Confirmation

Have had two runs since my last post. Another little run in the dark on Friday morning, also the coldest yet. A big frost on the paddocks when I got back (too dark to see on the way out).

Then yesterday afternoon I did my long run - 16ks. I wanted to keep it under 7 minute pace which I did for the first half. Then I started suffering with stomach cramps for about the next 5ks. Ate all my jellybeans and drank quite a bit of my water. I think the problem was that I had a small lunch (scrambled eggs, no toast, an apple and a handful of nuts at about 11:00 then a packet of chips at D's soccer) then ran at about 3:15. I meant to have a banana before I went but forgot. It can be hard to co-ordinate food, soccer and running! Anyway I slowed substantially on the second half to go slightly over 7 minute pace. Overall time 1:52:27.

The title of this post relates to my most recent doctor's visit (I have been as many times this year as in the last 9 years). It appears that I do have coeliac disease. The blood test showed the level of antibodies to be 42 when normal is under 7. So this means a radical change in diet - no bread, muesli, cakes, etc (well, the regular ones anyway) it is amazing how much food has gluten in it. I will need to see a gastroenterologist sometime (apparently it takes months to get in) and she will probably do a biopsy to confirm, but the doctor has said to start the gluten-free diet straight away. My iron levels are not picking up like they should, so maybe this is why. Bugger is all I can think. I had to go to Newcastle on Thursday and we stopped at the fake Ayers Rock place. There was Subway, a pie place and a hamburger place. The only food I could have bought was fruit or hot chips. Luckily I had my own food and just bought a coffee.

The thyroid meds are also starting to work too well and am feeling very tired. Have reduced the dose so hopefully that won't last too long. G was on the phone to his brother the other day telling him that I was coming down with new diseases all the time I had to yell out to remind him that I also ran a half marathon recently. I am not quite falling apart yet!