The past year has been an interesting year for me as I become aware of adrenal fatigue symptoms early in March 2013 (started long before then…) and completed lab work in April to determine I was in STAGE THREE Adrenal Exhaustion from chronic stress. I had to cut out and manage any stressful events, experiences or exercise then re-learn how to manage stress. My exercise switched from training for my 16th Ironman to doing only 30-40 minutes of aerobic exercise, strength training, walking and yoga.
In September of this year, I started to feel better and “recover” from Adrenal Exhaustion from my treatment with lifestyle changes and supplements. My 30-40 minute aerobic exercise switched to trail hiking/jogging/running and the duration increased. I felt good and I had no “fatigue” symptoms as in the beginning of 2013 so I gradually increased my miles. I also gained a lot of weight this year as a result of my body being “broken” with adrenal exhaustion (liver, gut, digestion and hormones imbalances). Excess weight also results in slower pace and leg power.
The only problem I had with the training load was mental frustration of my lack of speed and power at my aerobic heart rate. My comfortable pace at my zone two 130-140 heart rate was about 3 minutes per mile slower or more. I had to walk most of the hills and I did not have any “quickness” to my descents. Results… a slow trail runner but happy to be out playing for hours on the trail. Endurance exercise is therapy for me….definitely does not help weight loss (strength training does).
In mid-October, my husband Neal Potts and training partner Joel Glass (both training for NF 50 miler!) did the 24 mile Echantements hike in Leavenworth with me in one day (20 miles plus four miles to condo). The hike was more climbing and hiking than running but the experience gave me confidence that I still had my endurance engine and I could do the NF 50k in December. My training program included long trail run on Saturday and “medium long” on Sunday. During the week we did one hilly trail run (Tiger 3), speed work on a track and tempo Fridays on hills.
North Face 50k on December 7th was beautiful but cold…happy as it rained the night before. This was my fourth year racing the 50k. My goal time has been usually5h30-5hr45 when in shape (post IM season and marathon)…this year I was happy to do under 7 hours especially as I needed to wait for Neal and Joel to finish the 50 miler. My finish time was 6:57… “sprinting” the last few miles with a full camelback of liquid (never could get to work all day!). Fueling was only two UCANN bottles and two CocoaBliss packets. Breakfast… herbal coffee then almond bar before race (not hungry).
Next post on “Mental Strength” a I wanted to quit at mile 7 since I was so much slower than I usually can do on the course.
