AM: 2 WU 5.4 miles of racing the Pike's Peek 10K.
This morning I was all ready to race well and the course and conditions were perfect. I was feeling great. here are my splits through 5.4 miles: 5:07, 5:07, 5:01, 5:08, 5:03. at 5.4 I had a very severe cramp to the point where I couldn't breathe. I was in 5 place eying 4th at this point but I HAD to stop. the pain of not being able to breathe was really intense. I stopped, tried to relax and began running again but three more stitches started. It was no use. My diaphram was spasming and I was afraid it wouldn't go away as it was pretty painful.
No one knows what causes side stitches for sure. Some believe they are the result of improper breathing, weak core muscles, or a genetic predisposition for the little ligaments in your trunk bewteen your ribs (peritoneum) to spasm.I know what causes them in me. It's always the result of too much greasy and sugaryfoods and or alcohol. I had too much beer Friday night and I suffered the consequences. My diet has been lax lately and it caught up to me. Another bummer, another wasted opportunity. But this time it's not the flu, it's not 30 mph winds. It's my own damn fault.
Things are in the works for me to fix some things in my diet and dedicate myself a little more. What I do in the other 22 hours a day have a definite impact on my running. I'll start with these three things: 1. Reduce unecessary sweets. No more eating several cookies or candy bars, or cake everyday while training. Only on my one day a week cheat day. 2. Reduce alcohol consumption while in training. no more drinking 7 or 8 beers with tater tots and nachos for dinner for instance. 3. Reduce my addiction to soda and carbonated beverages. Like with sweets, I can have some soda on a cheat day for instance instead of with every meal.
I already eat my vegeatables and fruits and dairy, and grains. I've got that part covered. I think the "excesses" of the above are now affecting me more since I'm 30 years old and not 19. I could get away with it when I was 19.
PM: 5 easy. spectacularly beautiful day outside.
| 