Crazy making…That’s what I’ve been going through in the last few weeks. Real, set your head spinning, crazy making.

You see…I seemed to have developed a case of insomnia due to getting better and not backing off some of my adrenal support supplements. At the time though I had no idea that this was the cause. All I knew is my sleep patterns where not so great anymore…then one night I actually didn’t sleep a wink. I freaked, called my doc and said “give me something…lorazepam, Ambien…anything”. Well, she obliged me with both and I was off to lala land…

I feel in love with Ambien for the 10 days she prescribed it. I was sleeping again. Only problem, after those 10 days I was chasing sleep again. I asked for more and she again obliged, and that knock ya out sleep was mine again.

You might be thinking…so what’s the problem??? Being sensitive to meds and such, I then developed the side effect of anxiety. Mind you, I have never been an anxious person and here I was with jaw aching, body rattling anxiety!!!

I finally had a moment of clarity and realized the Ambien was the cause and quickly stopped it. Around this time I had just done all the tests to see how I was recovering from Adrenal Fatigue…The good news is my adrenal function is back in range and all other levels were also!!!
That is except my overnight cortisol levels which were sky high! (15 when the range is 1-3). No wonder I wasn’t sleeping!!!

That’s when my nutritionist and I decide it was time to stop all supplements and focus on bringing down my overnight cortisol levels. I’m about 4 days into this at the moment. So far, I sleep great one night, next night I’m challenged with having a hard time falling asleep…..

Now I’m a firm believer in silver linings and growing from every experience. From this experience so far I’m taking a greater understanding for the people I work with who have mental illness. What it’s like to be on meds and have side effects. What it’s like to have sleep challenges, and mainly how messed up having anxiety is!! How hard it can be.

I know it’s going to be a few weeks. I’ve been off Ambien 10 days, off Lorazepam for 5 days, and off supplements for 4 days. One thing I would share from this…if you ever hit a rough patch…Ambien is a wicked drug!!! Hang in there and try to get through it without medication! As my nutritionist told me “no one ever died from not sleeping”. Boy that helped to hear that…

Right now, its Sunday and I’m writing this sitting on a plane bound to Hartford, Ct. Work is sending me to a DBT training for a week. I’m going to spend 40 hours learning Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Perfect timing I’d say!!!

I love how God, the Universe, whatever you call it- always gives us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it!!! I’m right where I’m suppose to be, experiencing exactly what I’m suppose to be experiencing. I know this will pass and I will be a better person for it.

With challenges comes the opportunity to grow. Isn’t that why we do this crazy thing we call triathlon? For the challenge, the growth. Well, I’m just getting to grow in a different way!!!!

Bring it on!!! I’m an Ironman!

This last Thursday I met again with the nutritionist who is guiding me through getting my adrenals back on track (along with Dr Shyelle).  I got some good news…and not so good news.

I've officially got Adrenal Fatigue

The good news is my adrenals are not so far gone that they are barely functioning.  They are not functioning great, but not horrendous.  (I’ve got mild Adrenal Fatigue).  There is a lot of hope that I will be much better soon and able to get in the training for next June’s Ironman.

The not so good news is…..I basically can not exercise for at least two months.  Seriously.  No exercise as I know it!  Wow…what a mind f#^$.  Holy cow, from Ironman training to basically nothing.  Yeap.  I can only “exercise” 5 days a week.  I put “exercise” because what I can do is really limited. 

What I’ve found out is basically I can’t get my heart rate over 90 BPM for any sustained length of time.  I CAN do- easy yoga; an easy walk; easy weight workout; and easy Pilates.  That’s it.  And nothing can be longer than 30 mins 45 tops!  Is that wild or what.  From 7 hr bike rides to 30 minute walks.  Well, turn my world up side down!

So…what am I going to do?  As I got this news and learned more about adrenal fatigue over the past few weeks, I’ve realized I can either continue to feel like crap- or I can do what these professionals are saying.  I’ve opted to follow their plan.  A little exercise, as much sleep as possible, and nutrition that supports adrenal restoration. 

This is going to be a new adventure.  Right now I’m doing ok with the not exercising.  Honestly because I’m really tired.  I don’t mind sleeping and resting right now.  In a month from now, as I begin to feel better…it may be another story. 

It’s hard to not be out there training with all my friends…and it will take some effort on my part to stay connected.  I’m kinda looking forward to this adventure.  I call it an adventure because what will occur is unknown.  I’m sure I will change through this process and I’m kinda looking forward to what those changes may be. 

Sometime when I think about the name I gave my blog over one year ago- Going The Distance- I thought the name would represent all the miles I would cover training for and racing in an Ironman.  Little did I know those words would hold true in so many different areas of my life….and with that—-

This morning as I was getting ready to go to work I thought about how much time and effort it takes just to get ready for the day.  See, this being a triathlete stuff can have it’s challenges outside of the actual workouts. 

Take for example today.  I got up at 5:30 so I could leave the house by 7:30.  Now you might be shaking your head thinking- “Shoot- this crazy triathlon chick must take forever to get dressed and put her makeup on!” …..WRONG!   That part takes me about 20 minutes…..Now you’re wondering- “So what the heck takes sooooo long???”  Well, let me explain-

I get up in the morning make some tea and start the process of packing ALL my food for the day.  Yeap- that’s what takes so long.  I first put together my lunch (today was a large salad, tuna fish, apple); a snack (celery, guac, turkey); breakfast (Paleo pancake, berries, spinach & canadian bacon)…….

Add to that- today following work I go straight to Peak to Peak Performance Center for a Computrainer class.  This adds some time due to packing Pre and Post workout food (banana and hard boiled egg Pre;  juice & protein powder Post). 

My food for the day

Alright- I’ve got ALL my food for the day- now to pack my gear!  Today this means putting my TT Bike in the car (dear Ol Black Betty!) and grabbing my cycling shoes and clothes.  Oh yeah- did I mention I’m going to lift weights at the gym during lunch??? I better pack those clothes too!!  And don’t forget to bring socks!!  (I don’t know how many times I’ve forgotten this little article of clothing).

So there you have it!  All that takes a good hour for me to get together!  And now you are probably thinking- “well why doesn’t she just get everything ready the night before?”.  And here’s the why….I workout at night or have bodywork done and get home about 8:00pm and need to eat and then like to be in on my way to sleep by 9:30…And let’s be honest-  I love my veg-out time with some tv-   plus, I’m much more of a morning person and my eyelids start shutting at 9:00 anyway!

Now, one thing I do for my meal pre that helps a TON is I prepare all my food for the week on Sunday evenings.  This week I baked  spaghetti squash, a pork loin, Jenni-O turkey breast, and some Paleo cookies.  Then I cooked about 3 lbs of asparagus, some brussel sprouts,  1 lb of zucchini and yummy spaghetti sauce with ground beef.  I then made 5 Paleo Pancakes for breakfast all through the week…..All of this took me about 2 hours total to prepare.  Can you imagine how much longer the mornings would take me if I didn’t do this on Sundays???!!!!

Nutrition plays a very important role in being a triathlete.  About this time last year I was eating whatever I wanted.  I was having muffins, eating out a lot, you name it.   As I got closer to my first Ironman I began to realized that eating “clean” made a difference with my big workouts I was doing.  If I ate muffins and ate out frequently- my performance while training suffered.  If I ate clean- I had much more power and endurance during my long hours training. 

Since last summer, I’m convinced that eating clean and preparing all my food to take with me, is key to maintaining the level of training that I strive for.  I use to fool myself into thinking it didn’t matter- but it does.  What I put in my mouth effects my workouts…..And even though it would be easier to stop by Starbuck to grab breakfast, and Chipolte for lunch- this just doesn’t work for me.  It may for some, but I would challenge that as I use to believe it worked for me too.  Today- not so much!

So- I’ll get off work today- train- get up early and pack my meals for the day-go to Masters-head to work- and continue daily with my morning routine……And by the way, just out of curiosity- What’s your morning routine?????