Off the wagon....

7 perfect days (pretty much), really enjoying it, no hunger, no cravings then.... I fell off my wagon!  Annoyed at myself because I wasn't hungry or craving, I just chose to eat rubbish because I was feeling a bit down (lots going on at home, work etc) and was kind of punishing myself I think.  The fact I'd lost no weight at all made me want to sabotage the plan, but it's not particularly helpful in the long run!  Only good thing about it is that the foods I had tasted really fatty, creamy, rich and pretty horrible actually, so I've written it all down so that when I want or crave them in the future, I remember that they're not as lovely as I might think!

So, back on the wagon tomorrow as I want to try running this weekend on the 811rv system, or at least give it a go!  Friday I will eat lots of fruit to carb my body up, then I'm planning on keeping it simple at the weekend with just water, bananas and dates with some grapes in the car for the way home... nice and juicy!  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

So - the weekend..... we've got about 6 weeks till Fellsman and 8 weeks till the 100 and I'm NO way fit enough to even get round, so it's important that we do the 2 days this weekend (body permitting).  It's 29 miles on Saturday at the Three Shires, then 23 miles on the Sunday at Blubberhouses.  I'm pleased the shorter one is on Sunday!  Saturday will be no problem, we'll get round, but we'll take it very steady (yes - even steadier than usual!) and aim to get round in one healthy piece so we can at least arrive at the start on Sunday.

Sunday's will just be a case of getting round, and I'm happy if we just walk/shuffle round as long as we get out and do it.  Fellsman in 62 miles, so we need to make sure we can do it even if we break it up over two days.  I've run 62 in one go and 70 over 2 days as well as 3-4 50 milers.  Rich has never gone over 31 miles, and he's never completed two long runs on consecutive days.... so this weekend is about getting round!

We'll be knackered on Monday!

Day 6 of 811rv....

So, I'm on day 6, and I'd LOVE to say I haven't cheated.... but I did one day.  For no apparent reason (wasn't hungry, craving or anything) I decided to eat a biscuit.  On the upside, I ate only one (I can NEVER eat only one!) and afterwards I felt a bit strange, like I had an invader in my tummy!

Apart from that, all is well.  I'm not hungry at all (if I am, I eat fruit) and I'm eating 1300-1800 cals a day which is too low, but all I can manage volume-wise so far.  No cravings, in fact I've tried to tempt myself a few times and gone through the list.... chips, chocolate, cake, biscuits, crisps..... but nothing takes my fancy.  Again - highly unusual for me - I can talk myself into eating rubbish quite easily, but I genuinely don't fancy it!

Stress of mealtime options has gone, and it's just the excitement of which smoothie to eat today (melon & grapes = good, pear & kiwi = acidic and horrid!).  I've had a few mono meals - usually just bananas, just grapes, just melons etc, and my smoothies are usually just two fruits.  I'm loving my dates of an evening, just 50g as a 'treat' and so I can get my cals without the volume at night.

I'm hitting 90/5/5 everyday easily and I don't worry about it too much now.  I'm concentrating on fruit and not worrying about the greens too much as I settle in, but sometimes of an evening I feel munchy, and I go to the fridge and pull out all the cucumber, lettuce and cherry toms.... it's what I REALLY fancy!!  Strange, but nice.

On the downside, no more weightloss (NOT happy) so I'm still at 2lbs!!  Still, I can't possibly put weight on on this diet!!

Day Three of 811rv

I'm feeling good!  No cravings, no hunger, no problems.  I'm drinking a lot more water than I thought I would (considering I've upped my fruit and veg considerably) but apparently this can be due to the amount of bananas I'm eating - my body hasn't caught up with me yet!  Dr Doug Graham's other book arrived yesterday "Nutrition and Athletic Performance" which is much more tailored to me and what I want from the diet.  I read it in 2 hours, but I LOVED it!  Lots of ideas (and help on the forum too) regarding what I can take with me on long runs etc.

I'm struggling to eat enough cals (never thought I'd say that!) but the ratio is easy.  I'm nearing 90/5/5 rather than 80/10/10 which is not an issue!  I had a few dates last night to add some extra cals, but even then I only got 1200 down my neck!  I'm trying harder today!

So far I've eaten a whole watermelon (half as a fruit, and half blended to make a smoothie) and I've got 5 bananas chopped up for my lunch.  I should be aiming for about 8-10 really, but I'll have to work up towards that.  My body feels light, I've lost 2lbs and 1.2% body fat - but I'm not doing this for weightloss, it's health and athleticism I'm working towards. 

I've not been hungry, but the first night I felt 'empty' like I needed something heavy in my tummy.  Conversely, it's the LAST thing I need in my tummy, but it's all about retraining the mind - my body is MORE than happy with the nutritional change!

So - all good.  I'm learning more from the forums and reading and re-reading Dr Doug's two books.  I'm LOVING my home-made smoothies - a particular favourite being frozen melon with red grapes.....pure nectar!

Melon and red grape smoothie - LUSH!

Refining the diet....

As you know may know, I've been veggie since I was 12, vegan on and off for years, and managed 6 months 90% raw vegan last year. I felt amazing during the raw vegan stage and my weight levelled out, recovery improved, energy increased.  Then.... for a variety of reasons..... I fell off the wagon, much to my detriment.

So - I have decided to get myself back onto the RV wagon.  I've been reading up (re-reading Natalia Rose's books that inspired me last June) and getting to grips with Dr Doug Graham through his book "80/10/10" and I've committed myself to it for a minimum period of 28 days.  Once the 28 days are over, I'll see how I feel, but judging by my successes last year, I think I'll be good.  More and more endurance athletes are taking  up a vegan lifestyle, and more of them are refining it further to achieve raw vegan - with considerable success.



Evening Meal - HUGE and delicious!

 Anyway - thought I'd let you know as I'll be commenting on progress on here.  I'm giving it the full 28 days of no-cheating, 100% 811rv and I'll report back truthfully on all I experience.

For info - my food today has been:
Breakfast:  Smoothie made of 2 bananas, 1 pineapple, 100g blueberries (gorgeous!)
                 200g melon
Lunch:       4 bananas with 200g of strawberries
Snack:       200g red grapes
Tea:          Romaine lettuce, spinach, cherry tomatoes, red pepper and cucumber
Supper:     About 7pm I'm going to have a raspberry and mango smoothie.... can't wait!

Raspberry and Mango Smoothie - YUM!

I've easily achieve the 80/10/10 (80 is a MINIMUM for the carbs....) as it's currently coming in as about 90/6/4.  Not been hungry, and really enjoyed the taste of the food.  No cravings yet.......

Two Crosses - crashed out.....

Woke up early, weather not the best, but ok for running.  Before Rich even got out of bed he warned me he may not be running - his knee had kept him awake during the night and pressure on it was not likely to help.  After walking up and down the stairs a few times he decided he may give it a go, and pull out if needs be.

So, we got to the start at Tottington Youth Club, Bury.  The drizzle was persistent, and we should really have started in our Pertex, but we decided to trust the weather forecast that said it was soon to dry up.... wrong!

Two Crosses is an LDWA event run by East Lancs Group (our own group) and we have been looking forward to having a chat at every checkpoint along the way.  £6.50 entry included well-stocked checkpoints, tea and toast at the start and an array of soups with bread, puddings and cookies at the end.

The start - Tottington Youth Club, Bury

We set off uphill through the housing estate and climbed our way up towards the misty tops.  Irritatingly, RIch's knee seemed to be fine, but my knee decided it was not having any of this running lark!  The ground was pretty sticky and wet in places, which really didn't help matters.

Jumbles Reservoir

We had a nice long run down towards Jumbles Reservoir, out the other side and up to Affetside and the first checkpoint at Turton Tower.  My knee was not coping with the long downhill sections, and the pressure on it uphill meant we were slowing right down in the first few miles!  Not good.  What was worse was that the weather was not getting better and we had managed to get quite cold (because we were moving pretty slowly and not generating much warmth). 

We passed the split for the 18 or 25 mile option, and were thinking off the shorter route, then realised we only had the description for the 25 miler.  So we decided to battle on.  Then I saw the long slog we were due up the next hill, and as my knee gave way on the downhill road section I decided enough was enough.

We walked back to the split and got a lift back in the sweep up car.  It was gutting because we'd been looking forward to this, but with the double weekend coming up in a fortnight (29 miles on the Sat and 23 miles on the Sun) it would be silly to risk it all now.  Two weeks rest and I hope it'll all have settled back down.  I'll give Chester a miss next weekend, perhaps go do the social walk with the East Lancs group instead.  We'll see.

'Ell and Back - 30 miler - wet, boggy, muddy and wet.....

Early up (5.15am) and out in the car for 6.45am.  Weather was wet and drizzly, so we figured we end up starting in coats even if we ended up getting too hot later (we didn't).  Drove to the start at Greetland Allrounders Rugby Club at the top of a hill - not a good sign as it meant the finish will ALWAYS be uphill! 

Rich at Greetland Allrounders Rugby Club - the start!

We arrived at 7.30am.  The event is organised by Elland Round Table and there is a choice of 15 or 30 miles for the route.  £7.50 entry (for LDWA) to include refreshments and a meal at the end.  Saw many of the usual faces there, so we all nodded at each cordially even though we could spot each other in a line-up but have no idea what each others' names are!  No tea or toast at the start which was a bit disappointing for some, but I'd smoothie'd up on the way over.  

 The run was due to start at 8.00-8.30 (according to the details) but people seemed to be drifting off.  I spoke to the organisers and said we could go when we wanted as there'd be no official timings anyway, just a completion certificate.  We didn't need to be told twice, so once I'd visited the facilities we set off.  Weather was drizzly, so we had our Pertex on and we made our way down the road passing the walkers as we went.  



Rich navigating us to CP.  The viaduct is in the background, and there were a few miles of (bloody) canals in store for us..... and you KNOW how happy that makes me!




Bloody canal... and look at the weather!

Downhill starts are fab for me because it takes a while for my legs to warm up.  We trotted along the Calder Way and along the River Calder (I think we crossed it) before going under the viaduct onto the canal.  Yes..... canal.  Bloody canal.....  We did about 3 miles along the (bloody) canal and I hated every second.  I took a photo and tried to keep trotting along, but despite the fact I was fresh and the going was easy, my mindset kicks into a 'can't be bothered' mentality and I dragged Rich down to my level too!  We ran bridge to bridge and were pleased to reach Sowerby Bridge......where we left the canal...... and then we re-joined it again.  Joy!  We finally reached the CP and were able to leave the canal.  Yay!

Unfortunately, on leaving the canal we went vertically upward forever... or at least it felt like that!  Still raining, and we were traipsing up wet, slippy cobbled streets followed by well-worn stone steps up alongside fields.  It was hard to keep our footing along here, and Rich fell stopping me from falling!  Treacherous and debilitating.  Although the hill was steep and very very long, we were still fresh and still pleased not to be on a canal, so we toddle along nicely.  The wind was cold on the top of the hill and we were able to pick up a trot again and made our way to the next CP.



Muddy path, muddy gateway = joy!



We followed the Calderdale Way Link Path for a while now and were glad of the shelter from the lanes.  This soon ended though, and we were running along the muddiest field path (the track had been tractored to death) with huge puddles by the gates that there was no option of going around.  It was also very exposed, so we quickly got cold because the ground was too poor to be able to pick up any kind of pace.  We followed bridleways through some nice countryside and enjoyed a fantastically long downhill along a road and then a track.  However, when you go down so quickly, you know the inevitable up is not far behind, and it came with a vengeance..... complete with those slippy stone worn steps again!  Nightmare!  We gained back the height we had lost, then trotted down a stone path to the next CP.  All the CPs so far only had water/squash - refreshments were only being laid on at the halfway point, so we were pleased we'd packed some food!

Heading towards Baitings Dam CP - halfway point.

We climbed up another steep hill (it was ALL hills today) and finally enjoyed a long sloping downhill.  We were caught by some runners that we'd passed earlier, and they admitted that they'd got lost and had ended up doing a few extra miles.  They were not impressed, and we felt their pain, having done that in the past!  We made our way now downhill to Baitings Dam where the CP was a campervan in the car park.  'Refreshments' meant a ham, cheese or tuna roll...... that was it.  I had neither, but grabbed a tuna for Rich whilst he munched through his ham roll.  I opened up my ginger biscuits and started chomping.  We had a long section of faceless moorland in front of us, and there was a climb to be had to get there!



From the moor - looking back to Baitings Dam - the sun came out!



We crossed the dam wall and worked our way up to a bridleway onto the moor.  Four miles of this now, and luckily for us it was not foggy.  The path was so boggy it was indiscernible in places and if it wasn't for the infrequent orange markers giving us an idea of the general direction, we could easily have got very very lost!  It was fairly flat, but the wind was straight in our faces and the ground so boggy that progress seemed slow.  It was also a bit demoralising too!  There was an ambiguous marker and direction on the instructions at Warm Withens Drain.  We went left (which ended up being correct) but once we'd gone 10 mins or so, we looked back to see others had gone straight on.  Thinking we were wrong, we decided to cut across country (bog) to the CP at Green Withens Reservoir as we could see it, but couldn't work out how our path would reach it.  We bog-trotted - knees deep in most places - for an eternity before we got to the CP, much to the surprise of the Marshall!



The moorland was faceless and it was hard to navigate a path amongst the bog!

 We ran down the side of the culvert now heading towards the main road.  It was very slippy and lumpy, and ankles were all over the place.  I managed to fall quite heavily on my right knee which twisted as I fell..... so I was in quite some pain.  However, we were about 20 miles in and I wasn't going to pull out, so I battled on.  The pain was pretty bad and there was some fantastic limping going on, but my stubbornness prevailed.  We crossed the main road and ran along a packhorse track parallel to the road....where I fell again (much swearing).  We then crossed back over the road and past Rishworth Lodge before descending to the carpark on the main road and the CP.


Looking back towards Rishworth Lodge - shame about the M62



After the CP it was a slog uphill.  Joy.  Views were ok (if you could ignore the M62) and the sun was finally showing its face properly!  Still too cool to take jackets off though.  We followed a bridleway up the hillside and eventually reached the brow.  I was in much pain with the knee, so where the route took us straight across the road and down another lumpy path, Rich used his local knowledge and took us left down the road and crossed at Scammonden Dam to get to the CP at the tunnel on the far side.  It must have been a slightly quicker route (we'd been able to run the length of the road, which we couldn't have done on the path) and we passed a few of the people who had been in front of us.


Crossing Scammonden Dam - M62 to the left, reservoir to the right....and sun up above!

 It was the final 5 miles now, but Rich's quads were starting to give up, and my knee wasn't fab.  We kept up the intermittent running when we could, but we struggled on the steep downhills and our pace slowed considerably.  There was also a fair bit of intricate navigation to be done so there was a lot of stopping and checking directions which always loses time.  More hills, more cobbles and a paper mill factory later, and we were starting to wind our way back uphill to the finish.  The final climb was a killer, and meant that we got into the Rugby Club at the end feeling pretty tired.  We picked up our certificates and traded our route cards for pie and peas before setting off home.

Got back, walked dogs, bathed and got into the compression tights for the night.  Both feeling very tired and thankful for a good meal!

Overall - a very hilly, very boggy route but a bit of everything - canal, lanes, tracks, moorland etc.  Well organised but disappointing on the food front.  I wouldn't want to do this one in bad weather or with poor visibility on that moor!  I would do it again, but it is hard and certainly don't expect quick times!  We managed 7hrs 42 which was fantastic in the circumstances (for us).  Rich's legs held out to 25 miles, so his endurance is improving each time.  Apart from my knee injury, my legs were fine and energy levels good too!  No badge, but a certificate, so not all lost..... although I'd prefer a badge.....

'Ell and Back tomorrow...... can't wait!

Well, I've certainly not been well this week!  Gastro-enteritis is going around work and a few of us have had it.  I even had to leave early on Thursday because I wasn't in any state to be staying around!  I couldn't manage solid food for two days, but luckily my smoothies got me through.  I'm still feeling a bit rubbish, but alot better than I have been.  No doubt this will affect my energy levels tomorrow, but Ii don't want to load up today and risk upsetting my tummy again!  I made the most gorgeous smoothie today - 550g pineapple, 2 bananas (frozen) and a nectarine - makes about a litre of pure heaven.

Went for a walk with the dogs up Rivington again whilst Rich rode his MTB.  Very foggy up there, but nice to be out despite the bitter wind.  Walked the usual route, but my calves were sore up the first hill.  My left knee is also playing up a bit. It's been painful this week (I blame that road run last weekend entirely... not had knee issues for ages) even when resting, so I'm hoping I'll run it off tomorrow.

Rich knows bits of the route and, with the wet weather due tonight, it's going to be pretty boggy.  This won't be so bad for us if we're suffering a bit on our knees - the softer the better.  Weather for tomorrow shows rain clearing by 9 (we start at 8) followed by cool, but dry, weather for the rest of the day.  Perfect.

There is only food at the halfway (15 mile) point, so we're having to carry.  I'm taking 2 beakers of smoothie with chia, 2 cartons of soya milk, a pack of Hobnobs (vegan - provided you don't have the chocolate ones!) or gingers and a couple of packs of ready salted crisps.  We'll eat at the halfway point if there is anything decent, but I need to carry something for me that I know I can stomach!  Rich will eat anything.....

So - early to bed as we're setting off at 6.45, so a 5.30 get up so I can walk the dogs etc.  Looking forward to it - feels like AGES... although it's actually only a fortnight.  I get so used to running every weekend that it feels like a long time in between if I have to miss one!  No badge tomorrow (boo!) just a certificate.  I'm hoping for good weather for some good photos!

Good news for the weekend.....

Doing Ell'and Back at the weekend - 30 miler over Huddersfield way.  Was supposed to be running solo as Rich has his kids that weekend, but that has just been cancelled (due to children's parties) which means we can run together!  Yay!  Nice for 30 miles as we're talking 6+ hours to complete and it'll be nice to have the company - plus Rich needs to do these longer ones if he's going to be fit for the Fellsman! 

Contacted the Elland Round Table who organise the event, and he's ok to enter on the day - bonus!  So.... weather permitting.... a good weekend is in store!  I'll take my camera!

P.S.  My cold is a little better, but I'm still tired ALL the time - it's ridiculous!  Came home from work the other day and fell asleep after the dog walk!  Must be a bug or something.... or maybe I'm getting old?

The run that wasn't

Well, you could see how excited I was - but it was not to be.  I managed to get to sleep on the Friday night, but by 1am I was awake and didn't get back to sleep until 3.40am.  Needless to say, when the alarm went off at 5.10 I wasn't happy - and the cold I had developed overnight was not helping.  I made the decision (eventually) to turn off the alarm and go back to sleep.  It was the right decision - I woke again at 9am!

Despite the cold, I felt I needed to get out and pound the streets, so I dragged poor Rich out for an 8.5miler.  I can't remember the last time I ran solidly for 8 miles (we;re always having to stop for stiles or to navigate) on the road!  It was torture.....SOOOOO boring!  I thought canals were bad, but this!  We both complained of knee problems afterwards, and although we were glad we went, we didn't enjoy it one bit!

Sunday we woke intended to do a 17 miler (in order to make up the 25 I missed) but I couldn't keep awake long enough!  In the end we settled for a 8 mile walk over Rivington with the dogs, but when I got home I was straight back to bed again!  Whatever I have, it's making me very very tired.

Legs were aching from running on the road, and even today they're a bit sore.  Madness!  I can do 50 miles on the hills with no bother, but 8 miles on the road and I'm a mess!

Anyway - I am hoping to be fit and well for Elland Back 30 miler next week..... fingers crossed!

Running tomorrow!

YAY!  Had quite a stressful week at work and I can't wait to run tomorrow.  Rich was supposed to be MTBing but his man-flu has put paid to that idea so he's planning on a lie in and I'm off running solo.

It's Troller's Trot over near Threshfield (Yorkshire Dales) so it's an early start.  I need to leave the house at 6.10, so I need to be up at five to get breakfast, dress and pack.  At least lazy-bones can walk the dogs for me after his lie-in.

The entry info says that the 25 Mile route is fully marked throughout and no map or talk-around is required (although a route description is available if requested).  I'll probably grab one at registration so I've got it in case I get lost.  I'm looking forward to being able to just run and not keep checking directions.... bonus!

I'm continuing trialling the Alpro Soya drinks tomorrow, so I'll report on that again.  Weather looks cold (1-2 degrees) with all rain cleared by 8am (start time!).  Perfect running weather....cold, sunny and dry!