Vitamin C and ADHS (Possible Equilibrium)

 I experienced a collapse on 9/28 in which it took me more than 12 minutes to cover 1 Mile.  Excessive Vitamin C was confirmed to be the culprit after I was significantly worse after popping an extra pill at the halfway point.

I recovered much more quickly than expected. Normally, it takes 3-5 days before I am back to the new normal.  Just 36 hours later, I was doing 9 minutes pace with the same effort.  Another 36 hours later, I tested my response to Vitamin C.  Slightly slower than the previous day but not enough to be considered significant.  I considered it to be tolerated.  Why did I recover so quickly and why was it tolerated again so soon?  I first started having trouble with Malic Acid in late May- early June and only NOW is it fully tolerated again.  I just confirmed that last night.  

The answer to the above question is likely ADHS.  It is highly likely that stuff must be taken with Vitamin C to be tolerated.  Is there a combo that will allow me to reach permanent equilibrium?  I can only hope.  

I do know now that ADHS without sufficient C is NOT the answer either.  My morning workout yesterday (1.5 @ 10:50) was another collapse but just 12 hours later, I was MUCH BETTER because I loaded on C.  Then again, I know what happens if I take too much C for too long.  

I will have to experiment with several different combos and am prepared to endure a couple of rough days along the way.  Today's afternoon session provided strong evidence that caffeine depletes C.  Perhaps this is the final motivation that I need to quit those damn energy drinks for good.  It's possible that without caffeine, ADHS will be tolerated without C.  Who knows how this will play out but I have reason to hope.

Edit:  There is a possibility that after all this trial and error, I may be better off with no pills. It's becoming increasingly clear that ADHS is not the answer.

Training 10/6-10/12

 10/6- Vestavia Mile in 7:41.  I believe it's my best time of the year.  23 seconds faster than last time but still 11 away from the PR.  Pretty well paced with splits of 1:53-1:57-2:00-1:51.  No pills.  Pleased overall.  Added a warm and cool.

Just a little sluggish after taking the ADHS and Vitamin C when I got home.  I feel safer on at least some adrenal support but I may be better off without it.  

Can I cut off 42 more seconds?  If I am healthy enough to train at 30 MPW consistently, I think I have a realistic chance.

Distance-1.5

10/7- AM.  1.5 miles in 16:15 (10:50 pace).  FAIL!  Culprit is most probably ADHS.  That makes me feel really uneasy because it's a modulator.

PM- MUCH BETTER.  2 miles in 18:56 (9:28 pace). Perfect splits.  Vitamin C was the answer.  More to come in a separate post 

Distance-3.5

10/8- Repeated the 2 mile distance with a similar result.  Finished in 18:52 (9:26 pace) with a strong finish (9:37-9:15).  Malic Acid last night didn't hurt me but I am still significantly slower than last week probably due to the low Vitamin C.

PM- 1 Mile at Montreat in 9:38.  Looks ho hum but there is some interesting data under the surface.  I drank a Kickstart after I got home from the morning session and though I didn't collapse, I did feel a bit more sluggish.  Workout confirmed it 

Passed 2 laps in 6:37 (9:55 pace) at the same effort as this morning.  Figure that a 2 mile would be approaching 20 minutes instead of 19.  Popped a Vitamin C and definitely felt a boost.  Did the 3rd lap in 3:01 (9:03 pace).  Almost as good as last week.  Most of the questions have been answered.

Distance-3.0

10/9- AM.  2 Vitamin C alone was a DISASTER!  Quit after just half mile with a pace approaching 12.  Took an ADHS when I got home and it seemed to reverse itself.  Took 3 more C at work and it was obviously too much.  5 C to 1 ADHS is obviously too much C.  2-4 might work.  

PM- More tests.  No discernable reaction to Zinc or Liver.  Thym Adren may have helped a little.  Did a half lap in 1:49 (10:54 pace).  Popped an ADHS and improved all the way to 1:20 (8:00 pace).  I'm at a loss for words over this but it's increasingly likely that ADHS won't work for me.  Why?  I have no idea.  If I am to take any adrenal support, it must be Thym Adren.  Need for Vitamin C?  I don't know.  Perhaps, I will do best on nothing but I don't feel safe with that plan.  I won't try ADHS again until I am caffeine free 

Distance-1.0

10/10- No pills.  1 Mile at Heardmont in 9:41.  Splits were 5:01-4:40 and I did NOT take anything at the halfway point.  Meh.  I should do better tomorrow.

Distance-1.0

10/11- Hoped to run 3 but had to settle for 1.  Horrible without the C but much better with

Distance-1.0

DC Day Trip Report

 Dang!  Just realized that I never got around to doing this blog post.  Anyway, not even close to an epic trip but still worth a share.

9/13- 6:30 flight direct from B'ham to Reagan National.  Landed at 9:40 with the time change.  No rental car is needed here.  The Metro is connected to the airport.  The route was Blue Line to L'Enfant then Green Line to Navy Yard.  My hotel was only about a half mile away from Nationals Park.  I dropped off my bag and started walking.

First stop was the Capitol and Supreme Court but I didn't actually go inside.  

From there, I walked through the National Mall to the Washington Monument, World War 2 memorial and got a view of the White House.  The only one that I actually went inside was the Lincoln Memorial.  

From there, I crossed the Potomac into Arlington to see the National cemetery, then took the Metro back to the Smithsonian Museum of American History.  I spent about 2 hours inside and saw exhibits about transportation and food production.  Pretty interesting.  

Because of the extra time at the Smithsonian, I had very little down time.  Almost as soon as I checked in at the hotel, it was time to leave for the game.  The home team lost again but I was rooting for Pittsburgh anyway.

After the game, I caught a river sunset then went back to the Mall for a different vibe at night.

9/14- My birthday and with the option of a direct flight home, I took it so I could see my parents.  

There was a bit of drama in the morning as the Metro didn't open until just after 6 and my flight was at 8:20.  Thankfully, there was almost no line at security and I made it to the gate with 30 minutes to spare.  

Today was a good day.  We went out to eat at Texas Roadhouse then had cake and ice cream at home.  

The next day wasn't so good.  I developed a stomach bug that got worse as the day progressed.  I was visibly sick on my flight home and took 2 days off work.  Fortunately, I was better by the end of the week.  

New England Road Trip Plan

 This one is a go for next weekend.  Saturday through Wednesday but I miss only 2 days of work because of the Columbus Day holiday.  

Saturday- Afternoon flight out of Atlanta and I won't have to leave too early to catch it.  It's a direct flight to Hartford, Connecticut and I land between 6:30-7PM.  After I pick up the rental car, it's a 30 minute drive north to Springfield, Massachusetts.  I might go out for a drink but that's about it.  This qualifies as a special occasion. 

Sunday- I'll have a little bit of dead time early in the morning because the Basketball Hall of Fame doesn't open until 10AM.  I can explore the town a bit.  I'm not a real big fan but why not?  I've seen the HOF of every other major sport.  Figure that it will be just after noon by the time I hit the road.  It will be a scenic ride through western Massachusetts at near peak foliage.  I will probably cross into Vermont just for the hell of it.  My night stop will be in Pittsfield, MA in the heart of the Berkshires 

Monday- Full day.  First stop will be the FDR Museum.  There's also a state park that looks beautiful but I'm not sure if I'll have time.  Hopefully, I get to Greenwich, Connecticut by mid-late afternoon.  From there, it will be a Metro North train to NYC.  I may be too late for the sunset but I really want to see the Brooklyn Bridge lit up at night.

Tuesday- Top of the Rock and Central Park with peak foliage.  Train back to Connecticut.  Explore Greenwich.  Back to Hartford for the night 

Wednesday- A little time to tour.  Flight back to Atlanta then drive to Birmingham.