Key Questions Answered (Methylation)

 Going into this week, I was already aware that I could get by for a least a few days without methylation supplements.  I thought that perhaps the TRS (toxin removal) had solved this issue once and for all and MAYBE I no longer needed those pills.  I could free up some space in my cabinet and save some pretty good money if I could ditch those bottles of pills.  

This week has not exactly been smooth going but I felt no need for anything other than the "required pills" of Probiotics and Lactoferrin plus the TRS.  I am hopeful that now that I am off the forbidden drinks, I will now be able to get by a few days without those as well.  That is looking promising but that trial will go off in 2 weeks.  On Saturday (5th day off methylation), I was a little more sluggish than expected but got through the 7 miler at a pace comparable to the first half of my race in Salisbury.  I said "I'll take it" and didn't give it much thought.  However, the next day, it was IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS that something was off as soon as I got up.  The question was which pill or pills were missing?  It was time for the hated interval workout.  Half laps at Montreat with a pill after each interval.

Results:

I did not even attempt a run on only the "required pills" but I started with the pills LEAST likely to be the difference maker.  On stand alone B-12 alone plus the B-complex, I did a PATHETIC 2:00 (12:00 pace).  That's about as bad as I've ever done.  On CBS/NOS, I fared slightly better with a 1:54 (11:24 pace).  MINUS 36.  That left me confused.  It was right on the edge of enough improvement to be considered significant but not nearly enough to be a game changer.  CBS/NOS cleans out excess sulfur and improves lung function.  Yes, I did notice a slight difference for the better in that regard.  It appeared that it wasn't just one pill that I needed but each one that I had missed would bring me a step closer to respectability.  That completed the first lap.

Next, it was Co-Q10.  This time, I felt no better but produced a 1:52 (11:12).  That's not enough to be considered significant but this pill often needed to be paired with NADH to be effective.  Not so this time.  Again, I felt no better and repeated the 1:54 (11:24 pace) that I did before the pair.  Essentially no improvement.  That left me with Methyl Folate and TMG left and I had a strong sense that one or both would be game changers.  I was correct.

Popped the Methyl Folate and was noticeably better immediately.  Time was all the way down to 1:16 on this half lap (7:36 pace)  MINUS 3:48!!  This is usually more effective when paired with TMG.  More improvement would come after this pill.  Clocked a 57 second half lap after TMG (5:42 pace).  MINUS 1:54!  WOW!  This is most definitely the missing piece.

Reaction:

The Methyl Folate plus TMG needs to be taken every day.  If I do so, it won't be an immediate game changer but taking it every day versus only occasionally should result in a boost over time.  Good news is that if I forget to take it, I won't even notice any problems until the 5th day.  That's EXACTLY what I want to see with every pill.  Because I have the MTHFR mutation, it is unlikely that I will ever be freed from these pills.  I'm okay with that.  Like I said, my demands are NOT unreasonable.  What I do want is to be FREED FROM EXTREME DEPENDENCE such that a single missed dose causes big problems.  I've been in situations in which I needed an exact dose every day.  A single pill, whether one too many or one too few caused BIG problems.  To make matters worse, the magic dose fluctuated with no explanation.  That is a NIGHTMARE and I'll gladly trade some of my speed for stability.   Let's suppose that I forget to pack it on a trip.  I'll be okay on a long weekend but will feel it by the end of an epic week long trip.  I can live with that.  

Co-Q10 and NADH are no longer needed.  I fared no better on these pills than I did without them.  I'll probably finish the bottles then ditch.  That'll save me some money and space.  Forbidden drinks can be tolerated on occasion.  Just don't make a habit of it.  I've had a tendency to cheat when I am unstable.  I figured that since I'm already messed up, what difference will it make?  If I am level, I don't anticipate any problems in that regard.  

Questions Remaining:  

I'm not absolutely sure yet but I am betting that my need for ADHS (adrenal modulator) is in the same category as the Methyl Folate.  It should be taken every day but if I miss an occasional dose, I won't notice until the 5th consecutive day.  Again, I can live with that.  

What happens if I quit the "required pills" (Probiotics and Lactoferrin)?  I am hopeful that the result will be the same.  No issues for at least a few days.  I am betting that will indeed happen.  In 2 weeks, I will try a pill free weekend.  I will feel MUCH better about my situation if I wake up on Monday morning feeling "not terrible" and can at least get through a 3 miler.  

B-complex and stand alone B-12?  I'm still not sure if those are needed or not.  I've read that you don't want to take a stand alone B-vitamin without the full complex.  It didn't work alone but when paired with the Methyl Folate, things could be different.  I'll see about that next week.  If I had to bet, my choice would be to go with the complex and ditch the stand alone.  The complex contains a good amount of B-12 and I can rotate it with the Liver Beef.  EDIT: The combined amount of B-12 in the CBS and the B-complex SHOULD be enough to prevent a need for stand alone.  I won't pitch that until after my next race however.

CBS/NOS- After some deliberation, I am going with it every day.  Without it, I won't collapse any time soon and it's not the game changer but if I can run 20-30 seconds faster per mile while feeling somewhat better every day, it's worth it.  Same with Magnesium.  

Thym-Adren- I already know that I am ditching this one.  Absent an adrenal spike, I SHOULD collapse after several days on a high dosage.  BUT a SINGLE PILL should NEVER trigger an extreme reaction.  I'll see about that next week as well.  What I hope to find is that I feel a little sluggish but can still get through a few easy miles.  After that, it goes in the trash and hopefully, I never have to re-order it again.  

Extreme need for another pill?  THAT BETTER NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN!!!  If it does, I'm afraid that would break my will forever.  

With a stable formula, I will be able to train consistently and eventually get back to respectable times.  Then, MAYBE, just maybe I can put myself on the dating market in a couple of months.