sinus infection

two days out from North Face (actually 1 day 15 hours according to my desktop countdown widget) and i'm struggling to fight the infection that has invaded my sinus passages. as i generally don't prescribe to western medicine i look towards my nutrition (source: Healing With Whole Foods: Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition) and other alternative treatments. it has helped me get over various ailments in the last week or so including food poisoning, head cold, flu but this sinus infection seems to be a little more persistent. well at the least the lungs are almost cleared but damn you nasal passages...

i'm hoping that i will experience something similar to the zatopec phenomenon with my enforced taper rest during the last two weeks. i've never missed this many days of training leading up to a big event and all i can say is that i haven't been this rested since my two week break between the Cities Marathon and 12FT in 2008. maybe this test could change what i have previously thought i needed to do during the taper phase (or re-confirm my previously conceived views).

on a search of the web i found the following useful information... (i'm focusing on the mucusless food and ACV thing).

HOME REMEDIES TO CURE SINUS INFECTIONS:


#1. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is our #1 favorite remedy for stopping sinus infections. We wish more people knew about this amazing home remedy for sinus infections. The idea is to take apple cider vinegar before the sinus infection occurs, which for most people is at the start of allergies, colds, flu, etc.

CURING DIFFICULT or STUBBORN SINUS INFECTIONS


If antibiotics and/or the below home remedies are not curing your sinus infection, you need to take a look at your diet and eliminate all the mucous forming/thickening foods or drinks. Milk, citrus, spicy foods, wheat, cheese, etc. are usually the culprits. Try eliminating them from your diet for a few days.

Then try all of the following:


* Wild Oil of Oregano, a very powerful anti-bacterial herb (capsules are best)... Take 2 capsules every 3- 4 hours. This is a very safe herb.


* Potassium supplements -- dries up mucous.


* Drink apple cider vinegar throughout the day in large glasses of water (ACV thins mucous). See below for more information about ACV.


Run a hot shower run onto your face (forehead and nose) and then clear all the mucous from sinuses. Do this several times a day.

You should see improvement within a day or two. Please let us know how it goes!



HOME REMEDIES TO CURE SINUS INFECTIONS:

#1. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is our #1 favorite remedy for stopping sinus infections. We wish more people knew about this amazing home remedy for sinus infections. The idea is to take apple cider vinegar before the sinus infection occurs, which for most people is at the start of allergies, colds, flu, etc.

We have found that when apple cider vinegar is taken either as a daily tonic or at the first sign of an allergy or cold (i.e., sinus headache, stuffy nose, watery eyes), one can completely stop the histamine response or allergic reaction. If you happen to have one of the brands of ice cream mentioned above, you should also take a large dose of apple cider vinegar the moment you get home.

There are a couple ways you can drink apple cider vinegar. One way is to put 1/8 to 1/4 cup ACV in 16 oz of water and sip it throughout the day. The other method is to gulp the mixture at once. Depends on your preference, really! Sometimes you just have to take this dosage once to stop the allergy and sometimes you need to take it up to three times a day. If taken at the onset of symptoms, allergies will usually disappear between 1 -3 hours after taking the first dose of Apple Cider Vinegar. If you've been experiencing allergies for a day or more, your symptoms will disappear after about 24 hours. If they don't, make sure you continue to take water/vinegar mixture for several days!


14 Readers have found success by taking a heavy dose* of ACV the moment they feel a sinus infection coming on. (* Note: dose = 2 TBLSP diluted (or straight) in spring water up to 3x a day)

Please remember -- the key to success is to use apple cider vinegar before a sinus infection appears (i.e. during the first stages of a flu or allergy attack).

almost there...

the taper is almost complete - only one more day to go until race time. not really sure how to feel about this race. i was excited when i first thought about training for and running the north face 100. but over the last few weeks my motivation and desire have waned. this is a pattern i repeat often and an area where i need to work on before my next event.

i thought i had better post what i have done this week before i forget. shit already forgotten most of the details with other stuff going on in life i've overlooked my need to keep track of my runs and workouts. can't remember anything from the week before shame on me...

training summary:

saturday: 30 minute run with dog

i was planning on going out for a long run but after soccer i needed to go and buy a new washing machine.

sunday: mother's day classic 8k

ran 8km with my wife and had a great time. even better was seeing my 7 year old daughter run every step of the 4kms with a big smile on her face. a nice big breakfast in manly followed. again i planned on getting in a longer run later that afternoon but it didn't happen.

monday: 75 mins around the nepean lakes regatta centre

felt good this morning and was running well in my new shoes which i picked up in manly yesterday.

tuesday: 75 mins around lakes w/ shortened interval session (2x1200m)

felt ok. ran a couple of intervals around 3:25-3:30 pace. cut session short when i started feeling a hot spot developing on the ball of my foot.

wednesday: 45 mins around nepean river / soccer coaching (pm)

felt like a slug. nothing - no energy, no power, but was moving along ok.

thursday: 60 min yoga session / no run today

woke up early with my wife and we did a power yoga session before the kids got up. struggled at the start with how much flexibility and balance i have lost due to all the running i have done of late. will embark on the big goal of developing my strength, flexibility and balance through consistent yoga practice starting next week.

friday: 20 min easy run

got out before work for an easy out and back. ankles are a little stiff from yoga yesterday. added a couple of surges on the way back trying to loosen up my hips. feeling ok but not great.

will add a few more carbs into the diet today but won't go overboard. as long as i keep taking in nutrition during the race tomorrow everything will be alright.