Training 9/16-9/22

 9/16- Very interesting.  I've been taking Zinc for the last few days.  Before, it was a non-factor.  Now, it's a game changer in a POSITIVE way.  Another very positive development:  Serine and Argentine are now tolerated.  I had an instant negative reaction just last week.  Taurine is still bad for me but I'm betting that cologne would be tolerated.

Reaction:

Zinc is key for many enzyme reactions.  My intolerance to these pills was probably an enzyme defect, not an autoimmune issue.  A doctor won't help with this.  

Not surprisingly, an adrenal spike has hit.  Zinc doesn't help anymore.  Extra Thyme Adrenal does.

Distance-0.5

9/17- Another junk workout but it's now confirmed.  Arginine and Serine are now non-factors thanks to Zinc.  Unfortunately, it's also caused a MASSIVE adrenal spike.  In theory, I can start training again when it goes down.

Distance-0.5

Two questions:  Does caffeine have any effect on the need for Zinc?  Can blood donation slow down the adrenals?

9/18- Probably the peak of the adrenal spike.  Half mile in 6:11.  Not my worst of all time.  This was WITH the pills.  I couldn't even attempt this without pills.

Distance-0.5

9/19- Repeated the half mile distance and my time is down to 5:45.  I will take it.  That's 52 per mile better than I was just 12 hours ago.  Shooting for 1 mile tomorrow.

Distance-0.5

9/20- Full mile at Montreat in 10:48.  I will take it.  That's 42 seconds faster pace than yesterday and I doubled the distance.  Slight negative split (5:29-5:19).  Weakened a bit by a mild summer cold too.

Distance-1.0

Winter 25 Trip Ideas

 The original plan was Maui, Hawaii in either January or February but I am beginning to re-think that idea.  I have been to Hawaii twice before and visited the Big Island and Oahu.  No doubt that I do want to see both Maui and Kauai as well. 

 Unfortunately, the big negative is the cost.  Flights are relatively affordable but hotels could be upwards of $400 per night even if I don't stay on the beach.  A rental car is a necessity too as the Road to Hana is a must do.  Because of the jet lag, I almost have to take an extra day to recover on my way back and will likely take an overnight layover in Las Vegas.  Yes, I can afford all that but I'd likely have to skimp the rest of the year.  If I can only afford EITHER Alaska OR Hawaii, I choose Alaska because it's the only state that I have visited only once.  Alaska will be very pricey as well in the summer.  

I went to Colorado this past winter and enjoyed it but I am sticking to tropical destinations for the foreseeable future.  South Florida is never a bad idea but I want to be more adventurous.  Two options on my radar are Sayulita, Mexico and Cartagena, Colombia.

Sayulita- Though I have been to Mexico many times, I have never been to its Pacific coast (Tijuana doesn't count).  I can fly out of Birmingham with a single connection in Dallas and I believe it's only a 2 hour time difference.  The only negative is that I'll have to take a bus from Puerto Vallarta, which is about an hour away.  No rental car expense and hotels are very reasonable.  I can stay on the beach for under $100. Those beaches look nice too.  Probably not in the same league as Hawaii but certainly worth it.  There will be no side trips.  I'm only there for the beach and the local culture.  I could easily do this trip in 3 days plus 2 for travel.  Hawaii would require a full week if not more.

Cartagena- Not only have I never been to Colombia, I have yet to step foot on the entire South American continent.  This seems like a good introduction.  Hotels are more expensive than Mexico but much cheaper than Hawaii.  I might have to fly out of Atlanta but should have a simple connection in Miami with little to no jet lag.  Again, no rental car expense.  Just a 20 minute taxi ride to the beach.  

Here's where it gets a little complex.  I will likely stay in Boca Grande, preferably on the north side.  Word on the street is that the beach itself isn't all that great.  Sand is light grey and the water isn't clear but if there's decent surf with 85 degree water, it will be fun for me.  One tourist said that it looks comparable to South Carolina.  I'd have no complaints about that.  There are prettier beaches nearby but since those lack surf, I'll pass.  

In this location, I am NOT just there for the beach.  I want to see the walled city too.  Supposedly, it is safe and possible to walk from the beach, especially the north side, but taxis are plentiful.  I'd certainly wait until evening as I'm sure the heat and humidity will be brutal.  Again, I think I can do this one in 3 or 4 days.  

I may be able to do both Mexico and Cartagena in the same year.  Definitely not anything else besides Hawaii.

Training 9/9-9/15

 9/9- After a break, I wasn't expecting much.  Aimed for just 1 mile under 10 minutes and clocked a 9:55.  I was behind pace until the last half lap.  A late rally got me under the barrier.  

Tried Zinc and Probiotics later that evening.  Zinc was a non factor.  Probiotics?  Slightly better but not enough to be significant.  I'll go without them.  

Distance-1.5

9/10- Increased the distance to 1.5 on Lakeshore.  Finished in an even 14-flat (9:20 pace).  Better than yesterday so I will take it.  I've noticed lately that my legs feel noticeably more stiff and sore after a forbidden drink.  I was clean today.  

Zinc didn't do anything last time I tried it but I still think it may be helpful.  Blood donation is also planned for later in the month.

Distance-1.5

9/11- Step backwards.  1 mile in 10:11 with bad splits.  I was on pace for about the same as yesterday but fell apart just after the half mile.  Very overstimulated today.

Distance-1.0

9/12- Half mile, which was worse than yesterday but I found the culprit.  Nothing should surprise me anymore but this one left me totally blindsided.  The culprit is a few sprays of COLONGE!!   Yes, I'm sure of it too.  I was MUCH worse just 5 minutes after a few additional sprays.  I have no words.  

Distance-0.5

9/13- Same as yesterday.  Maybe worse.  Didn't even use a watch.  When the COLONGE clears, I will likely face an adrenal spike.  Scratch the weekend too.

Distance-0.5

9/14- The adrenal spike peaked in the morning.  Took me 4:35 to do one lap at Montreat.  I was better in the evening.  2 laps in 7:44 (11:36 pace).  BAD!

Distance-1.0

9/15- Junk mile

Distance-1.0

-7 miles

NorCal Trip Report

 8/30- No issues on the flight to Reno.  I did have a long layover in Dallas but that enabled a sit down lunch.  There was a bit of a delay with the rental car but I still got to Tahoe by late afternoon.  My hotel was in South Lake Tahoe, just across the

California line.  I could have done one short hike but elected not to.  Instead, I simply walked through town then had a sunset dinner at a restaurant on the beach.

8/31- I wanted an early start because I figured that crowds would be an issue on a holiday weekend.  First stop was Inspiration Point in Emerald Bay then on to the Eagle Rock trail.  This trail was longer and more strenuous than I expected but the reward was a crystal clear lake that actually reflected a mountain.  Awesome!  

The plan was to take a dip in the water at Kings Beach on the north side before lunch.  Unfortunately, I was too late.  At 10 AM, lots were already full and the road was jammed.  I decided to try my luck elsewhere.  Maybe, the Nevada side would be less crowded.  Traffic wasn't bad but lots were full and street parking fees were $30-40.  Not worth it for just a quick dip.  I did do one more short hike on the Cave Rock trail.  That was really cool too.  

After driving all the way around the lake, I headed west to the Bay area.  That proved to be a good call.  It enabled me to see San Francisco's Dolores Park at dusk.  After dinner, where I met a real nice local couple, I went back to see it lit up at night.  My hotel was in Oakland because it was a shorter drive in from Tahoe and out to Yosemite.  I wasn't impressed with Oakland but it was probably a good call.  I was only there to sleep and there was a BART station just 2 blocks away.

9/1- Took BART to Union Square then walked to see the Painted Ladies.  Fans of Full House and Mrs. Doubtfire know it well.  After a rare sit down breakfast, where I met another nice girl, it was off to Oracle Park for a Giants game.  Giants lost 7-5 but it was a pretty good game in one of the best ballparks.  From there, it was a quick tour of Coit Tower and Lombard Street then a walk down to Fisherman's Wharf.  From there, it was 3.4 miles to the Golden Gate bridge.  Too far.  I settled for Crissy Field, just 1.2 miles away.  Nevertheless, the sunset views were amazing.  After a late dinner, I took a cable car back to downtown then BART back to Oakland.

9/2- Drove across the Golden Gate bridge into Marin County.  First stop was Stinson Beach.  I arrived at 9 AM and this was early enough.  I just walked on the beach for a while until it warmed up a bit.  I forgot to pack my wetsuit so I didn't expect to last long with a water temperature of 61.  Surprisingly, I did find it tolerable and caught a few decent rides even without a board.  Fortunately, it was sunny with calm winds and I had access to a warm car shortly thereafter.  

Next stop was Tamalpais State Park where I embarked on two more hikes.  The second one was pretty strenuous but again, the views were worth it.  From there, it was about 45 minutes to Battery Spencer, still in Marin County.  This location is probably the best view of the bridge with the city in the background.  It was now late afternoon and I went back across the bridge into San Francisco.  I did go to Golden Gate Park but only stayed a few minutes just to say I was there.  I didn't want to venture too far because I was afraid of getting lost.

  

Next I went to Lands End, where I was treated to more views of the bridge then just down the hill was Ocean Beach.  I waited for the sunset then drove back to Oakland.  I was afraid of driving in San Francisco but the traffic was not as bad as I feared.  Car break-ins were not a concern because all of my stuff was in Oakland.

9/3- Left Oakland for a 3 hour drive to Yosemite.  This park requires reservations on weekends and holidays.  Fortunately, the day after Labor Day wasn't a problem.  The first hike there was a bit of a bust because the waterfall was barely dripping.  Still, the road provided some real nice views of Half Dome.  The area around Glacier Point made the trip more than worth it.  

I exited the park via Tioga Pass, which goes up to nearly 10,000 feet elevation and is only open in the summer.  I got to see some nice mountain sunset views on the way out and made it to my hotel in Mammoth Lakes just after dark.  

9/4- A bit more of a chill day.  The plan was to play it by ear as I had time for unfinished business at either Tahoe or Yosemite.  I opted for Tahoe.  This time, there was parking available at the beach for only $10.  Like SF, the water was chilly but tolerable and offered beautiful mountain views.  Though there were no waves, the water was crystal clear.

From Tahoe, I went to the Old West town of Virginia City for a walking tour.  Nevada has a different vibe and is much more arid.  I got to Reno just after 5.  I stayed in a casino but I don't gamble.  It was nice to have restaurants inside but I just don't care for that atmosphere.  If I had it to do again, I would have spent more time in Tahoe, then would have had dinner in Virginia City and then got an airport hotel in Reno.  Still, this was definitely an all time great trip.  As you can see from the pictures, there was nary a cloud in the sky the whole trip.