Ready, Set, Cook

	Off to the Races

A quarter mile into my half-mile swim during the first leg of the Greenwich Triathlon this past Sunday, both my lungs filed for a divorce from the rest of my body. They were screaming bloody murder, and I fully expected that to happen.

With every stroke it felt as if a boa constrictor was tightening its hold, squeezing ever so slightly, making each breath less and less productive. My lungs had good reason to be bitter.

A few minutes later, as I was rounding the first big orange buoy, my stomach and the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich I ate that morning began to argue over turf. Luckily, they reached some sort of agreement.

It had seemed reasonable at the time -- 5:30 that morning -- to have a little breakfast before attempting my very first triathlon. It is, after all, the ultimate test of mental and physical strength.

And you'd think that after denying my body the pleasure of eating carbs for months now that it would jump for joy at the sight of a freshly baked Portuguese roll loaded with my new mainstay, protein. However, it proved to be a bit of a transition.

A Strict Regimen

I've mentioned in the past that I have been on a virtually carb-free diet for some time now. It's done wonders for my physical and mental condition, and my body feels better than it ever has.

After a month without carbs, I realized that I didn't miss the bread, rice, pasta and potatoes as much as I anticipated. When you think about the havoc wreaked on your blood sugar level -- and feel the benefits almost immediately -- it's easy to drop the carbs. ...