Day 12 Master Cleanse

Day 12, Saturday, 2/10/07
weight in the morning: 147
So I didn't come off of the cleanse as gracefully as I had planned. I headed home right after work yesterday and went straight for the raw faux meatloaf that I had made the night before. I started with just a few little bites. Once I had eaten those and was pretty sure that my stomach wasn't going to hate me, I had a bigger piece. I also had an orange and some vegan zucchini bread. All that sat fine in my stomach. I had a gift certificate for the steakhouse at Boomtown and offered to take my parents since I wasn't planning on eating so soon. My parents split a pasta dish and Megan wanted the halibut so I said I'd split it with her. I ended up just eating a salad and a few bites of the halibut. It was really tasty but it upset my stomach a little.

It was rainy this morning so I wasn't sure how many people were going to show up for the 9 mile training run I was supposed to lead from Idlewild park to IGT. Three others ended up showing up for a nice run. It actually didn't hardly rain on us at all. I ran with two of the runners at their pace (about 10:40min/mile). I actually got light headed and really tired for a few minutes about 2 miles into our run. That could have been from just having OJ for breakfast. Once I had a Power Gel, I felt much better for the rest of the run.

I can see why people go back on the cleanse. Being on the cleanse gives you a sense of comfort that you are doing something right for your body. Even though it may be a challenge to not eat, it is so easy to plan your meals. You just drink the lemonade. You don't have to decide what food your body needs. When you are off of the cleanse, even if you eating healthy, you are always wondering if you had enough vegetables or if you should have had soup instead of salad. That is something that I never had to worry about while I was on the cleanse.
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Day 11 Master Cleanse

Day 11, Friday, 2/9/07
weight in the morning: 146
I can't wait to eat. I drank the tea last night and started this morning with 8 oz. of juice squeezed from blood oranges. It tasted really good. I didn't have any trouble drinking it. I made another quart of OJ in the juicer with Cara Cara oranges. I felt good all morning, similar to the way I've felt the last few days. It finally snowed yesterday so I decided to head up to the hill to make a few turns at lunch. The snow was pretty wet and heavy so it really tested my legs. I felt a little short on energy but it was great to get up there for a few runs.
I felt slightly light headed for about an hour after I returned. It seems to be better now that I have had some more OJ (about 75 oz so far today). I was planning on just drinking OJ today and tomorrow and start eating on Sunday, but I think I'll probably try some solid food before that and see how my body reacts. I made some faux meat loaf from a raw recipe last night and I'm getting really anxious to try it.
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Day 10 Master Cleanse

If you are interested in learning more about the fast I'm doing, read The Master Cleanse, by Stanley Burroughs

Peter Glickman also has quite a bit of information on the Master Cleanse on his raw food website
Day 10, Thursday, 2/8/07
weight in the morning: 146
Run info: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2051186

Total Time (h:m:s)	0:42:16	8:33 pace
Moving Time (h:m:s)	0:41:34	8:24 pace
Distance (mi )	4.94
Moving Speed (mph)	7.1 avg.	11.5 max.
Elevation Gain (ft)	+997 / -998
Avg. Heart Rate	156 bpm	Zone 4.0

So I got up at 6 this morning and stayed up. It took a lot of will power and a long shower to keep me from going back to bed. It was a good day to do it, though because I had to pick up Megan from work at 7:15 AM anyway. It's almost 2PM now and I'm not tired.
I ran with the marathon training group at lunch today. We did 4 hill repeats where you sprint up a hill (about .2 miles) and then jog back down. I felt strong on the first one, but struggled a little more on the last 3. I felt good, I just couldn't go any faster. That has to be related to the fast and not taking in enough calories for energy. That should be my last hard workout before the Austin marathon. My focus for the next week will be to eat a diet that will best prepare me for the race. I will continue to run but my runs will be either short or at an easy pace.
My tongue was the whitest it has been this morning. Maybe next time I'll go until it turns pink again (although it is always pink after I brush it). If I didn't have a marathon in a week, I would consider staying on the cleanse for a few more days. All in all, I'm glad I did it. I'm not sick anymore, which is why I started it in the first place. And I was able to continue my marathon training without interruption, which was my second objective. I was able to run just over 50 miles since my last meal. The other thing I hope to take from this is a stronger appetite for healthier foods. I'm planning on sticking to my plant based diet that I have been eating for about 2 1/2 years. I will hopefully add more raw and whole foods to my diet, but I don't see myself sticking to a completely raw diet for very long. Seafood sounds really good right now but we'll see if that craving goes away once I begin to eat food again. It's been just over a month since I last drank. Right now I don't feel like drinking, but I think I might settle on drinking once a month if there is an occasion for it (like going to Austin this month or Napa next month).
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Day 9 Master Cleanse

Day 9 Wednesday, 2/7/07
weight in the morning: 147
Blood Pressure: 116/69
Pulse: 40
It seems like everybody is eating popcorn today. It is really tempting to pull a package of microwave popcorn out of my cabinet in my cube and go make some. But I won't. I actually had a dream that I was eating something (a cracker, I think) and realized when I was done with it that I had broken my fast with only a day to go. What a nightmare :)
I've been itching to try out my new trail running shoes and was planning on a run at lunch, but Megan talked me into going to the gym for a spinning class. Despite being my first spinning class in about 10 months, I survived. I meant to wear my HRM but forgot it in the locker room. It ended up being a good 50 minute workout. When I started adding weightlifting to my routine about a month ago I was trying to do one day of lower body and one day of upper body each week. I haven't missed any of the lower body days, but I have missed the last 3 weeks of upper body. So I decided to do a quick upper body workout after spinning. I felt like I picked up right where I left off.
One of the things that I was excited about when I started this diet was that I would need less sleep and be more motivated to get up in the morning. The first 4 or 5 days I seemed to have an easier time getting up in the morning. However, the last few days I have not been as motivated. I get up at 6AM and somehow motivate myself to drink the liter of salt water (I got it all down in one chug this morning), but then I go back to bed. When the alarm goes off in another hour, I just hop out of bed, run across the room and hit snooze. Then I crawl right back in bed. This repeats every 8 minutes for 5 - 8 times before I actually get up and shower. Maybe tomorrow I'll try getting up at 6 and staying awake.
I haven't noticed if I need more sleep. Some nights I've been getting more sleep because I go to bed early out of boredom and not wanting to think about food. I haven't been getting tired in the afternoon at work, though. I noticed a few weeks ago that I would get sleepy around 3PM and have to get up and walk around or have some tea or a snack to stay awake. I haven't been getting tired at that time since I've been on the Master Cleanse, with the exception of Sunday after my long run.
I have also noticed that my hands have been really dry and are cracking even though I've been drinking over a gallon of liquid per day. The dry climate has probably contributed to that as well.
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Day 8 Master Cleanse

Day 8 Tuesday, 2/6/07:
Weight in the evening: 147
Last night at the gym went really well I was able to run 5K at a pretty quick pace and then do all my lifting with no problems. I "think" my knees felt better doing lunges and leg extensions but I don't have any definitive proof that they have improved so just take it as a feeling I have, nothing more.

Here's the GPS data from last night's run

Total Time (h:m:s)	0:22:51	7:17 pace
Moving Time (h:m:s)	0:22:51	7:17 pace
Distance (mi )	3.14
Moving Speed (mph)	8.2 avg.	11.6 max.
Elevation Gain (ft)	+62 / -61

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2039635

And here is the data from today's lunch run:

Total Time (h:m:s)	0:27:33	6:52 pace
Moving Time (h:m:s)	0:27:34	6:52 pace
Distance (mi )	4.01
Moving Speed (mph)	8.7 avg.	11.2 max.
Elevation Gain (ft)	+192 / -206

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2042157

After the run I headed over the park to play ultimate disc

Total Time (h:m:s)	0:38:34	19:38 pace
Moving Time (h:m:s)	0:28:06	14:18 pace
Distance (mi )	1.96
Moving Speed (mph)	4.2 avg.	17.7 max.
Elevation Gain (ft)	+48 / -47

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2042158

Today’s run was my third fastest (by average pace) run over 4 miles. Only the Turkey trot and Apple hill races were faster. And it was my 7^th fastest overall out of about 150 runs I’ve used a GPS device on. Someone could definitely argue that I would have been in shape to run as fast or faster if I had been eating and kept training since last week, but I feel good and I’m happy that I have lost very little on the fast. The true test of whether the cleanse was a good idea will be in 1 ½ weeks in Austin, TX at the marathon.

Feels like my cold is completely gone. No more coughing, sore throat and runny nose.
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Day 4-7 Master Cleanse

Day 4 Friday, 2/2/07:
weight in the morning:151
I tried making the lemonade with molasses today. I used about half as much as I would normally use of maple syrup. It did not taste nearly as good. It wasn't sweet and smelt strong. It ended being a good drink to bring along to Micasa Too for Sarah's birthday. While everybody else was drinking margaritas I was sipping on my lemonade, which probably was just about as easy to drink. I hesitated to go because I knew I would be around a lot of chips and salsa and other tasty food, but that stuff didn't bother me too much. And I was happy to be the DD to the next bar when the fun and puking stopped at Micasa Too.

Day 5 Saturday, 2/3/07
GPS data from run:

Total Time (h:m:s)	1:12:47	9:00 pace
Moving Time (h:m:s)	1:10:18	8:41 pace
Distance (mi )	8.08

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2034403
I ran 8 miles this morning. This run and tomorrow's are the reasons that it took me a while to commit to the Master Cleanse. I ran at a comfortably slow pace and felt good the whole time. I haven't felt dizzy or light-headed at all. I did have a little more trouble with the salt water flush, even though I waited 3 hours before beginning my run. I'm pretty candid about the whole thing, learning from each new "experience", but my wife is a little embarrassed by the whole idea of revealing every detail about the elimination process to the world. So I'll keep it to myself.
I still think of food. I had been craving zucchini bread about a week ago, but I found out that they only have it on Tuesday and Saturdays. So I stopped by and picked up a loaf after my run since I was near the store (House of Bread on California Ave.). I got it for Megan and my roommates. I guess I was just thinking that since I can't eat it, it would be almost as good to see someone else enjoy it.
This evening was kinda tough. I wish I could eat something. I felt an urge to eat but I think what was worse is the thought of not eating anything solid for another week. Assuming I go 10 days on the fast, next Friday and Saturday will be spent drinking orange juice. So that puts me at Sunday before eating any solid food.


Day 6 Sunday, 2/4/07
Weight in the morning:149
After my run:145
GPS data from run:

Total Time (h:m:s)

2:32:07

8:40 pace

Distance (mi )17.53
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2034404
I skipped the salt water flush this morning not wanting to repeat yesterday's episode on today's run. Good thing, too. Not many of the bathrooms along the trail are open in the winter, so I stopped to pee on a tree off the trail. Not 2 minutes after resuming running did we encounter a cop driving down the running trail. That stop would have likely been for #2 had I done the salt water flush. He might not have done much if he caught me peeing, but I don't think he would be to excited to find me eliminating on the bank of the river.
I felt good on the run. Bob and I ran about a 9:00/mile pace for the first half, talking most of the way. We picked it up a little bit on the way back and I ended up finishing at an 8:40/mile pace overall. I was planning on running an even 20 but we got back to the car at 17.5 and I couldn't motivate myself to go do the extra 2.5 miles. I know I could have done them, but I pushed it harder than I probably should have for the last 5 miles so reasoned that running another few miles by myself might not be advisable. When I finished, my legs felt tired and worn out, but I was surprised how quickly my breathing recovered. Actually I don't think I was really breathing hard even before we stopped. I drank water and a quart of the lemonade before the run. I carried 2 8 oz bottles of water and 2 of lemonade and drank them along the way. I was a little nervous about needing extra energy so I added an extra tbsp of maple syrup to each bottle of lemonade. That mixture turned out to be really sweet. I probably would have been better with the normal mixture.
So much for not being able to do significant workouts while on this fast. I guess the real test will be in 2 weeks at the Austin Marathon where I'll try to run 3:10 and qualify for Boston.
I was not too upset when Megan wanted to stay home for the Super Bowl. Partly so I could watch the game (and the commercials) on our awesome HD tv and partly because I didn't really feel like being around all that snack food. Megan ended up getting chips and dip and boy did they smell good. I seem to have an easier time drinking at work than at home on the weekends. I drank about 2 gallons on Friday (1/2 water, 1/2 lemonade) but I have only drank about 1/2 that today.

Day 7 Monday, 2/5/07
I woke up at 6:30 this morning to start the salt water routine, which was pretty uneventful. I eliminated once before the salt water and still had gooey stuff coming out normally. Megan didn't sleep much last night and she said one of the things keeping her up was my stomach making noises from the tea. I've heard many people say that they feel great on day 8 and 9. I'm looking forward to that. Today I feel similar to yesterday and Saturday. I don't feel bad, but I wouldn't describe it as great. My cold has all but vanished, although I'm not convinced that it would have been subsiding by now anyway had I continued my normal (mostly healthy) diet. My legs feel great. I don't feel sore from yesterday. I'm going to head to the gym now to lift and run. I haven't really lifted on the fast yet (except the eve of the first day) so we'll see how it goes. Ty was mentioning that his shoulder seems to be healed after being on this diet and Aaron said he regained flexibility in his thumb over a year after the initial injury. I've been trying to think of any aches and pains that I've had lately that I could be miraculously cured from. My neck was bothering me pretty bad before the Honolulu marathon. It hurt to turn my head and it was so tight that I couldn't crack it. But that went away with 2 weeks of relaxation in Hawaii. The only thing I can think of is my knees. They hurt just a little bit when I do squats and lunges. Sometimes I have to do a warmup squat where I go down about 1/4 of the way to "unlock" them so I can do a full squat with a lot of weight. I know I'm getting really picky here because they don't bother me very much at all. So we'll see if they feel any different tonight at the gym.
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Day 0 - 3 The Master Cleanse

Day 0:
Monday, 1/29/07
Ate my last meal of curry soup around 5:30, then went to the gym to run 3 miles and lift. Earlier in the day I had coughed a few times but my throat felt fine. I decided to try out the master cleanse for a few days, possibly adding raw food since I want to keep up my running. The Austin Marathon is on Feb 18 (less than three weeks away). After working out and sitting in the sauna for 20 minutes, I went grocery shopping for the MC essentials and also a lot of fruits and veggies. I took the Herbal Laxative Tea before bed.
Evening weight: 156
Day 1:
Tuesday, 1/30/07
GPS data from run:

Total Time (h:m:s)	1:03:44	10:25 pace
Moving Time (h:m:s)	1:03:21	10:21 pace
Distance (mi )	6.12

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/1999644
I began the day with a smaller than average elimination. I did notice that there was mucus in it. I woke up with a sore throat and a bit of a cough, confirming my suspicion that I was getting sick. I ran 6 miles at lunch, focusing mostly on running slow and keeping my heart rate down. I had brought food to work, but ended up just sticking to my water and lemonade.
I felt bad that I had bought all that food and was worried it was going to go to waste so I cooked some soup and make some raw yogurt and apple juice for Megan. Although the apple juice looked really good, it wasn't that difficult to abstain from it. Both Megan and I are sick so we just laid around and watched TV until we went to bed. I think this is a pretty common feeling when you are getting sick, but I kept getting chills during the day.

Day 2:
Wednesday, 1/31/07
I started this morning with an elimination that was a bit smaller than yesterday but still solid. This morning was the first time I drank the salt water flush. Even though I had been warned, I let one fly on the way to work and was surprised to feel something wet. So back home to change my pants I went...after sitting on the toilet for half an hour to make sure it wouldn't happen again. I took it easy tonight and just watched X games and "Friday Night Lights" after watching Megan eat and taking her to work. I still feel sick although I definitely feel better during the day than I do in the morning or evening.
My tongue was pretty white so I brushed it pretty well until it was pink.
Evening weight: 152
Day 3:
Thursday
2/1/07
Morning weight: 150
GPS data from run:

Total Time (h:m:s)	0:34:41	9:11 pace
Moving Time (h:m:s)	0:34:02	9:01 pace
Distance (mi )	3.77
Elevation Gain (ft)	+236 / -236
Avg. Heart Rate	147 bpm	Zone 3.5

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2008444
I woke up around 4:30 AM this morning with a coughing fit and feeling that my throat was really swollen. It hurt to swallow but I drank some water and didn't have much trouble getting back to sleep. I had my salt water flush around 7AM and didn't have any trouble compared to yesterday. By the time I went to work my throat was starting to feel better and my tongue was still pink. I'm still sneezing and coughing a little and there is a slow, watery snot drip. I'm hesitant to tell many people about what I'm doing since I keep going back and forth on whether I'm committed to doing it for 10 days. I ran 3.75 miles today at lunch. We did a leapfrog run where everybody runs in a line and the person in the back sprints to the front. We started out with 8 or 9 people but ended up down to 4. I helped Megan prepare her dinner and watched her eat and that didn't really make me hungry. I still feel a bit sick. I'm hoping that my cold or whatever it is will go away soon.
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