Dream of Running

    I dream of running. Not just daydreams. I dream vividly of running. In my dreams I run with an agility and speed that I have never managed in the real world. In my dreams I bound down trails with the grace of a white tail deer, the endurance of an ancient hunter, the lightness of a wood nymph. There is never any pain, unlike the real world. Last night I dreamed of running up a long staircase of ancient stone as part of my regular training. I went from staggering up like I likely would in reality, but quickly, through regular training, I was leaping up taking it three steps at a time. I was a beast. I drifted into semi-consciousness thinking, "I need to add stairs to my training." Then woke completely knowing that any run training has been on hold for over a year. In other words, there is no run training.
    My last running event was a 5K last summer. I am staying consistent with the strength training and physical therapy aspects of training, with the vain hope that it will let me run at some point. I haven't given up on the idea, but I will be starting from ground zero.
    Until then, I dream of running.  

One Week In

    I am not inclined to do drastic diets, I have done plenty of weird, fad things during my life. Having said that, I am almost a week into 30 days of no grains, no dairy, no baked goods, and minimal sugar. Kind of low carb, but still with plenty of natural carbs in the way of yams, and lots of fruit. I was looking at the Clean30 diet, and decided that it was nigh on impossible to do as a vegetarian. As a matter of fact, when you read through their official site it implies that if you are vegetarian you might want to consider adding some meat, "grass fed beef and free range poultry should be fine..." Honestly, it pissed me off. Besides, I do need to have some legumes now and then, and maybe a little quinoa and teff if need be, to break the monotony of eggs, fruits and veggies, Okay, there is a bit more to it than that, but that really is the basic break down. This hasn't been too tough, since I am gluten-free, mostly dairy free (a bit of extra sharp cheddar now and then), and don't use much sugar (1/2 tsp at most in my coffee, a bit more in my tea). I am missing my dark chocolate and fresh baked gluten-free bread with a little sharp cheddar, though.
    One week in and I feel less bloated, and I am down a few pounds (which is likely water, since carbs help you maintain water). I don't know that my energy level is any better, but the cold wet weather isn't helping me in that department. One thing I have notice in the last few days is that I am having less joint pain. Mostly, my tendons seem to feel less stiff and painful. I don't know if this is a coincidence, but I will take what I can get. I would love to come to the end of the 30 days a few pounds lighter, more energetic, more motivated, and less chronic pain. Who knows? Maybe I need to be even more neurotic with my eating than I already am? That would suck. But I can do most anything for 30 days, if there is better health at the end of the tunnel. (still missing chocolate and cheese though).

A Year of Unfortunate Events

    This winter has been a struggle. I have begun thinking of it as The Year of Unfortunate Events. For the last year and a half I have been plagued with a series of injuries and joint issues that has derailed any idea of running. I keep trying, and getting slapped down by pain. This has me feeling an inevitable doom. The knowledge that it is likely that I will never be able to compete in another triathlon. I resist the notion as best I can, but it is a pervasive fear.
   If it were just one joint I think I would be able to work around it. But it is pretty much everything from the waist down. Both hips, right knee, left foot and ankle, and most recently a strained adductor on my left leg. It is discouraging, to say the least.
    The current worst problem is my left foot/ankle. I am getting a fallen arch, clinically known as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. For the last 6 months or so it has felt like, at best, I am walking around on a sprained ankle, and at worst it feels like I have broken bones in my foot. There is always pain, even when I am sitting. It wakes me in the night with a deep, throbbing ache. I keep it taped with KT tape, have nice little compression braces, and for work I wear a substantial rigid brace. I am hoping that by keeping it wrapped, wearing shoes with good support, and physical therapy I might be able to arrest the progress. The downside is that this is often a crippling condition that only gets worse with time. It is likely the result of having sprained my ankle so many times through my lifetime, added to my current job of being on my feet all day on concrete. Like I said, discouraging.
    All this has led me down a gloomy path. My training is off, my weight has gone up (not much, but enough), I am sleeping too much, and my motivation has gone down the tubes. It is hard to keep training when there isn't anything to train for.
    So, enough whining. I need to get back on track. I need to regain what I've lost. I still have the Bridge Swim in my sights, and have been doing a lot of strength training, and plenty of swimming to prepare. I really have increased my weight training this winter, and that has helped keep me from total despair. It is also giving me really ripped shoulders and back *bonus*.
    This coming monday I will start a modified version of Whole30. A thirty day eating concept that has no grains, legumes, sugar, dairy, or processed foods. The idea being to cut sugars and inflammatory foods, and to help me get past my current carb cravings. I can still have plenty of yams, potatoes, and beets to satisfy my needs. Plus all the vegetables I want, and plenty of fresh fruit. This really isn't much different from how I usually eat, except for the grains and legumes. I am vegetarian and rely on these as sources of protein. But this cuts back the carbs, rigorously. It is only 30 days, and I need something to jumpstart my new training regiment.
    Now, with that all being said, I need to get to the pool for a morning swim, after a good weight workout.