Race Calendar Edits

Sometimes a series of events occurs that requires a major course correction.

Thankfully, it's not an injury or other training mishap.  It's not even an equipment issue.  Without going into a lot of detail, let's just say that sometimes you have to make the RIGHT decision even if it isn't the FUN decision.  That said, I have to take the South Maui Triathlon off my race calendar, which is only a few weeks away.

Even though it saddens me to do it, it is the right thing to do.  The flipside is that I will be concentrating on getting stronger and faster in off-road racing for the summer and grabbing that Xterra AG spot in August.

I am optimistic that things will even out over the summer.  The off-road running will be very good for me and the strength I gain over the summer and into fall will be a great base to start training for Honu in 2012.

What's in YOUR cabinet?

The title of this post makes me think of that credit card commercial, "What's in your wallet?"

This is my nutrition cabinet.  A tiny corner cabinet in the kitchen where I store all my healthly stuff.  When I open the door I often think, "I wonder what other triathletes' cabinets/drawers/boxes/etc. look like."  And I'm also thankful that my stash seems simple (at least to me), compared to some other nutrition plans I've read elsewhere.

Here's a quick rundown:

• EmergenC - taken daily, one of the few types of Vitamin C that don't upset my stomach;
• MRM Vanilla egg white protein powder (acceptable protein on the Paleo diet - however, this particular brand/flavor has additives that are not  acceptable, so I will be changing next time);
• Bob's Red Mill golden flaxseed meal;
• Vitamin E;
• Calcium with Vitamin D;
• Fish oil capsules;
• HEED - melon flavor, which I bought by accident, but turns out is AWESOME - tastes like the essence of a watermelon Jolly Rancher;
• In the back - Recoverite, Clif Shot Bloks in cherry, and espresso flavored Hammer Gel packets.
• Not pictured - the four extra water bottles that are in the dishwasher.

I like having everything in one place so it's easy to prepare for rides, workouts, or the day ahead. 

How about you?

Cheating and the Consequences

No, I did not cheat on a race, test or my husband. I'm not talking about the "bad" kind of cheating (and,yes, there are two kinds).  I'm talking about the "not as bad" kind of cheating that doesn't hurt anyone but yourself.  You know the kind...when you eat something you really, really shouldn't.

Well, the Paleo spirits must have been really pissed off at me this weekend.  You see, I cheated on them and they kicked up a real fuss.  I ate pancakes at IHOP.

I know, you are probably thinking, "Really?  How bad could that be?  You ate PANCAKES?!?"  Since I've been eating Paleo, I've touched very little non-Paleo food.  No bread.  No oatmeal.  Not even a granola bar or bowl of cereal.  And certainly NOT pancakes.

This past Saturday I ran a 5K with some of my friends from work.  I was pretty proud of myself, as I finished in under 30 minutes and shaved 2 minutes off my time from last year.  (Remember, I'm not fast, just consistent!)  After the race we decided to go have breakfast, which is difficult for me because there are not a lot of options for a restaurant paleo breakfast around here (or a healthy breakfast of any kind!), but I really wanted to go and thought that some eggs and a couple of pancakes wouldn't kill me.  We had a great time, I had eggs, ham and nearly half a stack of pancakes.  It seemed like a good idea at the time. 

But I was punished...my stomach does not like this Sam I Am...and I was sick later that afternoon and most of the next day with lower GI issues.  Not conducive to a Sunday long run, so I missed my workout.  And learned a lesson. 

I can't say definitively if it was the pancakes or something else that set me off, but I sure felt better when I returned to my standard paleo eating plan.

I'll know better next time!