I’m a HUGE advocate of carb loading, but I see it the other way around - how hard do I have to work to deplete my glycogen. BOOM! Problem solved
Seriously though, if you carb load a day in advance of a big workout you should have enough fuel to carry you through. I use carb loading primarily when I know I’m going to be doing a shit ton of conditioning work, a soccer game for example, or a heavy DL day with accessory work. I also find carb loading only works for me for leg days, not pullups and upper body more generally (prob b/c my muscles are big and juicy and water logged). And finally, I carb load a day in advance and then train fasted. I’m telling you, its like tapping into a secret store of energy while feeling light as a feather. Its amazing. You should feel naseous when you’ve finished training since you’ve tanked you stores. Drink a shake have a piece of fruit. Lovely.
Grr…back pain while running is the worst!! My back hurt when I used to run every once in a while too, but only when I’ve smoked my back lifting the day before. They say motion is the lotion - probably should try a different motion than running. lol! Anyways, in my opinion, back pain while running could be symptomatic of a lot of things - a wonky gait, for example, due to other muscle impingements.
Sorry to hear about the sciatica though - must be super frustrating!! Hang in there. Great work all around!
hey My Nadia! I concur with Maschy. I’ve naturally had that kinda eating habits. it might be bad, and I’m not the leanest now, however i’ve dieted down this way too and been pretty lean.
it works for my lifting, and when i was a runner too to eat a one solid meal at night and go to bed. Wake up feeling like i have a tank full of gas, all warm and ready to hit it, but not bloated. I don’t eat at all during the day, or at work unless i feel like the shakes which doesn’t really happen. Coffee and soda, or even just water only can keep you going.
this is probably not for everyone but i like feeling lighter --like maschy had seid, but in my brain i KNOW i have fuel. so it makes it easier to get into that machine mode.
plus there’s something totally primal and fucking comfortable about going to sleep with a full belly. maybe not smart for being lean but you can count calories in vs out and do a deficit. for getting shit done the next day its always worked for me.
Yeah, I train fasted too. I ate carbs on Saturday and hit a squat PR and did a (tough) circuit class today and felt great, but I’m low carb much of the time. I never eat before training, though - I’m a slow digester and even having whey before a session will result in me feeling bleurgh.
Ah! That story had me cracking up, I’m just picturing caricature mini-nadia sprinting down the runway making milking motions. It’s funny to me how a lot of what goes on in the gym probably borders on child abuse.
I can’t control my inner mother again (let’s go ahead and blame that internal clock, or whatever)—have you seen a doc or other medical professional about your back? Just when it comes to the spine, I tend to err on the side of caution.
I’ll put a vote in for eating before training. I run fasted, but need my oats and egg whites before lifting.
Carb loading sounds like a good plan. HOpefully, my stomach doesn’t revolt. I’m kicking myself for fucking with my diet before this race. Why didn’t I just wait.
I haven’t run since Sunday, so I don’t know if that back pain was just an oddity or is going to be a recurrent problem. BUT, the most bestest news is that my SCIATICA is substantially improved. I’m not at 100% yet but I have no doubt that the rehab and the rest is working. I’m thrilled.
Diet. Still good. Caffeine consumption until today was negligible. But, I slept like ass last night and I have a shit ton to do today. So, I fell off the wagon and cracked open a diet pepsi with my lunch. I love bubbles.
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TRAINING (hardly ever these days, but Pullups today).
2 sets of 5, 1 set of 15, 3 sets of 5.
I wish that set of 15 was easier. My initial thought was that I’m totally fucked–no chance in hell to hit 25. But, seriously, this is the first time I’ve pulled 15 without stopping to rest on the bar. So, this is progress.
That progress coupled with my uncanny ability to hang on the bar (and rest) and eeek out reps means I still think I’m in this.
Three weeks to go, 5 pounds to lose, and 10 more pullups to get…
I know you don’t think so but to me, that’s impressive. You certainly don’t look as though you need to be on a diet, but hey, that’s coming from someone with an arse like two throw pillows and a record of one single pull-up with an overhand grip, so take it with that in mind.
The pull ups are very impressive. I don’t see where you have 5lbs to lose.
What if you just added 1-2 pull ups every week? I know, deadlines and all, but still.
When I was doing push ups, trying to race Brute to 50, I would mentally add 1-2 more and I would get it every time.
She wants to be lighter in order to do more pull-ups, is all. But I think Nadia looks perfect as she is and why risk looking scrawny for a few more reps?
[quote]Cal Jones wrote:
She wants to be lighter in order to do more pull-ups, is all. But I think Nadia looks perfect as she is and why risk looking scrawny for a few more reps? [/quote]
Because she’s very goal oriented. I must admit I’ve done the same thing . . . cut a few pounds to hit 10 chins. Seems silly. But I totally get it.
hey nads-a bit random, but i just saw that this is out on dvd now and thought of you…it’s such a good documentary and i think as a runner you’d appreciate it (even though I think non-runners would too)
Cal: You have such a way with words. Thanks. And don’t worry–scrawny is not a look I’m after. Gaining the weight back will be easy for me. My body has really firm set point at 120-125. I’ve weighed in that range for pretty much my entire adult life. It’s not at all easy for me to weigh less or more than that.
Mim: I’ve been working on progressing the pullups for awhile. And this is just a test to see where I’m at. I’d like to get them, but if I don’t I’ll just keep working on them.
Lula: Graceful? I’m not really known for that, but I’ll take it. Thank you. Hood to coast= cool.
Dani: Snap is right. I’m dieting for the pullups. I’m happy with my normal size/weight.
Snap: Yup, you have me figured out. I guess it’s a little silly–taking this competition with myself as seriously as I do–cutting and tapering to test.
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Catching up…
I ran on Tues evening (no back pain); gymnastics on Wed. Thursday and Friday I was really busy at work, and I learned that a lot of sitting is as upsetting to my sciatica as any activity. This is good news in my mind. I’m not going to get better sitting on my ass resting, which means, I’ll take my chances training.
Today, I ran my half. Happy to be done with that. It was a distraction. Time 1:57–several minutes off my best, but good enough under the circumstances.
Good stuff here - pain free run, half marathon done - fantastic. I ran my half with the sciatica too (mine was 2:18 mind you, but I’m a plodder and the last two miles were horrific!)
I know I sit a lot, when I’m not at school or in the gym, but the sciatica was definitely worse when I had a desk job. Mind you, I only notice it when I run, so I’m thinking that perhaps running isn’t the best choice for me. I don’t know - still love the fresh air and head time I get from it.
Nice job on the half! Getting through it with a good-enough time and no injuries is a total win.
I saw the 15 pullup video and I COMPLETELY think you will eke out the whole 25 in three weeks. Those 15 looked strong and 10 more if you can rest on the bar is do-able. I’d bet money on it.
[quote]kimbakimba wrote:
Nice job on the half! Getting through it with a good-enough time and no injuries is a total win.
I saw the 15 pullup video and I COMPLETELY think you will eke out the whole 25 in three weeks. Those 15 looked strong and 10 more if you can rest on the bar is do-able. I’d bet money on it.[/quote]
Couldn’t agree more!!
Congrats on getting the half out of the way and still managing a great time.
I’m right there with you - just a few pounds can make an immense difference when you want to pull yourself up. You got this, woman!
[quote]Cal Jones wrote:
Mind you, I only notice it when I run, so I’m thinking that perhaps running isn’t the best choice for me. I don’t know - still love the fresh air and head time I get from it.[/quote]
I blame a lot of my hip/back pain on the years I spent running.
I hate to say it Nadia, but you might want to back off the running if you want to feel better.
Do you foam roll at all? I’m not sure if I’ve asked this before but it’s helped me tremendously (when I’ve done it consistently)
