Vitamin D deficiency in Seattle Wa

Rumor is, lack of sun in the north west can lead to vitamin D deficiency. Last winter I was on work travel so this is my first full winter here in Washington and since I don't drink milk or eat eggs regularly (and theses foods have minimal vitamine d content anyway) I'm guaranteed to be low on  this vitamine.

So what are the effects of running low on D? Bone loss is the main problem as well as a lowered immune system but my main concern is decreased brain function. My memory has gone down hill fast this year. I can't remember names or training I've dove and as an engineer, a sharp mind is my livelihood. 

After taking high doses of vitamine d for about 4 days my memory has improved a noticeable amount! It's nearly impossible to overdose on it so I'm not holding back. 

It seems that cycling regularly seems to burn off a lot of vitamines and minerals. I think not taking supplements and eating a low quality diet is the reason my fitness peaked at 19. Had I eaten the right things, I may have been a pro rider by now. I ended up training very hard into college logging lots of hours on the bike but my body could not keep up. All that work just to become slower really took the wind out of my sails and I stopped taking my sport and health so seriously. In hindsight, social rides are my fondest 2 wheel memories. It's good to mix in some racing to recharge my drive to train hard and become a better rider. 

Picture above was a late summer race 2013, and my first competition since 2005. Raced sport and brought up the rear. What a kick in the ego! I have made my fitness a very low priority. Time to turn that around.