4/29- Untimed Montreat Mile. Felt AWFUL. It is apparent that TRS plus other detox products is causing too much of a detox/die off reaction. Why was it tolerated 3-4 days ago? I don't have an answer for that.
Distance=1.0
4/30-AM- Timed Montreat Mile in 11:47. This was almost certainly better than yesterday. Splits were 4:10-3:55-3:42 so that's somewhat encouraging. I've reduced the dosage of TRS and cut out DIM, Maca and Selenium completely. I'll try again this evening.
PM- 2 miles on Lakeshore in 19:22 (9:41 pace). Felt noticeably better in the afternoon but still a LONG way to go. It appears that I will simply have to back off on the detox products for now. By how much? For how long? That is still to be determined. The fear is that the sensitivity will kick back in with a vengeance if I have to stop the detox completely. That is an unacceptable outcome.
Distance=3.0
5/1- AM- Junk intervals at Montreat. Opener in 2:52 (8:36 pace). Took 3 sprays of TRS and knew immediately that it was a bad call. Slipped all the way to 3:52 on the next lap (11:36 pace). Took some molybdenum, which was supposed to help and improved only to a 3:51 so it was essentially a non-factor. I am going to have to go off all detox products until further notice and hope the sensitivity does not return. If it does and I still can't tolerate the TRS, it is game over and I have lost.
Why did this happen? My only explanation that makes sense is that I am peeling off layers of toxins. That is, I've gotten the surface toxins out but the more dangerous stuff had been buried deeper in my organs where it could do the least damage. Now, it will be harder to get that poison out and I'll have to go VERY slow with the detox. I'm betting that once I can finally tolerate the TRS again, my system will then demand MEGA doses but that will eventually stabilize back to 3-5 sprays. That's the best case scenario. I'm still planning to go to Rhode Island this weekend and hope that 4 days off the TRS will be enough to at least allow me to finish.
Distance=1.0
5/2- Opened with a 2:45 (8:15 pace) without pills or detox but felt significantly WORSE after lunch. Turns out I needed TRS. Flip flop flip within 7 days! Just another day in life of me.
PM- No detox- 3:47 (11:21 pace)
1 spray- 3:21 (10:03 pace) MINUS 78
3 sprays- 2:35 (7:45 pace) MINUS 2:18
Add Selenium, DIM and Maca- 2:24 (7:12 pace) MINUS 33
No comments necessary
Distance=2.0
5/3- 1 mile in Atlanta out and back on the road from the hotel. Finished in 7:10 with a strong negative split. I was only 3:45 at the half and closed with a 3:25. Should get under 7 on a track very soon. Big confidence booster for Sunday. Added a half mile cool.
Distance=1.5
5/4- Planned rest day. Arrived in Providence for touring.
5/5- Providence Rhode Race in 1:58:54.
Distance= 13.5
-22 miles on the week. YTD-410
Monday, April 29, 2019
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Chicago/St. Louis Trip Report
I left work about an hour early on Thursday then headed up 65 past Nashville then cut northwest on 24 and ended up just south of Paducah, Kentucky for the night. From there, it would be about 7 hours to my race location in the small town of Washington, Iowa. It’s pretty much just a town square about 30 minutes south of Iowa City. I broke up that trip with a stop in Springfield, Illinois for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. That was gripping, and I nearly teared up a couple of times. Lincoln’s enemies called him the devil incarnate for his opposition to slavery and it is incomprehensible to me that a practice so clearly evil could be thought of as a positive good. Evil does not surrender easily and the more righteous your fight, the more opposition you will face. Never back down!
I was just happy to get to the starting line for the race. I was only 13 days removed from a sprained ankle after landing on a pine cone and had experienced some brutal detox symptoms as Mercury and Arsenic have been dumped out of my organs into my tissues. The course looped around town for 2 miles then turned on to the Kewash Trail, which was partly paved and partly dirt. The early pace felt much too slow and I was actually holding back to hit the splits but still went out a bit faster than planned. Nearing halfway however, I was faltering. By Mile 8, it was clear that I would not make my time goal. The trail was slightly sloped but it felt like it was uphill both ways. I feared a Delaware level meltdown in which it took 40 minutes walk/jog the last 5K but it wasn’t that bad this time. My time is still too embarrassing to reveal but it was over 6 minutes faster than last time (nearly :30 per mile) despite being slightly slower at the 10-mile mark. Toxins or lack of fitness? Probably a combination of both. At any rate, I made a quick exit, so I could get to Chicago. 41 race states. 39 half marathons.
The drive in was smooth until the last 10 miles, which took about 30 minutes because of the congestion. Thankfully, it was a weekend and not rush hour. I checked into the Trump Hotel and was treated to amazing city views both from my room and the 16thfloor terrace bar. From there, I took a stroll down Rush Street and Michigan Avenue, an area known as the Magnificent Mile, known for its high-priced shops. I ended up on another Lakeshore Dr. on the shores of Lake Michigan with a sandy beach and running trail with skyscrapers in the background.
As twilight descended, I went up on the 360 Tower for a cocktail on the 94th floor where I enjoyed a nice conversation with 2 young men from India and got some amazing shots of the skyline. I stopped for some deep dish pizza on my way back. I prefer the New York style but it was still quite good and filling. I capped the night with a drink on the aforementioned 16th floor at night.
I caught the sunrise over Lake Michigan on Easter Sunday then attended church just 3 blocks from my hotel. From there, it was a walking tour of the Riverwalk then on to the Sears Tower, which I wanted to see in the daylight. I made a quick stop at Millennium Park before lunch and check out time.
Off to St. Louis. I’m normally a believer in the getting there is half the fun but this drive through the Illinois plains was not very exciting. It is more scenic across the river in Missouri. I slept in on Monday then got on a 9:30 tour of Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals. I’ve got lots of respect for that organization. They are always competitive and have a passionate fan base that usually doesn’t get as crazy as New York or Boston.
Last but not least was my visit to the Gateway Arch. Everybody knows about the views from the top but it also has an interesting historical museum underground and a pretty nice restaurant for lunch. Epic trip? I think so.
Training 4/22-4/28
4/22- Elective rest day. It would have been nice to do a junk run around the Arch in St. Louis but I opted for extra sleep, which was probably a good call.
4/23- 2 mile junk run at Montreat. Body is very tired from the travel so I didn't expect much. No watch. Hopefully, back to the routine by tomorrow.
Distance=2.0
4/24- Trak Shak 3.5 mile route. Finished in 27:42 (7:55 pace) with a strong closing kick. Last half mile was 7:15 pace. Below the Mendoza line today but had to stop for traffic a bit more often so it carries an asterisk. Added a half mile cool. I expect to plateau from here. I won't see dramatic improvements from day to day or even week to week but month to month? I think so.
Distance=4.0
4/25- AM. Montreat Mile in 7:13. 13 seconds faster than when I sprained my ankle 18 days ago. That's basically healed now. Next goal is to get under 7 minutes.
PM- Easy 5 at Gold's on a rainy night. Finished in 42:51 (8:34 pace). Even pace for the first 4 then a mild pick up in the last mile. This is 1:52 half marathon pace. Felt quite comfortable but as I learned the hard way in Iowa, 13 miles is TOTALLY different than 5.
Distance=6.0
4/26- Canterbury 3.5 miler in 30:40 (8:46 pace) plus a cool down. Slower pace but a hilly route and easier effort. No real complaints.
Distance=4.0
4/27- ANGRY AGAIN! Another failed long run. Came through the first mile in 9:30-something and was getting slower with every step. Turned around and called it a day. The culprit was Maca. That's right. The same stuff that was absolutely necessary just 2 months ago is now no longer tolerated! If you've read this blog for a while, you know that's nothing new for me but I REALLY THOUGHT THE DETOX WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT FROM NOW ON!!!
Any idea why? The detox can cause increased adrenal activity and Maca will further stimulate the adrenals. I did feel somewhat better after taking extra adrenal modulators so that makes me feel a little better about this. Still, the fact that it came on so suddenly is extremely maddening. I never saw it coming and there was no way I could have predicted this. I got SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE AFTER JUST ONE ADDITIONAL PILL TOO!!! Getting nicked a little bit is understandable but a healthy person should NEVER get this type of reaction from ONE FREAKING PILL!! How many times have I posted that? On the bright side, at least this didn't happen last weekend or else it would have been a DNF in Iowa and I'm not sure I would have gone back down the road.
Distance=2.0
4/28- AM-With the excess Maca still in my system, it was junk intervals at Montreat.
Opened with a 3:35 (10:45 pace)
With Dim (which contains a small amount of Maca)- 3:43 (11:09 pace) PLUS 24
I got nicked a little bit but nothing severe. I'll hold on to the DIM in case I need it again but I will stop taking it.
Waited about an hour and was down to 3:19 (9:57 pace), which I attribute to clearance after a trip to the toilet. Took just a trace of stand alone Maca and was significantly worse. Slipped all the way to a 3:38 (10:54 pace). PLUS 57. Maca will be tossed. I'll finish the bottle of Selenium but will not re-order. Something tells me that I may have trouble with that stuff down the road. TRS will take care of the Arsenic toxicity so Selenium should no longer be needed. At least I am saving money and cabinet space by tossing some pills.
PM- Full Mile at Montreat. Time is down to 8:38 with splits of 3:01-2:52-2:45. Much better and should be back to the new normal by tomorrow.
Distance=2.0
-20 miles on the week.
-YTD- 388
4/23- 2 mile junk run at Montreat. Body is very tired from the travel so I didn't expect much. No watch. Hopefully, back to the routine by tomorrow.
Distance=2.0
4/24- Trak Shak 3.5 mile route. Finished in 27:42 (7:55 pace) with a strong closing kick. Last half mile was 7:15 pace. Below the Mendoza line today but had to stop for traffic a bit more often so it carries an asterisk. Added a half mile cool. I expect to plateau from here. I won't see dramatic improvements from day to day or even week to week but month to month? I think so.
Distance=4.0
4/25- AM. Montreat Mile in 7:13. 13 seconds faster than when I sprained my ankle 18 days ago. That's basically healed now. Next goal is to get under 7 minutes.
PM- Easy 5 at Gold's on a rainy night. Finished in 42:51 (8:34 pace). Even pace for the first 4 then a mild pick up in the last mile. This is 1:52 half marathon pace. Felt quite comfortable but as I learned the hard way in Iowa, 13 miles is TOTALLY different than 5.
Distance=6.0
4/26- Canterbury 3.5 miler in 30:40 (8:46 pace) plus a cool down. Slower pace but a hilly route and easier effort. No real complaints.
Distance=4.0
4/27- ANGRY AGAIN! Another failed long run. Came through the first mile in 9:30-something and was getting slower with every step. Turned around and called it a day. The culprit was Maca. That's right. The same stuff that was absolutely necessary just 2 months ago is now no longer tolerated! If you've read this blog for a while, you know that's nothing new for me but I REALLY THOUGHT THE DETOX WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT FROM NOW ON!!!
Any idea why? The detox can cause increased adrenal activity and Maca will further stimulate the adrenals. I did feel somewhat better after taking extra adrenal modulators so that makes me feel a little better about this. Still, the fact that it came on so suddenly is extremely maddening. I never saw it coming and there was no way I could have predicted this. I got SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE AFTER JUST ONE ADDITIONAL PILL TOO!!! Getting nicked a little bit is understandable but a healthy person should NEVER get this type of reaction from ONE FREAKING PILL!! How many times have I posted that? On the bright side, at least this didn't happen last weekend or else it would have been a DNF in Iowa and I'm not sure I would have gone back down the road.
Distance=2.0
4/28- AM-With the excess Maca still in my system, it was junk intervals at Montreat.
Opened with a 3:35 (10:45 pace)
With Dim (which contains a small amount of Maca)- 3:43 (11:09 pace) PLUS 24
I got nicked a little bit but nothing severe. I'll hold on to the DIM in case I need it again but I will stop taking it.
Waited about an hour and was down to 3:19 (9:57 pace), which I attribute to clearance after a trip to the toilet. Took just a trace of stand alone Maca and was significantly worse. Slipped all the way to a 3:38 (10:54 pace). PLUS 57. Maca will be tossed. I'll finish the bottle of Selenium but will not re-order. Something tells me that I may have trouble with that stuff down the road. TRS will take care of the Arsenic toxicity so Selenium should no longer be needed. At least I am saving money and cabinet space by tossing some pills.
PM- Full Mile at Montreat. Time is down to 8:38 with splits of 3:01-2:52-2:45. Much better and should be back to the new normal by tomorrow.
Distance=2.0
-20 miles on the week.
-YTD- 388
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Detox and Prognosis
I am now 7 days removed from the sprained ankle that I got from tripping over a pine cone and 6 days out from race day. I expect the ankle to be at slightly less than full strength on race day but good enough to run the half marathon without risking further damage. That's good news and I never had any doubt that I would heal eventually. My plan calls for finishing Hawaii for state #50 in November 2021. It's an aggressive target with 12 states still to go but I've got to finish this goal sooner rather than later. If the detox plan fails, I estimate that I've got about 3-5 years left as a runner capable of finishing half marathons. Tomorrow is never guaranteed even for healthy people so if you want to do something, my advice is to do it now.
I read one of my random posts from 2016 on methylation and it is evident that I REALLY have come a long way in regards to the sensitivity. On one of my recent Montreat lap intervals, I was only 55 seconds faster per mile with the full doses of ALL the pills than I was with no treatment whatsoever. I bet that gap has since diminished further. That's YUGE! Yes, I want to know that the treatments are working but a healthy person should NEVER see WILD swings in performance and mood after taking just 1 freaking pill! If you've read this blog for more than just a couple of months, you know that it was not uncommon for the following to happen:
-Open with a pace over 10:00 per mile from simply skipping ONE of my many pills
-See improvements of more than 60 seconds/mile after taking just ONE DOSE!
-Continue to improve with each pill until I hit the sweet spot.
-Go backwards again after overshooting the sweet spot with extra pills.
-Find that the magic formula that worked the previous week turns to poison.
-Go through the whole thing again and again and again.
Let's hope that I am done with the above forever. The only treatment that is still a must take is Sarcosine. I'll do okay without in a sprint but the longer the distance, the uglier it gets. It took me over 40 minutes to run 4 miles without it and had slipped to 11 minute pace on the back half. By comparison, I had done 5@8:27 pace just a couple days earlier with it. Perhaps in time, my critical need for this stuff will diminish as well. If it goes off the market, I would be screwed otherwise. Again, with all the other pills, I can skip them all and barely even notice on the first day. However, I'm pretty sure that it would get uglier with each additional day off the pills. Still, being able to get by without so many of those pills would have been unthinkable just 1 year ago.
The trade off is significantly decreased speed. My average is about 2:10 for a third of a mile (6:30 pace). By comparison, I recently dipped under 5:00 pace for a 400 when I had all the pills working. On the day that I sprained my ankle, I was pretty much all out in the Montreat Mile and could only muster a 7:26. I figure that's probably the equivalent of a 7:15 on a track. I haven't done it since 2015 but I believe I was capable of a sub-6:00 on my best days with the pills. If I can run sub-5 for a quarter mile, I should go sub-6 in a full mile.
Why has this happened? Pretty simple. The toxins that had been stuck in my organs are being dumped out and thus have been released into my cells and tissues. It should not be a surprise that it gets worse before it gets better. In theory, once the toxins come out, I will feel a LOT better and should run faster BUT I said it too many times and still stand firm. Even if I never regain my lost speed, the stability and consistency that I have gained is a trade that I am happy to make. If I have to settle for being consistently around 2 hours for a half marathon, so be it. That's still preferable to one sub-1:40 followed by several consecutive weekends in which I could not finish a long run.
Am I absolutely sure that toxic metals were the culprit all along? Yes, I am. I fit all of Dr. Wilson's criteria for a "very poor eliminator" of toxic metals. Since we are all exposed to the toxins, a fair amount should show up in the hair test. That only happened to me after the liver flush when I dumped out lots of copper and cadmium. Unfortunately, I only cleaned out one of MANY organs and it was not enough in the end. The rest of my hair tests showed almost zero toxic metal elimination. This evidence combined with my response to detox products is all the confirmation that I need.
Here's a history of false hopes before the TRS:
Fructosin
Magnesium
Copper and Ceruloplasmin
Sulfur Detox
Methylation
Reducing Iron Overload
Glycine Conjugation and Sarcosine
DIM plus Maca
Selenium
Finally TRS
What if the TRS fails or loses its effectiveness and I end up back with the ultra-sensitivity? I'm done. I can't hold on any longer. The ankle injury was especially frustrating because it's preventing me from seeing the detox progress. Could I run the Montreat Mile close to 7:00 now if I had a good ankle? I don't know. We shall see in a few weeks.
I read one of my random posts from 2016 on methylation and it is evident that I REALLY have come a long way in regards to the sensitivity. On one of my recent Montreat lap intervals, I was only 55 seconds faster per mile with the full doses of ALL the pills than I was with no treatment whatsoever. I bet that gap has since diminished further. That's YUGE! Yes, I want to know that the treatments are working but a healthy person should NEVER see WILD swings in performance and mood after taking just 1 freaking pill! If you've read this blog for more than just a couple of months, you know that it was not uncommon for the following to happen:
-Open with a pace over 10:00 per mile from simply skipping ONE of my many pills
-See improvements of more than 60 seconds/mile after taking just ONE DOSE!
-Continue to improve with each pill until I hit the sweet spot.
-Go backwards again after overshooting the sweet spot with extra pills.
-Find that the magic formula that worked the previous week turns to poison.
-Go through the whole thing again and again and again.
Let's hope that I am done with the above forever. The only treatment that is still a must take is Sarcosine. I'll do okay without in a sprint but the longer the distance, the uglier it gets. It took me over 40 minutes to run 4 miles without it and had slipped to 11 minute pace on the back half. By comparison, I had done 5@8:27 pace just a couple days earlier with it. Perhaps in time, my critical need for this stuff will diminish as well. If it goes off the market, I would be screwed otherwise. Again, with all the other pills, I can skip them all and barely even notice on the first day. However, I'm pretty sure that it would get uglier with each additional day off the pills. Still, being able to get by without so many of those pills would have been unthinkable just 1 year ago.
The trade off is significantly decreased speed. My average is about 2:10 for a third of a mile (6:30 pace). By comparison, I recently dipped under 5:00 pace for a 400 when I had all the pills working. On the day that I sprained my ankle, I was pretty much all out in the Montreat Mile and could only muster a 7:26. I figure that's probably the equivalent of a 7:15 on a track. I haven't done it since 2015 but I believe I was capable of a sub-6:00 on my best days with the pills. If I can run sub-5 for a quarter mile, I should go sub-6 in a full mile.
Why has this happened? Pretty simple. The toxins that had been stuck in my organs are being dumped out and thus have been released into my cells and tissues. It should not be a surprise that it gets worse before it gets better. In theory, once the toxins come out, I will feel a LOT better and should run faster BUT I said it too many times and still stand firm. Even if I never regain my lost speed, the stability and consistency that I have gained is a trade that I am happy to make. If I have to settle for being consistently around 2 hours for a half marathon, so be it. That's still preferable to one sub-1:40 followed by several consecutive weekends in which I could not finish a long run.
Am I absolutely sure that toxic metals were the culprit all along? Yes, I am. I fit all of Dr. Wilson's criteria for a "very poor eliminator" of toxic metals. Since we are all exposed to the toxins, a fair amount should show up in the hair test. That only happened to me after the liver flush when I dumped out lots of copper and cadmium. Unfortunately, I only cleaned out one of MANY organs and it was not enough in the end. The rest of my hair tests showed almost zero toxic metal elimination. This evidence combined with my response to detox products is all the confirmation that I need.
Here's a history of false hopes before the TRS:
Fructosin
Magnesium
Copper and Ceruloplasmin
Sulfur Detox
Methylation
Reducing Iron Overload
Glycine Conjugation and Sarcosine
DIM plus Maca
Selenium
Finally TRS
What if the TRS fails or loses its effectiveness and I end up back with the ultra-sensitivity? I'm done. I can't hold on any longer. The ankle injury was especially frustrating because it's preventing me from seeing the detox progress. Could I run the Montreat Mile close to 7:00 now if I had a good ankle? I don't know. We shall see in a few weeks.
Training 4/15-4/21 (race week)
4/15- Planned rest day. Perhaps a day of complete rest will allow the ankle to heal a little more.
PM- Could not pass up the chance to run in picture perfect weather conditions. 70 degree temps with low humidity and crystal clear skies. We won't see many more like that until Fall. Repeated the 3 mile distance this time on Montreat. Time is down to 25:57 (8:39 pace). MINUS 39. I figure that's probably the equivalent of a sub-25:30 on Lakeshore or a track. Splits were 8:55-8:38-8:24. My pre-injury/post-detox time for this distance was probably in the low-mid 24s so I'm getting there.
Distance=3.0
4/16- AM- 1 lap at Montreat with no pills. No Sarcosine either. Hoped for a sub-8 pace and came up just short. Finished in 2:42.5 (8:07 pace). I already knew this but there is no way that I could have come anywhere near 7-pace even with the pills so I am within 60 seconds. Whether or not I can hold a semi-respectable pace over several miles is another question.
PM- Full deck. 3 miles on Lakeshore in 24:40 (8:13 pace) MINUS 26. Added a warm and cool. That's about on par with where I was before the ankle injury right after starting TRS. Splits were 8:24-8:13-8:03 so the negative split trend continues. Hopefully, I get back under the Mendoza line next time. Race is in 4 days.
Distance=4.0
4/17-AM- Lakeshore 3 with NO treatments. Simply hoped for a sub-27 but finished with a surprising 25:42 (8:34 pace) PLUS 21. Only 62 seconds slower over 3 miles WITHOUT ANY PILL! Unthinkable just 1 month ago! The PLUS 21 is actually a little CLOSER than I wanted to see because I want to feel a noticeable boost with the pills but NOT a radical difference. I do figure that after a night of healing, I probably would have been close to 24-flat with the pills so the difference is really more like 30 per mile, which is just about EXACTLY what I want to see.
PM- Trak Shak 5 in 43:29 (8:42 pace). I downshifted the effort considerably on this session. I actually aimed for a 9-9:10 pace to get a feel for 2 hour half marathon pace. It felt much TOO EASY. Can I hold a pace of 9:09 of under for 8.1 additional miles. Got a shot at it. At the very least, I will be better than I was in Delaware.
Distance=8.0
4/18- Planned rest day. All packed up and ready to roll after I get off work. Hopefully, the bad weather holds off until night. I hope to get to Kentucky or at least past Nashville.
4/19- Planned rest day. Arrived in Iowa
4/20- Finished the Kewash half marathon. Improved my Delaware time by more than 6 minutes,
Distance=13.5
4/21- 1.5 mile junk run on the 'mill at Trump hotel.
Distance=1.5
-30 miles on the week. YTD-368
PM- Could not pass up the chance to run in picture perfect weather conditions. 70 degree temps with low humidity and crystal clear skies. We won't see many more like that until Fall. Repeated the 3 mile distance this time on Montreat. Time is down to 25:57 (8:39 pace). MINUS 39. I figure that's probably the equivalent of a sub-25:30 on Lakeshore or a track. Splits were 8:55-8:38-8:24. My pre-injury/post-detox time for this distance was probably in the low-mid 24s so I'm getting there.
Distance=3.0
4/16- AM- 1 lap at Montreat with no pills. No Sarcosine either. Hoped for a sub-8 pace and came up just short. Finished in 2:42.5 (8:07 pace). I already knew this but there is no way that I could have come anywhere near 7-pace even with the pills so I am within 60 seconds. Whether or not I can hold a semi-respectable pace over several miles is another question.
PM- Full deck. 3 miles on Lakeshore in 24:40 (8:13 pace) MINUS 26. Added a warm and cool. That's about on par with where I was before the ankle injury right after starting TRS. Splits were 8:24-8:13-8:03 so the negative split trend continues. Hopefully, I get back under the Mendoza line next time. Race is in 4 days.
Distance=4.0
4/17-AM- Lakeshore 3 with NO treatments. Simply hoped for a sub-27 but finished with a surprising 25:42 (8:34 pace) PLUS 21. Only 62 seconds slower over 3 miles WITHOUT ANY PILL! Unthinkable just 1 month ago! The PLUS 21 is actually a little CLOSER than I wanted to see because I want to feel a noticeable boost with the pills but NOT a radical difference. I do figure that after a night of healing, I probably would have been close to 24-flat with the pills so the difference is really more like 30 per mile, which is just about EXACTLY what I want to see.
PM- Trak Shak 5 in 43:29 (8:42 pace). I downshifted the effort considerably on this session. I actually aimed for a 9-9:10 pace to get a feel for 2 hour half marathon pace. It felt much TOO EASY. Can I hold a pace of 9:09 of under for 8.1 additional miles. Got a shot at it. At the very least, I will be better than I was in Delaware.
Distance=8.0
4/18- Planned rest day. All packed up and ready to roll after I get off work. Hopefully, the bad weather holds off until night. I hope to get to Kentucky or at least past Nashville.
4/19- Planned rest day. Arrived in Iowa
4/20- Finished the Kewash half marathon. Improved my Delaware time by more than 6 minutes,
Distance=13.5
4/21- 1.5 mile junk run on the 'mill at Trump hotel.
Distance=1.5
-30 miles on the week. YTD-368
Monday, April 8, 2019
Training 4/8-4/14
4/8- Unplanned rest day. I figure the ankle is as bad as it will get upon rising this morning. It's sore and swollen and I'm limping pretty badly but thankfully, it is not bruised and I can put weight on it. Very unlikely that it is broken. If it's a Grade 1, I still have a chance to be recovered by race day. If it's Grade 2, I'm out for a month. No chance that it's Grade 3 or I could not walk at all. I'll know by the middle-end of this week.
4/9- Swelling has gone down and I am walking "almost normal" but I am still in no condition to run and am unlikely to be able to do so for the next few days at least. I do believe it is only a Grade 1 sprain but I remain very iffy for Iowa in just 11 days.
4/10- Clearly improving and may be only a few days away from being able to do light jogging. Today, I walked around the parking lot in the morning and did a few steps of "jogging." It didn't hurt that much but I could not pick up any speed at all. Swelling is almost gone and am walking normally but it's still too sore.
PM- Very gingerly jogged 1 lap around Montreat in 4:30 (13:30 pace). Don't think I made it any worse. I'll try to beat it tomorrow. Walked a lap for a cool
Distance=1.0
4/11- AM- 1 lap at Montreat. A bit less pain though the first few steps were rough. Once I got in rhythm, it wasn't too painful but I could not get any kind of stride going. Time improved to 3:47 (11:21 pace) MINUS 2:09. Here's how bad the detox reaction is: My time was MUCH WORSE after the first spray of TRS than it was just 4 days after a sprained ankle.
I may have to downgrade the distance but I do expect to be able to run in 9 days so the trip is a GO. I fully expected to be almost recovered within 2-3 weeks. How the detox will play out is another matter. That could take 2 years and even then, long-term success is not guaranteed.
PM- 2 laps at Montreat in 6:55 (10:22 pace). MINUS 59. I was hoping for a sub-10 pace and I fell short. I was still nearly 1 minute faster per mile over double the distance. Splits were 3:32-3:23 so I did pick up the pace at the end and I really don't think I am hurting myself by being out here so soon after the injury.
Distance=1.0
4/12- Got through 2 miles at Gold's in 19:52 (9:56 pace). MINUS 26 over triple the distance. Goal was to get under 20 and I made it but I felt a little down about this one. That's probably because I've got such a LOOONG way to go to get back to respectability.
Distance=2.0
4/13- Repeated the 2 mile distance this time out and back on Lakeshore. Improved to 18:12 (9:06 pace) MINUS 50. Ankle remains sore but the pain is manageable. Encouraged by my splits of 9:22-8:50. Even with the ankle at 100%, I don't think I am much better than 16 minutes over this distance. Can I do anything more to reduce the detox symptoms? Maybe temporary use of an adrenal glandular will help. With 7 days to go until race day, I expect to be able to run the half in Iowa but just like Delaware, there will be no time goal. All I have to do is average a 13:45 pace to finish within the time limit and I certainly should be able to do that.
Distance=2.0
4/14- AM- 2x1 lap on Montreat. Opened with a 2:56 (8:48 pace) then actually slipped to a 3:04 (9:12 pace) PLUS 24 after taking 2 adrenal glandulars. Added a 1 lap cool. Well, I know it's not the answer but I had to take 2 pills to trigger a reaction strong enough to be considered significant. That's good. I want to know quickly if a pill is not good for me but do NOT want the massive reactions.
PM- 3 miles on Lakeshore so I could hit double digits this week. Finished in 27:53 (9:18 pace) with another negative split. Comparable pace to yesterday over an extra mile in spite of the glandulars. I accept this result. Tried Niacin in a final effort to increase the detox speed. I got the expected flush but it was a non-factor in the workout so it will not be taken again. I've done all that I can and have to accept the final outcome, which is likely to be decreased speed but more consistency. I've said many times that it's a deal that I was willing to make and stand by it today.
Distance=4.0
-10 miles on the week. YTD= 338
4/9- Swelling has gone down and I am walking "almost normal" but I am still in no condition to run and am unlikely to be able to do so for the next few days at least. I do believe it is only a Grade 1 sprain but I remain very iffy for Iowa in just 11 days.
4/10- Clearly improving and may be only a few days away from being able to do light jogging. Today, I walked around the parking lot in the morning and did a few steps of "jogging." It didn't hurt that much but I could not pick up any speed at all. Swelling is almost gone and am walking normally but it's still too sore.
PM- Very gingerly jogged 1 lap around Montreat in 4:30 (13:30 pace). Don't think I made it any worse. I'll try to beat it tomorrow. Walked a lap for a cool
Distance=1.0
4/11- AM- 1 lap at Montreat. A bit less pain though the first few steps were rough. Once I got in rhythm, it wasn't too painful but I could not get any kind of stride going. Time improved to 3:47 (11:21 pace) MINUS 2:09. Here's how bad the detox reaction is: My time was MUCH WORSE after the first spray of TRS than it was just 4 days after a sprained ankle.
I may have to downgrade the distance but I do expect to be able to run in 9 days so the trip is a GO. I fully expected to be almost recovered within 2-3 weeks. How the detox will play out is another matter. That could take 2 years and even then, long-term success is not guaranteed.
PM- 2 laps at Montreat in 6:55 (10:22 pace). MINUS 59. I was hoping for a sub-10 pace and I fell short. I was still nearly 1 minute faster per mile over double the distance. Splits were 3:32-3:23 so I did pick up the pace at the end and I really don't think I am hurting myself by being out here so soon after the injury.
Distance=1.0
4/12- Got through 2 miles at Gold's in 19:52 (9:56 pace). MINUS 26 over triple the distance. Goal was to get under 20 and I made it but I felt a little down about this one. That's probably because I've got such a LOOONG way to go to get back to respectability.
Distance=2.0
4/13- Repeated the 2 mile distance this time out and back on Lakeshore. Improved to 18:12 (9:06 pace) MINUS 50. Ankle remains sore but the pain is manageable. Encouraged by my splits of 9:22-8:50. Even with the ankle at 100%, I don't think I am much better than 16 minutes over this distance. Can I do anything more to reduce the detox symptoms? Maybe temporary use of an adrenal glandular will help. With 7 days to go until race day, I expect to be able to run the half in Iowa but just like Delaware, there will be no time goal. All I have to do is average a 13:45 pace to finish within the time limit and I certainly should be able to do that.
Distance=2.0
4/14- AM- 2x1 lap on Montreat. Opened with a 2:56 (8:48 pace) then actually slipped to a 3:04 (9:12 pace) PLUS 24 after taking 2 adrenal glandulars. Added a 1 lap cool. Well, I know it's not the answer but I had to take 2 pills to trigger a reaction strong enough to be considered significant. That's good. I want to know quickly if a pill is not good for me but do NOT want the massive reactions.
PM- 3 miles on Lakeshore so I could hit double digits this week. Finished in 27:53 (9:18 pace) with another negative split. Comparable pace to yesterday over an extra mile in spite of the glandulars. I accept this result. Tried Niacin in a final effort to increase the detox speed. I got the expected flush but it was a non-factor in the workout so it will not be taken again. I've done all that I can and have to accept the final outcome, which is likely to be decreased speed but more consistency. I've said many times that it's a deal that I was willing to make and stand by it today.
Distance=4.0
-10 miles on the week. YTD= 338
Monday, April 1, 2019
Training 4/1-4/7
4/1- AM- Yesterday, my floor without Selenium was a 9:45 pace while the ceiling was a 6:57 pace. Today, my floor was a less horrible 8:36 pace with a ceiling of 6:30. The gap has decreased from 2:48 to 2:06 and the ceiling went higher. That is exactly what I want to see. Total distance was 1.5 this session.
PM- Lakeshore 2.5 on the bottom leg. Finished in 20:30 (8:12 pace). I was at 10:30 at the turnaround then rallied for a 10-flat on the back half for an even 8 pace. The trend of negative splits is back. In other news, the TRS has arrived. I've seen miraculous testimonials about this stuff. Unfortunately, the detox reactions can be brutal the first couple of days.
Distance=4.0
4/2- AM-Could not resist giving TRS a try. In no big surprise, the body tightened up immediately after just 1 spray but I was noticeably better after urinating. That's exactly what is supposed to happen. The TRS binds with the toxins, which are then released in the urine. As for the workout, it was brutally ugly even after peeing some of it out.
Opener with TRS but no pills- 4:20.7. That's right FOUR TWENTY. (13:02 pace)
With all pills except Selenium- 4:10 (12:30 pace) MINUS 32
Full dose of Selenium- 3:46 (11:18 pace). MINUS 72.
Anything positive that I can take from this? Yes. The gap between the floor and the ceiling has diminished again. From 2:06 down to 1:44. As a percentage, the gap is even smaller. It will be under 60 seconds by the end of the week if the current trends continue. I wasn't sure if the Selenium would be effective on the TRS but yes, it still is. Though both the DIM and the Selenium are effective, I don't think they will be enough to get ALL the toxins out. TRS might.
I predict that once the initial shock reaction wears off, I will just as dependent on TRS as I was on the DIM and Selenium. I'll be awful without the TRS and better with it. I will require 5+ sprays but do no worse on more. Eventually, the demand for it will diminish and it will be preventative maintenance.
PM- Expected to see some improvement after 9 hours but I didn't expect this much.
Opened with a 2:59.7 (8:59 pace) MINUS 2:19 (MASSIVE!) Decided to try another spray knowing that the next interval would not be anywhere near 3:00 but I didn't know if it would be better or worse. Finished the next one in 2:30.0 (7:30 pace). MINUS 89. Added a 1 lap cool. Tomorrow, I am going aggressive with the full 5 sprays. Total gap between the first and last interval on the day was a MIND BOGGLING 5:32! I repeat FIVE THIRTY TWO!!!
Distance=2.0
4/3- AM-Opener with no treatments- 3:34 (10:42 pace). About as expected. Pretty awful but not nearly as bad as yesterday morning. Went aggressive with 5 sprays of TRS and in what is not a surprise, it was too much. Nevertheless, I did improve to a 2:56 (8:48 pace). On the last interval, I took all my usual pills and managed to nip yesterday's best with a 2:28 (7:24 pace). After the workout, I confirmed that I was too aggressive with the TRS as I was noticeably worse after another 2 sprays.
Analysis:
The TRS gap is a MASSIVE 1:54 and it is actually even higher than that. I would have done better on 3-4 sprays than 5 today. Still, I'm sticking with 5. The more aggressive I am, the faster the toxins are expelled. I predict that soon, 5 sprays will work best and I won't be hurt by taking extra. The pills gap has been reduced to 84 seconds so I'm in the double digits now. When that drops below 60, I can reduce the Selenium. The overall gap is at least 3:18.
PM- Trak Shak 3 in 28:39 (9:33 pace). Brutal detox symptoms. Did manage a slight negative split.
Distance=4.0
4/4-AM- Opener with no treatment- 2:50.6 (8:31 pace).
All treatments including TRS (5 sprays)- 2:20.1 (7:00 pace) MINUS 91
Extra TRS- 2:18.8 (6:56 pace) MINUS 4
Reaction:
Very pleased overall. The floor has really shot up. Much faster than I anticipated but I would like to see more improvement in the ceiling. If I can't go much below 7:00 pace for a third of a mile, I won't be much below 8:00 in a full mile. Still, I believe that I am not far away from being able to run 6.5 @ sub-9 without treatment. If I can do that, I should get a sub-2 in Iowa. The gap has been reduced to double digits and I believe it will be under 60 by the end of the week.
PM- Montreat 3 in 25:27 (8:29 pace). Much improved from yesterday. Splits were 8:35-8:34-8:18. At least for the short term, I may be in a pattern with a higher floor but a lower ceiling. It's a trade that I am willing to make. This was still a struggle every step of the way and never did feel good by any stretch. I've committed to the detox and must see it through. 2 weeks until I leave on my trip. There will be no further adjustments to the formula.
Distance=4.0
4/5- Planned rest day. I deserve one. Saturday's weather looks rough. May try to run long on Sunday.
4/6- AM- Weather is good after all but no long run today. Maybe tomorrow. More intervals.
Opener- 2:30.0 (7:30 pace)
Full deck- 2:11.8 (6:35 pace)
Untimed cool down lap
The gap is down to 55 seconds and though I did feel a difference with the treatment, it was not like night vs day. I predict that the gap will continue to diminish but settle somewhere between 15-30. That's what I want to see. I want to know that the pills are working but be able to get by without them if need be. Again and Again I say, a single dose should NEVER cause such strong reactions whether they are positive or negative unless something else is in play. While the floor rose by 61 seconds, the ceiling only came up by 21 and a 6:35 pace for a third of a mile is a pretty weak effort. Still, as I've said many times, stability at the expense of speed is a price that I am willing to pay.
PM- Lakeshore 5 in 42:15 (8:27 pace). Marginally faster than last time but it was 2 miles longer. 1st half- 21:17, 2nd half- 20:58. Negative splits continue but with smaller margins. If I can hold this pace for another 8.1 miles, I'll come in just under 1:51. I was 41 seconds per mile under a 2 hour pace. With 2 weeks to go, barring a relapse, I like my chances. Again and again I say, I don't want to see big improvements from one day to the next. If the treatment is working, you should not feel much different from one day to the next but improvement becomes evident over several weeks.
Distance=6.0
4/7- FAILED again. 4 miles in 40:45 (10:11 pace). Struggled out of the gate and completely collapsed after 2 miles. 1st half- 18:45, 2nd half- 22:00. I forgot to take the Sarcosine and yes, I did notice an improvement after I did take it. Not a surprise but it was disappointing. I might do okay in a sprint without a key pill but the longer the distance, the uglier it gets. Perhaps extra pills could have saved me in Delaware.
PM- 1 mile at Montreat. Time was acceptable at 7:26 but the bad news came at the finish line. I tripped over a pine cone and sprained my ankle. How bad? Fortunately, I expect to be able to run in Iowa. It's a little sore and swollen but it's not bruised so it's likely a Grade 1. THIS SUCKS! It's often been my history that every time I am on the verge of a breakthrough, I get a freak injury or illness.
Distance=5.0
-25 miles on the week. YTD- 328
PM- Lakeshore 2.5 on the bottom leg. Finished in 20:30 (8:12 pace). I was at 10:30 at the turnaround then rallied for a 10-flat on the back half for an even 8 pace. The trend of negative splits is back. In other news, the TRS has arrived. I've seen miraculous testimonials about this stuff. Unfortunately, the detox reactions can be brutal the first couple of days.
Distance=4.0
4/2- AM-Could not resist giving TRS a try. In no big surprise, the body tightened up immediately after just 1 spray but I was noticeably better after urinating. That's exactly what is supposed to happen. The TRS binds with the toxins, which are then released in the urine. As for the workout, it was brutally ugly even after peeing some of it out.
Opener with TRS but no pills- 4:20.7. That's right FOUR TWENTY. (13:02 pace)
With all pills except Selenium- 4:10 (12:30 pace) MINUS 32
Full dose of Selenium- 3:46 (11:18 pace). MINUS 72.
Anything positive that I can take from this? Yes. The gap between the floor and the ceiling has diminished again. From 2:06 down to 1:44. As a percentage, the gap is even smaller. It will be under 60 seconds by the end of the week if the current trends continue. I wasn't sure if the Selenium would be effective on the TRS but yes, it still is. Though both the DIM and the Selenium are effective, I don't think they will be enough to get ALL the toxins out. TRS might.
I predict that once the initial shock reaction wears off, I will just as dependent on TRS as I was on the DIM and Selenium. I'll be awful without the TRS and better with it. I will require 5+ sprays but do no worse on more. Eventually, the demand for it will diminish and it will be preventative maintenance.
PM- Expected to see some improvement after 9 hours but I didn't expect this much.
Opened with a 2:59.7 (8:59 pace) MINUS 2:19 (MASSIVE!) Decided to try another spray knowing that the next interval would not be anywhere near 3:00 but I didn't know if it would be better or worse. Finished the next one in 2:30.0 (7:30 pace). MINUS 89. Added a 1 lap cool. Tomorrow, I am going aggressive with the full 5 sprays. Total gap between the first and last interval on the day was a MIND BOGGLING 5:32! I repeat FIVE THIRTY TWO!!!
Distance=2.0
4/3- AM-Opener with no treatments- 3:34 (10:42 pace). About as expected. Pretty awful but not nearly as bad as yesterday morning. Went aggressive with 5 sprays of TRS and in what is not a surprise, it was too much. Nevertheless, I did improve to a 2:56 (8:48 pace). On the last interval, I took all my usual pills and managed to nip yesterday's best with a 2:28 (7:24 pace). After the workout, I confirmed that I was too aggressive with the TRS as I was noticeably worse after another 2 sprays.
Analysis:
The TRS gap is a MASSIVE 1:54 and it is actually even higher than that. I would have done better on 3-4 sprays than 5 today. Still, I'm sticking with 5. The more aggressive I am, the faster the toxins are expelled. I predict that soon, 5 sprays will work best and I won't be hurt by taking extra. The pills gap has been reduced to 84 seconds so I'm in the double digits now. When that drops below 60, I can reduce the Selenium. The overall gap is at least 3:18.
PM- Trak Shak 3 in 28:39 (9:33 pace). Brutal detox symptoms. Did manage a slight negative split.
Distance=4.0
4/4-AM- Opener with no treatment- 2:50.6 (8:31 pace).
All treatments including TRS (5 sprays)- 2:20.1 (7:00 pace) MINUS 91
Extra TRS- 2:18.8 (6:56 pace) MINUS 4
Reaction:
Very pleased overall. The floor has really shot up. Much faster than I anticipated but I would like to see more improvement in the ceiling. If I can't go much below 7:00 pace for a third of a mile, I won't be much below 8:00 in a full mile. Still, I believe that I am not far away from being able to run 6.5 @ sub-9 without treatment. If I can do that, I should get a sub-2 in Iowa. The gap has been reduced to double digits and I believe it will be under 60 by the end of the week.
PM- Montreat 3 in 25:27 (8:29 pace). Much improved from yesterday. Splits were 8:35-8:34-8:18. At least for the short term, I may be in a pattern with a higher floor but a lower ceiling. It's a trade that I am willing to make. This was still a struggle every step of the way and never did feel good by any stretch. I've committed to the detox and must see it through. 2 weeks until I leave on my trip. There will be no further adjustments to the formula.
Distance=4.0
4/5- Planned rest day. I deserve one. Saturday's weather looks rough. May try to run long on Sunday.
4/6- AM- Weather is good after all but no long run today. Maybe tomorrow. More intervals.
Opener- 2:30.0 (7:30 pace)
Full deck- 2:11.8 (6:35 pace)
Untimed cool down lap
The gap is down to 55 seconds and though I did feel a difference with the treatment, it was not like night vs day. I predict that the gap will continue to diminish but settle somewhere between 15-30. That's what I want to see. I want to know that the pills are working but be able to get by without them if need be. Again and Again I say, a single dose should NEVER cause such strong reactions whether they are positive or negative unless something else is in play. While the floor rose by 61 seconds, the ceiling only came up by 21 and a 6:35 pace for a third of a mile is a pretty weak effort. Still, as I've said many times, stability at the expense of speed is a price that I am willing to pay.
PM- Lakeshore 5 in 42:15 (8:27 pace). Marginally faster than last time but it was 2 miles longer. 1st half- 21:17, 2nd half- 20:58. Negative splits continue but with smaller margins. If I can hold this pace for another 8.1 miles, I'll come in just under 1:51. I was 41 seconds per mile under a 2 hour pace. With 2 weeks to go, barring a relapse, I like my chances. Again and again I say, I don't want to see big improvements from one day to the next. If the treatment is working, you should not feel much different from one day to the next but improvement becomes evident over several weeks.
Distance=6.0
4/7- FAILED again. 4 miles in 40:45 (10:11 pace). Struggled out of the gate and completely collapsed after 2 miles. 1st half- 18:45, 2nd half- 22:00. I forgot to take the Sarcosine and yes, I did notice an improvement after I did take it. Not a surprise but it was disappointing. I might do okay in a sprint without a key pill but the longer the distance, the uglier it gets. Perhaps extra pills could have saved me in Delaware.
PM- 1 mile at Montreat. Time was acceptable at 7:26 but the bad news came at the finish line. I tripped over a pine cone and sprained my ankle. How bad? Fortunately, I expect to be able to run in Iowa. It's a little sore and swollen but it's not bruised so it's likely a Grade 1. THIS SUCKS! It's often been my history that every time I am on the verge of a breakthrough, I get a freak injury or illness.
Distance=5.0
-25 miles on the week. YTD- 328
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Changes to the Remaining States
I'd like to double again in New England and knock out those states in fewer trips but I've got to face the facts: I am simply not in shape to run 13.1 miles on back to back days no matter how slow the pace. That seems unlikely to change at least in the near term. 12 states to go:
Iowa- This is the next one. The race is called the Kewash race in the town of Washington, just south of Iowa City. I'm stopping in St. Louis, Chicago and Springfield.
Rhode Island- I'd like to double here with Connecticut but that's not happening. I suppose that I could do one 7 day trip on back to back weekends or a pair of 2-3 day trips. I'm going with the latter option. I've not been to Providence so I'll fly up and back within 2 days and won't have to rent a car.
Washington- Seattle RNR. This will be an epic trip to Vancouver, BC, the Oregon coast and Mt. Ranier NP.
Connecticut- There is a free entry race in August in the coastal town of New London. I'll fly to Boston, maybe hit Fenway Park, then race. After that, I will spend a day on the beach.
New Jersey- Another one and done. Fly to Newark, take Uber. Race in Jersey City. Leave. I may be able to swing a trip to visit my parents to break up the trip home.
Maine- There are several in Bar Harbor and that's good because that's plenty for a stand alone trip. I could see Acadia NP and nearby Quebec City.
New Hampshire- In another change, the current pick is the NH-VT Covered Bridge race in June. As the name implies, half the race is in Vermont but that still counts for NH because it starts and finishes in the state. The race is right on the Canadian border so I'll fly to Burlington, VT and go to Montreal and Ottawa. In Burlington, Lake Champlain is really nice with views of the Adirondacks.
Maryland- Salisbury is my top pick but if there is a conflict, I'd be fine with Ocean City. Either way, I fly into Philly and drive down the Delmarva peninsula then come back through Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay.
Utah- There are 3 options in Cottonwood just south of Salt Lake City. I'd opt for late-Spring or early Summer so I can see Twin Falls, Idaho at its peak (Niagara of the West). From there, I will see Moab and Bryce Canyon.
Minnesota- Tried to do this last year but the distance was cut short due to heat and humidity. Don't think I can count it. Fly to Fargo. Race in Fergus Falls. Go to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
South Dakota- Spearfish Canyon. See Mt. Rushmore, Badlands NP and Regina, Saskatchewan.
Hawaii- #50. The race is in November in Honolulu.
Iowa- This is the next one. The race is called the Kewash race in the town of Washington, just south of Iowa City. I'm stopping in St. Louis, Chicago and Springfield.
Rhode Island- I'd like to double here with Connecticut but that's not happening. I suppose that I could do one 7 day trip on back to back weekends or a pair of 2-3 day trips. I'm going with the latter option. I've not been to Providence so I'll fly up and back within 2 days and won't have to rent a car.
Washington- Seattle RNR. This will be an epic trip to Vancouver, BC, the Oregon coast and Mt. Ranier NP.
Connecticut- There is a free entry race in August in the coastal town of New London. I'll fly to Boston, maybe hit Fenway Park, then race. After that, I will spend a day on the beach.
New Jersey- Another one and done. Fly to Newark, take Uber. Race in Jersey City. Leave. I may be able to swing a trip to visit my parents to break up the trip home.
Maine- There are several in Bar Harbor and that's good because that's plenty for a stand alone trip. I could see Acadia NP and nearby Quebec City.
New Hampshire- In another change, the current pick is the NH-VT Covered Bridge race in June. As the name implies, half the race is in Vermont but that still counts for NH because it starts and finishes in the state. The race is right on the Canadian border so I'll fly to Burlington, VT and go to Montreal and Ottawa. In Burlington, Lake Champlain is really nice with views of the Adirondacks.
Maryland- Salisbury is my top pick but if there is a conflict, I'd be fine with Ocean City. Either way, I fly into Philly and drive down the Delmarva peninsula then come back through Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay.
Utah- There are 3 options in Cottonwood just south of Salt Lake City. I'd opt for late-Spring or early Summer so I can see Twin Falls, Idaho at its peak (Niagara of the West). From there, I will see Moab and Bryce Canyon.
Minnesota- Tried to do this last year but the distance was cut short due to heat and humidity. Don't think I can count it. Fly to Fargo. Race in Fergus Falls. Go to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
South Dakota- Spearfish Canyon. See Mt. Rushmore, Badlands NP and Regina, Saskatchewan.
Hawaii- #50. The race is in November in Honolulu.
Monday, March 25, 2019
Training 3/25-3/31
3/25- Planned rest day. Got back home at 10:45 PM last night and took off work in the morning. I have some interesting ideas going forward and I'll post about it shortly. Still not sure what to make of the race. I'm somewhat encouraged that I held it together for 10 miles but dying THAT badly in the last 5K going downhill is clearly abnormal. My pace instantly slowed by 3 minutes and that's never happened to me in a race before. It has in workouts but if the meltdown happens, it's always been within the first 5 miles. Let's hope for better in 4 weeks time in Iowa.
3/26- AM. Opener with NO pills at all. Not even Mag or Sarcosine last night. Managed a 2:23 (7:09 pace) on tired legs. Just 1 second slower than last time, which was done on all pills except for DIM and Maca. With a stacked deck, I improved to 2:10 (6:30 pace) MINUS 39. Added a 1 lap cool. Yes, that is a significant gain but not the night/day difference that I have come to expect. That is EXCELLENT news. I want to see gains because I know the pills are working but knowing that I can get by for at least a day without them is YUGE! Let's hope the moving targets and extreme reactions are gone FOREVER! I won't celebrate too soon. This was only a 480 meter trial. I doubt that I could hold a respectable pace for 2-3 miles without pills. Even with a stacked deck, 10 miles is my limit.
PM- Just want to ease back in as my legs remain very sore. 2 mile junk run on Lakeshore with no watch. Tomorrow, I will see how long I can hold a respectable pace without pills. I predict that I will start off reasonably well then fade suddenly after about 1.5-2 miles but the DIM will lead to a resurgence and allow me to go longer.
Distance=3.0
3/27- 2.5 miler on Lakeshore in the morning. First 2 miles were without pills in 16:38 (8:19 pace). It was run at standard effort. Did not feel good by any stretch of the imagination but I kept expecting a meltdown to come any minute. It never happened. I was 8:17 at the Mile mark and though the 2nd mile caused a bit more strain, I was quite surprised to see an 8:21 split. Took a short rest and got a definite boost on DIM. Ran the next half mile in 3:35 (7:10 pace). This seems like a TON better but it was only a quarter of the distance and I did turn up the effort a bit. If I had repeated yesterday's AM intervals, I bet the results would have been similar. That's it for today. It won't be tomorrow but I want to see if I can make it 5 miles without pills. If I can do that, I'll bet that I've improved to the point in which I can go beyond 10 with them and should get a sub-2 in Iowa.
Distance=2.5
3/28- Canterbury 3.5 miler with no watch. Soreness has diminished from the race so it's time to get serious again. Easy effort and low key affair. We'll see how I do without pills tomorrow.
Distance=3.5
3/29- Lakeshore 4 with NO pills in 34:20 (8:35 pace). Pleased with this one. Negative split too. Back half was 16:48, which is only 10 ticks slower than last time, which was stand alone 2 mile. This one felt easier too and I never got the premonition that the meltdown was just around the corner. I'll try to get to 6.5 next week and have little doubt that I can do it. If so, I'm sure I can do 13 with pills and should expect a sub-2.
Distance=4.0
3/30- FAILED long run. Collapsed after 3 then slow jogged 1 mile before the walk of shame. The culprit was Selenium, which is a new pill. I tried it because it is a strong Arsenic antagonist. Is it detox or intolerance? I'm betting that it is detox. If so, I am NEARLY CERTAIN that Arsenic has been the primary problem for all these years. Yes, Lead and Mercury are likely in play as well but it is Arsenic that caused all that sensitivity.
Distance=4.0
Update:
Felt somewhat better after a couple trips to the toilet. I'm nearly certain that it is detox. I predict that I'll have to go very slow early then the demand will shoot up then stabilize.
3/31- Junk intervals. 5x480 at Montreat plus a cool down lap. Opened with all the pills, including DIM, but no Selenium.
Opener- 3:15 (9:45 pace)
Trace of Se- 2:55 (8:45 pace). MINUS 60
1 pill- 2:41 (8:03 pace). MINUS 42
2 pills- 2:32 (7:36 pace) MINUS 27
4 pills- 2:27 (7:21 pace) MINUS 15
In another about face, Selenium wasn't tolerated yesterday but it has become necessary today. That's actually a fairly common occurrence. Once I set the detox in motion, I've got to continue with it. The gap between the opener and the stacked deck is a staggering 2:24 per mile but most of the gains came on the first pill. I may eventually demand more Se but the gap will eventually close as it did with the DIM. Bring on the detox! Arsenic is deadly and must be eliminated.
PM- Energy was fading in the afternoon and as I suspected, more Selenium was needed.
Slipped to a 2:44 on the next lap (8:12 pace). PLUS 51 then popped 2 more pills and was all the way down to a 2:19 (6:57 pace) MINUS 75. Added a cool. The gap between the floor and the ceiling is now a massive 2:48. Now, let's see that come down starting tomorrow.
Distance=3.0
-Measly 20 miles on the week but I am up to 303 on the year so I am on pace for 1212.
3/26- AM. Opener with NO pills at all. Not even Mag or Sarcosine last night. Managed a 2:23 (7:09 pace) on tired legs. Just 1 second slower than last time, which was done on all pills except for DIM and Maca. With a stacked deck, I improved to 2:10 (6:30 pace) MINUS 39. Added a 1 lap cool. Yes, that is a significant gain but not the night/day difference that I have come to expect. That is EXCELLENT news. I want to see gains because I know the pills are working but knowing that I can get by for at least a day without them is YUGE! Let's hope the moving targets and extreme reactions are gone FOREVER! I won't celebrate too soon. This was only a 480 meter trial. I doubt that I could hold a respectable pace for 2-3 miles without pills. Even with a stacked deck, 10 miles is my limit.
PM- Just want to ease back in as my legs remain very sore. 2 mile junk run on Lakeshore with no watch. Tomorrow, I will see how long I can hold a respectable pace without pills. I predict that I will start off reasonably well then fade suddenly after about 1.5-2 miles but the DIM will lead to a resurgence and allow me to go longer.
Distance=3.0
3/27- 2.5 miler on Lakeshore in the morning. First 2 miles were without pills in 16:38 (8:19 pace). It was run at standard effort. Did not feel good by any stretch of the imagination but I kept expecting a meltdown to come any minute. It never happened. I was 8:17 at the Mile mark and though the 2nd mile caused a bit more strain, I was quite surprised to see an 8:21 split. Took a short rest and got a definite boost on DIM. Ran the next half mile in 3:35 (7:10 pace). This seems like a TON better but it was only a quarter of the distance and I did turn up the effort a bit. If I had repeated yesterday's AM intervals, I bet the results would have been similar. That's it for today. It won't be tomorrow but I want to see if I can make it 5 miles without pills. If I can do that, I'll bet that I've improved to the point in which I can go beyond 10 with them and should get a sub-2 in Iowa.
Distance=2.5
3/28- Canterbury 3.5 miler with no watch. Soreness has diminished from the race so it's time to get serious again. Easy effort and low key affair. We'll see how I do without pills tomorrow.
Distance=3.5
3/29- Lakeshore 4 with NO pills in 34:20 (8:35 pace). Pleased with this one. Negative split too. Back half was 16:48, which is only 10 ticks slower than last time, which was stand alone 2 mile. This one felt easier too and I never got the premonition that the meltdown was just around the corner. I'll try to get to 6.5 next week and have little doubt that I can do it. If so, I'm sure I can do 13 with pills and should expect a sub-2.
Distance=4.0
3/30- FAILED long run. Collapsed after 3 then slow jogged 1 mile before the walk of shame. The culprit was Selenium, which is a new pill. I tried it because it is a strong Arsenic antagonist. Is it detox or intolerance? I'm betting that it is detox. If so, I am NEARLY CERTAIN that Arsenic has been the primary problem for all these years. Yes, Lead and Mercury are likely in play as well but it is Arsenic that caused all that sensitivity.
Distance=4.0
Update:
Felt somewhat better after a couple trips to the toilet. I'm nearly certain that it is detox. I predict that I'll have to go very slow early then the demand will shoot up then stabilize.
3/31- Junk intervals. 5x480 at Montreat plus a cool down lap. Opened with all the pills, including DIM, but no Selenium.
Opener- 3:15 (9:45 pace)
Trace of Se- 2:55 (8:45 pace). MINUS 60
1 pill- 2:41 (8:03 pace). MINUS 42
2 pills- 2:32 (7:36 pace) MINUS 27
4 pills- 2:27 (7:21 pace) MINUS 15
In another about face, Selenium wasn't tolerated yesterday but it has become necessary today. That's actually a fairly common occurrence. Once I set the detox in motion, I've got to continue with it. The gap between the opener and the stacked deck is a staggering 2:24 per mile but most of the gains came on the first pill. I may eventually demand more Se but the gap will eventually close as it did with the DIM. Bring on the detox! Arsenic is deadly and must be eliminated.
PM- Energy was fading in the afternoon and as I suspected, more Selenium was needed.
Slipped to a 2:44 on the next lap (8:12 pace). PLUS 51 then popped 2 more pills and was all the way down to a 2:19 (6:57 pace) MINUS 75. Added a cool. The gap between the floor and the ceiling is now a massive 2:48. Now, let's see that come down starting tomorrow.
Distance=3.0
-Measly 20 miles on the week but I am up to 303 on the year so I am on pace for 1212.
Caesar Rodney/Philadelphia Trip Report
No issues on the direct flight from Birmingham to Philadelphia. I landed around 2 PM and picked up my rental car, which was a Chevrolet Malibu. First stop was the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is about 20 minutes from the airport. I wasn't interested in the museum at all. I was there to pay tribute to one of my longtime heroes, Rocky Balboa. Who cares if he's fictional? I stood on his footprints and snapped a picture of his statue and the view from the top then gingerly ran up the stairs while protecting my sore knees.
From there, I picked up Market Street to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was actually signed. I did get to see the Liberty Bell and tried to get advance tickets to see Independence Hall but unfortunately, tickets are only sold on the same day and on a first come first serve basis. The Ranger told me that it is usually sold out before noon. My parents know the offensive adjective that I use to describe policies like this one but I won't repeat it on this blog. There was no way that I could get back to Philadelphia in time after tomorrow's race. I ended up taking a stroll through Market Street and a short drive on Broad Street. Dinner was a pretty good roast beef sandwich at a local tavern.
It was now time to head south on I-95 to Delaware for the race in Wilmington. I took a 20 minute detour through New Jersey for no particular reason. Yes, I've been to both New Jersey and Delaware before but not in the last 15 years. Though just across the river from south Philly, this area was flat and rural. I didn't see a store until I was within about 4 miles of the 295 bridge to Delaware. At any rate, I arrived in Wilmington just after twilight and settled in to my hotel, which was less than 1 mile from the Start/Finish Line.
The race didn't start until 9:30 AM, which I liked because it enabled me to sleep in a bit. The day dawned clear and quite chilly but warmed up nicely by mid-morning. I was fine in a long tech with shorts. Running with an iffy knee and highly toxic metals being dumped from my organs into my tissues, I had no time goal. I just wanted to finish and expected it to be a death march. I nearly downgraded to the 5K but decided to chance it in the half marathon.
Delaware may be mostly flat but this course was a challenge. After an all downhill first mile, which passed comfortably in 8:13, the course was nearly dead flat for the next 4 miles. From the elevation chart, it appeared that Miles 5-8 would be tough (200 ft elevation gain) then it went back downhill before a mean climb just before the finish. Mile 2 was nearly as fast and I knew I could not hold it so I wisely backed in down. The next 4 miles were all in the 8:45 range and I passed the halfway point around 56:20, well on track for a sub-2 hour finish even with the hills ahead.
It turned out the elevation chart was deceptive. Mile 5 was flat. 6 had a gradual hill followed by a long steady decline that gave back most of the previous elevation gain. 7 and 8 were all uphill and it was a fairly significant grade so most of the 200 feet of gain came in less than 2 miles. I thought the hills were over after Mile 8 but it flattened out then turned back uphill in Mile 9 and 10. My pace faded to the 9:30 range but I was keeping up with my pack and was still under 90 at 10 miles. Normally, if I can make it 5 miles in relative comfort, I most likely finish respectably. For whatever reason, I suffered my worst meltdown ever from that point on and the downhill did nothing to increase my pace. The crash was as sudden as it was complete. I had to walk/ very slow jog it in but I finished. The knee held up okay. I simply ran out of energy. 40 race states. 38 official half marathon states. The only thing that may have saved me was if I carried extra DIM. Since my system demanded more of it, I was untested beyond 4 miles.
I checked out of my hotel then headed back up 95 to Philadelphia. I took a short walk on a riverside trail, which is popular with the running community and captured some nice shots of the city skyline. Eventually, I made it back to Market Street with about 2 hours to tour before I would have to leave for the airport. My choices were a 57 story observation deck or the Ben Franklin museum. Since I just saw some nice skyline views by the river, I opted for the Franklin museum. It was small but quite interesting. Driving back through the city was somewhat stressful with detours and construction but I made it back to the airport in plenty of time. The return trip also went without a hitch.
 |
| Rocky Steps |
From there, I picked up Market Street to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was actually signed. I did get to see the Liberty Bell and tried to get advance tickets to see Independence Hall but unfortunately, tickets are only sold on the same day and on a first come first serve basis. The Ranger told me that it is usually sold out before noon. My parents know the offensive adjective that I use to describe policies like this one but I won't repeat it on this blog. There was no way that I could get back to Philadelphia in time after tomorrow's race. I ended up taking a stroll through Market Street and a short drive on Broad Street. Dinner was a pretty good roast beef sandwich at a local tavern.
 |
| Independence Hall |
It was now time to head south on I-95 to Delaware for the race in Wilmington. I took a 20 minute detour through New Jersey for no particular reason. Yes, I've been to both New Jersey and Delaware before but not in the last 15 years. Though just across the river from south Philly, this area was flat and rural. I didn't see a store until I was within about 4 miles of the 295 bridge to Delaware. At any rate, I arrived in Wilmington just after twilight and settled in to my hotel, which was less than 1 mile from the Start/Finish Line.
The race didn't start until 9:30 AM, which I liked because it enabled me to sleep in a bit. The day dawned clear and quite chilly but warmed up nicely by mid-morning. I was fine in a long tech with shorts. Running with an iffy knee and highly toxic metals being dumped from my organs into my tissues, I had no time goal. I just wanted to finish and expected it to be a death march. I nearly downgraded to the 5K but decided to chance it in the half marathon.
 |
| Caesar Rodney |
Delaware may be mostly flat but this course was a challenge. After an all downhill first mile, which passed comfortably in 8:13, the course was nearly dead flat for the next 4 miles. From the elevation chart, it appeared that Miles 5-8 would be tough (200 ft elevation gain) then it went back downhill before a mean climb just before the finish. Mile 2 was nearly as fast and I knew I could not hold it so I wisely backed in down. The next 4 miles were all in the 8:45 range and I passed the halfway point around 56:20, well on track for a sub-2 hour finish even with the hills ahead.
It turned out the elevation chart was deceptive. Mile 5 was flat. 6 had a gradual hill followed by a long steady decline that gave back most of the previous elevation gain. 7 and 8 were all uphill and it was a fairly significant grade so most of the 200 feet of gain came in less than 2 miles. I thought the hills were over after Mile 8 but it flattened out then turned back uphill in Mile 9 and 10. My pace faded to the 9:30 range but I was keeping up with my pack and was still under 90 at 10 miles. Normally, if I can make it 5 miles in relative comfort, I most likely finish respectably. For whatever reason, I suffered my worst meltdown ever from that point on and the downhill did nothing to increase my pace. The crash was as sudden as it was complete. I had to walk/ very slow jog it in but I finished. The knee held up okay. I simply ran out of energy. 40 race states. 38 official half marathon states. The only thing that may have saved me was if I carried extra DIM. Since my system demanded more of it, I was untested beyond 4 miles.
I checked out of my hotel then headed back up 95 to Philadelphia. I took a short walk on a riverside trail, which is popular with the running community and captured some nice shots of the city skyline. Eventually, I made it back to Market Street with about 2 hours to tour before I would have to leave for the airport. My choices were a 57 story observation deck or the Ben Franklin museum. Since I just saw some nice skyline views by the river, I opted for the Franklin museum. It was small but quite interesting. Driving back through the city was somewhat stressful with detours and construction but I made it back to the airport in plenty of time. The return trip also went without a hitch.
 |
| Franklin |
 |
| Philadelphia |
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