About this blog

I am a runner primarily, although I'm also partial to the odd Beachbody workout. I am also intolerant. Not of people (well, actually, maybe I am a bit). Food is the problem. My issues started a few years ago with terrible cramps and, erm, worse, after hard sessions and races. I had some intolerance tests done at my local Nuffield Wellness Centre (where I was lucky enough to be a member at the time - before the recession of course!) and they came back with intolerances to durum wheat, dairy, eggs and rye, plus a plethora of minor intolerances.

Years of experiment revealed that replacing milk with soya led to the same issues, as did lactose free milk.

Once I'd gotten the hang of it I got by for years with just the odd issue, like anyone else. This year though, it became A Problem.

There was that run on a dark Wednesday evening when I suddenly had to go. Like right this very second. The problem was that I was on a well light residential street and wearing fluorescent high viz clothing. There were no pubs, no parks, no alleyways. Nada. I had to walk/shuffle a good half mile before finding a tiny stretch of parkland that happened to be unlit and had a tree in a place that would 'do'. What a horrendous experience. Then there were a couple of post interval session emergencies too. Then the post exercise bloating started to become post eating bloating. If I'm feeling brave I may post the photos I took after a meal one day. It's so, so painful.

The pain and other symptoms started to take over my life and triggered a bout of depression and eventually it all just got too much. The GP sent me for a barrage of blood tests that ruled out coeliac disease, so she diagnosed IBS, increased the dose of my antidepressants and gave me some Mebeverin to try. We discussed the FODMAP diet but she said she couldn't refer me to a dietitian. The Mebeverin didn't work. My mood is better, but my stomach issues are just as bad. So next up is the GI specialist on Monday. Meanwhile I'm attempting FODMAP elimination alone (not advised according to every bit of literature I've read, but is 'fine for a sensible girl like you' according to my GP). Not sure just how sensible I really am, as no doubt will become clear over the course of my blog!

This blog will hopefully track my journey back to health and fitness as I train for my 10th marathon - Chester on October 4th.