I Dream of Gluten

Today is the last day of my gluten-free month.  I'm sure you're all tired of hearing about it since this will be the THIRD post to-date about this topic, but hang in there, it could be interesting.  To summarize my month I have discovered that I do not have celiacs disease (never thought I did), I do not 'need' to continue a gluten free diet, yet at the same time I've definitely had more sustained energy.  So, am I sticking with it?  I think the short answer is 'sort of'.  Non-committal as per usual.

Seriously though - I think this has hit the restart button on my diet.  I have felt good this month so to keep that going forward I believe I will continue with a low-gluten diet.  Rice, potatoes, quinoa instead of heavy breads and pastas.  But the occasional pasta dish here and there is not going to send me into fits.  I will enjoy a fresh loaf of sourdough bread.  I don't mean to rub it in for those that have to be on a gluten-free diet but I'm sure you understand - if you could eat it then you most likely would.  For me, it's become about moderation.

Now that said, I'm totally going on a bender tomorrow and this is NOT an April Fools joke.   Breakfast - Lafeen's Buttermilk Bar.  Lunch - maybe something wrapped in a flour tortilla (just an FYI - brown rice tortillas are nasty!).  Dinner - Diana's Butternut Squash Ravioli chased with a very 'gluteny' beer.  Dessert - one of my five free cupcakes (ate #6 the day before my gluten free month started) waiting for me at Pure Bliss (thanks Jeanette, I've been waiting for these). 

So now I leave you with a month's worth of mouth watering images.

#5 - Gluten Free Halfway Point

I'm officially half way through my gluten free month.  And what better timing than to give you all a bit of an update.  So far so good!  

Dieting, in general, makes people cringe.  I think it's mostly about putting any sort of restriction on our consumption of excellent food.  Why would we even bother doing it?  I'm sure we all have our reasons.  To be clear my intention was not related to weight, nor was it necessarily about eating 'healthy' (whatever that may mean).  It was more a test to see if I felt any different.  A test to find out if eating a gluten free diet would give me a bit more energy.  To that end I've definitely succeeded to date.  My days are no longer filled with highs and lows.  I don't have the post-meal food coma.  Instead, I have sustained energy all day long.  Where I've noticed the greatest difference is in my afternoon productivity.  I used to hit a wall between 2 and 3.  My mind was pretty worthless until dinner.  No more!  

I do have a side note.  It's not like I'm bouncing off the walls with pent up energy.  It's not that drastic.  I still feel fatigued - especially since my training hasn't taken a back burner at all (in fact I've increased my mileage during this month).  It really is about removing those highs and lows in my day.  Now it's a steady stream of energy all day.

Eating a gluten free diet, I'm finding, is pretty darn easy.  Especially since I live in Bellingham (or the Northwest in general).  I think this region caters to certain diets - vegan, vegetarian, gluten free.  Not to mention that these different dietary needs are becoming more common place and therefore certain grocery stores and restaurants are starting to market to them.  Case in point - the fat 'Gluten Free' sign on a box of Chex.  It's pretty apparent what is and is not gluten free in grocery stores.  Most even have a 'gluten free' section - all with cheating food stuffs like gluten free pretzels, pasta, and cookies.  And then there are the restaurants.  Bayou on Bay, an awesome Cajun restaurant in downtown Bellingham, offers a large menu of allergen free items.  If you're interested the Andouille and Prawn Skewers are to die for (served over a bed of red beans and rice). 


Sure, eating out has its challenges.  Especially if your spouse or significant other is not participating in said diet.  But you can always eat salad...well, double check the dressing.  Another recommendation - the Cobb salad (I think it's called something different but whatever) at The Bistro is AMAZING and the dressing is gluten free.  Honestly though, Gabe and I love to go out to eat and being gluten free hasn't slowed us down...much.  The easiest is Vietnamese food - which you all know I love.  But even La Fiamma Burger has a gluten free option - 'burger in a bowl' if said spouse is craving a burger and you don't want to put a damper on things.


I have to say, eating at home has become a bit more enjoyable as well, although that's more about variety than anything else.  New recipes that have been a huge success - black bean soup, lemon and butternut squash quinoa (my favorite by far), and of course gluten free pizza - organic Italian sausage, broccoli, spinach and garlic all on top of a gluten free crust.  Last but not least are the desserts.  I found an excellent brownie mix - best brownies ever, as well as a few pretty delicious cookies.  

I'm thinking that the next twelve days should be a piece of cake (maybe literally).

Honeywagon Half Marathon Race Report

I PR'd...but was it worth it?  Yeah, I think so.  Here's the scoop.

I woke up early (way to go Kyle), lubed up with Body Glide for the heart rate monitor and then proceeded to consume my wonderful gluten-free, pre-race breakfast.  Okay, it wasn't wonderful.  That was sarcasm in case you missed it.  I just had a rice cake with peanut butter on it.  Yes, a 'single' rice cake.  Satisfying...no.  Same as a toast with peanut butter....no.  Enough for a pre-race breakfast...no.  But don't worry, I ate a banana and a gel before the start of the race.

After hanging out at the house for an hour or so (killing time since we were SOOOO early) we headed out to Everson.  This race is tiny although it's grown since I did it last.  Basically registration was a breeze, using the porta-potty wasn't a hassle (although there was a line the second time I went), and every 5th person we knew.  Twenty minutes prior to the race start Kyle and I went for an easy warm up, stripped the last of our extra layers (I even made fun of Kyle for putting Vaseline on his feet - maybe saying something along the lines of 'I never get blisters'...karma), and then headed to the poorly organized start line.

The start was terrible.   That's my only beef with this race.  Half the folks were facing West and clustered in the parking lot.  The other half was facing East (the appropriate direction) and filling up the entire Westbound lane of Main Street.  The little lady on the bullhorn could not be heard by anyone.  Being 'race savvy' I found the fast looking people and wedged myself behind them - facing East.   About 5 minutes later I heard a faint - 'Ready, Set, Go'.  Luckily I heard that much because I at least got my watch started on time.  Everyone else may have been a little late on the uptake.

The first 4 miles flew by.  I felt strong and consistent.  I was hitting right at an 8 min/mile pace.  I knew it was fast (for me, for now) but I just went on how I felt.  My goal 'became' - 'let's just see what I could do' - that sounds vaguely familiar (I think I do this a lot).  I wasn't being conservative that's for sure.  I can't say I was working hard but in terms of an endurance run I definitely wasn't holding anything back.  At first I had my watch set to show me my heart rate.  I was 'supposed' to run the first half at L3 and then the second half at L4.  I've been pretty good at listening to coach but I kind of threw that out the window when I decided to push myself and when I switched my watch back over to showing me time.  Oh well, you don't know until you try.

Around mile 5 I caught up with two runners chatting away.  They were obviously trying to hit an 8 min. pace as well so I made myself comfortable and joined in their conversation.  Although I must say I don't add much to running conversations.  I like to keep my conversational input to a minimum...basically I just grunt and give short answers so I don't have to actually talk.  That's just exerting useless effort!  Besides, the girl was doing most of the talking.  Asking me if I knew the age of the girl in front of us and debating whether or not she was in her age group or mine.  It was non-stop.  Seriously!  For a tiny race, this girl was a bit obsessed about beating people in her age group.

Just before mile 8 Laura and Jen caught up with me (and were questioned on their age by my new chatty/competitive friend).  A '9 min pace' my A**!  They were cruising and looking totally comfortable.  I was excited for the addition and excited at the prospect of running to the finish with them.

Then mile 8 hit.  I can't put my finger on what exactly happened.  Basically I just didn't feel right.  I felt...spacey.  I mean seriously spacey.  Not lightheaded, not dizzy, just kind of out of it.  I dropped back a few feet from the rest of my little group just to give myself some time to get back into it.   I ruled out nutrition, I had had a gel only a few miles back and it wouldn't have worn off this quickly.  It could have been dehydration...the day ended up being warmer than expected and I was a bit overdressed and definitely feeling sort of thirsty, but I had stopped at every water station and taken something in.  Or, it could have just been plain exertion.  

Over the next two miles I slowly faded from my group.  I started to feel blisters forming on my feet (where was my Vaseline now?), the spaciness wasn't disappearing, and all I wanted to do was walk.  Instead, I closed my eyes and ran on - one nice thing about flat and straight country roads.  I didn't want to look at my watch and get discouraged by how slow I was going (although surprisingly I was still clipping along at 8:30s whenever I did look).  But I still wasn't feeling right.  Around mile 10 I was seriously thirsty.  A guy (not a water station) was handing out water to runners.  The cup he handed me was a USED coffee cup.  There were coffee stains at the bottom of it.  DISGUSTING!  But, I drank it anyway because I needed to.  I started wondering if I had the guts to ask the guy running next to me, with a full fuel belt, if I could have some of his water.  Ha!

I'm not really sure how I got through the last 3 miles of this race.  It was both a mental and physical struggle.  I walked maybe 5 times total - twice due to cramping in my calf and foot that started around mile 11.  The AWESOME part though - I came to a dead stop at mile 12.7 because my toes had spread apart.  That felt great (again, more sarcasm in case you're not catching on).  At least it wasn't in the finishing chute like Lake Stevens and I could actually run across the finish line.  I guess that's a positive spin.

All in all, I definitely left it ALL out there on the course.  Lesson learned - maybe try to race what I came prepared to race?  I don't think I should have expected to have a 10 minute PR when 1) my longest run in the last 6 months was 10 miles and 2) none of my training runs have been for speed.  I just haven't been training for a half marathon.  I've been training to exert energy, at low levels, for long periods of time.  Oh well.  It was worth a shot and a new PR - 1:50:41.  I'd say it was 'fun' to see what I could do but I definitely don't know that I would have said that during miles 8 through 13.  It's always nice to have post-race amnesia.

How About a BIG Slice of Humble Pie?

So maybe I shouldn't have written that post yesterday about 13.1 miles being 'ain't no thang'.  Sure, doing it as a training run at an L2 or L3 heart rate zone is most likely 'ain't no thang'.  BUT that's not what I decided to do today.  Nooooo...I decided to try and PR and to PR big time.  Like a 10 minute PR.  I'm pretty sure that would have been all fine and dandy had I been training for racing this race but of course I'm not nor have been.  I'll leave the gory details for an official race report post but let's just put it this way - I went out harder than I could sustain, I bonked, I spaced out and found nirvana (okay, maybe not nirvana but definitely another dimension), and then I cramped.  You all know how much I LOVE to cramp.  It was AWESOME!  A great lesson learned though.  This one will stick with me through at least the rest of this year.  I might have amnesia next year.

California Trip

Lindsay, Kim and I all wanted to do a trip this year to celebrate our 30th birthday - yes, this is most definitely a theme for my posts.  Originally we settled on Cancun but the flight time and the lack of vacation hours on my part quickly overshadowed those plans.  Instead, we would all meet in San Francisco for a long weekend - a quick trip south for me, a short drive for Lindsay, and Kim's first California trip.  With the destination selected the logistics were left to Lindsay who knew the area best and who had access to lodging deals.


The plan came out looking like this:

• Kim would fly into Sacramento on Friday afternoon and be picked up by Lindsay.
• I would fly into San Francisco Friday evening and be picked up by the girls.
• We would spend two nights in San Fran, one night near Fisherman's Wharf and the next near Union Square.
• Sunday we would drive North to wine country and spend one luxurious night at the Villagio.
• Monday evening we would drive to Sacramento for my flight home and Lindsay and Kim would continue on to Tahoe to enjoy a day of skiing before Kim flew back to Boston.

I must say, the plan went flawlessly.  After a long day of work I took my flight down to San Francisco.  As soon as I arrived, Lindsay and Kim were waiting.  What came first - why a rum bar of course!  Smuggler's Cove to be exact.  Now I'm not normally one for rum but these drinks were amazing.  I'd tell you what I had but unfortunately you have to be a 'member' to even view the drink list on this site and my memory fails me.  Just know that it was excellently made and beautifully decorated.  The bar itself was fabulous.  A cozy place (to say the least) with a lengthy drink menu, an inviting bartender, and fitting decor (sorry for the blurry picture of the bar - I was trying to take it nonchalantly).  

One drink and then it was time to eat.  The first choice was dim sum at Yank Sing which I had visited on previous vacations in San Fran.  Unfortunately it was closed and our dim sum hopes and dreams were dashed.  Instead, we made our way to our hotel and Fisherman's Wharf and ended up at Bubba Gumps.  That's right, the chain restaurant.  Which, I must mention, I've never been to.  We were hungry, it was late, and the lights were on.  The menu - shrimp tacos and beer - good enough for me.

Post meal we walked across the street to our hotel, freshened up, and then decided that we must 'rally'.  That's right, we only had three nights together and it didn't matter if we were all tired and would rather be sleeping - we MUST go out.  Luckily we had a plan.  We were meeting up with Lindsay's coworkers and boyfriend at Taverna Aventine.  For a Friday night the place was dead but very much my style (aka no loud chatter to talk over).  A long bar, cocktail style seating, and a cozy downstairs that reveals the 150 year-old seawall foundation.

Around 1 AM we poured ourselves into bed.  Way late for this 30 year old.  I slept quite soundly until just before 7 AM when I woke myself up to go for my run.  On the plan - 1 hour.  I figured an easy run along the Bay would be quite nice.  The minute I stepped outside it began to pour.  I waited as my Garmin found satellites and luckily the downpour subsided to a steady drizzle.  I figured that was bearable.  


The run was excellent.  I ran all along the waterfront to just past the baseball stadium.  No stopping for traffic lights, completely flat, and not a lot of foot traffic due to the weather and the time of day.  I couldn't have asked for a better vacation run.  I even got to run past what looked like a great farmer's market (one which I will frequent on another trip).  And to make coach happy, my heart rate was steady the entire time - hovering around the 185 mark I believe.

After the run it was time to pack up the room, shower, and get a move on to breakfast.  Breakfast...was a trip.  The location - the Red Door Cafe on Bush street.  This place is ridiculously tiny.  I believe there are about 8 tables...maybe.  When we arrived all of the tables were taken and so we were relegated to line up outside.  Luckily we were second in line after a single guy, unluckily it was pouring outside and there was only a tiny awning to cover 4 of us AND unluckily the only 4 top in the restaurant was taking their sweet time.

During our wait we were thoroughly entertained by 1) the signs on the window of the restaurant that plainly stated that the proprietor didn't have to serve anyone he didn't want to, 2) other signs that said to NOT bring corporate coffee to the line, and 3) the proprietor himself, Ahmed, who charmingly berated Jesse, Lindsay's boyfriend, for bringing such corporate coffee to the line.  Oh yeah, and the proprietor himself - LOVE him.


Our wait, albeit long and wet, was well worth it.  The food was outstanding, eclectic, and beautifully presented.  The pictures on the wall, a little risque for the likes of this public blog, and Ahmed kept the time inside upbeat and entertaining and the HUGE chai teas and coffees kept us all warm.  Apparently during sunny days the wait outside can get up to 3 hours.  I'd say I'd wait up to an hour on future visits but any more and my hunger takes over.

By the time we finished breakfast it was still pouring outside so we planned for indoor activities.  First up, manicures and pedicures thanks to Lindsay.  It was a wonderful treat.

Next up, shopping, dinner, obligatory trolley ride, and the Lunar New Year parade.  There 'may' have been a cupcake thrown in there.  I stumbled on the shop - what was a girl to do?

To highlight dinner - Trattoria Contandina.  Amazing!  Lindsay and Kim both had porcini mushroom ravioli (not on the menu) and I had the Carlesima.  Yummy!  And for drinks, because there always has to be drinks, I had an excellent Maker's Mark Manhattan.  I didn't even know I liked Manhattans. 

The biggest sesame ball I've ever encountered.

Sunday morning we finally saw sunshine!  So exciting.  We took advantage of the gorgeous weather to take one last look at the bay before heading North to wine country.

The trip up to Yountville went smooth.  Traffic was light and the weather was great.  We arrived around noon ready to tackle as many vineyards as we could.  Not only was the hotel lavish and plush but the concierge was very helpful.  He gave us discount coupons to one winery and then set us up for a private tasting at Jessup Cellars.

First up - Castello di Amorosa.  Eh.  We went there mostly for the fame factor since this winery starred in the most recent Bachelor TV show.  It's a pretty impressive building and piece of property.  Interestingly, the construction of this vineyard completed in 2007 so it's definitely not old school.  The wine - left a lot to be desired and the sommelier was inattentive.

Next up - Sterling Vineyards.  Again, the property was gorgeous.  The gondola ride up to the tasting room allowed for a nice panoramic of the valley.  The wine...again, eh.  We blew through there pretty quickly and weren't super impressed with anything that we tried.  That said, we got a wine glass.  Ha!

Last tasting for the day was the private tasting at Jessup Cellars.  Now I may be biased because we had a private room, a young and friendly sommelier, 'healthy' servings of every wine, snacks, and a broader wine sampling - normal tastings, reserve tastings, and dessert tastings.  In all honesty though, these wines were excellent.  Pretty much every wine we tried was good.  Overall the blends came out on top for me, which according to my brother is pretty standard - blends are usually better.  Who knew!

After Jessup we had a bit of time before our reservations at Ad Hoc.  So we snuggled in bed and drank more wine.  :)

Dinner was FANTASTIC!  Ad Hoc is a Thomas Keller restaurant known for it's ever changing set menus and light atmosphere.  I had no expectations going into it other than it would be good.  And to that end it was definitely good.  Everything is served family style.  First up was a salad with tangerines, sardines, and chunks of tuna.  Next was braised short ribs with mushrooms and rice.  Then came roasted peppers with melted cheese on a bed of arugula.  Last, a poached pear crumble with cinnamon ice cream.  I know it doesn't do it justice to just list out the menu, nor did pictures really highlight how great this all tasted.  So, I leave you with just one glimpse at the main dish.  I'd go back - no matter how long the wait.

I'm pretty sure we all slept poorly that night.  In part due to the copious amounts of wine ingested throughout the day, or the massive amounts of food stuffed in our bellies right before crashing, or...even better the roaring fire we created in our in-room fireplace that kept the room sweltering hot.  Who knows.  But I must say that I woke up feeling slightly less than fantastic.  My plans for an early morning run through the valley was set aside.  Instead, we dressed and made our way down to the complimentary breakfast buffet, which turned out to be quite lavish.  An omelet bar, fresh fruit and pastries, and everything in between.  Oh yea, and free bloody mary's or mimosas.  I opted for the bloody  mary - but no worries, I only took a few sips before I realized how disgusting it actually was.  That's not to say that it wasn't made well - just after a day of drinking wine it wasn't for me.

Before checking out of the hotel we made one last pit stop at the spa.  Walking around in plush robes we visited the outdoor hot tub, the steam room (we all felt like we were going to die from suffocation), and the sauna.  Then it was a quick shower using all 12 shower heads (yeah, what are they all for?  I have no idea), quick pack up of all our belongings, and on to more wine tasting.  

Two stops - first Opus One.  Ridiculous!  30 dollars for a single glass of wine.  It was good wine, but it wasn't that good.  The three of us split it.

The second - Frank Family Vineyards.  I didn't actually sample many of their wines - mostly because at this point in our little trip I was feeling quite ill.  I felt lightheaded and just completely nauseated.  I'm pretty sure it was the combination of the spa right before drinking wine.  I'd advise against doing that.

Well, that ends my trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley.  I had a fantastic whirlwind vacation with my two favorite SAS ladies.  I'm hoping soon we can all connect at a warm beach location.