Thanks Rebecca !
I run 6 miles a day 7 days a week and lift also. I am 43 and have worked out since I was 15 so this is not new to me.
I have a pretty narrow IBS diet - brown/wild rice, veggies, Kashi and GNU high fiber/protein bars and tiny amounts of the foods I make for my family (believe it or not - we own a produce market so I have access to everything fresh !).
I wear a Bodybugg (google it if you aren't familiar) and burn about 2700 cals a day. I take in about 1700-2000 so I am always under a bit (not good but hard to master with the IBS). Like you I will splurge a bit and have a high day but my body compensates with increased metabolism so the calories seem to 'get wasted' and burn off.
I would love to be able to eat like a more 'normal' person but that is hard with the IBS C. I can tell immediately if I eat something and it doesn't agree with me. It is like my system gets 'backed up' from even small amounts of the wrong thing !
Like you, I have avoided bread like the plague but know I need to add more calories/nutrients. I have tried every style of eating and diet under the sun and have found that I must cater to my GI tract above all else or have no sense of peace. That sounds crazy but it has proven true ! Right now I am moving my style of eating from low carb/high protein to higher carb/lower protein and LESS raw veggies. I almost think a lot of my IBS is tied to my more Atkins-type diet. I think I was not getting enough carbs either to fuel my running. With more carbs I have more energy and actually feel better. I found a wonderful book on metabolic typing by William Wolcott and it ties in great with Heather's book but it is the opposite of what I have been doing for years which was more protein less carbs.
I love your idea of the brown rice mixed with other things. I have tried that the last few days and found it works ! I have not eaten carbs/grains in years so this is new to me.