Seven Weeks and Counting....

OMG friends, there are only 7 weeks now to my redemption ultra at the Waskally Wrabbit 55 KM Ultra!
Training as a vegan has gone incredibly smooth. If I feel I need extra protein I drink an extra plant protein smoothie, but that is pretty much the only struggle. I have learned how to de-pit a date, that they are pretty good during a run, and I can actually do both crossfit and ultra training together, and NOT burn out. Thank god my work has a fantastic gym, I have finally been putting it to use each lunch hour to get my crossfit in.
Now with only 7 weeks to go it is truly buckle down time. Time to cut as much weight as possible without impacting my training, time to nail those long runs that have become longer than 3.5 hours at a stretch, and time to stretch - like actually stretch and spend time doing it lol.
My partner in this crazy adventure is supposed to be my brother but for the past month, since we ran the hilly Moose 25km Run, he has been complaining about a calf strain injury that seems to be taking forever to heal. I have a feeling I may be doing this ultra solo.
Two weeks ago I was getting worried about my own chances when my patellar tendon on both knees started to flare up. Thankfully I figured out that it was due to some over confident crossfit clean and jerk lifting and I needed to back off the weight by 5 lbs or so. With that in mind I stopped doing anything that put strain on the front of my knees for a week then gradually added weight and exercises back into the rotation again last week. I am still not lunging or jerking with weight this week but everything else is feeling fine.
This week I am picking up my training where I left off pre-flu last week. I still ran my long run and my medium-long run so I feel like I have not lost anything by taking a couple of sick days. This week I crest the 30km mark by running a 32km long run. I am a mix of both excitement and fear. 4 hours is a loong run and lately I have been running my long runs on my treadmill so I have easy access to the bathroom, water, food, family support (;-)). I know it is not ideal preparation so I have been increasing the incline on those runs so I run at least 5km uphill. Will it be enough, only time and the hand and feet nature of the Wentworth valley hills will tell.

It's been awhile

I have had a busy and fun autumn this year, so much so I've forgotten to write! I've been embracing the plant based lifestyle while my husband has relaxed a bit with it, he still adheres to it most days. I am thankful for his ongoing support for both our health's sake.
Increasingly this year I saw articles posted on social media about switching to a plant based diet, which have been a both a source of great information and frustration for me. Why is it, that even after 30 years of studies that people are still eating meat and dairy? We have a national health care crisis in our country, and I'm pretty convinced that if we all switched to a plant based diet most of those health issues would be at least partially resolved, leading to less medications and doctor visits. So why the heck doesn't everyone know this? Really, why isn't this taught in school, or mentioned by our doctors?
It sure isn't because there isn't enough proof. There are over 700 independent (non industry funded) studies, not to mention books that have been written about this. Yet there is this wall of silence. It's as if we're all waiting for the doctor to call us into the office one day and start discussing our diet and lifestyle. That's never going to happen. For one, doctors are not taught about nutrition in school. They may be given a few hours, but you and I can both do our own research that exceeds that. The second is financial. I'm not saying doctors are greedy, or solely in it for the money, but because they only have 15 minutes with each patient they can pretty much only do one thing; write a prescription.
Shockingly (sarcasm intended), the pills we are prescribed don't cure us. If they did then the pharmaceutical industry would die off and not be the multi-zillion dollar industry it is today. That industry isn't interested in curing anyone, they are a for-profit industry that honestly couldn't care less if a patient is made better by these drugs. In fact, ongoing medical issues, like diabetes and arthritis are their bread and butter.
So once you develop an ongoing medical issue you are stuck in a vicious cycle of pills, side effects, more pills to resolve the side effects. Personally, when I was diagnosed with arthritis and started my first (and only) round of gabapentin, I quickly saw how this cycle works. I developed side effects and my specialist's solution was to give me more drugs! I had seen the pill cases my in laws have and certainly didn't want to go down that path. So I stopped. It was hard, especially when I didn't have a better solution for my daily pain, but I did know I didn't want to be a slave to pills. Months went by and I found by increasing my activity level it helped with the pain. It wasn't until I gave up meat and dairy that I found true relief.
I now feel liberated from the shackles of our current model of health care. I am back to running 50-60km a week, I no longer have daily arthritis pain, although I can hear the crepitus in my knee even as I walk down stairs, and I no longer feel sluggish. This gives me every incentive in the world to stay plant based.
Lately I've been trying to be perfect, haha. Not satisfied with eliminating my arthritis pain I also wanted to get rid of my eczema as well. I read that 50% of eczema patients are actually gluten sensitive, so I've been cutting down on the amount of gluten I eat. It's only been a couple of weeks but I'm noticing my hands are far less dry and the usual flare up areas are no longer red in color. I haven't eliminated it completely (the toast I ate last night is a testimony of that), but cutting it back appears to have helped, even just a bit. And if that can save me from buying a few tubes of cortate cream in a year, I'll take it. Besides, gluten free food honestly doesn't taste much different than gluten food.
So there I am. Ending off 2017 healthier and happier than when I started. I am forever grateful that I watched "That Sugar Film", "What the Health" and "Forks over Knives" to help start me on this journey.
So what's up for next year? Oh I'm tackling another ultra marathon. Yup, that's right. I'm training up for the Wrasskally Wrabbit 55km in June, and a few other races along the way. I feel like next year will be even better.

Maritime Race Weekend; Get'r Done!

The tartan twosome was certainly something to be respected. That much I learned this weekend lol. The Sunset 5km was  at 7pm Friday night, so after working a typical day, making super for the family etc., I laced up and ran with looked like 1000 runners alone Shore Rd. It was charged atmosphere, lots of competitive juices flowing and then nervous ones from those who were trying their first race, ever. I was in the middle, nervous in the big crowd, and I just don't race as much as I used to, and wanting to do well, for me. We heard the loud cannon but it took another 2 minutes before the crowd in front of me started to even budge. We picked up speed as we crossed the start line and eventually I could break into an easy trot. I rounded the corner out of fisherman's cove and we all spread out as soon as we could to run up the gentle incline. I enjoyed the crowd, people were excited, yelling and saying 'thank yous' to the volunteers. A few local musicians were playing Maritime music as we passed, so I didn't feel the need to wear my own music. Besides, it was much safer not to wear earbuds with the size of the crowd. I didn't bother with any of the water stops; it's a 5km in the evening, so I didn't feel overheated. I overheard many of the out of towner's saying how many "hills" there were to go, and I had to chuckle. Honestly, the route is as flat as they were going to get in Eastern Passage. I did point out that it was all downhill to the finish though. I checked my watch at the turn around and I noticed that I was only 18 minutes in, so I knew I was going at a decent pace. I tried hard to hold onto it straight to the finish, but I did slow down as I climbed the last "hill" ;-) I finished the Sunset 5k in 33 minutes so I was pleased to come in under 35 minutes. I didn't go all out but I did push myself at times. I quickly left, cheering on the other runners as I walked back to my car, and got ready for the half marathon at 8am.
The weather was overcast and cool when I got up for the half marathon. I knew it would get humid before it would all burn off and we would end up with a nice morning. I tried to dress accordingly, but looking back I wish I had bit the bullet and wore a fuel belt or a backpack to carry my stuff. I wore a vest over my wicking shirt but it trapped heat in a little too well. The crowd was as big as the night before as I lined up with the other tartan twosome people, and the 5km, 10km, half marathon and full marathon runners. The corral was color coded so you just got in your group and waited. I think it worked out well, the only draw back would be if you were trying to win, say the 10km and are behind the slowest 5km runner since the gun goes off only once and so we all go together. It again led to alot of crowding to the small roads. Thankfully, after the 5km turnaround the crowd's size dropped quite a bit. I decided to walk the Caldwell hill climb this time. It is a steep hill and while I usually gut it out I was feeling the effects from the night before's effort. I saw my friend Deanna first, charging back down the hill, looking super strong, running toward a sub 50 minute 10km. Next I saw my friend Lee as he crested the top of the hill on his way back down, looking good to finish his very first 10km race in just a shade over an hour.
I saw Hannah and my brother waiting to cheer me on as I passed Heritage Hills drive. They had our dog, Peanut with them and as soon as he saw me he freaked out, wanting to run with me. He usually does run with me so I felt badly for him. The runners behind me said he was very cute and clearly wanted to go for a run lol. I ran with them for another 2km, until we got to a hellish hill that just goes on and on for a kilometer. I tried to walk as quickly as I could and eventually I found my running legs again and took off, trying to chase them down again. The next climb was much shorter but it feels like you are climbing at a 90 degree angle, it's crazy steep. I power walked it but just couldn't make up enough time to catch them. After I reached the Moose I decided to put my earbuds on and blast my music. Besides, I run this exact route alot, so I pretended it was just another training run. I put my head down and settled into a steady pace. I ended up passing a few other runners along that road, and then again as we hit a steep downhill on our way back into Eastern Passage. I love downhills. As I finally got to the bottom of the last hill I saw the marker still in place for the 5km turnaround. I thanked the volunteers there and then saw there was a runner behind me. I asked her if she wanted to run the race in together and she said sure. Eileen and I had a great chat about the race and other local races we've done. She had just run her first marathon this past spring. As we hit the final kilometer marker one of the musicians approach us and said a runner was in distress. He asked if we could find someone with a phone that could call the first aid personnel for the race. I checked on the runner and asked her if she had any water She said she did and the volunteer said we were going to go get help. We ran as fast as our tired legs would carry us until we got to one of the road closure workers. I asked him if he had a radio from across the street and told him when he pulled it out that there was a runner in distress and the details of where they could find her. Then Eileen and I continued on, trying to keep a steady pace right to the finish. As we turned onto Fisherman's cove I saw Hannah and my brother cheering from the sidelines. It was great to see them and to finish.
Then it was back to reality and dance practice, groceries and a cat show - oh my! I think I deserved my oxcasa bowl from Feshii tonight.

In it for the Long Run

It's almost been 2 months since I went vegan. I've discovered new recipes, challenged my own beliefs about nutrition and become an advocate for a plant based lifestyle. Quite the summer.
My husband also joined me on this journey. He likes to say he isn't a real vegan since he does indulge occasionally. While that's true I actually think he just doesn't want to tell his meat and cheese loving family that he's turned vegan, haha. I don't blame him though, they love nothing more than to gossip about each other and I'm sure he doesn't want to be the subject of conversation. Although it should be rather interesting the next time they visit, especially when my MIL decides its time to cook bacon and eggs! hahahaha....how about some tofurkey and lentils?
I was chatting with some coworkers yesterday about being vegan after hearing the appalling things they do in the meat department of our local grocery store just to make the meat look more "red". One guy said he tried it but found he was lacking something. I told him if he and his wife really decide to go vegan they need to shift their mindset around meal time. We, in North America anyhow, have been told our meal time plates need to have a vegetable, a carb and a slice of meat, generally dividing the plate into thirds. With vegan eating, you usually end up cooking one dish, combining multiple foods into one delicious meal, such as rice, with lentils, black beans, avocado, red peppers, topped with some sprouts. Make enough and you won't be "lacking" for anything. That's the one thing my husband said has kept him on the vegan-train, he's never hungry. From the onset I made sure to always make a ton of food so no one is scrounging through the cupboards looking for something else. It's also self-serving since I was concerned initially that as a runner I might just pass out from lack of meat protein on a run. So far that's not happened and my runs have actually felt easier, but that could also be related to the weight loss that comes with a plant based lifestyle. So far my husband is down 15 pounds!
My knee arthritis is now an afterthought as opposed to being something I have to consider every time I take a run or even climb stairs. I still have achy knees occasionally, but I've noticed that only seems to happen when I've eaten something fried, like French fries. I no longer get the sporadic electric-shock pain that so many of us with arthritis know all too well and I don't wake up in the middle of the night to move my knee into a more comfortable position. There's no pill in the world that has fewer side effects and faster results than a plant based diet. I, for one, am a convert!

When life gives you lemons...

You make lemonade right? Right. So after hearing that my brother can't run the 50k with me in October (DAMN IT) I started to look for another race. I found a sweet deal on a Tartan Twosome race for MRW. I'll be running a 5k on Friday night (in September) and then a half marathon the next morning. The best part is that I get 3 medals for the two races! SWEET! And to top it off, its the race that literally goes past my house, so there is zero travelling time to factor in.
Ok, so I'm all set, now to just continue training so I can be ready to run some speedy miles, or at least respectable finishing times. Let's giv'r!

Runner's Woes

Oh my lord. I am a bit surprised that I'm here but, here I am. My brother, and co pilot for the 50k we were supposed to run in October told me (on my birthday, no less) that he's been asked to be in a friend's wedding on the same weekend. :-( Good lord. First my MIL tells me to block off my traditional 50k weekend for a birthday party, then the plans never appear, now my brother is canceling on me for my back up race. Holy hell. And its not like I can ask my husband to drive 2 hours and then sit around for 6+ hours waiting for me to finish running in the Valley, and I don't know anyone else running that distance or that would want to stick around for hours afterwards. 

So. Here I am at square one, with some decent training under my belt and my vegan lifestyle well established. It's one of those "What the heck universe?!" kind of moments. I'm trying to see this as some kind of lesson; to take my 50k build up more slowly and get my half marathon time down to under 2:15. I'll be doing the 50k in 2018 (come hell or high water!!).

To that end I've decided to enter the local half marathon in September. I could run it now but it wouldn't be a fast time. I'll dedicate my next couple of weeks to speed sessions and maintaining my long runs around 15-20ks. 

When life throws curve balls you can stand there, get hit and cry about it or you can take your hit and try to avoid the next one.

Solid Training and Running away from Nosy People

I've buckled down and started training for the 50k Valley Harvest Ultra in October. While it's only week 1, it's been going pretty well. I've been using podrunner's 180bpm tracks to keep my pace consistent and my stride short and so far, so good. My average pace time is hovering around 7:20 per/km.
I've noticed that I'm not feeling as gutted as I have been on my runs. Whether its the new vegan lifestyle or the podrunner pacing, or a combo of both, I'm not sure but I'm glad its working nonetheless.
Yesterday I explored a new-to-me trail system in Cole Harbour. The single track was well groomed and varied enough to keep me speeding along right to the end of the trail. It skirted a beautiful lake, included small wooden bridges, all the while covering the users in a canopy of green tress. On the way back I noticed there was a "closed trail sign" indicating the upcoming section was being groomed by heavy machinery. Since it was past 5pm I figured I was fine since no one was operating any equipment. I forgot that I should never underestimate the nosiness of other people. Shortly after getting on the section of trail a newly self-appointed trail warden started yelling at me from their fenced backyard, saying it was closed. I get that, and if something had happened to me on that section I certainly would have taken personal responsibility for being on said trail...but this person would not let it go; they kept yelling and yelling, and not really wanting to cut into my run, I kept running...away haha. I did cut the trail run short though and got back onto the road just incase the new warden decided to grab a bike and come after me.
So minor adventures aside, it's been going well. My legs feel good and I fell like I've got my fueling and recovery nailed down. This weekend is another camping adventure; this time in another province. I only have a 2 miler to do on Saturday (I'll be doing my long run on Friday, before we go), so getting in my training won't be an issue. I'm looking forward to hopefully finding a farmer's market along the way so I can grab some fresh, local produce. My local grocery store is fine, but I'd like to see if I can get more bang for my buck by going to the smaller markets (for vegetables at least). Here's to more summer adventures!