So much to ingest!

I’ve gotten a few emails and comments from people who either have suffered with gluten allergies or whom have eliminated it thinking that was their problem but found out it wasn’t. So thanks to all of you who are trying to help me understand how this whole gluten thing works.

First of all, I do know this is just an experiment. I won’t know anything until I actually see a doctor. I’m just trying to eliminate as many options as I can before I go see anyone. (And who knows how long it will be before I get an appointment anyway.) Believe me, this isn’t my idea of fun.

Second..I didn’t realize that gluten is in just about everything. It sucks! I was feeling well all day until I got home and had some steamed veggies and shrimp topped with Annie’s Goddess dressing. I started feeling bloated shortly after. Who knows, it could have been the veggies (stir fry veggies-broc, snow peapods, carrots, water chestnuts.) UGH how frustrating!

For breakfast, instead of my usual oatmeal I had 2 hard boiled and made a smoothie that contained:

• 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
• 1 banana, 4 strawberries
• 1 tbsp. flax
•   tbsp. coconut

I will have to admit that this breakfast held me over pretty nicely for about 3.5-4 hours and I was really shocked by that. My co-worker brought in some of her kick ass honey whole wheat bread (she and her husband own a bakery) and I sadly had to turn it down. It was that bread that made me feel like complete and total garbage the other day, causing me to think gluten might be an issue (it could be wheat—I’m still figuring things out!)

Anyway this is going to be a process and a major learning experience. Believe me, I need all the help I can get!

Team Challenge training

I was reading Jess’s blog today and she made a point that hit me hard. She’s training for the Boston Marathon (visit her page to donate to her cause) and since she’s up in Massachusetts, she’s also been dealing with the woes of winter. She’s been training inside on the treadmill with no hills and no outside elements. This is something that worries me as well since I’ve been doing the same exact thing.

My training program calls for 5 days of running per week, one cross training day and one rest day. I’m not quite sure how I feel about this program because I don’t like running that many days in a row. I’ve never followed an actual training program before, so I’m not quite sure how closely I need to follow it. It calls for 1 long run by time, not miles (Saturday) one 4-5 mile run (Monday) 1 short 3 mile recovery run (Tuesday) 1 spring workout (Wednesday) Off day Thursday, 3 mile easy run (Friday) and active recovery or cross training (Sunday.) This is kind of a broad view of the program but I’m wondering if I can get away with elliptical days in between running days?