I was downright AWFUL all last week. I managed a grand total of 10 miles with the best day being 3@7:45. Most days, I could not break 8 minutes for a single mile. If anyone out there still thinks that I'd feel better if I didn't run so much, think again. Today was a bit better as I actually had a trace of energy flowing and did not feel completely listless. I managed 4 miles @ 8:12 pace and kept it under 8 for the first 2 miles.
I credit the improvement to cutting out taurine. Yes, that's right. The same taurine that led me to a PR 5K just 6 months ago will no longer work. Despite the periodic liver detoxes, my system is still burdened by sulfur and ammonia. The CBS mutation is the most likely culprit. Fortunately, Dr. Yasko has a better plan for detox. I just have to wait another 2.5-4.5 weeks to confirm what I already know. I was hopeful that cutting the taurine would allow me to tolerate methyl folate again but I was wrong and will likely take another step backward tomorrow. Why was the taurine so helpful for a brief time? In the past, I needed exactly 1g of that stuff (neither more nor less). That tells me that there are conflicting mutations and correcting one may cause other symptoms to flare up.
I've got a tough fight ahead of me but at least I will know the enemy. What I do have in my favor is that I have a history of fast responses to treatment. Less than 2 years after being diagnosed with Stage 3 Adrenal Fatigue, I was a sub-4 marathoner despite the instability. Also, my magnesium and ceruloplasmin rose faster than expected once I found the right treatment. I now fully expect to test positive for CBS, MTHFR and COMT and probably a couple others. I know one woman with 14 mutations but it's highly unlikely that I am in that bad of shape.
While I got bad news about remaining intolerant to methyl folate, the good news is that I CAN tolerate the All In One. It's a multivitamin which VERY GENTLY supports the methylation cycle. Very few people have a problem with it and I am not one of them. No, it's not a miracle cure but I did not expect it to be. It can't hurt me in any way. It can only help. Also, thanks to the All in One, I should be able to stop taking Jigsaw Mag, which contains too much Folate even in 1 pill. I am still able to tolerate plain Cal/Mag and Thym-Adren and would guess that my tissue sodium level is in the 60s now and could be near balance by the end of the month. I may have a small ray of hope going forward. Even if I do get the results before Lexington, it will be too late to begin the treatment so close to race day. If I have to Gallo-walk it to a 2:30ish finish, SO WHAT!
Monday, March 9, 2015
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Genetics and sick children
Are today's children sicker than those of 30 years ago?
To me, there is little doubt that the answer is yes. Take a look at the obesity rates, diabetes and the increased rate of autism. You should see some of the stuff that I read on my Facebook support groups posted by mothers of children under the age of 8. It will break your heart and I just don't think it was nearly so common when I was a child in the early-mid 1980s. I'll share 2 examples:
1. A child complained of terrible leg pains and when the pediatrician could not find anything wrong, he/she suggested that the child was faking to get attention. WHAT THE _____???
2. An autistic 4 year old child reacted with extreme emotion minutes after taking a mineral supplement. The poor mother could not ask what was wrong because the child is completely non-verbal.
What is their prognosis? Will they be disabled for life? Seeing sick children is the one thing that really makes my heart ache and tests my faith in God. I just can't believe it's His plan for those kids to be disabled for life. I still believe that although you may not be cured, you can improve with proper care and treatment.
Austism and vaccines:
This has generated a lot of controversy in recent years. I am sure that I am not autistic so I may not be qualified to comment but here are my thoughts. Back in the '80s, children only received about 10 vaccines and the odds of having a child diagnosed with autism were between 1/5,000-10,000. Now, children receive more than 40 vaccines and the odds are now 1/88 or even 1/68 depending on the source. It is known that vaccines are laced with toxic metals such as mercury and aluminum and contain many other disturbing ingredients. That's a correlation too great to ignore though it does not necessarily mean causation. My personal opinion is that vaccines are one of several factors responsible for the increase. Congenital vulnerability, poor gut health and other environmental factors play a role. For the sake of argument, let's say that vaccines are solely responsible. If that's so, why is it that 98-99% of vaccinated children manage to escape autism but 1-2% succumb? Genetics is the likely reason. Some parents have reported a nearly immediate injury following the vaccinations and I saw a heart breaking documentary in which 2 healthy children became severely disabled hours after the shots. More often however, it is a slow decline. Some have argued that autism rates are not really increasing but rather, it is simply caught more often nowadays. I don't buy that. That means that 1-2% of adults are living with autism and don't know it. I don't think so.
My personal view is that yes, some vaccines do prevent disease but the number of required shots should be reduced and spread out over a number of years rather than taken several at once. Children should be screened for genetic risk factors and mutations before vaccination and yes, risky cases should be given the choice to opt out. Autistic children often see very low tissue zinc along with a low Zn/Cu ratio with very high levels of toxic metals. If any parents of children with autism are reading this, Google Amy Yasko and check out her protocol for recovery. Hair testing may also be useful as well.
Let's shift gears to the importance of genetics as a whole.
I am about 99% sure that I have multiple serious mutations. I believe that the cause is a combination of a congenital weakness or abnormality and other environmental factors such as prescription drug use, exposure to other toxins or an unknown food intolerance. The big question is how well will I respond to treatment. I will also have to ask how I was able to do so well for so long in spite of the mutations. I believe that answer has to do with energy pathways. When one is blocked, your system will look for another. It won't be as efficient as the preferred pathway but it will get the job done. That likely explains sudden collapses. When a person suffers an energy crash, it is likely that they have been badly unbalanced for years but remain asymptomatic until the last good pathway is blocked.
"If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything."
How I wish that were true but unfortunately, genetic limitations come into play. I had an English teacher in high school who honestly believed that anyone could be an "A" student if they wanted to. That's naive and best and potentially hurtful at worst. Yes, I worked hard in school but without above average intelligence, my achievements simply would not be possible. When it comes to running, yes I believe that most HEALTHY people can FINISH a marathon with several years of training. However, if you want to break 4 hours, a decent amount of talent is required. Very few people could run a sub-3 no matter how hard they train.
More about congenital weaknesses:
The acne drug Accutane has been linked to numerous serious side effects. I was among the 10-15% that had a serious negative reaction. So why is it that 85-90% get through the treatment with little more than some dry skin? By now, you should know the answer.
For every soldier that comes home with severe PTSD, there are at least 10 from the same unit that do not. The one that was severely affected by the horrors of war is not necessarily "weaker" or "softer" but rather their chemistry is such that intense stress cannot be tolerated. I believe that a genetic weakness is at least partly to blame.
Examples of strength:
Most people who eat the diet and volume of food that I do will be overweight with high cholesterol even if they did run. I am still "paper healthy" with an ideal BMI along with good numbers in cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. Also, underneath the chemical imbalances and genetic mutations, I have a strong capacity for work at fast paces and can recover quickly from hard workouts. Roger Bannister trained at only 30 MPW (ALL HARD) in his quest for a sub-4 Mile and managed a 3:58 on a dirt track. That translates to at least 3:54 on a modern track with better gear. How much better could he have done with "proper" training and more LSD? IMO, not a whole lot. He trained best for his genetics and chemistry and I expect that my report will show the same strength but obviously not at the same level.
Now, what about the people who can train at 80 MPW while working a demanding job amid emotional trauma yet remain on top of their game? That is something that I have no desire to do and along with most people, would break down if I ever attempted such a stressful regimen. This may not be a popular comment but here it is. The people who are able to live such a lifestyle are indeed very driven and admirable but may not be necessarily "tougher" or "stronger" than others, at least in terms of how the world defines those terms. Rather, they have a favorable genetic makeup and a chemistry that is such that high stress can be tolerated.
To me, there is little doubt that the answer is yes. Take a look at the obesity rates, diabetes and the increased rate of autism. You should see some of the stuff that I read on my Facebook support groups posted by mothers of children under the age of 8. It will break your heart and I just don't think it was nearly so common when I was a child in the early-mid 1980s. I'll share 2 examples:
1. A child complained of terrible leg pains and when the pediatrician could not find anything wrong, he/she suggested that the child was faking to get attention. WHAT THE _____???
2. An autistic 4 year old child reacted with extreme emotion minutes after taking a mineral supplement. The poor mother could not ask what was wrong because the child is completely non-verbal.
What is their prognosis? Will they be disabled for life? Seeing sick children is the one thing that really makes my heart ache and tests my faith in God. I just can't believe it's His plan for those kids to be disabled for life. I still believe that although you may not be cured, you can improve with proper care and treatment.
Austism and vaccines:
This has generated a lot of controversy in recent years. I am sure that I am not autistic so I may not be qualified to comment but here are my thoughts. Back in the '80s, children only received about 10 vaccines and the odds of having a child diagnosed with autism were between 1/5,000-10,000. Now, children receive more than 40 vaccines and the odds are now 1/88 or even 1/68 depending on the source. It is known that vaccines are laced with toxic metals such as mercury and aluminum and contain many other disturbing ingredients. That's a correlation too great to ignore though it does not necessarily mean causation. My personal opinion is that vaccines are one of several factors responsible for the increase. Congenital vulnerability, poor gut health and other environmental factors play a role. For the sake of argument, let's say that vaccines are solely responsible. If that's so, why is it that 98-99% of vaccinated children manage to escape autism but 1-2% succumb? Genetics is the likely reason. Some parents have reported a nearly immediate injury following the vaccinations and I saw a heart breaking documentary in which 2 healthy children became severely disabled hours after the shots. More often however, it is a slow decline. Some have argued that autism rates are not really increasing but rather, it is simply caught more often nowadays. I don't buy that. That means that 1-2% of adults are living with autism and don't know it. I don't think so.
My personal view is that yes, some vaccines do prevent disease but the number of required shots should be reduced and spread out over a number of years rather than taken several at once. Children should be screened for genetic risk factors and mutations before vaccination and yes, risky cases should be given the choice to opt out. Autistic children often see very low tissue zinc along with a low Zn/Cu ratio with very high levels of toxic metals. If any parents of children with autism are reading this, Google Amy Yasko and check out her protocol for recovery. Hair testing may also be useful as well.
Let's shift gears to the importance of genetics as a whole.
I am about 99% sure that I have multiple serious mutations. I believe that the cause is a combination of a congenital weakness or abnormality and other environmental factors such as prescription drug use, exposure to other toxins or an unknown food intolerance. The big question is how well will I respond to treatment. I will also have to ask how I was able to do so well for so long in spite of the mutations. I believe that answer has to do with energy pathways. When one is blocked, your system will look for another. It won't be as efficient as the preferred pathway but it will get the job done. That likely explains sudden collapses. When a person suffers an energy crash, it is likely that they have been badly unbalanced for years but remain asymptomatic until the last good pathway is blocked.
"If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything."
How I wish that were true but unfortunately, genetic limitations come into play. I had an English teacher in high school who honestly believed that anyone could be an "A" student if they wanted to. That's naive and best and potentially hurtful at worst. Yes, I worked hard in school but without above average intelligence, my achievements simply would not be possible. When it comes to running, yes I believe that most HEALTHY people can FINISH a marathon with several years of training. However, if you want to break 4 hours, a decent amount of talent is required. Very few people could run a sub-3 no matter how hard they train.
More about congenital weaknesses:
The acne drug Accutane has been linked to numerous serious side effects. I was among the 10-15% that had a serious negative reaction. So why is it that 85-90% get through the treatment with little more than some dry skin? By now, you should know the answer.
For every soldier that comes home with severe PTSD, there are at least 10 from the same unit that do not. The one that was severely affected by the horrors of war is not necessarily "weaker" or "softer" but rather their chemistry is such that intense stress cannot be tolerated. I believe that a genetic weakness is at least partly to blame.
Examples of strength:
Most people who eat the diet and volume of food that I do will be overweight with high cholesterol even if they did run. I am still "paper healthy" with an ideal BMI along with good numbers in cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. Also, underneath the chemical imbalances and genetic mutations, I have a strong capacity for work at fast paces and can recover quickly from hard workouts. Roger Bannister trained at only 30 MPW (ALL HARD) in his quest for a sub-4 Mile and managed a 3:58 on a dirt track. That translates to at least 3:54 on a modern track with better gear. How much better could he have done with "proper" training and more LSD? IMO, not a whole lot. He trained best for his genetics and chemistry and I expect that my report will show the same strength but obviously not at the same level.
Now, what about the people who can train at 80 MPW while working a demanding job amid emotional trauma yet remain on top of their game? That is something that I have no desire to do and along with most people, would break down if I ever attempted such a stressful regimen. This may not be a popular comment but here it is. The people who are able to live such a lifestyle are indeed very driven and admirable but may not be necessarily "tougher" or "stronger" than others, at least in terms of how the world defines those terms. Rather, they have a favorable genetic makeup and a chemistry that is such that high stress can be tolerated.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Awaiting the 23andMe results
It's a new week and I have shown no improvement. If anything, I am getting worse. Lately, a good day is 3 miles at a pace just south of 8 minutes. If I don't think I can do that, I'll just skip the workout without any guilt. It is clear to me that methylation is the source. It seems that I just cannot tolerate more than about 100 mcg of Folate per day but if I don't take any, I will have anxiety and panic attacks. The methyl donors do indeed solve the crazy Zinc/copper sensitivity in which I need neither more nor less than a 20:1 ratio but the fatigue and malaise makes it worse. Oh yeah, as soon as I go back off the methyl donors, the sensitivity kicks back in with a vengeance. Until I get the test results, I don't see any improvement on the horizon and I may get worse. It's just too depressing to log so many D and F workouts so I am suspending the training updates until further notice. This does NOT mean that I am giving up just yet. I've already tried low dose methyl B-vitamins. After 2 days, I've seen enough to know it's not the answer. The next option is a supplement called All In One, which is a multivitamin which very gently addresses methylation and the doses are so small that among thousands of patients, it almost never causes any physical symptoms.
It is possible that I can improve with the All In One but highly unlikely that it is the key to success. I will have to wait another 3-5 weeks until I get the raw data. Then I need to do a consult with a health coach who is qualified to interpret the results. There are 2 genetic mutations in particular in which I expect to test positive. They are COMT, which likely explains the zinc and copper issues as well as MTHFR, which explains the issues with folic acid and methyl folate.
I will also get some ancestry information, which might be interesting. I expect to have nearly 100% northern European DNA as I have known ancestors from Germany, Poland and Scotland. Many people have 2-3% Neanderthal DNA. I would not be too surprised to see a trace of Asian DNA but it's highly unlikely that I have any African or Native American ancestry.
I have listed 4 possible outcomes from this test:
Worst case scenario:
1. Nothing wrong with my genes at all.
The chances of that are almost nill. Everybody in support groups on Facebook tells me that my symptoms strongly suggest mutations. Unlike standard serum tests, this one is likely to reveal problems at least based on everything I've heard. If nothing comes out of this test, there will be NO explanation as to why I feel so bad and why I cannot even tolerate even minute amounts of certain minerals. Back in '05, some people were pleased to see that my thyroid and adrenal hormones were normal in the blood. To me, that was the worst nightmare scenario. If everything was normal, why did I feel so bad? I want answers and don't try to tell me that it's all in my head or just my imagination. Stopwatches don't lie. If I was capable of running faster on those horrible days, I would have done it.
2. Degenerative disease that will leave me disabled or unable to tolerate exercise.
Fortunately, I believe that the chances of this are very slim. Yes, I will be devastated but in some ways, I think I'd actually prefer it to scenario #1 because it will give me closure. I will be able to walk away from all of this knowing that I did everything in my power to fight the disease or slow the progression. The DNA test will also show what types of exercise I should be doing. Some people are not supposed to do more than gentle aerobic exercise. If I have to stop running to solve this instability, it is a price that I am willing to pay. That said, I believe that is also unlikely. I've taken many breaks over the years and regardless of whether the break was planned or unplanned, I never felt well during the break and could not wait to get back out there. I've never liked going slow and feel invigorated by hard interval sessions at the track. I expect that short and intense exercise will be recommended based on my DNA results.
3. Multiple serious and conflicting mutations that are treatable.
This is the most likely scenario. I expect to have at least 2 mutations, probably more. I also expect that treating one issue will cause other symptoms to flare up just like in the past. There will be 2 front wars and it could be a life long battle but I will improve. Mutations will always be there but they can be "turned off" or "inactivated", which I take it means that symptoms will no longer be present or at least reduced. Eventually, I will get back to "winning" more often than "losing." I'll probably never get back to PR form again but will be able to enjoy racing, travel and the running community. I'd love to do group runs again without fear of a collapse 4 miles into a long run followed by the walk of shame back to the start. With PR chances gone, I may broaden my horizons to include triathlons.
4. Easily treatable mutation pattern
I've been consistent with my Thym-Adren so I expect that my mineral balance is pretty good right now. If it is indeed easily treatable, I can be better than I ever was during my PR streak without any difference in training. I suppose it's possible but it's a dream scenario and probably too good to be true.
How do I feel about all this?
Take a guess. Since I don't know anything yet, it is premature to reveal everything that I have been feeling. Suffice it to say that I have been crushed by my umpteenth false hope. I thought I had a path to balance back in 2009 when my neurotransmitters came in line. 6 years later and after a glorious period in which I felt best on NO pills, I am still fighting for balance. Even if I am healed in about 2 years, I'm afraid it will be too late. The damage has been done and I may never be the same again.
Race plans:
Nothing local at least until I get better. I don't want to run a 22 minute 5K and have to answer all the questions about what is wrong with me. Even under scenario 1 and 2, I am going to finish the 10K and half marathon state challenge. I don't care if it takes me 3 hours and I have to walk most of it. I am only 3 states away from the Half 2 Run Challenge and I am going to finish it.
3/28- Bluegrass Half Marathon in Lexington, KY- I expect to suck.
April and May- Take a break to rule out genetic intolerance to exercise.
6/5- Asheville 10K- This will knock out North Carolina and finish out the 10K in 10 states.
7/4- Peachtree- This is a question mark. By this time, I should know one way or the other how this plays out. I'll bow out if I can't break 45.
7/19- Erie Presque Isle half- This could be a nice summer getaway to NW Pennsylvania and I've never done a half marathon in the northeast region of the U.S though I have done Nova Scotia.
10/25- Greenville Sphinx Run Fest- If this is my last race, it's a good place for it. I used to live here and my first 10K race was in upstate South Carolina.
Under scenario 1 and 2, I will officially retire at the end of 2015.
It is possible that I can improve with the All In One but highly unlikely that it is the key to success. I will have to wait another 3-5 weeks until I get the raw data. Then I need to do a consult with a health coach who is qualified to interpret the results. There are 2 genetic mutations in particular in which I expect to test positive. They are COMT, which likely explains the zinc and copper issues as well as MTHFR, which explains the issues with folic acid and methyl folate.
I will also get some ancestry information, which might be interesting. I expect to have nearly 100% northern European DNA as I have known ancestors from Germany, Poland and Scotland. Many people have 2-3% Neanderthal DNA. I would not be too surprised to see a trace of Asian DNA but it's highly unlikely that I have any African or Native American ancestry.
I have listed 4 possible outcomes from this test:
Worst case scenario:
1. Nothing wrong with my genes at all.
The chances of that are almost nill. Everybody in support groups on Facebook tells me that my symptoms strongly suggest mutations. Unlike standard serum tests, this one is likely to reveal problems at least based on everything I've heard. If nothing comes out of this test, there will be NO explanation as to why I feel so bad and why I cannot even tolerate even minute amounts of certain minerals. Back in '05, some people were pleased to see that my thyroid and adrenal hormones were normal in the blood. To me, that was the worst nightmare scenario. If everything was normal, why did I feel so bad? I want answers and don't try to tell me that it's all in my head or just my imagination. Stopwatches don't lie. If I was capable of running faster on those horrible days, I would have done it.
2. Degenerative disease that will leave me disabled or unable to tolerate exercise.
Fortunately, I believe that the chances of this are very slim. Yes, I will be devastated but in some ways, I think I'd actually prefer it to scenario #1 because it will give me closure. I will be able to walk away from all of this knowing that I did everything in my power to fight the disease or slow the progression. The DNA test will also show what types of exercise I should be doing. Some people are not supposed to do more than gentle aerobic exercise. If I have to stop running to solve this instability, it is a price that I am willing to pay. That said, I believe that is also unlikely. I've taken many breaks over the years and regardless of whether the break was planned or unplanned, I never felt well during the break and could not wait to get back out there. I've never liked going slow and feel invigorated by hard interval sessions at the track. I expect that short and intense exercise will be recommended based on my DNA results.
3. Multiple serious and conflicting mutations that are treatable.
This is the most likely scenario. I expect to have at least 2 mutations, probably more. I also expect that treating one issue will cause other symptoms to flare up just like in the past. There will be 2 front wars and it could be a life long battle but I will improve. Mutations will always be there but they can be "turned off" or "inactivated", which I take it means that symptoms will no longer be present or at least reduced. Eventually, I will get back to "winning" more often than "losing." I'll probably never get back to PR form again but will be able to enjoy racing, travel and the running community. I'd love to do group runs again without fear of a collapse 4 miles into a long run followed by the walk of shame back to the start. With PR chances gone, I may broaden my horizons to include triathlons.
4. Easily treatable mutation pattern
I've been consistent with my Thym-Adren so I expect that my mineral balance is pretty good right now. If it is indeed easily treatable, I can be better than I ever was during my PR streak without any difference in training. I suppose it's possible but it's a dream scenario and probably too good to be true.
How do I feel about all this?
Take a guess. Since I don't know anything yet, it is premature to reveal everything that I have been feeling. Suffice it to say that I have been crushed by my umpteenth false hope. I thought I had a path to balance back in 2009 when my neurotransmitters came in line. 6 years later and after a glorious period in which I felt best on NO pills, I am still fighting for balance. Even if I am healed in about 2 years, I'm afraid it will be too late. The damage has been done and I may never be the same again.
Race plans:
Nothing local at least until I get better. I don't want to run a 22 minute 5K and have to answer all the questions about what is wrong with me. Even under scenario 1 and 2, I am going to finish the 10K and half marathon state challenge. I don't care if it takes me 3 hours and I have to walk most of it. I am only 3 states away from the Half 2 Run Challenge and I am going to finish it.
3/28- Bluegrass Half Marathon in Lexington, KY- I expect to suck.
April and May- Take a break to rule out genetic intolerance to exercise.
6/5- Asheville 10K- This will knock out North Carolina and finish out the 10K in 10 states.
7/4- Peachtree- This is a question mark. By this time, I should know one way or the other how this plays out. I'll bow out if I can't break 45.
7/19- Erie Presque Isle half- This could be a nice summer getaway to NW Pennsylvania and I've never done a half marathon in the northeast region of the U.S though I have done Nova Scotia.
10/25- Greenville Sphinx Run Fest- If this is my last race, it's a good place for it. I used to live here and my first 10K race was in upstate South Carolina.
Under scenario 1 and 2, I will officially retire at the end of 2015.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Arizona Road Trip Report
The biggest issue on the whole trip was the weather. The day that I was to leave for Atlanta to catch my flight to Phoenix, we had a wintry mix predicted for Birmingham. I decided to leave for Atlanta after work on Tuesday rather than Wednesday and just chilled at Nick's place for a full day. In the end, north Alabama got hammered with snow but Birmingham got mostly a cold rain with a change over to snow for just a few hours at night. Still, given the disaster last winter, I was not taking any chances. On Thursday evening, after a delay, we finally took and landed in Phoenix at 8:00 PM. I would be leaving 30-40 degree weather with ice and snow to sunny and 75. That evening was drama free as we found our hotel and got a quick bite before bed. Outside of our hotel, I saw my first cactus. I was not in Alabama anymore.
Friday:
Breakfast at IHOP followed by an early trip to the expo, which was relatively low-key. I thought about getting a Run PHX or Arizona T-shirt but decided against it. I knew it was not going to be a good race. Even if everything broke in my favor, I would be hard pressed to break 1:40. I won't know the source of the suckage until I get the test results in 3-5 weeks. Hard to believe that I chose this race back in September with a BQ in mind. We did a quick driving and walking tour of downtown Phoenix. It'a nice city but the downtown area was not as large as I expected. Soon, we went back to the hotel then did a quick junk run around Mesa's Riverview park near the Cubs Spring Training facility. It was a very scenic area with palm trees, mountain views and a large fountain. Next, we made sure we knew how to get to the staging area. It would be a point to point course ending in a shopping center in Mesa. The Phoenix Marathon did not actually go through Phoenix proper. Dinner was a Porterhouse at Logan's but we would be going to bed early because we had to catch a bus at 5:00 AM for a 6:30 start. That meant a 3:30 AM wake up call.
Saturday:
I timed the pills well and felt that I had a chance at a semi-respectable showing. The day dawned overcast with temps in the mid 50s. I felt comfortable the whole race and was only mildly chilled before the warm up and after the finish. I lined up with the 1:40 pace group. The course was advertised as downhill with a 300 ft drop with no uphills. I doubt that. There were only 3 downhill stretches. None were very steep or very long and it seemed that most of the course was an imperceptible incline. It was mostly highway with a few residential sections. It may have been net downhill but I believe it to be a legal PR course. I took off aiming for a 7:40ish pace and was out slightly quicker but not "stupid" fast. Here are the early splits:
7:34 (7:34)
7:29 (15:03)
7:31 (22:34)
7:38 (30:12)
If I can hold this pace, I'll finish in 1:39ish. I slowed just a tad in Mile 4 because of stomach cramps. I took care of that in the next portajohn and lost 63 seconds. So what? The effort was still barely perceptible and I thought I still had a chance to make up that time. It would go in my book as moving time anyway.
I managed to pick it up in the next mile and passed the halfway point still on pace for a moving time just south of 1:39. I also got word that I was closing in on the 1:40 pacer.
7:32 (37:44)
7:40 (45:24)
7:38 (53:02)
I stopped for water and Gatorade in Mile 8 and though I don't think there was any connection, I faded shortly thereafter. When I saw my split for Mile 9, I feared a complete meltdown to 9-10 minute pace by the finish and a time north of 1:45, which would be my worst showing since 2007. Fortunately, my strength held and pride would not allow me to give up. I managed a solid finish and less horrible time than I had feared earlier in the week.
7:54 (60:56)
8:15 (69:11)
8:10 (77:21)
8:12 (85:33)
8:15 (1:33:48)
7:47 (1:41:35)
:37- Moving time- 1:42:12. Official time (1:43:15)
AG: 34/162- 78th percentile.
It was the best I could do under the circumstances.
Aftermath:
The weather looked iffy the rest of the day so we got cleaned up quickly then headed north and up in elevation. We planned on seeing Sedona that afternoon then stay in Flagstaff before hitting the Grand Canyon the next day. Fortunately, we had decided to wing it after the race in case the plans changed. Good call there. Flagstaff got hit with major snow overnight so we would not be staying there. That's right. Even though it is less than 3 hours north, Flagstaff was more than 30 degrees colder than Phoenix because it is 6,000 feet higher in elevation. It was snow at 6,000+ feet altitude and rain below that. Nick suggested that we go straight to the Grand Canyon, which was another good call. We got to the overlook area and WOW! Words just can't describe it and neither can pictures. It was so amazing that it looked more like a painting than the real thing. Again, it was nearly 70 down in Phoenix but at over 7,000 ft elevation, it was barely 30 at the Canyon and the same sleet that we got in Atlanta had followed us to northern Arizona.
The night would be spent in Sedona at 4,500 ft., well below the snow line. We arrived just before sunset and were treated to some breath taking red rock scenery. Unfortunately, due to the rain the next morning, we could not do any real hiking.
Sunday:
It rained all day in Sedona but we hit the road first thing in the morning and it rained most of the way back southbound on the interstate but Phoenix was dry so we would spend most of the next day in Scottsdale, an upscale suburb with some interesting touristy southwestern shops. It was 30 and snowy at the Grand Canyon, 50 and rainy in Sedona but 70 and dry in the Phoenix area. After lunch, which was a burger and a beer, we walked around town for a bit then ended up in a nice park, which contained a bike trail, which is surely popular with the local running community. After discussing what to do for a while, we settled on going back to Mesa to stay near the shopping center. After a decent dinner, we saw the movie McFarland, which I highly recommend.
Monday:
The flight back to Atlanta went without a hitch and so did the drive back to Birmingham.
Final thought:
I made the best of it and managed to have fun in spite of not feeling well most of the trip. If the medical report is bad and I have to retire from racing, I am sure going to miss these trips. I had been to Arizona for about 10 minutes riding on the Interstate back in '08 but now I feel like I can truly count it among my 48 states visited. 22 down now and only 3 to go. I'd love to make Alaska my 25th half marathon state but if I continue to deteriorate, I want to finish the goal this year rather than 2016. Next up is Lexington, KY in 4 weeks and I don't expect it to be much better.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Training 2/23-3/1 (race week)
Experimentation is done and I got a lot of answers last week. I think it's clear that the Mag+Thym-Adren is not going to be enough. I need un-methylated B vitamins. I really don't care how I do in the race. I just want to enjoy the trip as much as possible. Only 3 to go after this and I can do it without another fly away.
Update:
I've read a few articles that have stated that exercise REDUCES methylation. Since I am an over-methylator, it is a good thing that I run. I've consistently maintained that my training has NOTHING to do with my ills. If anything, it's beneficial to me. Even if I have to retire from serious racing, I'll still do some recreation running.
2/23- AM-SUCKED again. 1 Mile in 7:58 and needed a sprint at the end to break 8.
New theory: The detox (which was necessary) spilled copper into my tissues. I could take an adrenal glandular for temporary relief but in the long run, it will take me further away from balance.
PM- Did not even try to run. I did experiment with glutathione, Vitamin C and a trace of adrenal glandular. Nothing worked. I should be feeling better since I've been on Mag+Thym-Adren for nearly 2 months and I project my tissue Na level to be in the 70s now but I am worse. I have officially run out of options. I've also learned from the Methyl group on Facebook that my adverse reactions to methyl donors may not be due to over-methylation but rather genetic mutations. Speaking of which, I got the kit today and have submitted the sample. This is my LAST LAST hope. I'd retire now if I wasn't so close to finishing the Half 2 Run challenge and 10 state 10K. Results should come in 4-6 weeks so I fully expect that my deadline of 3/21 will not be met.
Grade:F/1 credit/distance=1.0
2/24- No experimentation today but was only slightly better than yesterday. Finished 3 miles in 24:57 (8:19 pace) with splits of 7:50-8:20-8:47. I am supposed to run 10.1 miles longer 4 days from now? Okay. One final theory has come up. The Jigsaw Mag contains a small amount of methyl donors. Could that be the source of the suckage? If so, why was I able to tolerate it up until recently? I'm switching to plain Mag malate. It can't hurt. In other news, I mailed the 23 and Me kit today and am hitting the road for Atlanta tonight in order to beat the weather. I'll have to just chill at Nick's most of the day tomorrow.
Grade:D/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/25- Abstinence from methyl worked in the morning as I managed a decent 5 miler on Atlanta Raod before the sleet hit. Finished in 35:57 (7:11 pace) but did have to stop for traffic a couple times and got heckled once. A guy in a Jeep said the f-word and a gay slur then drove off like a coward. What do you get out of cussing at a stranger for no reason. For the record, I was wearing black pants and a purple shirt. Why would he do that? Just a loser.
Grade:B+/1 credit/distance=5.0
Update: Turn for the worse in the evening after too much time off the methyl so I went with 2 Jigsaws tonight instead of my usual 4.
2/26- 2 Jigsaws were not the answer. Struggled through a 3 miler also on Atlanta Road in 23:37 (7:52 pace). I did manage a negative split but that was because of a tailwind and a slight downhill grade on the way back. I'm taking 2 tonight in hopes that it will clear by race morning. Flight to Phoenix went without a hitch.
Grade:C-/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/27- Awful this morning as expected. Regardless of my performance tomorrow, I'm shutting down the training log next week. Just too depressing when half my days are Ds and Fs and there's not much I can do about it until I get the genetic test results.
PM- Junk run in Mesa's Riverview. Did not time it but estimate that I totaled 3 miles at a pace near 8:00. Pointless to push it the day before a race.
Grade:C/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/28- Timed the pills well and managed to finish in 1:43:15 officially. Moving time was 1:42:12 (7:48 pace). It was the best that I could do under the circumstances but 14 minutes slower than my PR on flat course. Very poor performance.
Grade:D+/3 credit/distance=14.0
3/1- Planned rest day. Body is very sore. Only capable of a junk run at crap pace.
Weekly summary:
This will be the last week that I post daily training updates until further notice. I will continue posting updates and race/trip reports.
Distance= 29.0 YTD: 258 miles.
Update:
I've read a few articles that have stated that exercise REDUCES methylation. Since I am an over-methylator, it is a good thing that I run. I've consistently maintained that my training has NOTHING to do with my ills. If anything, it's beneficial to me. Even if I have to retire from serious racing, I'll still do some recreation running.
2/23- AM-SUCKED again. 1 Mile in 7:58 and needed a sprint at the end to break 8.
New theory: The detox (which was necessary) spilled copper into my tissues. I could take an adrenal glandular for temporary relief but in the long run, it will take me further away from balance.
PM- Did not even try to run. I did experiment with glutathione, Vitamin C and a trace of adrenal glandular. Nothing worked. I should be feeling better since I've been on Mag+Thym-Adren for nearly 2 months and I project my tissue Na level to be in the 70s now but I am worse. I have officially run out of options. I've also learned from the Methyl group on Facebook that my adverse reactions to methyl donors may not be due to over-methylation but rather genetic mutations. Speaking of which, I got the kit today and have submitted the sample. This is my LAST LAST hope. I'd retire now if I wasn't so close to finishing the Half 2 Run challenge and 10 state 10K. Results should come in 4-6 weeks so I fully expect that my deadline of 3/21 will not be met.
Grade:F/1 credit/distance=1.0
2/24- No experimentation today but was only slightly better than yesterday. Finished 3 miles in 24:57 (8:19 pace) with splits of 7:50-8:20-8:47. I am supposed to run 10.1 miles longer 4 days from now? Okay. One final theory has come up. The Jigsaw Mag contains a small amount of methyl donors. Could that be the source of the suckage? If so, why was I able to tolerate it up until recently? I'm switching to plain Mag malate. It can't hurt. In other news, I mailed the 23 and Me kit today and am hitting the road for Atlanta tonight in order to beat the weather. I'll have to just chill at Nick's most of the day tomorrow.
Grade:D/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/25- Abstinence from methyl worked in the morning as I managed a decent 5 miler on Atlanta Raod before the sleet hit. Finished in 35:57 (7:11 pace) but did have to stop for traffic a couple times and got heckled once. A guy in a Jeep said the f-word and a gay slur then drove off like a coward. What do you get out of cussing at a stranger for no reason. For the record, I was wearing black pants and a purple shirt. Why would he do that? Just a loser.
Grade:B+/1 credit/distance=5.0
Update: Turn for the worse in the evening after too much time off the methyl so I went with 2 Jigsaws tonight instead of my usual 4.
2/26- 2 Jigsaws were not the answer. Struggled through a 3 miler also on Atlanta Road in 23:37 (7:52 pace). I did manage a negative split but that was because of a tailwind and a slight downhill grade on the way back. I'm taking 2 tonight in hopes that it will clear by race morning. Flight to Phoenix went without a hitch.
Grade:C-/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/27- Awful this morning as expected. Regardless of my performance tomorrow, I'm shutting down the training log next week. Just too depressing when half my days are Ds and Fs and there's not much I can do about it until I get the genetic test results.
PM- Junk run in Mesa's Riverview. Did not time it but estimate that I totaled 3 miles at a pace near 8:00. Pointless to push it the day before a race.
Grade:C/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/28- Timed the pills well and managed to finish in 1:43:15 officially. Moving time was 1:42:12 (7:48 pace). It was the best that I could do under the circumstances but 14 minutes slower than my PR on flat course. Very poor performance.
Grade:D+/3 credit/distance=14.0
3/1- Planned rest day. Body is very sore. Only capable of a junk run at crap pace.
Weekly summary:
This will be the last week that I post daily training updates until further notice. I will continue posting updates and race/trip reports.
Distance= 29.0 YTD: 258 miles.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Rant: Doctors and Methylation
Here is the age old question:
If all my lab values are normal, why do I feel so bad?
Answer:
The so-called "reference range" does not reflect healthy lab values and there is a good chance that key tests were not ordered. Even if they were ordered and came back abnormal, the typical MD (Mineral Denialist) cannot treat it with mainstream medicine and generally doesn't know what to do about it. IT IS NOT ALL IN YOUR HEAD AND YOU ARE NOT A HYPOCHONDRIAC!
Let's go back to 2005-6 when I was unemployed and nearly bedridden. If there was a prescription drug out there that restored 90% of my energy with minimal side effects, would I have taken it? HELL YES (said with a southern accent). In fact, if that energy level was consistent, my answer would be the same today. I don't want to sound arrogant but my 90% is still better than the average person who shows up at road races and group runs. I'd top out around 5:50/21:00/44:00/1:37, which is still quite respectable and good enough to enjoy those events. That will never happen because no such drug exists.
Quite often, what happens is that hormones are normal in the serum but do not reach the tissues in proper proportions. Hence, a hair test (tissue mineral analysis) is a better and more comprehensive picture of your health. I can excuse ignorance on that part because it's not taught in medical school but I cannot excuse other scenarios. Yesterday, I had an extreme negative reaction to just a trace of zinc and found that I need precisely a 20:1 zinc/copper ratio in my supplements. 17:1 won't work and neither will 23:1. The same thing happened on both sides of the spectrum. Muscles stiffened up within a couple minutes and I became very sluggish and depressed. THAT CLEARLY INDICATES THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG! To suggest otherwise is not only ignorant but downright insulting and hurtful. Imagine if Usain Bolt came in dead last against 2nd rate competition. There's no way that anyone would suggest it's all in his head. It is NOT difficult to tell that it is the pills when you begin feeling awful minutes after you take one.
Over the past 2 years, I've had a number of theories as to why this extreme sensitivity was happening. As an aside, I was just as sensitive when I was at my best in 2011-2012. Any deviation from Thym-Adren+ Paramin spelled trouble but I got lucky and hit a false equilibrium in which taking an exact cocktail of pills caused my system to operate at near peak for several months. Now the theories:
1. Increase my Magnesium levels.
The Mag RBC test, which measures your value at the cellular level, is rarely ordered by MDs and when it is, you are considered "normal" if you are at 4.2 with the reference range being 4.2-6.8. You have to be 4.1 or less to be flagged as deficient even though 4.2 feels just as bad. The truth is that anything below 5 is a significant deficiency and you need to strive for 6.0-6.5. As for me, I've been level in the mid-high 5s since the Fall of 2013 so any ill-effects from sub-optimal Mag should be minimal especially with my near perfect Ca/Mg ratio on my last hair test. Needless to say, while improving my Mag status was certainly a good thing for my health and I have experienced several benefits, it did not solve the sensitivity issues.
2. Liver congestion.
I posted about this detox procedure just a week ago so no need to rehash it. This was VERY important because it has allowed me to tolerate key pills necessary to get into balance. Without this procedure, I don't have a chance. Still, it did not solve the sensitivity.
3. Taurine.
This sulfur containing amino acid was partially successful in that it greatly reduced the sensitivity to Cal/Mag, which was nightmarish last summer. It got so bad that deviations from the 1:1 ratio as small as a few extra sprays of transdermal Mag caused problems. Again, although it was and still is a benefit for me, it failed to solve the zinc/copper issues.
4. Increased ceruloplasmin.
Again, this key liver protein is rarely tested and the reference range is even further out of whack than the Mag RBC. My lab has a range of 15-30. The truth is that anything below 25 is sub-optimal and even up to 40 is acceptable. My initial test was very low at 17.9 (not flagged) but I have since boosted it to 23.0. Although both my Cp and Zn/Cu ratio are a bit on the low side, I've seen much worse. Based on my current numbers, there is NO indication that just a trace of zinc would cause such a problem. If anything, it should help.
5. Problems with methylation.
This is my current theory. I'm still learning about the methylation cycle but I do know that you start with methionine, which is converted to SAM-e with the help of methyl donors, which is in turn converted to homocysteine. From that point, with the help of key B-vitamins, the homocysteine is converted back to methionine. It is here that genetic defects can come into play, specifically the MTHFR gene. I've not been tested for it but I have a strong feeling that I have that mutation in addition to several others and have ordered a genetic test through 23and Me. I do take a small amount of Folate and B-12 as part of my Mag supplement without a problem but I suspect that the methyl donors could be the problem. I took some di-methly glycine yesterday. It soved the sensitivity but the resulting over-stimulation was worse. I had 1 good day with the methylated B-complex then went downhill. I am sensitive to B-6 and had a negative reaction to methylated forms of B-12 and folate but a positive response to Niacin (B-3) and non-methylated B-12. This suggests that I have the MTHFR defect and am an over-methylator. Bad genes do not mean that I am doomed. With proper care, the mutations, can be "inactivated," according to science. At the end of the day, I do believe that my condition is treatable but I am likely facing another difficult fight and it seems doubtful that it can be fully reversed.
The only blood test that came back abnormal back in '05 was an elevated homocysteine value, which my MD dismissed. Combine that with my reports of extreme sensitivity to the herb based adrenal supplement that I had been taking at the time. A half pill flipped me from feeling lethargic to overstimulated. This should have SCREAMED liver dysfunction and poor methylation. Instead when challenged, my MD rambled incoherently for a minute or 2 then lectured me on the need for SSRIs. The sad part is that this guy actually did care about me as a person but just didn't know enough to help me. It is of utmost importance that I beat this disease. Anyone can say that they are healed but offer no proof. I can. Suppose I break all my personal records in my mid-30s when I am past my prime. That will convince some skeptics.
If all my lab values are normal, why do I feel so bad?
Answer:
The so-called "reference range" does not reflect healthy lab values and there is a good chance that key tests were not ordered. Even if they were ordered and came back abnormal, the typical MD (Mineral Denialist) cannot treat it with mainstream medicine and generally doesn't know what to do about it. IT IS NOT ALL IN YOUR HEAD AND YOU ARE NOT A HYPOCHONDRIAC!
Let's go back to 2005-6 when I was unemployed and nearly bedridden. If there was a prescription drug out there that restored 90% of my energy with minimal side effects, would I have taken it? HELL YES (said with a southern accent). In fact, if that energy level was consistent, my answer would be the same today. I don't want to sound arrogant but my 90% is still better than the average person who shows up at road races and group runs. I'd top out around 5:50/21:00/44:00/1:37, which is still quite respectable and good enough to enjoy those events. That will never happen because no such drug exists.
Quite often, what happens is that hormones are normal in the serum but do not reach the tissues in proper proportions. Hence, a hair test (tissue mineral analysis) is a better and more comprehensive picture of your health. I can excuse ignorance on that part because it's not taught in medical school but I cannot excuse other scenarios. Yesterday, I had an extreme negative reaction to just a trace of zinc and found that I need precisely a 20:1 zinc/copper ratio in my supplements. 17:1 won't work and neither will 23:1. The same thing happened on both sides of the spectrum. Muscles stiffened up within a couple minutes and I became very sluggish and depressed. THAT CLEARLY INDICATES THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG! To suggest otherwise is not only ignorant but downright insulting and hurtful. Imagine if Usain Bolt came in dead last against 2nd rate competition. There's no way that anyone would suggest it's all in his head. It is NOT difficult to tell that it is the pills when you begin feeling awful minutes after you take one.
Over the past 2 years, I've had a number of theories as to why this extreme sensitivity was happening. As an aside, I was just as sensitive when I was at my best in 2011-2012. Any deviation from Thym-Adren+ Paramin spelled trouble but I got lucky and hit a false equilibrium in which taking an exact cocktail of pills caused my system to operate at near peak for several months. Now the theories:
1. Increase my Magnesium levels.
The Mag RBC test, which measures your value at the cellular level, is rarely ordered by MDs and when it is, you are considered "normal" if you are at 4.2 with the reference range being 4.2-6.8. You have to be 4.1 or less to be flagged as deficient even though 4.2 feels just as bad. The truth is that anything below 5 is a significant deficiency and you need to strive for 6.0-6.5. As for me, I've been level in the mid-high 5s since the Fall of 2013 so any ill-effects from sub-optimal Mag should be minimal especially with my near perfect Ca/Mg ratio on my last hair test. Needless to say, while improving my Mag status was certainly a good thing for my health and I have experienced several benefits, it did not solve the sensitivity issues.
2. Liver congestion.
I posted about this detox procedure just a week ago so no need to rehash it. This was VERY important because it has allowed me to tolerate key pills necessary to get into balance. Without this procedure, I don't have a chance. Still, it did not solve the sensitivity.
3. Taurine.
This sulfur containing amino acid was partially successful in that it greatly reduced the sensitivity to Cal/Mag, which was nightmarish last summer. It got so bad that deviations from the 1:1 ratio as small as a few extra sprays of transdermal Mag caused problems. Again, although it was and still is a benefit for me, it failed to solve the zinc/copper issues.
4. Increased ceruloplasmin.
Again, this key liver protein is rarely tested and the reference range is even further out of whack than the Mag RBC. My lab has a range of 15-30. The truth is that anything below 25 is sub-optimal and even up to 40 is acceptable. My initial test was very low at 17.9 (not flagged) but I have since boosted it to 23.0. Although both my Cp and Zn/Cu ratio are a bit on the low side, I've seen much worse. Based on my current numbers, there is NO indication that just a trace of zinc would cause such a problem. If anything, it should help.
5. Problems with methylation.
This is my current theory. I'm still learning about the methylation cycle but I do know that you start with methionine, which is converted to SAM-e with the help of methyl donors, which is in turn converted to homocysteine. From that point, with the help of key B-vitamins, the homocysteine is converted back to methionine. It is here that genetic defects can come into play, specifically the MTHFR gene. I've not been tested for it but I have a strong feeling that I have that mutation in addition to several others and have ordered a genetic test through 23and Me. I do take a small amount of Folate and B-12 as part of my Mag supplement without a problem but I suspect that the methyl donors could be the problem. I took some di-methly glycine yesterday. It soved the sensitivity but the resulting over-stimulation was worse. I had 1 good day with the methylated B-complex then went downhill. I am sensitive to B-6 and had a negative reaction to methylated forms of B-12 and folate but a positive response to Niacin (B-3) and non-methylated B-12. This suggests that I have the MTHFR defect and am an over-methylator. Bad genes do not mean that I am doomed. With proper care, the mutations, can be "inactivated," according to science. At the end of the day, I do believe that my condition is treatable but I am likely facing another difficult fight and it seems doubtful that it can be fully reversed.
The only blood test that came back abnormal back in '05 was an elevated homocysteine value, which my MD dismissed. Combine that with my reports of extreme sensitivity to the herb based adrenal supplement that I had been taking at the time. A half pill flipped me from feeling lethargic to overstimulated. This should have SCREAMED liver dysfunction and poor methylation. Instead when challenged, my MD rambled incoherently for a minute or 2 then lectured me on the need for SSRIs. The sad part is that this guy actually did care about me as a person but just didn't know enough to help me. It is of utmost importance that I beat this disease. Anyone can say that they are healed but offer no proof. I can. Suppose I break all my personal records in my mid-30s when I am past my prime. That will convince some skeptics.
Training 2/16-2/22
Weather is going to be cold, and/or rainy and windy all week so I anticipate being indoors most of the time.
I've decided to skip the Mercedes 5K because I don't think I'll be competitive.
2/16- AM. VERY POOR. 3 miles in 25:49 (8:36 pace). Perhaps the SAM-e has not cleared. I may be overly sensitive to the methyl donors, which accomplishes nothing. Just trading one sensitivity for another.
PM- WORSE than this morning. Hell, I ran better when I had the flu last week. It is becoming increasingly clear that I have indeed TRADED ONE SENSITIVITY FOR ANOTHER! Tomorrow morning will confirm it. Covered only 1 mile and my time was over 9.
Grade:D-/1 credit/distance=4.0
Update: I have ordered the 23 and Me genetic test. I may not get the results for another 2 months so that changes the plans to shut down the blog. The training updates will stop after 3/21 however. It's just been too depressing lately. It's almost a certainty that something abnormal will show up and highly unlikely that it will be a quick fix.
2/17-AM. 2 miles in 15:28 (7:44 pace). Big improvement over yesterday afternoon. Took just a trace of DMG afterwards and I was MUCH worse. The methyl donors are OUT. How much do you want to bet that the zinc/copper sensitivity will kick in with a vengeance next week? I am off caffeine again but that hasn't helped me in the recent past.
PM- Took the afternoon off as planned. Picked up a B-complex at the health store with methylated Folate and methylated B-12. I'll wait a couple days before trying it. The genetic test should arrive by the end of the week. It's a painless saliva test.
Grade:C/1 credit/distance=2.0
2/18- Felt pretty rotten when I woke up and figured that I would have struggled for a sub-8 pace. Took the Raw Vitamin Code B complex and began feeling better shortly thereafter. BINGO!
3 miles in 21:23 then popped some B-12 alone and did the same distance in 21:37. That's not a significant change in pace so figure that the extra B-12 had no real impact one way or another Good news I suppose. Took another B-complex and ran another mile at the same effort in 7:09. Total distance was 7 miles in 50:09 (7:10 pace). I may salvage a respectable showing in Arizona. Don't write me off just yet.
This is NO cause for celebration! I'm not on solid ground with the zinc/copper and I took 3 B-complex today. How much will I need/tolerate tomorrow? Your guess is as good as mine. As for the Bs, I need a specific form the the vitamins. If I took the synthetic form of folic acid rather than methyl folate, I'd do more harm than good if I am positive on the MTHFR mutation. Same with B-12, it's got to be the methyl form or I could have a slight build up of cyanide. I'm going with the Raw B complex. It's RAW man!
Grade:A-/2 credit/distance=7.0
2/19- Felt pretty rotten when I woke up but got better after taking the 1st dose of the B-complex. Got worse after the 2nd dose. Attempted a tempo and I knew before the end of the 1st lap that I didn't have it. Quit after 1 Mile in 7:30. Took a zinc pill and ran the same distance in 7:24. Took a liver pill and ran it again in 7:28. That's not a significant change in pace so the zinc/copper sensitivity is still manageable.
It is clear that something in the B-complex is helpful and something else is harmful. I did some experiments and determined that it is B-6 that is the problem. I can take only limited doses of it (no more than 10 mg). It's becoming increasingly clear that I am an OVER METHYLATOR, not an under methylator. If that's the case, niacin (B-3) could be helpful.
Grade:D/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/20- The excess B-6 may not have fully cleared but I still managed a decent workout today. Ran the opening Mile in 7:24 then gave Niacin a shot. Tacked on 4 more in 29:09 (7:17 pace) for an overall time of 36:33 for 5 miles at moderate effort. Overall impression of the Niacin is that although it was not a miracle cure, it was a net positive impact. Without it, I probably would have slowed to the 7:30s so that is a significant difference. I did get a pretty hot flush so I will cut the dose in half tomorrow. Since the B-6 must be restricted, I must take other B-vitamins separately. After tomorrow's long run, I will see how I react to extra Folate and/or B-2 (Riboflavin)
Rant: My last MD flat out refused to believe that I could not tolerate B-6. Okay, so WHY DID I FEEL AWFUL WITHIN MINUTES OF TAKING IT? Then, why did I feel better after it cleared? I know now that this intolerance is likely due to a genetic defect.
Grade:B+/1 credit/distance=5.0
2/21- Good call on skipping the 5K because I was AWFUL this morning. I cannot take the methylated forms of folate and B12. Why did I have 1 good day on the B-complex? I don't know but I may be so deficient that even the wrong form helped for a while. I may still need Folic Acid and/or B-12 but it's got to be the un-methylated form, which means that even Jigsaw Mag may have to be restricted. I've wasted over $100 this week alone on supplements that won't work.
The workout: Plan was a long run on Lakeshore and I turned around after a half mile in 4:07 then proceeded to run the back half in 4:19 for an 8:26 finish. Took some extra methyl B-12 after I got home and got even worse, which confirms my theory.
PM- Another better with or without test. Did 1 Mile in a blazing 9:16 then popped an un-methylated B-12 and improved to 7:48 with no additional effort. That's an improvement of nearly 90 seconds for 1 mile all because of 1 freaking pill! Again, there has got to be some defective enzymes involved here and it's becoming increasing clear that genetic defects are in play.
Grade:E/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/22- Another better with or without test this time with the folic acid. Ran the opening mile in 7:22 without it. After taking it, I started off pretty well but faded after the 1st half mile. Managed a 7:20 2nd mile but was done after that. Faded to 7:55 in Mile 3 then called it quits. Overall time was 22:37 for 3 miles (7:32 pace). Poor performance. This means that I am likely positive for the MTHFR mutation.
Grade:D+/1 credit/distance=3.0
Weekly summary:
Only 4 weeks until my deadline and it is looking bleak. I suspect that my increased ceruloplasmin has worsened the over-methylation. If not for the Cp, my zinc/copper imbalance would be far worse however. Based on what I've seen this week, I can just about guarantee genetic defects. Is it treatable? Yes. Completely reversible? Seems unlikely.
Distance= 27.0/ GPA= 16.2/8= 2.03
YTD: 229 miles. Record: 1-5 with a 2.30 GPA
I've decided to skip the Mercedes 5K because I don't think I'll be competitive.
2/16- AM. VERY POOR. 3 miles in 25:49 (8:36 pace). Perhaps the SAM-e has not cleared. I may be overly sensitive to the methyl donors, which accomplishes nothing. Just trading one sensitivity for another.
PM- WORSE than this morning. Hell, I ran better when I had the flu last week. It is becoming increasingly clear that I have indeed TRADED ONE SENSITIVITY FOR ANOTHER! Tomorrow morning will confirm it. Covered only 1 mile and my time was over 9.
Grade:D-/1 credit/distance=4.0
Update: I have ordered the 23 and Me genetic test. I may not get the results for another 2 months so that changes the plans to shut down the blog. The training updates will stop after 3/21 however. It's just been too depressing lately. It's almost a certainty that something abnormal will show up and highly unlikely that it will be a quick fix.
2/17-AM. 2 miles in 15:28 (7:44 pace). Big improvement over yesterday afternoon. Took just a trace of DMG afterwards and I was MUCH worse. The methyl donors are OUT. How much do you want to bet that the zinc/copper sensitivity will kick in with a vengeance next week? I am off caffeine again but that hasn't helped me in the recent past.
PM- Took the afternoon off as planned. Picked up a B-complex at the health store with methylated Folate and methylated B-12. I'll wait a couple days before trying it. The genetic test should arrive by the end of the week. It's a painless saliva test.
Grade:C/1 credit/distance=2.0
2/18- Felt pretty rotten when I woke up and figured that I would have struggled for a sub-8 pace. Took the Raw Vitamin Code B complex and began feeling better shortly thereafter. BINGO!
3 miles in 21:23 then popped some B-12 alone and did the same distance in 21:37. That's not a significant change in pace so figure that the extra B-12 had no real impact one way or another Good news I suppose. Took another B-complex and ran another mile at the same effort in 7:09. Total distance was 7 miles in 50:09 (7:10 pace). I may salvage a respectable showing in Arizona. Don't write me off just yet.
This is NO cause for celebration! I'm not on solid ground with the zinc/copper and I took 3 B-complex today. How much will I need/tolerate tomorrow? Your guess is as good as mine. As for the Bs, I need a specific form the the vitamins. If I took the synthetic form of folic acid rather than methyl folate, I'd do more harm than good if I am positive on the MTHFR mutation. Same with B-12, it's got to be the methyl form or I could have a slight build up of cyanide. I'm going with the Raw B complex. It's RAW man!
Grade:A-/2 credit/distance=7.0
2/19- Felt pretty rotten when I woke up but got better after taking the 1st dose of the B-complex. Got worse after the 2nd dose. Attempted a tempo and I knew before the end of the 1st lap that I didn't have it. Quit after 1 Mile in 7:30. Took a zinc pill and ran the same distance in 7:24. Took a liver pill and ran it again in 7:28. That's not a significant change in pace so the zinc/copper sensitivity is still manageable.
It is clear that something in the B-complex is helpful and something else is harmful. I did some experiments and determined that it is B-6 that is the problem. I can take only limited doses of it (no more than 10 mg). It's becoming increasingly clear that I am an OVER METHYLATOR, not an under methylator. If that's the case, niacin (B-3) could be helpful.
Grade:D/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/20- The excess B-6 may not have fully cleared but I still managed a decent workout today. Ran the opening Mile in 7:24 then gave Niacin a shot. Tacked on 4 more in 29:09 (7:17 pace) for an overall time of 36:33 for 5 miles at moderate effort. Overall impression of the Niacin is that although it was not a miracle cure, it was a net positive impact. Without it, I probably would have slowed to the 7:30s so that is a significant difference. I did get a pretty hot flush so I will cut the dose in half tomorrow. Since the B-6 must be restricted, I must take other B-vitamins separately. After tomorrow's long run, I will see how I react to extra Folate and/or B-2 (Riboflavin)
Rant: My last MD flat out refused to believe that I could not tolerate B-6. Okay, so WHY DID I FEEL AWFUL WITHIN MINUTES OF TAKING IT? Then, why did I feel better after it cleared? I know now that this intolerance is likely due to a genetic defect.
Grade:B+/1 credit/distance=5.0
2/21- Good call on skipping the 5K because I was AWFUL this morning. I cannot take the methylated forms of folate and B12. Why did I have 1 good day on the B-complex? I don't know but I may be so deficient that even the wrong form helped for a while. I may still need Folic Acid and/or B-12 but it's got to be the un-methylated form, which means that even Jigsaw Mag may have to be restricted. I've wasted over $100 this week alone on supplements that won't work.
The workout: Plan was a long run on Lakeshore and I turned around after a half mile in 4:07 then proceeded to run the back half in 4:19 for an 8:26 finish. Took some extra methyl B-12 after I got home and got even worse, which confirms my theory.
PM- Another better with or without test. Did 1 Mile in a blazing 9:16 then popped an un-methylated B-12 and improved to 7:48 with no additional effort. That's an improvement of nearly 90 seconds for 1 mile all because of 1 freaking pill! Again, there has got to be some defective enzymes involved here and it's becoming increasing clear that genetic defects are in play.
Grade:E/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/22- Another better with or without test this time with the folic acid. Ran the opening mile in 7:22 without it. After taking it, I started off pretty well but faded after the 1st half mile. Managed a 7:20 2nd mile but was done after that. Faded to 7:55 in Mile 3 then called it quits. Overall time was 22:37 for 3 miles (7:32 pace). Poor performance. This means that I am likely positive for the MTHFR mutation.
Grade:D+/1 credit/distance=3.0
Weekly summary:
Only 4 weeks until my deadline and it is looking bleak. I suspect that my increased ceruloplasmin has worsened the over-methylation. If not for the Cp, my zinc/copper imbalance would be far worse however. Based on what I've seen this week, I can just about guarantee genetic defects. Is it treatable? Yes. Completely reversible? Seems unlikely.
Distance= 27.0/ GPA= 16.2/8= 2.03
YTD: 229 miles. Record: 1-5 with a 2.30 GPA
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Training 2/9-2/15
2/9- One thing after another. I can take the necessary pills but now I'm down with the flu. Running is out of the question for the next few days.
2/10- Feeling slightly better but still not even back to work yet. A really bad day of adrenal fatigue feels similar to a low-grade flu. There is no fever and chills but the fatigue, body aches and malaise can be just as bad.
Grade:F/1 credit/distance=0
2/11- Back to work today. Still very weak and have a dry cough. Aside from a little bit of hip soreness, my legs don't feel too bad. Did 2 miles at Gold's in 17:56 (8:58 pace) with a slight negative split. Got about what I expected today. I've waited too long for sustained improvement.
Grade:D/1 credit/distance=2.0
2/12- Flu symptoms are almost gone. Zinc/copper sensitivity is still bad. Whole food C is OUT. When it comes to C and zinc, it's got to be both or neither. I'm going with neither. Zinc/copper ratio must be PERFECT everyday and I sure hope that my magic ratio is 20:1 (Thym-Adren). Workout was 3 miles at Gold's and finished in 24:46 (8:15 pace). Decent improvement.
Grade:D+/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/13- The old better with or without test. Ran 1 Mile with Thym-Adren at moderate effort and clocked a 7:44. Popped some ADHS such that the Zn/Cu ratio was about 17:1 and I slipped to over 9 on the next mile with an immediate reaction. Tomorrow, I will see if a 23:1 ratio does the same thing.
Grade:D/1 credit/distance=2.0
2/14- 2nd and last better with or without test. 1 Mile on a 20:1 ratio and my time improved to 6:56 as the flu virus continues to exit my system. Popped half a zinc pill and within minutes, I was awful. Did not even attempt the 2nd mile. There you have it. It's 20:1, neither more nor less. I've got to do something about this. What will work next month?
PM- I believe that the zinc/copper sensitivity stems from poor methylation so on little more than a hunch, I picked up some dimethyl glycine at the health food store. It was no miracle cure but it was certainly a positive reaction. 1 Mile on Wisteria and my time is down to 6:47 on hills with the same 23:1 ratio that failed just a few hours earlier. 20:1 is still the "key" but it may not be disastrous if I deviate a bit. YES! Time to get back to real training now.
Run #3- Hit the track for another Mile and my time was down to 6:24 with even splits (94-98-98-94).
Grade:C-/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/15- Took Thym-Adren plus DMG and hoped to hit 8 miles today. Had to settle for 4 in 31:21 (7:50 pace). Popped some SAM-e (stronger methylator) and got overstimulated so I cut the cool down out.
Grade:C/1 credit/distance=4.0
Weekly summary:
This is my worst start on record.
Distance= 14.0/ GPA= 7.0/6= 1.17
YTD: 202 miles. Record: 1-4 with a 2.37 GPA
2/10- Feeling slightly better but still not even back to work yet. A really bad day of adrenal fatigue feels similar to a low-grade flu. There is no fever and chills but the fatigue, body aches and malaise can be just as bad.
Grade:F/1 credit/distance=0
2/11- Back to work today. Still very weak and have a dry cough. Aside from a little bit of hip soreness, my legs don't feel too bad. Did 2 miles at Gold's in 17:56 (8:58 pace) with a slight negative split. Got about what I expected today. I've waited too long for sustained improvement.
Grade:D/1 credit/distance=2.0
2/12- Flu symptoms are almost gone. Zinc/copper sensitivity is still bad. Whole food C is OUT. When it comes to C and zinc, it's got to be both or neither. I'm going with neither. Zinc/copper ratio must be PERFECT everyday and I sure hope that my magic ratio is 20:1 (Thym-Adren). Workout was 3 miles at Gold's and finished in 24:46 (8:15 pace). Decent improvement.
Grade:D+/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/13- The old better with or without test. Ran 1 Mile with Thym-Adren at moderate effort and clocked a 7:44. Popped some ADHS such that the Zn/Cu ratio was about 17:1 and I slipped to over 9 on the next mile with an immediate reaction. Tomorrow, I will see if a 23:1 ratio does the same thing.
Grade:D/1 credit/distance=2.0
2/14- 2nd and last better with or without test. 1 Mile on a 20:1 ratio and my time improved to 6:56 as the flu virus continues to exit my system. Popped half a zinc pill and within minutes, I was awful. Did not even attempt the 2nd mile. There you have it. It's 20:1, neither more nor less. I've got to do something about this. What will work next month?
PM- I believe that the zinc/copper sensitivity stems from poor methylation so on little more than a hunch, I picked up some dimethyl glycine at the health food store. It was no miracle cure but it was certainly a positive reaction. 1 Mile on Wisteria and my time is down to 6:47 on hills with the same 23:1 ratio that failed just a few hours earlier. 20:1 is still the "key" but it may not be disastrous if I deviate a bit. YES! Time to get back to real training now.
Run #3- Hit the track for another Mile and my time was down to 6:24 with even splits (94-98-98-94).
Grade:C-/1 credit/distance=3.0
2/15- Took Thym-Adren plus DMG and hoped to hit 8 miles today. Had to settle for 4 in 31:21 (7:50 pace). Popped some SAM-e (stronger methylator) and got overstimulated so I cut the cool down out.
Grade:C/1 credit/distance=4.0
Weekly summary:
This is my worst start on record.
Distance= 14.0/ GPA= 7.0/6= 1.17
YTD: 202 miles. Record: 1-4 with a 2.37 GPA
Monday, February 9, 2015
Detox and Prognosis
I know exactly what I need to take to get in balance and have known for 2+ years. It is Thym-Adren + a 1/1 ratio of Calcium/Magnesium. The problem is that there have been a number of factors that have prevented me from tolerating the key pills. My two biggest hurdles have been a congested liver and zinc/copper imbalance. Both of these have been treated.
I often wonder how I was able to do so well in 2011 and 2012. Yes, I was able to bring down my tissue sodium but if you had tested my ceruloplasmin, I bet it would have been in the 15-range (ideal is 25+) and my Mag RBC was likely under 4 (ideal is 6+). In any event, the formula that I had been taking at that time was unsustainable because it contained too much Cal relative to Mag and thus there was no chance to get the adrenal ratio in line. My best Na/Mg ratio on the HTMA was 30/2, which is still very high and I developed severe sugar sensitivity due to the Mag deficiency.Thym-Adren favors zinc over copper so without taking some Liver Beef, my high Zn/Cu ratio will continue to get worse. Despite only taking the Liver Beef off and on, my ceruloplasmin came up from 17.9 to 23.0 in just 3 months. If I can simply maintain it there, I can kiss the copper deficiency goodbye.
My last Na/Mg test was 111/5 and if I can get that down to 30/5, I'm golden. I figure that because I've been consistent with the Thym-Adren for the last 3 weeks, my tissue sodium is probably about 90 now and should get down to 30 within 2 months. I have little doubt that I can maintain the Mag at or near normal.
Over the past week, my system has slowly been rejected the necessary pills. What is supposed to be helpful caused severe muscle stiffness, malaise and depression. The truth is that my liver was too congested as far back as November of last year. There is no reason why I should have had such a nasty reaction to the Liver Beef because my ceruloplasmin was still sub-optimal at 23.0 and yes, I took plenty of zinc to balance the copper. Last week, I developed an intolerance to taurine and the last straw came when I had some trouble to Mag+ Thym-Adren.
Detox protocol:
Day 1: 2 servings of epsom salt water
- nasty mix of grapefruit juice and a half cup of extra virgin olive oil.
Day 2:
- 2 more servings of epsom salt water
-lots of trips to the toilet.
Commonly, you will find a lot of pea sized green and tiny tan "stones." Are these actual gallstones or just a reaction with the olive oil? I don't know and don't really care. All I care about is being able to take the pills I need to get in balance. Yesterday, I got better with an increased Thym-Adren dose and better with the Cal/Mag, which will keep my tissue Na trending down. I took the taurine before bed without a negative reaction. I woke up the next morning and tried the Liver Beef. Again, no negative reaction! I still have hope. I will repeat that if this does not turn around by the Spring, I will declare myself semi-retired. The daily updates will stop. Mileage will be cut and the out of town races will stop after I hit 25 half marathon states. I will limit myself to local races with game time decisions based on how I feel. That would be a very sad day for me but one that I know I must face eventually.
I often wonder how I was able to do so well in 2011 and 2012. Yes, I was able to bring down my tissue sodium but if you had tested my ceruloplasmin, I bet it would have been in the 15-range (ideal is 25+) and my Mag RBC was likely under 4 (ideal is 6+). In any event, the formula that I had been taking at that time was unsustainable because it contained too much Cal relative to Mag and thus there was no chance to get the adrenal ratio in line. My best Na/Mg ratio on the HTMA was 30/2, which is still very high and I developed severe sugar sensitivity due to the Mag deficiency.Thym-Adren favors zinc over copper so without taking some Liver Beef, my high Zn/Cu ratio will continue to get worse. Despite only taking the Liver Beef off and on, my ceruloplasmin came up from 17.9 to 23.0 in just 3 months. If I can simply maintain it there, I can kiss the copper deficiency goodbye.
My last Na/Mg test was 111/5 and if I can get that down to 30/5, I'm golden. I figure that because I've been consistent with the Thym-Adren for the last 3 weeks, my tissue sodium is probably about 90 now and should get down to 30 within 2 months. I have little doubt that I can maintain the Mag at or near normal.
Over the past week, my system has slowly been rejected the necessary pills. What is supposed to be helpful caused severe muscle stiffness, malaise and depression. The truth is that my liver was too congested as far back as November of last year. There is no reason why I should have had such a nasty reaction to the Liver Beef because my ceruloplasmin was still sub-optimal at 23.0 and yes, I took plenty of zinc to balance the copper. Last week, I developed an intolerance to taurine and the last straw came when I had some trouble to Mag+ Thym-Adren.
Detox protocol:
Day 1: 2 servings of epsom salt water
- nasty mix of grapefruit juice and a half cup of extra virgin olive oil.
Day 2:
- 2 more servings of epsom salt water
-lots of trips to the toilet.
Commonly, you will find a lot of pea sized green and tiny tan "stones." Are these actual gallstones or just a reaction with the olive oil? I don't know and don't really care. All I care about is being able to take the pills I need to get in balance. Yesterday, I got better with an increased Thym-Adren dose and better with the Cal/Mag, which will keep my tissue Na trending down. I took the taurine before bed without a negative reaction. I woke up the next morning and tried the Liver Beef. Again, no negative reaction! I still have hope. I will repeat that if this does not turn around by the Spring, I will declare myself semi-retired. The daily updates will stop. Mileage will be cut and the out of town races will stop after I hit 25 half marathon states. I will limit myself to local races with game time decisions based on how I feel. That would be a very sad day for me but one that I know I must face eventually.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Training 2/2-2/8
2/2- AM 3 miles in 23:54 (7:58 pace). Progress. Took practically every ounce of energy to rally for the sub-8 overall. 1st full day off the liver. Back on whole food C but remain off extra zinc.
PM- Same 3 miler but my time is down to 22:48 (7:36 pace). Even pace and same effort as this morning but I was 66 seconds faster than I was only 10 hours ago. So what? That still sucks. 2 years ago, I had a 7 week winning streak snapped and I haven't won more than 3 straight since. It will take a lot more than this to get my hopes up.
Grade:C+/1 credit/distance=6.0
2/3- Another step forward. Lakeshore 5 in 37:40 (7:32 pace). Standard issue. Effort was slightly less than yesterday and I did beat the pace over 2 additional miles. I still don't feel anything like the old me and my shin splints have flared up again. I think I'm going back to zinc.
Grade:B/1 credit/distance=5.0
2/4- Forced rest day. Shin splints are worse. I am in BIG trouble now.
2/5- Still unable to run. Probably it's the pills again. I'd rather be injured and have decent energy. I believe taurine is the culprit. That's right. The same stuff was a life saver back in September. If I am correct, I should begin to feel improvement by afternoon tomorrow.
2/6- I got some improvement but it wasn't as much as I expected. 4 miles in 31:52 (7:58 pace) with a last mile over 9. Still in big trouble. No real issues with my shin but whole body was extremely tight and my weight is up to 165. I'm using this week as my one freebie.
2/7- Bad to worse. Cannot run at all. Zero energy. The more pills I take, the worse I feel. Only a detox can save me now. If that fails, it's over.
If this does work, I'm detoxing every 3 months. Perhaps if I had done so in November, I may not have had so many problems since.
2/8- AM- The detox appears to have been successful. Lots of green and tan stones. Whether or not I will be able to tolerate the needed pills still remains to be seen.
PM- 1 mile junk run. Got progressively better after taking more pills. Dropped 12 pounds in 2 days after the detox.
Distance= 16.0/ YTD: 188
PM- Same 3 miler but my time is down to 22:48 (7:36 pace). Even pace and same effort as this morning but I was 66 seconds faster than I was only 10 hours ago. So what? That still sucks. 2 years ago, I had a 7 week winning streak snapped and I haven't won more than 3 straight since. It will take a lot more than this to get my hopes up.
Grade:C+/1 credit/distance=6.0
2/3- Another step forward. Lakeshore 5 in 37:40 (7:32 pace). Standard issue. Effort was slightly less than yesterday and I did beat the pace over 2 additional miles. I still don't feel anything like the old me and my shin splints have flared up again. I think I'm going back to zinc.
Grade:B/1 credit/distance=5.0
2/4- Forced rest day. Shin splints are worse. I am in BIG trouble now.
2/5- Still unable to run. Probably it's the pills again. I'd rather be injured and have decent energy. I believe taurine is the culprit. That's right. The same stuff was a life saver back in September. If I am correct, I should begin to feel improvement by afternoon tomorrow.
2/6- I got some improvement but it wasn't as much as I expected. 4 miles in 31:52 (7:58 pace) with a last mile over 9. Still in big trouble. No real issues with my shin but whole body was extremely tight and my weight is up to 165. I'm using this week as my one freebie.
2/7- Bad to worse. Cannot run at all. Zero energy. The more pills I take, the worse I feel. Only a detox can save me now. If that fails, it's over.
If this does work, I'm detoxing every 3 months. Perhaps if I had done so in November, I may not have had so many problems since.
2/8- AM- The detox appears to have been successful. Lots of green and tan stones. Whether or not I will be able to tolerate the needed pills still remains to be seen.
PM- 1 mile junk run. Got progressively better after taking more pills. Dropped 12 pounds in 2 days after the detox.
Distance= 16.0/ YTD: 188
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