Finding My Feet

Sorry about the lack of posting.  My husband had midterms so I didn't get the computer much.  However, I have been training faithfully, and I'm finally seeing improvement. 

I now realize my lack of endurance during runs isn't because I'm actually lacking endurance, but electrolytes and water.  Sadly, I wasn't drinking while running.  Hydration has always been an issue for me, and not carrying water and replacing electrolytes was putting me at risk for heat stroke or hyponatremia.

I researched raw sports drinks and found one on the internet that has worked well for me.  I use the juice of half a fresh lemon and half a fresh lime, water, teaspoon of salt, a tablespoon of coconut oil, three dates, and honey to taste.  I ran with it last Sunday for over 90 minutes in the heat and and ran strong while staying fueled, hydrated, and in my right mind.  This was a huge difference from the previous Sunday where I had to walk a few times, experienced headaches, goosebumps, and stopped sweating after barely an hour.  My team mates called my drink puddle water, as the dates and honey give it a brownish tint. They still think I'm strange in my raw pursuits and try to offer me regular sports drinks from time to time. But, the raw version of lemon lime Gatorade certainly did the job.

With the hydration issue solved, the workouts are getting easier.  I'm feeling more confident, though I'm still the slowest one on the 400-meter sprints.  But, this time I'm only slower by five seconds. Our last sprint session was done in a downpour for most of the workout.  We did two miles to warm up, then eight 400-meter sprints, then another mile cool down.  We also worked on drills to get better running form and did accelerations.  It was one of those workouts that make you feel hard core when you got done.  It also made my shoes stink, as they were completely soaked through running in the rain.  Small sacrifices.  

I've also been focusing more on core work and hitting the weight room.  Having a strong core helps you in everything - swimming, biking, and running.  I have some exercises I'm going through to strengthen this notoriously weak area for me.  

I've been very busy in the kitchen.  My husband has decided to go in most of the way with me on my raw diet.  I've made raw pizza, raw ragoons, raw chick-un salad, and garlic kale chips.  The dehydrator has been filling the house with smells like a Italian restaurant.  I love it!  I also made him a few cooked very healthy meals of kale, mushroom, and broccoli stir fry with brown rice, and baked spaghetti squash with a raw chive "cheese" sauce made from cashews.  If I do any cooked food, it's all from fresh ingredients I find at the market with no preservatives or processed junk. Unfortunately, the food was so good and got eaten so fast, I forgot to take pictures.  I will try to do better in the future.

My energy is still staying strong and my post-workout recovery is immediate following a night of good sleep.  So far, a predominately raw diet is working wonders for me.