Training 7/24-7/30

 7/24- Not a collapse but a significant step backward.  2 miles in 20:52 (10:26 pace).  Even pace and wasn't totally spent at the end but I just could not pick it up.  I cheated yesterday and paid the price.  Glad it wasn't a collapse but I'm also glad that I did not get away with it.  I MUST be clean at least until the weekend.  Made it 6 out of 8 days now.

Distance=2.0

7/25-AM- Backwards again.  1.5 miles in 16:46 (11:10 pace) but I did have a negative split (8:30-8:16).  7 out of 9 days.  

PM- Much better.  2.5 on Lakeshore in 23:58 (9:35 pace).  Even pace but it did take a rally in the last quarter mile to break 24.  Sunday's cheating resulted in a 2 day blip and I seem to be back on track now.  Tomorrow will be 8 out of 10.  I can do it.

Distance= 4.0

7/26- 1 mile time trial at Vestavia plus a half mile cool.  I expected to finish between 8:15-8:30 and that's what I got.  Time was 8:24.4 (4:13-4:11).  Even pace with a decent kick.  I am officially 8 out of 10 with the diet.  Going for 10 out of 12 before my next cheat day.

Distance= 1.5

7/27- Never fails.  I get a little better for a few days then collapse.  What happened early in the week was not a surprise.  What happened today?  Never saw it coming.  I aimed for 2.5-3.5 and realized early on that I wasn't going to make it.  Turned around at 0.75 and could not even finish 1.5.  Called it quits after 1 mile in 10:54 with a pace approaching 12 by the end.  Added a half mile walk of shame.  

Culprit was the Thym-Adren.  Only last week, it was marginally beneficial.  Body feels sluggish and stiff but I thought that was Candida.  I've confirmed that this is not auto-immune related.  Why did this happen so suddenly?  I performed better in the evenings than the mornings this week.  Did my system clear it out?  Maybe it wasn't the cheating on Sunday that caused the problems on Monday and Tuesday morning.  In my anger, I cheated again today.  I'm still 8 for 11 but need to be perfect for the next 10 days to meet my goal.

Distance= 1.0

7/28- Unplanned rest day.  Felt better after taking adrenal glandulars but I know it's only a temporary fix.  Clean diet.

7/29- 4x1/2 lap at Montreat with adrenal glandulars after each interval.

Splits were 1:54-1:41-1:32-1:23.  Much better with every pill but didn't feel comfortable taking more.

Added a 1 lap cool at glacial pace.

Distance= 1.0

7/30- Failed again.  1 mile at Lakeshore in 12:18.  This time the adrenal glandulars made things WORSE.  I'm done until further notice.

Distance= 1.5

- 11 miles

Training 7/17-7/23

 7/17- Another detox reaction. I did manage one mile but the time was well over 12 minutes.

Distance=1.0

7/18- AM 1 mile on Montreat in 12:18.  OUCH.

PM- Much better.  1.5 on Lakeshore in hot conditions.  Improved to a 15:06 (10:04 pace)

Distance=2.5

7/19- ABJECT FAILURE!  Attempted to go 2.5 and quit before 0.25.  It's another Herx reaction.  I thought that perhaps the diet didn't matter as long as I took ACV and Probiotics.  Clearly, it does.  On just the 3rd day off sugar and alcohol, this is what happens.  Fared no better after cheating.  I'm sticking to this plan for better or worse.  I must not cheat again.

Distance= 0.5

7/20- 2x1 lap at Montreat plus a cool.  Embarrassingly slow times.

Distance=1.0

7/21-

Same workout as yesterday.  I did the first lap in 3:56 (11:48 pace) then improved to 3:52 (11:36 pace) on ACV then recorded a 3:44 (11:12 pace) on Thym-Adren.  At least I did not go backwards after the ACV and improved only slightly on the Thym-Adren so I would not call this and adrenal spike.

Distance= 1.0

7/22- 

AM- Full Mile at Montreat in 10:19.  Even pace (5:12-5:07) with no real effort to kick.  Pace was almost dead even after a slow first half lap.

PM- Repeated the morning session this time in light rain.  Improved to a 9:30 with splits of 4:54-4:36.  Starting to notice improvement.

Distance=2.0

7/23-

3 miles on North Lakeshore in 29:21 (9:47 pace).  Pleased with the improvement but I've got a LONG way to go.  I'm still over 30 for a full 5K.  Even pace with no effort to kick (14:43-14:38).   Provided that I don't cheat again, the Herx reaction should diminish after 10 days so I should be a lot better by next weekend.  

Distance= 3.0

- 11 miles on the week

Thrillist Most Beautiful State Rankings

 Thrillist published a ranking of all 50 states based solely on natural beauty.  I found it interesting and for the most part, I agreed with the rankings.  Even with my extensive travels, I still don't feel qualified to do a ranking myself as there are about 15 states that I cannot say that I have thoroughly explored.   For example, although I have been to Kansas twice, I have not ventured beyond the eastern third of the state.  The same holds true for others so I can't knock it if I've only seen a state park and just one or two mid-sized towns.    I certainly do know enough to comment on this list however so here is the link:  You may have to copy and paste the URL but it should work.  I'm not going to comment on every ranking but I will highlight a few that I thought were overrated or underrated.

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/most-beautiful-states-in-america

Bottom Tier:

Iowa was ranked last.  I have been there twice and was not surprised by the rank.  However, it's a state that I can't really knock because I haven't explored it extensively.  I saw a couple of small- mid-sized towns on the race trip and stopped at a state park near the border of Minnesota on another trip.  That qualifies under the strict standard but there are plenty of other attractions that could change my rank.

Kansas was 49th.  Maybe I have some bias because I was just there recently but it was better than I expected in terms of natural beauty and I've heard that Gypsum Hills in the west are nice as well.  It's probably in the bottom 10 but IMO, it should be a few spots higher.  I'd put it slightly ahead of Nebraska, which was #43.  

Illinois at 48 is probably the one that I would rank last especially if the skyscrapers on Lake Michigan are not considered "natural beauty."   That said, there are plenty of hidden gems off the beaten path that could change it.

Indiana at 47 is slightly underrated.  Nice rolling terrain in the south and Indiana Dunes NP in the north, which has views of the Chicago skyline in the distance.  

Mississippi at 45 is also bit underrated.  It's got nice rolling hills throughout the state except for the Gulf Coast, which is a long stretch of white sandy beaches.  You have to take a cruise to get to a clear water beach with any surf but it does exist.  For the sake of comparison, I'd put it ahead of Louisiana but behind Alabama.  

North Dakota at 42- Ask me again after I visit the western half of the state, specifically Theodore Roosevelt NP.  I will say that the area west of Fargo was the most boring stretch that I have ever driven and it would be last if it was just based on that.  

Missouri at 41- Underrated.  Ozarks in the south are very nice.  I do recall that as soon as I crossed the river from Illinois, the terrain became a lot more scenic.

Connecticut at 40- Overrated.  Small state that I really haven't explored too much but was not overly impressed.  The lack of surf on the beaches is a strike against it.  Rhode Island at 34?  Probably about right.

Delaware at 39- Overrated.  Mostly flat and non-descript.  Beaches are not half bad but neighboring coasts of Maryland and New Jersey are better IMO.  I'll do my best not to biased because of politics.  

Third Quartile-

New Jersey at 37-  Probably about right.  Maybe a hair underrated.  Though mostly flat and non-descript, it does have a very nice coast.  Try some lesser known beaches besides Wildwood and Atlantic City and you will be pleasantly surprised.  The far northwest has some pretty nice hills that could pass for West Virginia in terms of scenery but again, that's only a small portion near the Poconos.  

Alabama at 36- Underrated.  I'm sure you are not surprised by that comment.  Beautiful beaches on the Gulf, surprising mountains in the East Central and lots of hidden gems in the north.  Yes, I admit that I am biased because it's my home.  Where would I rank it?  Not in the top 10 but probably the top 20.  

Pennsylvania at 35- About right.  Lake Erie isn't half bad but nobody will confuse it with Florida or the Carolina coast.  It's got some nice Appalachian scenery in the south but neighboring states are better.  I hear that the Poconos area is nice but I've never been there.  

Georgia at 33- A hair underrated.  Beaches are not nearly as nice as Florida or even South Carolina but it's got some surprising mountain scenery in the north and Savannah is a beautiful city.  

New Hampshire at 32 and Vermont at 13- Maybe I'm biased here but Vermont is way overrated and ought to be ranked in the 30s with New Hampshire in the mid-high 20s.  Mountains and foliage are just as nice in New Hampshire and it has an ocean coastline while Vermont does not.  

South Carolina at 30- Underrated.  Beautiful coast and nice mountain scenery in the northwest.  I used to live here so yes, I am biased.  I would not put it in the top 10 but I would put it in the top 20.

Maryland at 29 and Massachusetts at 28- About right.  Both are similar in that you can find both beaches and mountains there.  While you won't be blown away by either coast or mountain range, you'll find the scenery to be nice.

Second Quartile-

Virginia at 25- Slightly underrated.  Competition is getting tougher in the top half but this state has it all with beaches, mountains and foliage.  

Wisconsin at 23- Overrated.  Yes, Door County is amazing but much of the state is gently rolling terrain and relatively non-descript.  

Texas at 22- Slightly overrated- I like Texas but don't think it should be ranked this high.  Beaches are better than Louisiana but pale in comparison to Florida and Alabama.  Some nice mountain scenery in the southwest.  Again, competition is stiff by this point.  If Texas was ranked in the mid-30s, I'd call it underrated.

South Dakota at 21- Not qualified to comment.  Many will be surprised to see this state ranked so high but if you've been to the Badlands NP and Mt. Rushmore, you'd agree.  However, that's only a small portion of the state.  I've never been to the eastern portion but I'd imagine that it's not nearly as beautiful.  

West Virginia at 19 and Tennessee at 20- About right.  Some of the nicest mountain scenery in the East but again, competition is getting fierce.  Both would have a case for being in the top 10 if they had an ocean coastline.  

Florida at 18- Slightly underrated.  This is a tough call.  Since I'm a big beach guy, I've got to rank Florida high.  However, I also like mountains and Florida doesn't have it.  As far as inland scenery, for the most part, I did not find it boring with the ubiquitous palm trees and Spanish moss.  The only part that was a little rough was the inland area between Tampa and Miami.  Not much to see there.

New York at 17- I was going to call this one overrated but I'm probably not qualified to do so.  I was surprised to see this one ranked so high.  I've been to Albany, Cooperstown and Buffalo in addition to NYC and was not overly impressed but there is so much more that I have not seen as I have NOT thoroughly explored Upstate New York.  Pennsylvania was ranked 35.  Is New York really THAT much better?  I doubt it but I could be wrong.  Edit: I imagine Niagara Falls brings up the ranking.  I was there as a child but not as an adult.

Top Quartile:

Really into the cream of the crop now.  You could make a case for almost all of these to be in the top 5 so I won't comment much.

North Carolina at 12- I think this one belongs in the top 10.  Best mountain scenery in the East and probably the 2nd best coastal scenery after Florida.  

Michigan at 8- Overrated.  I've only been to Detroit and the UP.  Don't get me wrong.  It's got some beautiful areas but #8 is just too high.  I'd put it outside the top 10 but probably inside the top 20.  

Washington at 6 and Oregon at 7- Oregon is about right but I'd put it ahead of Washington because the coast is MUCH more beautiful all around.  That said, Rainier has the slight edge over Hood and I've not yet seen North Cascades or Olympic NP so I could change my mind.

Utah at 4 and Colorado at 5-  Both are about right and I agree with Utah being ranked ahead of Colorado.  Though Colorado has the better mountain scenery, there is not a dull moment driving through any part of Utah.  The eastern third of Colorado is basically an extension of western Kansas and Nebraska and the mountains don't come into view until Denver.  

California at 1- Its politics are a mess but in terms of natural beauty, I really cannot argue against this ranking even though you can make a case for Hawaii and Alaska (#2 and 3)  It's got it all.  Surfing, skiing, deserts, redwoods, national parks, you name it.  I only wish that the water temperature was a bit warmer further north.  

Training 7/10-7/16

 Another attempt:

I am fresh off another Herx reaction and an adrenal spike, which is just beginning to die down.

7/10-AM- 2 miles in 20:28 (10:14 pace).  Not good by any stretch but it was a lot better than yesterday.  Can I build on it and continue to improve or will I melt down again?

PM- Repeated the distance again on South Lakeshore.  Improved to 18:56 (9:28 pace) with splts of 9:24-9:32.  Did not need kick at the end.  Sub-19 was in the back so I just relaxed a bit.  I'll take it.  I'll shoot for 3 tomorrow in the evening.

Distance=4.0

7/11- 1 step forward, 2 steps back.  Planned to go 3 but settled for half that distance in a pathetic time of 16:54 (11:16 pace) with splits of 8:14-8:40.  I don't understand this one.

Distance=1.5

7/12- Half mile in 5:55 (11:50 pace).  I think the Candida is being removed in batches.  It's a cycle of Herx reactions and adrenal spikes.  Hopefully, the cycles will be less intense from now on.  The cycles are definitely shorter now.  I flipped from the Herx to the adrenal spike in just one day.  I expect another Herx reaction by the weekend but hopefully less intense.

Distance=0.5

7/13- 3x1 lap intervals at Montreat.

Nothing- 3:40 (11:00 pace)

ACV- 3:35 (10:45 pace)

Thym-Adren- 3:10 (9:30 pace)

I'm still in the adrenal spike phase but will soon flip to the Herx.  Ler's hope it won't be as intense this time.

PM- Repeated the same workout.  This time, I did 3:40/4:00/3:52.  I am back to the Herx side of the cycle but the reaction was less intense.  MUCH worse on the ACV but only slightly better on the Thym-Adren.  The worst may be over as far as the Candida.  I might have a few more small dumps but hopefully nothing to fear.  

Distance=2.0

7/14- Non-stop mile at Montreat.  Finished in 11:48 and it would have been even worse if I did not take extra Thym Adren after the first lap.

PM- Repeated the distance after a nap.  Improved to 10:37 with a negative split (5:27-5:10).

Distance=2.0

7/15- 3 miles on North Lakeshore in 31:39 (10:33 pace).  Marginally faster over triple the distance compared to yesterday.  I'm pleased.  Splits were encouraging too (10:50-10:33-10:16).

Distance=3.0

7/16- 2 miles in 20:58 (10:29 pace).  Tough day out there.  Not much worse than yesterday but certainly not an improvement.  Splits were pretty even but it took a late rally to beat yesterday's pace.  Heat and humidity are to be expected this time of year but today was worse than usual.  Dewpoint was 75 and I've always found that it's virtually impossible to get a quality workout when it's that high.

Distance= 2.0

-15 miles on the week.  I'll shoot for 20 next week.

Oregon Road Trip

 6/29- Worked a half day then drove to Atlanta for a 7:30 flight to Portland.  This was my 3rd visit to Oregon but the first time I drove all the way down the coast.  Because of the 3 hour time difference, I landed at 9:30 local time.  The line was pretty long at the rental car pickup so I got to the motel around 11:00 and went straight to bed.  The motel was just across the river in Vancouver, Washington.  

6/30-

Day dawned cloudy but it cleared up nicely by noon.  As far as the weather, it could be 90 degrees 2 hours inland but it won't be much warmer than 65 degrees on the coast with a water temperature around 57.  Yes, I did wear a wetsuit but it was fairly comfortable in the water as long as it wasn't too windy.  I headed north on I-5 toward Seattle then picked up US-30 to Astoria, Oregon, just across the border from Washington then turned south on US-101.  First stop was Cannon Beach then it cleared up when I got to the famous overlook in Manzanita.  

 By mid-afternoon, I arrived at my destination at Cape Kiwanda near Pacific City.  It was AMAZINGLY beautiful but it was also very windy.  I still caught several good waves out there but it was still chilly even with the wetsuit.  I stayed until sunset then went about 30 minutes south to Newport for the night.  

7/1-

Left Newport and stopped at a few random pullouts off the highway.  I had a rare sit down breakfast in the town of Coos Bay to pay tribute to Steve Prefontaine.  The next planned stop was Gold Beach near the California line but I ended up stopping at Arch Point and Bandon as well.  Gold Beach had grayish sand and was also quite windy.  I did not go deep into the water.  I saved that for California.  

I crossed the border into California around 2 PM then it was maybe another 30 minutes to South Beach in Crescent City.  I played in the surf for about 2.5 hours.  I'd wager that the water was not significantly warmer than Oregon but with sunny skies and calm winds, it was a lot more comfortable.  Waves broke between thigh and waist deep so I did not even need a wetsuit top.  I even saw a couple of kids in the water with nothing but swim trunks with a water temperature below 60F.  You have to go all the way down to Malibu on the Pacific to get comfortable swimming temps (69+ F) even in late summer.  I've gone surfing in So-Cal before but Nor-Cal has a totally different vibe.   

7/2-

Probably the most challenging drive of the trip.  I was up with the sun to Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, still in California and met a nice girl at the gas station. 

 I was only on the interstate for a short time before picking up country roads to Crater Lake NP back in Oregon.  If at all possible, get there early.  Crowds can be large and parking may be limited but I had no such problems.  I hiked for about 1.5 miles on the Rim trail before turning around.  It was breathtaking.  Even in July, there were still spots with snow on the ground at 6.000+ feet elevation.  The water is so clear that words cannot express.  I wish I had a bit more time here but I had to get a move on if I was to make it to Eugene by dark.

I did make one stop on the way at Tokettee Falls, which included another half mile hike but was just off the road on the way to Eugene.  There, I stopped at Hayward Field and walked around the practice track.  It looks very much different since the remodeling.  

7/3-

Left Eugene for the coast.  This time, I crossed the bridge in Astoria going north to Washington state.  My surf spot was Long Beach.  This completes a bucket list item for me.  With Washington and Oregon, I've gone swimming and caught a wave in every state with an ocean coastline in the continental US.  This includes the Atlantic, Pacific and the Gulf plus two Hawaiian islands.  I intend to go for a swim in Alaska but the surf may be too far off the beaten path.  

It was nice and sunny just a few miles inland but foggy on the beach.  It did eventually burn off and I had a short and cautious but fun surf session.  I did not venture beyond waist deep water because of the strong currents but still caught more than a few good rides.  Water temp was not significantly cooler than Oregon and Nor-Cal and again the winds were calm.  Next stop was the not so aptly named Cape Disappointment also in Washington.  My only regret on this trip was not spending more time here instead of at Long Beach.  It looked much nicer.  

From here, I checked into my motel back in Portland and just relaxed for a bit then took a sunset ride to see some views of Mt. Hood.  Before bed, I got a quick drink at the bar across the street where I met another nice girl.  

7/4- 

Sit  down breakfast. Short delay on the flight home but no major issues.  This is one of my all time favorite trips.