October 1st, 2008
Back on March 18th, I wrote in a blog post, “…we got our tickets then went next door to the huge Asian market that recently opened where, at Lara’s advice, I bought some White Rabbits, yummy Asian candy that I can only hope are not laced with battery acid or antifreeze or whatever the Chinese are exporting in food these days.”
So how lovely to read on CNN Health yesterday, in an article about melamine tainted milk from China, the very last paragraph, “The FDA also recommends that U.S. consumers not eat White Rabbit Creamy Candy, which in China has been found to contain unacceptable levels of melamine. The candy’s maker, Guanshengyuan, has recalled its exports of White Rabbit Cream Candy.”
You know, this would be simply hilarious if it wasn’t for a small niggle in my blood test results from last week. Seems my kidney function is a tad off and I have to go back for another test in a couple weeks. I’m sure it’s not connected, probably just something left from the dehydration incident, but I did eat two or 3 bags of those White Rabbits since March, and melamine affects the kidneys, so it’s freaky-deaky, if nothing else.
Back to running…
Today was a scheduled 8miles w/3×1600 @ 5K race pace w 2min. rest intervals. Since I wanted to use the park markings instead of my Garmin, I went for 3xmile, my favorite (cough, cough) interval distance. Honestly, I’m pretty good with shorter intervals, I can find the fun in it, but miles? No fun to be had there, just looking for the end from about 1/4 mile in. I can’t help it, I hate ‘em.
As you remember, I’ve been basing my intervals off a 3:40 marathon goal’s corresponding McMillan calculated 5K, so 7:15s. Even though I’ve downgraded to a 3:45 marathon goal since my hell race, I figure I should keep the same workout goals since I’ve been doing them all along and hitting my paces well.
So was it any surprise that I berated myself when the first interval came out to 7:23? Thank god the next one was right on target, 7:15, but oh my…the last one? Horrible, terrible, must quit running forever with a shameful embarrassment of an interval, 7:29. Average for the interval set: 7:22.
I wasn’t surprised the intervals were all over the place, this was the first time I used the 1/4 mile park markers instead of relying on Garmin feedback, and I’m sure I’ll get better the more I do it, but this was not the collection of 7:15s I was seeking.
The whole way home my confidence was shot, I was thinking how I’ve been deluding myself this whole time, I suck, blah blah, loser, blah, I’ll be lucky to crack 4:00, etc. Then I realized two things:
1. A mile is longer than 1600m, so my 7:23, 7:25, 7:29 miles actually come out to 7:20, 7:12, 7:26 1600s, which averages 7:19. Better! Still…not quite what Pete Pfitzinger told me to do. But wait, what does our friend McMillan say?
2. McMillan says that 1600s for a 3:40 marathon should be between 7:13 and 7:29. Hey! Mine were 7:20, 7:12 and 7:26. I CAN LIVE!! No shameful runner death for me today. I’m right where I need to be. McMillan’s the man!
So life is back to normal after my death trudge home (could I be any more dramatic over a few lousy seconds?). Now it’s time to ponder the fact that I ate candy containing the same substance as the cheap table top I’m typing on. Neat.
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Oh man — too weird about the candy! Hopefully that’s just a fluke.
And if it makes you feel any better, Pfitz does say if the optimal duration for VO2 max intervals is 2-6 minutes, so you could do away with the mile intervals and just focus on the 1200s (like you, my mile intervals are way over 7 minutes). I did do the mile ones during my training for the June marathon, but from here on out I’ll just cap ‘em to the 1200s (the mile intervals beat me up too much!)
Great point, Betsy, I forget about the fact that it’s time that counts for VO2, not really distance. Cool, 1200s it is for next time and luckily, next time will be in a long, long while.
Ihad thought about doing 1200s instead. I wish I had. Mine were horrible.
But I’m guessing it was just as humid in philly today as it up here, so I think we should both cut ourselves a break.
Aw, sorry to hear yours were horrible. Just think, that was it as far as tough workouts before the big day! Can’t believe how a cluster of weeks and months can go by so fast…
It might not be so terrible if the White Rabbits were the culprit. You’ve stopped eating them, right? Problem solved.
Yup, mile intervals are hard. Your times look pretty good to me. I don’t think I’ve ever managed 7:15 average for those, and my marathon time is just 71 seconds away from your new goal, on a slower course. So chin up, Flo. Looking good!
Thanks Jim! I’m actually feeling fine about those intervals now, thanks to dear McMillan, but your comment makes me feel even better!
As for the melamine, it has lasting effects, so it’s not as simple as “stopped eating=problem solved”. Curious set of circumstances anyway, considering how many hundreds of Chinese candies there were on the shelves.
Do I feel bad now or what!? I didn’t realize you went back and bought more but knowing your chewy candy obsession it doesn’t surprise me ; ) Alright, so I called the phone number for the company in California that imports the candy and left them a message (not sure if they didn’t answer because it was early there or they’re avoiding calls) but I told them I needed to know if they had any idea whether candy from Spring of this year was also tainted. Still waiting for a reply. I think it had something to do with the dehydration (makes me feel better)! Actually I just read that intense exercise and not enough water can elevate Creatinine levels which is what is being measured in the blood test so that’s what I’m betting on!
Lara, Lara, Lara, I’m just pissed it’s tainted, I loved that candy! I’m not really worried in a “oh my god, I’m calling the doctor!” way, the timing is just annoying is all, and having a skewed medical test is off-putting in it’s own right, so not to worry, though if I develop kidney stones, I’ll send you a couple for posterity (wait, you’ll have your own since you ate the things, too!).
I’m not really worried either but thought I should investigate a little especially since you have such a large following and my photo has been posted here once or twice – don’t wanna get the flo supporters pissed off! They might come after me and since I’m not running much these days don’t know if I’d be able to out run them.
Anyway, some guy just called me back about the white rabbit. Not much to report, he said they’re just telling people to stop eating them, throw out or send back. They still have to run tests on everything but there are no reports of illness related to them. He said if you feel ill you should go to the hospital or call your doc. So there, I’ve done my part since I’m guilty of introducing you to the wonder that is white rabbit – edible rice paper and all. I’m pissed about this recall! Through my extensive research I’ve discovered that they make other flavors like lychee, red bean and more exotic ones like tomato and corn!
Lol, thanks for making the call, very cool of you, girly! Funny about the flavors, I perused the net too, to see how many ounces are in the bags and was surprised to see they come in coconut too. Yum!! All this investigation did was make me want them more!!
Those damn white rabbits!!!
Don’t worry about the kidney thing. My tests have been a little off when I load up on protien. Plus, if you had to fast before the test you could have been a little dehydrated. Just make sure you’re well hydrated before the next test.
Good job on the intervals! You continue to inspire and amaze me with your running achievements.
Thanks Elizabeth. I didn’t fast before my test and was well hydrated, so that wouldn’t have been a factor. The ER doc saw the same thing because they told me to get another blood test in a couple weeks (I was just concerned about the EKG, so I didn’t mention it here). My doc took blood only a couple days after, so hopefully by waiting a couple more weeks for the next test, that iffy number will have calmed down. But yeah, I’m sure all’s well.
I just saw that Fox Sports is showing the Philadelphia Distance run this evening. 6 Locally but could be different in your area. I will be watching for a dazed dehydrated runner who didnt poo herself.
LOL!! Bruce, too funny. I’ll check it out! Thanks for the head-up.