It all started about a year ago.

Well according to Facebook memories, exactly 1 year ago on the 18th of November 2018. It all started when I entered the Tarawera 100 mile endurance run.

To be honest, at the time I didn’t think that much of it. I was excited and nervous and feeling slightly crazy and brave. I was also committed. (You can read my entry post here.)

I started this blog and started a training diary.

A few short months later and the dream was over (read about it here)

I spent months dissecting the hows and whys of my injury. I couldn’t accept that I had done this to myself. I had followed a training plan put together by coaches I loved and trusted. I didn’t increase my millage too much. I ate healthy. If anything I felt like I had gained a bit of weight but I was gaining confidence in my running until it all came crashing or cracking down.

I had every test under the sun and at the end of the day there was no one to blame but myself and so the re-build began.

I ran the Gold coast half marathon in July.  I came back to marathon distance in September at the WonderFalls Trail festival and got a sneaky second place and returned to ultra distance in November with the 3 Bays Trail Ultra in Portland.

I had incorporated supplements and weight training. Nothing too hard core, the 3x 10 of a certain exercise didn’t do anything for me. I didn’t get any stronger and my muscle mass didn’t increase (and my fat didn’t decrease). I’m pretty keen on Tiff Xo at the moment, aiming for 2-3 times per week and 5-6 times per week running as well.

I was following my own little plan when I listened to a podcast with Dr Rhonda Patrick about the end of Alzheimers disease and the genetic factors involved. I decided then and there that if I has genetically more likely to get Alzheimers and that I could potentially reduce the likihood with lifestyle choices then I was going to do it.

I ordered a DNA kit through Ancestry.com and sent off the swab. A few weeks later I got the email saying my results were ready. I downloaded the raw data file and went to town on Dr Patricks website Found my Fitness. 

Turns out, I have four different genetic factors linked to vitamin D deficiency. FOUR! I knew it wasn’t just me who did this, it was also my genes. 

I did have my bloods checked after my diagnosis but I’d already been flooding my body with supplements as I was doing everything I could to improve my chances of running Tarawera.

Turns out other people in my immediate family had also had bone issues. Mind blown!

Hopefully my new resistance training and supplement routine will help overcome some of my god gifted genetic defects.

Disclaimer: I’m not suggesting getting a DNA test is for everyone. I was lucky in that I didn’t get any shock genetics that may have upset me or my family. I also acknowledge that the research presented by Dr Patrick is just that, scientific research studies and should not be used for an actual medical diagnosis