24 hours of Boulder Race Report

I was pretty bummed out after my doctor's appointment. The next morning I was signed up to do a 24 hour race in Boulder. If I hadn't have paid the money, I may have skipped it.

I'm glad I didn't go the couch potato, boo-hoo, I feel sorry for myself route.

The race was held at the Boulder reservoir. It's a gorgeous place..

The course was an out and back 7.14 stretch of road. Some was on dirt, some gravel, for variety. We had to cross over a bridge with a scary sign..

I was a bit concerned about crossing in the dark, just my luck I would get swept away! Luckily there was a sturdy fence surrounding the open space, even I couldn't take a mis-step.

I did wander off the course 2 times in the dark (ok, 3 times). When I realized my mistake, I waited until I could see other runner's headlamps to show me the way. A couple that I encountered around 3am were concerned about me. I think they thought I was hallucinating. I assured them that I just don't follow directions well.

I skipped all the food tables loaded with carbs. The only thing I took was water and electrolyte capsules. In my car I stocked a cooler with salad, chicken, cheese and nuts. I ate some paleo cookies and muffins so I can't say I was LCHF. No wheat or grains though.

My race result was 50 miles in 24 hours. Actually more like 18 hours. I tried to sleep in my car for 3 hours, which didn't work at all. Then I laid down on a cot in base camp for an hour. I could have easily fallen asleep but I knew other people would like to lay down too. I just closed my eyes.

Next up is my first Quadzilla, 4 marathons in 4 days. I plan on sticking to LCHF for all the races, I'll be interested to see how it works out.

Bulletproof Coffee

I made some this morning...

I read about Bulletproof Coffee here. It's an easy way to add extra fat into your diet.

I'm a hard core black, the stronger the better, coffee drinker. The thought of adding 2 TBS of butter and coconut oil into coffee sounded gross. I figured I'd try it and see how it tastes. I'm happy to say that it tastes good! Just like adding cream. I think the trick is to make sure the butter/oil are blended well, so the mixture is foamy. I'll start my day with a cup of bulletproof. If I have a second cup, it will be back to black coffee.

After some fumbling around, I have my first am glucose reading...84.

I've been so preoccupied with blood work, I almost forget that I completed a race last weekend! I'll do a recap on the next post.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance

I may have it and it's freaking me out.

Last Friday I had a glucose test at Dr Gerber's office. In preparation, I fasted from dinner to my 10am appointment. The tough part was not having coffee in the morning.

My baseline reading was 94, under 100 is normal. Then I drank a nasty orange drink that contained 75 grams of carbs. I spent the next hour reading magazines until another blood test was preformed.

After an hour my glucose was at 158. Again, in the normal range. Then I had to go sit and read magazines for another hour.

Here's where the impaired stuff begins. My third reading should have been returning to my baseline number of 94. Instead, my number was still in the 150s. The insulin I produced wasn't bringing down my glucose. That's when Dr Gerber mentioned Impaired Glucose Tolerance. And that's when I started freaking out.

Dr Gerber said that being a vegetarian who ate mostly carbs for 25 years may have destroyed some of my beta cells. I never heard of beta cells before, they're linked to glucose and the pancreas.

Dr Gerber recommends the LCHF diet, the one I'm currently using. He suggests 70% fat, 20% protein and 10% carbs.

I left my appointment feeling sad. For 25 years, I thought a vegetarian diet was healthful. Now I realize that eating mostly carbs has hurt my body. Dammit.

I felt sorry for myself for a couple hours. Then I got angry and decided to turn this thing around. I read about Jimmy Moore's nutritional ketosis experiment. I decided to try it too.

First I bought a Blood Glucose monitor. I'm going to check my glucose and  ketones on a daily basis.

I'm going to follow the guidelines for nutritional ketosis in this book...

My nutritional ketosis experiment will last for 90 days. At the end, I'll do another glucose test. My hope is I'll go from impaired blood glucose to fantastic blood glucose!

This should be interesting...

I'm loving LCHF

Translation...Low Carb High Fat.

I'm eating bacon and eggs and roast beef and cheese and olives and avocados. I've cut way back on fruit, most days I don't have any. And I'm limiting myself to a square of 100% chocolate ( Domori rocks!) and the no sugar petite fores from Popa Ruba.

On Friday I have my follow up visit with the Paleo Doc. I'm having a glucose test. Based on the results, Dr Gerber will determine my daily carb allowance. I haven't been counting but most days I think I'm around 70 grams.

The day after my doctor visit, I'll be doing a 24 hour race in Boulder. Back with more info..

A sure-fire way to stick to your diet

get a kitten.

This is Rocky.

He's only asleep about 6 minutes a day. The rest of the time is spent jumping, running and pouncing. And chewing, lots of chewing. I don't have the energy to be tempted by a plate of brownies.

On October 12 I have my follow up visit with Dr Gerber. I'm going to have a glucose test, then meet with him to discuss the results. I'm looking forward to getting his recommendations. I'm still sticking with the Wheat Belly diet, eating lots of fat with protein. For breakfast I had a couple eggs with strawberries and heavy cream. I love eating this way, I hope my test results support it.

The day after I meet with Dr Gerber, I'm doing a 24 hour race in Denver. I'll be walking all of it, I'm not sure what my goal will be. I do know I'll be doing it without carb loading!

I haven't been a couch potato

Knee problems won't stop me!

Actually my knee is feeling fine. I'll never take my knees for granted again. It feels terrific to get up and down and run and jump without fear that it would give out. 

In August Bob and I hiked down the Bright Angel trail at the Grand Canyon. 

Before we began the hike I ate bacon and eggs. During the 6 hours it took to get to the bottom, I had nuts and some pureed baby food (sweet potato and bananas rock!).

We stayed overnight at the bottom of the Canyon Phantom Ranch. Dinner was family style. I avoided the cornbread and cake and ate steak and salad.

The next morning, after another breakfast of bacon and eggs, we began the hike back up.

Getting back up took about 7 hours, overall I felt good.

When we reached the top, I took a bird bath in the ladies restroom sink. Then we jumped in the car and drove to Las Vegas.

Why Las Vegas? First because Las Vegas is fun! Second, because I had to complete a 12 hour race THE NEXT DAY! That's right, hiking for 2 days wasn't enough, I had to also walk for 12 hours. 

Sometimes I don't make the best choices.

I had already signed up so there was no backing out. The race was from 7pm to 7am. Here I am conserving my energy before the race..

I got lots of miles to go..

Fast forward to 10.5 hours later. I completed about 29 miles and threw in the towel. My legs felt ok, the problem was my big toenails. I had bruised them in the Canyon, it was becoming very painful to continue. 

I was happy with my effort. I was especially happy to have stuck to my wheat-free diet.

Next month...a 24 hr race! 

I had my bloodwork done

and just got back the results. Here are some of the numbers...

TRIGLYCERIDES         38mg  (I'm eating lots of fat but it's not staying in my blood)
HDL CHOLESTEROL  113mg (this high number should prevent me from having a stroke)
LDL CHOLESTEROL   71mg
CHOL TO HDLC RATIO  1.7
GLUCOSE  85mg (low risk of diabetes)
HEMOGLOBIN A1c   4.9% of total Hgb
ESTIMATED AVERAGE GLUCOSE  94
LIVER GGT     7 U/L
BMI  23.5  (normal!)

The Wheat Belly way of eating is working! I'm tickled pink!

I gave up grains on Memorial Day and sugar on the 4th of July. For 30 days in August, I was strict Paleo. I'm glad I completed a Paleo challenge but it's nice to be eating cheese again. And the occasional glass of wine!

Since my last blog post I've hiked the Grand Canyon and completed a 12 hour race. I know my body is fat adapted because I didn't need to consume carbs for energy. I'll write about it in detail in my next post.

Here I am during the 12 hour race, jumping for joy for my wheat-free life!