hours but the last 5 miles will be VERY TOUGH even with an ultraconservative start. I do think I have a chance at improvement in the next 5 days so if I am to go, I will suck it up and run the half. The race does offer a deferral for just $30 but I've booked a non-refundable flight and hotel and really don't want to eat that loss. As for the weather, it could still go either way. There's a chance if the hurricane hits South Carolina, it won't be so bad in DC and it might clear out by Sunday. If it hits in Virginia, we could see Tropical Storm force winds on Saturday and the flight in will probably be cancelled anyway. I've got another 3 days to decide and hopefully, the forecast will be known by then.
9/11- No Mountain Dew today for the first time in 4 days. Withdrawal was not as severe as Red Bull but unpleasant nonetheless. I was wired/tired much of the afternoon. When it was time to run, I kept it respectable for 2 miles then died. I would have been better if I drank a can but that would have only delayed the symptoms. I can handle an occasional Dew on.a cheat day but don't make a habit of it or I face withdrawal. That's what I figured but I had to know. Red Bull or Rockstar? I'm never touching that stuff again.
Distance=3.0
Weather Update:
At least for DC, the forecast has taken a turn for the better. It appears that NC will get the worst of it then it will turn northwest towards West Virginia. There's just a chance of scattered showers over the weekend. I'm going. I'm still intending to try the half because if nothing else, it will be good training for Nebraska and Detroit. If I'm hurting, I can still downgrade at the expo the day before.
9/12- Planned rest day
9/13- CRASH. Didn't know what was wrong but figured out I needed extra Paramin. That's right. Just a few days ago, I could not tolerate more than 2 pills. Now, I NEED more.
Distance=1.0
9/14- Intervals. Quarter miles at the track.
1 Paramin- 2:16
2 Paramin- 2:08
3 Paramin- 1:58
6 Paramin- 1:28
I really do not think it was any worse on 7.5 pills so my tolerance could be unlimited. That's good news. I will take mega doses for as long as needed and eventually, my dose will go back down.
Distance=1.5
9/15- More intervals. Not sure of the exact distance but I'm guessing it was about 0.3 miles. Definitely more than a quarter but less than a third.
3 Paramin- 2:34
4 Paramin- 2:23
5 Paramin- 2:18
6 Paramin- 2:19
Not a huge difference between 4 and 5 then fared no better on 6 but essentially no worse either. I bet if I upped it further, yes, I would have faded. This one felt WORSE than yesterday. I will be downgrading. Most likely, the citrates have depleted ceruloplasmin and I need the Liver Beef, which I did not pack in my bag. Unless I can find it in DC, even the 5 Mile race will SUCK.
Distance=1.5
9/16- Navy 5 Miler in 47:31 (9:30 pace). Yes, that sucks but I actually feared worse based on how I felt. Managed a rare negative split in a race.
Distance=5.0
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Colorado and Nebraska Road Trip Plan
Out of the 49 states that I have visited, Nebraska is the only one that I have yet to do something significant. In all of my other non-race states, I have stopped at a tourist attraction and in most cases, I have spent at least one night. In Nebraska, I took a short detour from Cheyenne, Wyoming to the town of Kimball. All told, I spent about 30 minutes in the state and all but 5 were in the car. I did stop at a grocery store and made a small purchase. It counts for the lenient standards but definitely not for the strict. I had planned to make it a double with Iowa but there are a few issues with that plan. There's too much dead time between races. It's too much driving and it will cost an arm and a leg to rent from O'Hare in Chicago. This year, I've got an opportunity to race in Nebraska and make a nice trip out of it without missing any time at work.
Saturday 10/6- Fly out of Birmingham to Denver first thing in the morning. It's very important to get in at a decent hour because I've got to get to North Platte, Nebraska (3.5-4 hours) by the end of the day. Part of me is thinking to take a Friday flight to be safe. If there is a long delay, I'll miss the race. Upon further review, yes I will take the Friday afternoon flight. At any rate, the drive into Nebraska will not be very exciting but I expect the people will be very nice.
Sunday 10/7- Small race in North Platte, Nebraska. They have a 5K and half marathon with essentially no time limit so even if I am very sick and have to walk, I can get credit for a finish. From there, it will be back to Colorado. I'll stay in Estes Park, just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park and gain an hour going back to Mountain Time Zone. Figure, if I can get out of North Platte by 10 AM Central, I can get in by 2 PM Mountain even with a lunch stop. I can be flexible here. If it's good weather, I'll take Trail Ridge Road, one of the most scenic in the country that goes up to 12,000 feet elevation. Only 1-2 weeks later, the road will be closed for the winter. I was here back in 2010 and loved it but I didn't have a good camera phone at the time so I have no pictures. If it's a cloudy day or I am running late, I'll go to Denver instead. I've been there twice and really like the city.
Monday 10/8- I'll have the day off work for Columbus Day so I will do whatever I do not do the previous day. It will either be Trail Ridge at dawn or I sleep in a bit and chill in Denver before my flight back. Aside from the money, I don't see a downside to this trip so I'm leaning towards doing it. It will be 2 weeks prior to Detroit and 3 weeks after DC so it's a heavy schedule but not terribly taxing. I really want to do Nebraska sooner rather than later so I can shore up state #49. Again, Hawaii is state number 50 and it will wait until race state number 50.
Saturday 10/6- Fly out of Birmingham to Denver first thing in the morning. It's very important to get in at a decent hour because I've got to get to North Platte, Nebraska (3.5-4 hours) by the end of the day. Part of me is thinking to take a Friday flight to be safe. If there is a long delay, I'll miss the race. Upon further review, yes I will take the Friday afternoon flight. At any rate, the drive into Nebraska will not be very exciting but I expect the people will be very nice.
Sunday 10/7- Small race in North Platte, Nebraska. They have a 5K and half marathon with essentially no time limit so even if I am very sick and have to walk, I can get credit for a finish. From there, it will be back to Colorado. I'll stay in Estes Park, just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park and gain an hour going back to Mountain Time Zone. Figure, if I can get out of North Platte by 10 AM Central, I can get in by 2 PM Mountain even with a lunch stop. I can be flexible here. If it's good weather, I'll take Trail Ridge Road, one of the most scenic in the country that goes up to 12,000 feet elevation. Only 1-2 weeks later, the road will be closed for the winter. I was here back in 2010 and loved it but I didn't have a good camera phone at the time so I have no pictures. If it's a cloudy day or I am running late, I'll go to Denver instead. I've been there twice and really like the city.
Monday 10/8- I'll have the day off work for Columbus Day so I will do whatever I do not do the previous day. It will either be Trail Ridge at dawn or I sleep in a bit and chill in Denver before my flight back. Aside from the money, I don't see a downside to this trip so I'm leaning towards doing it. It will be 2 weeks prior to Detroit and 3 weeks after DC so it's a heavy schedule but not terribly taxing. I really want to do Nebraska sooner rather than later so I can shore up state #49. Again, Hawaii is state number 50 and it will wait until race state number 50.
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
High Oxalates Revisited
Oxalates
I looked into this 2 years ago because I read it could be a
reason for sensitivity to supplements. I’ve
read that in cases of high oxalates, there are toxins in your organs that are
chemically similar to anti-freeze (YUCK)!
Effective treatments are Cal/Mag citrate (Paramin) and IP-6. The former is something that is known to be
effective because it worked temporarily in the past. The latter is untested in this regard but may
raise ceruloplasmin and improve Iron mobilization while the former is known to worsen
both areas. If I am to go with the
Paramin, I may just raise my Liver Beef dosage to mitigate the damage. Whole Food C must be cut out because it
increases oxalates. I took Paramin until
2013 and was a much better and consistent performer when I was on it. I stopped because it wasn’t raising
Magnesium. I tried going back on it a
couple times but could not tolerate it.
That issue should be resolved now.
I did have brief success with Cal Citrate 2 years ago but
eventually developed a complete intolerance because of the glycine conjugation
issues. Then, a urine test revealed that
oxalates were not high after all. The
markers were only slightly higher than the 50th percentile and not
nearly high enough to be flagged.
Why am I so sure now that oxalates are the culprit?
1)
Taking glycine will raise oxalates.
The Sarcosine (N-methyl glycine)
is the one treatment that I absolutely cannot do without. If I don’t take it, I will become intolerant
to almost all my other necessary supplements and I will be screwed. It is quite possible that I always did have
high oxalates, which were masked by the glycine conjugation issues and may have
worsened the sensitivity issues.
2)
Sudden sensitivity to adrenal supplements.
Very recently, neither the adrenal
stimulant nor the suppressant had much of an effect at least at one dose. I still think I could be balanced now in that
area. However, last week, I had a
terrible reaction to just a half pill of both.
For the last time, even if a single pill takes my chemistry in the wrong
direction, there is NO WAY that it should trigger a severe reaction. After taking the Calcium citrate, the
sensitivity was gone again. I had a
similar reaction to Whole Food C but Liver was tolerated whereas it was not
prior to the Sarcosine.
3)
Calcium Citrate is effective.
I had an episode last week in
which I was struggling for a 9 minute pace for just a half mile then after
popping a single Cal Citrate pill, I felt better. I managed a sub-8 for 2 miles just a few
minutes later. I’ve also had nasty
diarrhea along with itching and foul smelling urine that leaves me feeling
better afterwards. Lastly, if I
overshoot by taking too much Cal Citrate, I will end up worse off due to
detox. All are symptoms of oxalate dumping.
I think Paramin is my best chance
of improvement. I have no choice but to
keep fighting because the alternative is being disabled.
Monday, September 3, 2018
Training 9/3-9/9
9/3-AM- Vestavia Mile in 9:45
PM- Vestavia Mile in 9:11
Distance=2.0
9/4- AM. Painfully obvious that Cal citrate is needed. I would have been over 10 without it. With it, tolerance seems to be improving. Managed an 8:44 today for a MINUS 61 in less than 24 hours. I was on 9 minute pace for the first 3 laps then finished with a 2:00 last lap despite holding in a diarrhea dump (detox). Popped another pill shortly thereafter and felt a little better. Paramin should arrive in another 2-3 days, which should be more effective at detoxing the oxalates.
PM- Another Mile this time at Hoover's forbidden track. I sneaked in through an open gate. In a very pleasant surprise, I was all the way down to 6:58.8 this time. 1st half: 3:31, 2nd half: 3:27 with a 1:38 last go round. The extra Cal citrate was clearly the difference. I expected to be under 8 but never expected to be close to 7 let alone break it. I might still run the half in DC if I can finish my long run @ sub-9 pace this weekend.
Distance=2.0
9/5- 2 Cal citrates worked well yesterday. 3 of them caused too much of a detox reaction today. Morning was really bad but I did get a little better as the day progressed. Still struggled in the workout. 3 miles at Gold's in 26:43 (8:54 pace). The Paramin may not arrive until after the weekend so I am uncertain about trying it.
Distance=3.0
9/6- AM Vestavia Mile in 6:47.1 (MINUS 11) and it all came on the back half. Added a half mile cool. First 3 laps were even at 1:44-1:45 then found another gear with a 92 second finish. I believe this is my best time of the year at this distance by 3 seconds but I was hoping for a little better. The rate of improvement is slowing and that is to be expected but I suspect that because of the detox, I'll be better if I take the citrates in the evening. I'll do that tonight even though I may endure a rough day tomorrow.
PM- Decided to take the afternoon off.
Distance=2.0
9/7- Unplanned rest day. Tried IP-6 and it was a disaster. Unclear if the pill is bad for me or it's a detox reaction. Whole Food C is still BAD even with the citrates controlling the oxalates. Gut feeling is to downgrade in DC even if by some miracle the long run goes well this weekend. DC is not a state so anything I do there is a bonus anyway.
PM- Decided to run a junk mile at Gold's and sucked as expected. Time was 9:25. Paramin arrived this evening so I took it at night. Maybe it was my imagination but I thought I felt a tingle in my legs and felt less heavy. I figure 2 Paramin is about the same as 2 Cal citrates.
9/8- No sudden miracle. Improved to 8:23 at Vestavia but knew within 50 meters that I didn't have it and just did the best I could. Pace was fairly even but did manage to dip under 2:00 in the last lap. Popped a 3rd citrate when I got home and was clearly worse immediately. I don't know if I am still detoxing the C and IP-6 or I can only take 1 Paramin not 2.
I looked at some of my old posts from early 2013 before I stopped the Paramin. Even when I was winning, it was NOT all smooth sailing. I had brutal sensitivity to copper and C BUT I was a lot better and more consistent overall. Horrible days were few and far between and even on an off day, I could usually get through 6-7 miles at a respectable pace. An off day back then would be a great day today. Again, it would NOT have made a difference if I had stayed on Paramin because as the glycine conjugation got worse, I would have soon been forced off anyway. I really don't think there is anything that I could have done to prevent this nightmare, which is extremely maddening.
PM- Interesting. As expected, I was worse after the 3rd Paramin (2:22 for 400) but I was actually slightly BETTER (2:13) after drinking a forbidden Kickstart Energy. No doubt that sugar and caffeine are still BAD but I may be able to get away with an occasional can of Surge or Kickstart. Red Bull or Rockstar? Forget it! Added a half mile cool. We'll see if I face withdrawal symptoms after stopping tomorrow. I am officially downgrading in DC.
Regarding Paramin, according to my log, I did NOT stop it by choice due to ineffectiveness. I was FORCED OFF due to intolerance. Yes, I've had to endure a few more rough days due to use of energy drinks over the years but nothing could have made much of a difference over the long haul.
Distance=2.0
9/9- Half-assed attempt to run long. It was clear that 2 Paramin are better than 1 but it was not a night and day difference. The sweet spot could be 1.5 right now but the tolerance will improve with time. I'm sure of it. I came through the first Mile in 8:40 but my pace was already slowing to the 9 minute range and I knew it was unsustainable over the long distance. Walked a lap then with great effort, I managed a 7:30.0 in a Mile time trial (MINUS 53) I bet it would have been under 7:20 if fully fresh so it's been another slow climb. Tacked on a cool for a 3 mile session.
PM- 5 miles on Lakeshore in 42:50 (8:34 pace). About as expected. VERY STRANGELY, drinks such as Surge and Mountain Dew are well tolerated and maybe even marginally beneficial for the time being. The reason is that since they are citrus based, they actually help detox the oxalates. I don't think I have experienced any withdrawal symptoms either but I won't be in the clear until tomorrow in that regard.
As for the DC race, I'd need to last 8.1 miles longer at a pace 34 seconds slower. for a sub-2 finish Not there yet but I don't want to give up hope. Then again, the hurricane could make that decision for me. As of now, there is a chance of tropical storm force winds and rain next weekend. I AIN'T going at all if the weather is going to be that bad. I'll focus on Nebraska instead.
Distance=8.0
PM- Vestavia Mile in 9:11
Distance=2.0
9/4- AM. Painfully obvious that Cal citrate is needed. I would have been over 10 without it. With it, tolerance seems to be improving. Managed an 8:44 today for a MINUS 61 in less than 24 hours. I was on 9 minute pace for the first 3 laps then finished with a 2:00 last lap despite holding in a diarrhea dump (detox). Popped another pill shortly thereafter and felt a little better. Paramin should arrive in another 2-3 days, which should be more effective at detoxing the oxalates.
PM- Another Mile this time at Hoover's forbidden track. I sneaked in through an open gate. In a very pleasant surprise, I was all the way down to 6:58.8 this time. 1st half: 3:31, 2nd half: 3:27 with a 1:38 last go round. The extra Cal citrate was clearly the difference. I expected to be under 8 but never expected to be close to 7 let alone break it. I might still run the half in DC if I can finish my long run @ sub-9 pace this weekend.
Distance=2.0
9/5- 2 Cal citrates worked well yesterday. 3 of them caused too much of a detox reaction today. Morning was really bad but I did get a little better as the day progressed. Still struggled in the workout. 3 miles at Gold's in 26:43 (8:54 pace). The Paramin may not arrive until after the weekend so I am uncertain about trying it.
Distance=3.0
9/6- AM Vestavia Mile in 6:47.1 (MINUS 11) and it all came on the back half. Added a half mile cool. First 3 laps were even at 1:44-1:45 then found another gear with a 92 second finish. I believe this is my best time of the year at this distance by 3 seconds but I was hoping for a little better. The rate of improvement is slowing and that is to be expected but I suspect that because of the detox, I'll be better if I take the citrates in the evening. I'll do that tonight even though I may endure a rough day tomorrow.
PM- Decided to take the afternoon off.
Distance=2.0
9/7- Unplanned rest day. Tried IP-6 and it was a disaster. Unclear if the pill is bad for me or it's a detox reaction. Whole Food C is still BAD even with the citrates controlling the oxalates. Gut feeling is to downgrade in DC even if by some miracle the long run goes well this weekend. DC is not a state so anything I do there is a bonus anyway.
PM- Decided to run a junk mile at Gold's and sucked as expected. Time was 9:25. Paramin arrived this evening so I took it at night. Maybe it was my imagination but I thought I felt a tingle in my legs and felt less heavy. I figure 2 Paramin is about the same as 2 Cal citrates.
9/8- No sudden miracle. Improved to 8:23 at Vestavia but knew within 50 meters that I didn't have it and just did the best I could. Pace was fairly even but did manage to dip under 2:00 in the last lap. Popped a 3rd citrate when I got home and was clearly worse immediately. I don't know if I am still detoxing the C and IP-6 or I can only take 1 Paramin not 2.
I looked at some of my old posts from early 2013 before I stopped the Paramin. Even when I was winning, it was NOT all smooth sailing. I had brutal sensitivity to copper and C BUT I was a lot better and more consistent overall. Horrible days were few and far between and even on an off day, I could usually get through 6-7 miles at a respectable pace. An off day back then would be a great day today. Again, it would NOT have made a difference if I had stayed on Paramin because as the glycine conjugation got worse, I would have soon been forced off anyway. I really don't think there is anything that I could have done to prevent this nightmare, which is extremely maddening.
PM- Interesting. As expected, I was worse after the 3rd Paramin (2:22 for 400) but I was actually slightly BETTER (2:13) after drinking a forbidden Kickstart Energy. No doubt that sugar and caffeine are still BAD but I may be able to get away with an occasional can of Surge or Kickstart. Red Bull or Rockstar? Forget it! Added a half mile cool. We'll see if I face withdrawal symptoms after stopping tomorrow. I am officially downgrading in DC.
Regarding Paramin, according to my log, I did NOT stop it by choice due to ineffectiveness. I was FORCED OFF due to intolerance. Yes, I've had to endure a few more rough days due to use of energy drinks over the years but nothing could have made much of a difference over the long haul.
Distance=2.0
9/9- Half-assed attempt to run long. It was clear that 2 Paramin are better than 1 but it was not a night and day difference. The sweet spot could be 1.5 right now but the tolerance will improve with time. I'm sure of it. I came through the first Mile in 8:40 but my pace was already slowing to the 9 minute range and I knew it was unsustainable over the long distance. Walked a lap then with great effort, I managed a 7:30.0 in a Mile time trial (MINUS 53) I bet it would have been under 7:20 if fully fresh so it's been another slow climb. Tacked on a cool for a 3 mile session.
PM- 5 miles on Lakeshore in 42:50 (8:34 pace). About as expected. VERY STRANGELY, drinks such as Surge and Mountain Dew are well tolerated and maybe even marginally beneficial for the time being. The reason is that since they are citrus based, they actually help detox the oxalates. I don't think I have experienced any withdrawal symptoms either but I won't be in the clear until tomorrow in that regard.
As for the DC race, I'd need to last 8.1 miles longer at a pace 34 seconds slower. for a sub-2 finish Not there yet but I don't want to give up hope. Then again, the hurricane could make that decision for me. As of now, there is a chance of tropical storm force winds and rain next weekend. I AIN'T going at all if the weather is going to be that bad. I'll focus on Nebraska instead.
Distance=8.0
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