IM Louiville

IM Louiville
Bikes racked at Ironman Louisville 2010

Thursday, January 06, 2011

New Year, New Strategy

You can imagine how depressed I'd be after spending 6 weeks without running and another 6 in a boot only to find out I was told I need ANOTHER 6 weeks in the boot. I mean, seriously, I've had friends who have had foot surgery come back faster than this. I don't get it - I don't feel like I even had a real injury! And with the boot means not just no running, but there are a lot of things I've had to completely stop: stair climbing, cross country skiing, push ups, lunches, plyometrics....need I go on?

So what is there to do? Aside from a lot of time on the bike and one-legged flip turns in the pool, I've now focused on changing the diet up a bit. I am now working on the Paleo diet - well, I'm trying! I cannot believe how wierd it is to not have bread, rice, pasta, bagels, etc. And I don't think I've eaten this much meat since I even started this sport. I actually bought a WHOLE chicken the other day. It almost makes me gag thinking about it. But we'll see how this goes - I'm game to try anything once. The real test will be to see what happens to my power numbers on the bike. Last time I made a drastic change to my eating habits, I just about lost all power on the bike. This was when I went RAW for an entire 4 months. I figured 4 months was enough time to decide if that was the right diet for me. It wasn't.

So Paleo it is - for how long, who knows? I'm trying new recipes and learning what to order when I actually go out to eat. Paleo is like the "caveman" diet. Wait, caveman didn't have First Endurance? OK, I guess I'm not going to be 100% on Paleo - there are some things I just need to have! I mean, have you tried the Wild Berry yet??

29 comments:

Kacie Darden said...

Sorry you are stuck in the boot. Yuck. I am a vegetarian, but I do think paleo is a fascinating concept. Can't wait to hear how it effects the bike!

Anonymous said...

I have been in your shoes...or boot...my boot was crutches...I know how frustrating it is. Hang in there-there WILL be positives that come from this-especially the mental strength ones :)

LaVonne said...

you poor thing! sorry about the stupid boot. i'm glad you can still be active, though. and i cannot believe you stuck with a raw diet for 4 months! wow!

jessithompson said...

Hang in there - good for you for focusing on something that you CAN change. :)

Unknown said...

Ugh... big bummer! Hang in there! And keep us updated on the Paleo diet. I'm interested to hear how you like it!

Kiersten said...

The Wild Berry is awesome. Sorry to hear the boot is hanging around. I can totally relate to the one-legged turns in the pool.

Unknown said...

Stupid boot! Everyone is doing the Paleo diet -- feel like I need to jump aboard?

Caratunk Girl said...

Bummer! I am so sorry you still have to wear the boot.

I hear lots of talk of Paleo - keep up updated!

Mark said...

Ugh. So sorry about your boot woes. In the grand scheme of things, this will be a blip on the radar. Stay tough—you'll get through this and be ready to run!

Megan L. Killian said...

Good luck getting back in the groove!

Jamie said...

Kudos to you for sticking with new diets for so long. I have really solid grocery buying habits, so changing my eating habits is really hard for me. I've gotten god at changing the quantity of the foods I buy (more veggies, less processed stuff during race season) but have never gone as far as going raw or paleo.

Definitely looking forward to seeing how it works out for you. And post some of your favorite recipes too!

Anne said...

Impressed with your willingness to try new diets - that is one area that I just can't seem to focus on ... maybe because I don't have a lot of time to cook and the kids can't follow suit most of the time. Excuses, I know. Wishing you fast healing so that you can give the boot the boot!

Anthony said...

Time to embrace the boot. Dress it up, give it some character. Find some First Endurance stickers. Give it a name, I vote for Phil, or Punxsutawney. 6 more weeks of boot.

Anonymous said...

I couldn't do it. I eat nothing but fruits an veggies except sushi once or twice a month; good luck. Keep your goal and reasons why you're doing it out in the open where you see it a lot; it'll make it way easier to stick to it

Josh Scobey said...

Agree with all of the above comments. Takes alot to keep the positive attitude going when injuries take over. Heal up and then kick butt! Look forward to seeing you at some races this year.

Joel said...

Well...even though it sucks to have to keep wearing the boot, the long term benefits will be better than if you re-injured yourself.

Paleo diet - is that like the Adkins diet? Just meat? I should be on the all-bacon diet ;-)

Savannah said...

Hang in there with that boot. It will be gone soon!
Good luck with cleaning up the diet. We made major changes in our diet over the last year and have gotten huge results with improving recovery and healing injuries.
Stay Healthy!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to hear how the Paleo goes - as a gluten free gal I am pretty close but I still love my rice (and chocolate : ) so I haven't gone all the way paleo yet!

Jeff Vanis said...

Make sure to follow as directed with the foot, you would hate to push it too much and then end up in recovery even longer. I am excited to try the Wild Berry! It will be my first experience with First Endurance products.

Janet Edwards said...

I feel for you with that foot...bummer! Well good luck with the Paleo!!! Looking forward to hearing what you think!

Velma said...

I am in the same non-running place. ugh. It just sucks, so I feel your pain. Good luck with paleo - it does work!

Anonymous said...

Good for you for staying positive.

Have you looked at the Paleo Diet for Athletes? It's another great alternative... still same caveman concepts, but it's tweaked for us endurance freaks...

C Coop said...

As Bill Clinton said "I feel your pain". Hang in there and recover properly so you can race another day. I've watched too many people rush it and end up with long-term injuries that never fully repair. You are more hard core than me, no way I could do the Paleo diet.

Anonymous said...

Stinkers about the boot. Just get it better and then get back at it when it is all healed!!! My cousin does a modified Paleo diet. It's hard sometimes to change your diet. I'm trying Gluten free to see if my digestive system will calm down. Good luck. Can't wait to meet you!!

Andy Rosebrook said...

EFS Wild Berry rocks! Bummer about the boot but hang in there your time in the penalty box is almost up. Good luck and good healing!

Chris said...

Bummer about your foot. Hope it heals up soon! I've gotta get me some Wild Berry EFS!

Unknown said...

I was raw for about a year. The recovery on that diet was awesome for me, but had some long term affects from it that the doc attributed to the diet. At which point I was to add a lot more protein.. that didn't work for me either.. now things are a bit more balanced and I'm happier w/ that. I'm interested to hear how the Paleo works for you!

BOOT BE GONE!!!!

rhino said...

Maybe you could line the "boot" and then drink beer out of it later, like "Da Boot!!!" I tried the GF thing for a while and didn't notice any difference, so back to bread I went :) I'll eat a bagel for ya MJ

Unknown said...

I agree with Ryan- DAS BOOT!!!

I though the WildBerry was PK, but I LOOOVE the Vanilla Liquid Shot!! :)