What's Next?

Today's Morning Fuel.  I got bumped up from #2 on the cycle class wait list.  This required me to fuel up and get out of my pajamas and to the gym.  A morning gym class really called for a healthy green smoothie and a spoonful of peanut butter.  The coffee had been flowing all morning and the banana was for my post ride snack.

Now that I had all my fuel bases covered, I was ready to go -- once I found a lid to match the water bottle that would fit in the bike cup holder.

Today's class was a long tempo, uphill ride.  It was supposed to  build strength and endurance.  As I was riding, I was looking at the mountain outside the window and imagining that I was making my way up that hill.  In reality, I was probably only on a gentle incline.  But, I will take it.  I stayed on the bike.  I had a small problem when we were out of the saddle.  The seat kept attacking my backside.  A post-class seat adjustment consultation with the instructor should ensure that I don't have that problem again.

So that takes care of "the old."  I'm definitely getting back to spin.  I have reservations for my next three classes and think I have figured out the system, so no more wait list for me.

What's Next?  

Well, as you can tell.  I am still not running.  I'm just not there.  I miss it.  I am a bit envious when I see all of the runners here, but I know it's not time. Yet.

No running = No upcoming races.  Still, I need some extra motivation.  I think I found it.

This is InDependent.  

"A health and wellness project, InDependent’s mission is to create a thriving community of military spouses that support preventative wellness by inspiring each other to make health and fitness a priority." 

So I have signed up to be a Community Ambassador.  Yep, I will be leading and encouraging other area military spouses to make health and fitness a priority.  And in the process, ensure that it is a priority in my life, as well.  

That's the plan, anyway.

***I also promised my dental hygienist that I would floss everyday until I see her again in six months.***

2015 Inaugural Ride

All evidence to the contrary, I enjoy working out.  I like the physical effects of the exercise.  I feel energized.  I feel like I have accomplished something.  I enjoy the camaraderie that you find at the gym and on the running trail. 

So why do I have such a love-hate relationship with exercise?  Because before, during, and after a workout I have one thought going through my mind:  Will I get a migraine?

I am currently trying to combat this by changing my diet.  Other than that I have two options.  I either workout or I don't.  I don't like the second option, so I am tentatively pushing forward.  

I have had good luck in the past not getting migraines after a cycling class.  So my first day back to exercise, I opted for an indoor cycling class.

It turns out my local YMCA replaced their bikes when they remodeled the facility.  Yep.  The Real Ryder moves side to side as you ride.  It's supposed to work your core more.  I can see the benefit of the realism. Today, it just made me feel off kilter. 

Today's ride was an hour long work out.  My goals were to stay on the bike for the entire class and to (fingers crossed) not get a migraine.  I wasn't going all out during the ride, but I stayed on the bike. As for the second part, so far, so good.

Day Two of no carb/no sugar is going well.  Egg salad lettuce wraps for lunch. Yum.

Now What?

I was feeling really good about starting a healthier 2015.  On January 1st we participated in the state parks' First Day Hikes.  We took a 4 mile hike through the snow at Chatfield State Park.  Then from January 2nd to January 4th we spent our time at Snow Mountain Ranch where we went tubing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing.  I was feeling a bit smug.  That's a lot of activity without a migraine.  I came home from our trip and added all of the BodyPump and Indoor Cycling classes from the Y that could fit into my schedule.  I figured it they showed up on my calendar (in bright yellow), I would be less likely to schedule over them and more likely to get to a few of the classes every week.  I spent yesterday, January 5th, running a few errands, getting a manicure/pedicure, and getting set for the kids to go back to school on the 6th.

January 5th, 3:17 pm:  Migraine Aura.  Are you kidding me?  What brought this one on? Six hours later, I started to be able to function again, but I just ate some chicken noodle soup and went to bed.

Now what?  Well, today I am dealing with my migraine hangover.  If you get migraines, you know what I am talking about.  If you don't, it's just like it sounds.

I am also not removing the bright yellow squares from my calendar.  I just won't be making the yoga class tonight.

On a more proactive front, I have to change my diet.  Diet and trigger foods have long been linked to migraines.  I did a lot of reading about the connection last year. Here's what I have concluded:

1.  According to books such as, The Migraine Miracle, Grain Brain, and Against All Grain, there is a link between carbs, sugar, and migraines.  There is a lot of evidence to support these claims.  I am especially referring to how it was laid out in The Migraine Miracle.
2. From my own experience (looking back over this training blog) I have found the link to be true as well.  When I was running frequently with out headaches, I was also following the South Beach Diet.  This diet cuts out carbs and sugars.  I was running without migraines.  As I added more and more of the grains and sugars back into my diet (also known as quitting), I continued to run.  Bam! Migraines! I attributed them to a lot of different factors.  I didn't make the connection to the carbs and sugars.  Now, I can clearly see the link.

So.  Yeah.  Good-bye carbs and sugars. Hello, Gym.

I will be chronicling how this all plays out here on The Sometimes Runner.  

Who knows?  I might even get back to running.  Surprisingly, I miss it.