Change of Life? Change of Plan.

    For the last few years (okay, really over a decade), I have been fighting against my own physiology, metabolism and aging infrastructure. I have refused to believe, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that I need to be making massive changes to the way I care for my body if I want to keep any kind of performance level. Of course, this has been proven wrong repeatedly as I struggle against sleep disorders, diminishing returns for my training, lower energy levels, and increasing chronic aches and pains.
    I haven't been able to train as hard as I would like because of joint issues that have plagued me pretty much my entire life, but are now really coming home to roost. I've made adjustments, putting running on the back burner and focusing on cycling and weight training. I've added challenges to take the place of running, like doing a 5K in my full firefighter turnouts, with mask and air tank (honestly, that is one of the hardest events I've pulled off... thankfully it was of short duration). I've increased my strength training, adding in heavier workouts, and CrossFit style training. I will say, I do have shoulders that a lot of chicks would envy. That being said, I would eventually like to get back to trail running, and full blown triathlon training.

    All this brings me to my current point. What do I do when things are not working out as planned? In any area of my life? That's right. I start reading up on the subject. I am and always have been an avid bibliophile. When I am in doubt, I know there is a book somewhere that will help me find the answers. This current spate of research has led me down an interesting path. Looking into how a female body changes over the years, especially as we get older and hormones start to diminish. It is amazing how interconnected all aspects of our bodies are. What a precise machine we inhabit. As with any complicated, energy using machine it is reliant on certain chemicals and chain reactions in order to function at its best. As hormones shift, so do the other chemical balances. We reach different points in life where the balance is off. Off to the point that we are not functioning at our highests potential. Yes, this is beyond aggravating. It has been infuriating at times, but I know we all just tend to lay down and accept those "Life Changes."
    But you know what? I call bullshit to surrendering to the inevitable changes. If I have one strength in all my years of training for any physical endeavor it is that I am stubborn. This particular challenge is no different. Yes, the changes are inevitable. I cannot turn back the hands of time. I cannot trade in my body for a newer model. But what I can do is study these weirdo chemical changes and see what I can do to bring it all back to a semblance of balance.
    I am embarking on a trial run of adding a few changes to my overall approach (attack, really) to nutrition, supplements, and training. I have been resistant to using supplements over the last decade or so, mostly because I think they are all fads and gimmicks that will do either nothing, or cause harm. True, in the past I have tried more than a few of these "magic elixirs" in the hopes of gaining some advantage, or shedding some pounds. It has taken me a very long time to face the reality that there are no shortcuts, only hard work and diligence. But now I am looking at a few things to hopefully help my body regain some momentum despite the physiological and hormonal changes that have been forced on this aging vehicle. Think of it as a tuneup for a classic, letting it burn new fuel more effectively.
     First off DHEA. I've looked at this over the years, then shrugged it off as another fad. But, as I age, as with most other women, my body has become more insulin resistant and more apt to produce excess cortisol. These are interlinked, as are most of our body's reactions. DHEA is supposed to help balance cortisol production, therefore helping with the insulin resistance. Cortisol makes the body inclined to store unhealthy belly fat. Insulin resistance makes us store more fat in general, as well as adding to sugar cravings and the high/low of blood sugar imbalance. Starting today, I am adding 25mg of DHEA to my morning routine.
    Next, as we age our bodies start losing muscle mass and strength. This really pisses me off. I have said so many times in regards to training and endurance, "My strength is my strength." I am not fast, I may not have the best lactate threshold, but I have always been strong. Along with this frustrating issue, our bodies also become less efficient at processing protein, the  building block of muscle. So, as we age, we need to increase our protein intake and our strength training. I have no problem increasing strength training, it has always been my favorite aspect of any training regiment. Protein increase becomes a bit problematic. Being vegetarian, as well as having an intolerance for whey, I have some limits in this area. Now comes the second part, BCAA, Branch Chain Amino Acids. These are amino acids vital to protein synthesis. They are soon to be a regular part of the diet, I expect them to be in my mailbox on Saturday (I love online ordering).
    I will also be changing up the way I eat. Not so much what I eat, as when I eat it. Mostly this will effect when I eat carbs and protein. I know my body need carbs for training, endurance and energy. Plus, I do love my carbs. But the body more readily processes them in the first half of the day, and immediately after training. So, that is when I will aim to fit them into the food bag. The body needs protein before and after training, as well as in the evening to fuel the body for overnight repairs. So, I will be increasing protein in the second half of the day, as well as pre and post workout. This should be easy. The biggest change: no late day carbs, no bedtime carb snacks.
    So, this new aspect of Rebuild The Body: Change in Macro consumption timing to optimize fueling; DHEA for cortisol and insulin balance; BCAA's for better protein absorption, hence better muscle retention/building; and more Strength Training (my favorite part of the whole equation). I will continue to build my cycling endurance, I want to do some long rides this summer. I will work on leg strength with an eye towards run specific training. I will also continue the Yoga and stretching that I have been super diligent with this year, and is giving me back a lot of the flexibility I had thought was lost to me.
    I refuse to surrender to time. I won't lie down and admit defeat just because I am not in a young, limber body. I am in an older, strong body, with the stubbornness of a lifetime to egg me on. Rawr!

Pep Talk

    It seems that the last 9 months have connived to keep me from finding my normal training regime. The weird chaos that has descended on my life has been more than enough to keep me from finding my rhythm. True, I don't have anything specific that I am training for this year, especially nothing I would class as an A Race. Yes, I have goals; a Metric Century on the Fixie, at least a Century on the road bike (would rather try a Double Century though), I'd like to get in an Olympic Tri, and would Love to do the Bests in The West Half-Iron in September. But I just can't get myself on track. The last few years have been hampered by injuries, but this year I feel good. My strength training is steady, my cycling has been consistent and always improving. But my work schedule, with long days, has made hitting the pool nigh on impossible. And as for running... well, let's just say it's not my strong suit.
    All that being said, I am starting a new job in a few weeks; Assistant Park Ranger at a park that sits at the base of the Molalla Corridor, with its miles and miles of trails. I'm excited at the prospect and possibility of post work trail runs, and the chance for some exploratory hiking. It has me jonesing for new trail running shoes. Hey, I need a new pair. Seriously. My Saucony Outlaws are getting broken down from too much mundane wear (I love them), and are better hiking shoes than running shoes. The prospect of new running shoes always gets me excited, even when I'm broke and shouldn't be even thinking about new shoes. What can I say? I am a bit of a training shoe whore.
    If I can get back on a consistent run schedule, I can be ready for the Half-Iron. My bike is strong and my training has been steady. My swim endurance is down But I know I can step into the water and swim a mile without any issues. But the run has always been my weak point. I have to train smart. I can't chalk up high miles, my poor broken down knees won't allow it. But I think with some regular trail runs, my current strength training (I am always on top of my strength training), combined with my current bike training, I can get my run endurance to the point that I can gut out the run.
     If this sounds like a self-peptalk, it is. I have been beating myself up lately on my inability to get truly motivated with my training. Yes, I workout religiously, but I want to work out zealously. And that requires an extra push. It requires a goal. A reason. It requires an A Race. I need that back in my life. I've missed it the last few years. So, here's to a new job, new shoes, new trails, and new training. Wish me luck.