I’ve been going crazy with this whole not running thing. My chiropractor thinks it might have been a microtear or quad strain… and we’ve pinpointed it to an “easy” 4 mile run that was done half on very loosely packed gravel. The extra effort it took to push off each step on the gravel is what likely caused my knee/quad funk.

I’m going to have a biometric assessment with a specialist this week and hopefully will be back running soon (my goal is next weekend). Ragnar, 3 half marathons and Lakefront Marathon await me!

Right now, I have to figure out WHAT IN THE HECK to do. Walking hasn’t seemed to aggravate my quad, so I might end up covering the miles that way. How frustrating.

I’ve been following a RICE regimen and I’m going stir crazy. Praying I can get back running soon, or I may have to rethink some of my summer races… which is the LAST thing I want to do.

Later, while delirious from the ass-kicking workout, I got his dog and child’s names mixed up…which must have really confused him when I said he could put Lucas (dog) in a baby bjorn and walk around the gym. And that Lucas’ first words would be “Give me 5 more.”

Then there’s this:

Trainer: I have a feeling bad things are going to be said about me online tonight.
Me: That’s a possibility.

Mostly, I just had an awkward session. Because I’m awkward.

I’m still adjusting to the changes in my diet and how they are affecting my overall being – physically and emotionally.

Then there’s some other things that have happened that make me go, “Hmmpf. I don’t get it. I don’t know what I did, but apparently I fscked up or something. It would have been nice to know. So, you know, I can make sure I don’t mess up again.”

Oh well. I’ll have a good cry about it later. And then snuggle with Beep.

It’s been almost two weeks since I started the FODMAPs elimination diet and boy do I feel better. It’s amazing what a difference there is between me today and me two weeks ago.

I’m still crabby about many of the foods I’ve had to give up, but I’m thankful for less trips to the bathroom, less bloating, less gas and a more happy Amy.

Today I had a 5 mile training run. It went pretty well. I felt like my legs were heavy, but I managed to squeak out a sub-15 pace, which is pretty good for me. Of course, it’s nothing like my recent runs with paces of 12:30-13:30/mile, but I’m making progress!!!

But the rip kept getting bigger. If you follow me on twitter, you know that it just kept getting worse. When I got home from work, the seam had ripped almost completely to the front of the tights. This is what I saw when I took the tights off:

Let me tell you, it was breezy up in here.

Besides being crabby and tired, the FODMAPs elimination diet is going well. Unless you count the horribly bland salads I’ve had the last two days when eating out. Last night I had to pick off the croutons. SADSIES.

So today, I had my first training session back with my trainer, John. I haven’t seen him since January because of the whole slipping on the ice and throwing out my back thing.

I walked into the gym he now owns (Bayview Fitness!!!) and walked into the locker room. I thought something looked a little different and then… I saw the urinal. Facepalm. I would have been ok (no guys in there) except for as I was trying to sneak OUT of the locker room, a guy was walking in. He looked at me funny and I muttered, “Ugh! Wrong locker room! hahahah. It’s been a rough morning. I mean day. I mean, umm, ahh.” Then I just walked into the women’s locker room.

Sometimes I think that my life could EASILY be turned into a sitcom. Days like the last two are only proof that it would be hilariously embarrassing.

I’m not going to lie to you.

IT SUCKS BALLS.

I’m still bloaty, not as gassy but now I’m CRABBY AND BITCHY AND KIND OF DEPRESSED.

Top it all off and I go for a run today after work (with my new running capris) and they start rolling down my gut. Like I couldn’t run more than a block. It was horrible. I ended up walking about a mile. Then I got frustrated and went home.

I’ll make up for it tomorrow… or something.

Le sigh.

On another note, I got the sweetest, most amazing email the other day from a blog reader named Alana. Alana, your email made me cry. I WILL be responding soon, I’m just completely humbled by it.

And to Ro, your message today was just what I needed to pick my sorry self up off the floor. I <3 you.

Finally, I leave you with this. Chicken Bacon Dijon Potato Patties. It’s a nifty gluten-free, FODMAP-free meal I created tonight. You can find the recipe here.

A lot has happened in the past few days. I’ve seen the Hunger Games. Twice.

I had the MOST AMAZING RUN (and experienced “Vomit Hill”).

Vomit Hill - I almost contributed to its namesake.

And yesterday, I saw a nutritionist. I have been thinking about seeing one for quite some time and this past week I was pushed to the edge. I feel like my body is attacking itself whenever I eat.

You see, I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux at age 5; Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) at 10; Chronic Daily Headaches due to decreased levels of Serotonin at 19; Lactose Intolerance in early 20s; Hypothyroidism at 27; Gastroparesis at 28. Not to mention Asthma and Seasonal Allergies.

That’s a whole lot of auto-immune problems going on.

When you have IBS, you’re told to eat more fiber. When you try to lose weight, you are told to eat more fiber – because it is more filling than other foods.

When you’re diagnosed with gastroparesis, you’re told to eat less fiber – that fiber is one of the worst things for that condition.

So, when you have it all (aren’t you jealous?), what in the hell are you supposed to eat?

I don’t know. And that’s why I went to see a nutritionist. No matter what I’ve tried, I can’t lose more weight. I’m down 27 lbs. from my highest weight 2 years ago, but I cannot get past this hump. It’s frustrating because I work out – hard. I work out 4-5 times a week.

The appointment was very eye-opening. Rachel was very friendly and helpful. I was afraid that I would scare her off with all my problems. After listening to my history, taking a look at a food log and asking me some other questions, Rachel suggested I might benefit from eliminating FODMAPs from my diet.

I know what you’re thinking – what in the hell are FODMAPs?

FODMAPs are short chain carbohydrates which are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. The term is an acronym.

FODMAPs are: Fermentable, Oligosaccharides (eg. Fructans and Galactans), Disaccharides (eg. Lactose), Monosaccharides (eg. excess Fructose) and Polyols (eg. Sorbitol, Mannitol, Maltitol, Xylitol and Isomalt).

Basically, they are sugars, starches and fibers in food that some people (especially those with IBS) can’t fully digest or absorb. Because FODMAPs aren’t absorbed properly in the small intestine, “They end up in the large intestine along with water, where they undergo bacterial fermentation into hydrogen, carbon dioxide and short-chain fatty acids.” Sounds sexy, right?

Can I be honest here? Good. I can’t even explain just how bloated I’ve been lately. And gassy. Again with the sexy talk.

After researching and reading more about FODMAPs, I wonder if the size of my gut will go down as I eliminate FODMAPs from my diet. Can I blame my bloaty gut on them? We’ll see.

First attempt at FODMAPs elimination diet - salmon cakes.

For the past two weeks, it hasn’t mattered what I eat – I always feel horrible after eating. It’s frustrating. It makes you not want to eat. But I know I have to, so I keep eating. Honestly, I’m willing to try just about anything at this point. So, Rachel and I decided that I would try to eliminate FODMAPs from my diet for the next month, and then return to discuss how the month went. I am going to keep a food journal, detailing everything I eat for the next month. I will be including my energy level and other physical symptoms with each post. You can follow my food journal (if you’re interested) at http://fodmap.tumblr.com.

Initially, I’m going to completely eliminate FODMAPs from my diet. If things get better, I may attempt to bring certain (borderline) foods back in to my diet, to see which FODMAPs my body can tolerate. I’m hopeful this elimination diet will change my life for the better. Otherwise, I’m gonna be pissed to give up things like apples, pears, avocados, watermelon, artichokes, asparagus, garlic, onion, mushrooms and EVERYTHING THAT CONTAINS GLUTEN/WHEAT.

Yeah. I’m not happy about this diet, but I’m trying it because I so desperately want to feel normal. Even if it means eliminating favorite foods from my diet. Basically, eliminating FODMAPs from your diet means eating no packaged foods – it is difficult to find packaged foods that don’t contain FODMAPs, so this afternoon’s trip to the grocery store was a lengthy one – full of reading labels on EVERYTHING and trying not to feel too depressed. I’m to the point I just NEED to feel better and I’ll do just about anything to get there.

Anyways. Whew. There’s that. Here’s to new beginnings.

Here are some resources I’ve found helpful so far:

• Low FODMAP Diet (from UVA Nutrition Services)
• Complete list of FODMAP foods for a happy gut
• Personal Symptom Journal
• IBS Diet

Day 9/210: 2.85 mi in 40:45. Average pace: 14:11.

Tunes: Dan Savage Podcast. AWESOME.

Headed out for a run after work. And boy did I need a good run. It wasn’t as cathartic as I would have liked, but it helped nonetheless. (Stressful couple of days).

Was great to see Marge G. around the lagoon at McCarty Park!!! I loved catching up with my TC buddy!

Keep on keeping on.

BTW – it’s hard to take self portraits while running. Exhibit A: