Thursday - Dog Run

Run: 3.3 miles
Terrain: Very Hilly
Time: 0:40:32

Pre-Run Glucose: 109 mg/dL
Post-Run Glucose: 143 mg/dL
Intake: 1 cup Choc. Silk
Run Pump Status: Suspend


   This is the first run post marathon for me. It was typical and felt no different than before. The quads are a little tight, but all in time. No problems with glucose, pump, or CGMS. I will admit I forgot to take my Fuelbelt and regretted it. I pushed hard for about a 1/8th mile stretch up-hill, and that felt good. I need to do that more often.

Wednesday - The Double-Edged Razor

   I was reading Phil Southerland's blog this morning and a thought occurred to me, the "Double-Edged Razor". Some time ago a family member gave me a copy of "Lance Armstrong's War: One Man's Battle Against Fate, Fame, Love, Death, Scandal, and a Few Other Rivals on the Road to the Tour de France" by Daniel Coyle. In reading it, I came to understand the term "riding the razor", which is basically an athlete pushing themselves very decisively hard (to the point of peak performance - on the razors edge), and yet not beyond that. Beyond that is to get very sick. Well, stepping away from just the cyclist aspect of that you have endurance atheletes for example who do this. The folks that as professional athletes train pretty much every day. They streamline their diets, sleeping, lifestyle, and training. Everything is put to the science of perfection for peak performace. Now mix it up and add Type 1 diabetes to it.......you now have an individual who is riding a double-edged razor. If many thought it was tough with just a single blade, now the individual has two that need focus and extreme attention.

   It's an achievement on its own to be able to for example cycle in the Tour de California, it's a whole other achievement in it's own to add to that being a Type 1 Diabetic. You may crash as a typical cyclist, but you can crash even harder and faster as a Type 1.

Sunday / Monday - The Build

Ride: 18.5 miles
Terrain: trainer
Time: 0:55:33

Pre-Ride Glucose: 153 (perfect)
Post-Ride Glucose: 109
Intake: Nada
Ride Pump Status: Suspend


   Since I've got to work for a living, instead of run or ride for my paycheck, my events come a little further apart than I would like, but that's the life we live. I've been taking it really easy post last Sundays Marathon. Mostly, due to the right knee and right foot. Tons of stretching, yesterdays trainer ride, and a few hikes are about all I've done so far. The bike is ready and I'm starting to put some miles on it again.

   I'm beginning to organize my team this year "Red Riders" for the 09 TDC and get folks ready. I don't want any riders to feel left behind or not prepared the day of the event. For that matter even a few weeks out of the event. So, scheduled rides are going to start kicking in real soon. I've got the cold weather gear and don't mind riding in it, but liquid sunshine at the start of a ride is never very encouraging to put the rubber side down.

   Friday's kick-off luncheon was great. I have to say, I've never spoken in front of such a large group of people before. I knew maybe three people in the crowd of about 100. I was happy with a decent ~6 minute impromptu speech. I did in fact speak about my personal experience with diabetes and how others relate to it. I told the crowd about my desire to mentor youth with Type 1 and explained how I was getting there so far. I also let the audience know that my desire was by far nothing new. That in fact, Team Type 1 and Triabetics were far ahead of me on this issue. I made some great connections with folks who I believe will be able to help me in the development of a local program for youth with type 1. I am incredibly encouraged by the show of folks and their appreciation of what I had to say. If the number of folks waiting to talk to you after the meeting is over is any indication of a good speech, well then I'm very pleased at how I did. Maybe I need to try that more often. We'll see what happens. I was already asked by some ladies at our table if I would consider speaking to some youth. Heck, open door. Bring it on.

I'm seeing this dream become more solid by the day. Now I just need to get into the next DESA conference call.

Thursdays Thoughts

   Just a few thoughts for the day. I'm the team Captain for the Red Riders for our Tour De Cure here in the area. The Red Riders are those cyclists who have Diabetes...the reason for the ride. Mari Ruddy started this a while ago out in Colorado. So, I carry this on in our area. I organized Team Life last year and was asked by the ADA event associate manager from Knoxville if I would change our team name this year and lead out the Red Riders. I thought what the heck, why not. And then I started getting some other ideas. Like how the training for this event could lead to a possible mentor-like relationship with youth who have Type 1 after the tour is done this year. Hmmm. Some bike rides, maybe if a few folks are interested in running. Maybe some competative events in the future and get these guys interested and involved. I see this all taking a mild shape already, but I have high hopes.

   I don't know about anyone else, well I do - I've read it on your blogs too, but when I was diagnosed at the age of 12, I thought the fun was over. I was told "no salt, and NO SUGAR" ever again. Sounded kind of drastic and rather bland if you ask me. In fact, I felt extremely limited in my diet for years. This also rolled over into my activities. I wanted to at least look normal so when I was in Highschool I got on the wrestling team. That was agreat step in the right direction. It's this direction that I want to help others to see that they can totally take. I hate it when others limit you and they have no clue. Here's a great example that grinds me every time I hear it. You're at a benefit meal at work for example and someone you work with says, "man you can't eat that, you've got diabetes". Inside that REALLY pisses me off, but I've learned to enlighten those types of viewpoints instead of getting upset. So, with these hopeful beginnings I want to see what comes of this in the next 6-12 months. And this is a little bit of what I'll say tomorrow during our "Kick-Off Lunch" for this years Tour de Cure.

Wednesday - 2009 Possibilities

My thoughts for events for 2009

March
April
18th - Jackrabbith Duathlon 2.2/12/2.2 (run/bike/run)
May
3rd - Lost Loon Triathlon 9mi/2mi/4mi (bike/canoe/trail run)

9th - Tour de Cure Century (100 mi) bike

June
Something running
July
August
September
? - Open Arms Care Century or Metric (100 / 62mi) bike
October
25th - Fall Chill Duathlon 4mi/16mi/2mi (run/bike/run)


November
? - Mystery Mountain Marathon 26.2 miles of trail bliss

December

Sunday - The Marathon

Run: 26.2 miles of pure joy and pain
Terrain: Mostly flat with a few mild hills
Time: 05:12:00

Pre-Run Glucose: 165 mg/dL
Post-Run Glucose: 188 mg/dL
Intake: 6 oz. Hammer Gel, 16 oz Powerade, ~36 oz. H2O, 5 Endurolite Caps
Run Pump Status: Suspend

   OK, so the deed is done. Am I glad it's done too. Before I go off in the wrong direction, let me just begin from the start.

4:00 AM: Arise and shine for D-Day is here. Check the glucose and it's like 135. Eat a typical pre-run breakfast.

5:30 AM: Take the dog for a walk outside and see how it feels out there prior to choosing my running attire. A little nippy, but so I decided to go with shorts and a long sleeve. That turned out to be the perfect choice for the day.

5:50 AM: Return to the room with Riley and start getting geared up.

6:20 AM: Head out to the start gate, 2 blocks from hotel (Nice...). Take some pics on the way there.

7:01 AM: Kiss the wife and keep warm with the other herded cattle at the gate. BTW - I'm back at the 9-9.5 minute pace zone., just behind the folks holding the 4 hr finish sign.

7:03 AM: Time to see how all of the miles in the bank and training pay off. I'm shooting for 4-4.5 hours. Slow to start due to too many runners crowded onto four lanes of traffic. Heah! Spread out for goodness sake.

7:40 AM: My training buddy and I were doing pretty well so far keeping a neutral to negative split. Not pushing it and the runners are thinning out a little...finally.

7:50 AM: My running partner is slowly disappearing ahead of me. I'm running to just complete and he's running to complete in 4 hours. My goal of 4-4.5 is just a hopeful thought, but honestly I've told my partner I was just seeking to finish and learn.

Convert to Miles

Mile 10: My right knee is starting to have a conversation with me that later will turn into a full blown shouting match.

Mile 12: I'm starting to get pissed about the right knee. I'm still in a 4-4.5 finish, but I feel it slipping and soon let go of the futile hope and tell myself "You are to finish and that buddy is your real goal". And so that's what I stuck with. Good thing too.

Mile 14: My pace is OK, but I notice I'm slowing. My quads are really starting to cramp up. Now I've been focus stretching every night for a month and a half, (realizing it's not going to stretch me into a perfect runner, but that it would definitely help), and I'm telling you it was feeling like all of that stretching to date was for naught.

Mile 15: Crap !#%#?~ my quads are REALLY starting to feel like an engine without oil. I've already taken 2 Endurolites and had Powerade and H2O at 4-5 stations. What gives man. I shouldn't be feeling this bad. I didn't feel this bad on any of the 12 or 14 milers we did and certainly not this bad this early on the 20 miler we did.

Mile 18: CRAP again. My blessing of a wife meets me at this point. She knows I'm having some trouble. I yank out the meter and tel her I need to do a check and stretch. Glucose is 211 so I haul out the pump and see "Battery dead, Pump Shut-off". Shnizit! I don't have another battery with me. Man, alright no fear. if it shuts off you can handle it. Off I go, and so does my wife on her own adventure to get me a AAA.

Mile19: I enter the water Zone and yell "anybody got a AAA battery? My insulin pump is dead and I need another one to keep it on?" Fruitless were my efforts. The only reply I got was something like "I've got a gel" or the best stupid reply I got was "I've got beer. That's almost as good. Right?" If I could have lifted my leg high enough I might have kicked that idiot. Anyway, keep running. Maybe I should say that at this point I'm running so slowly my HR is only like 130. I'm speed walking to take breaks and then run the best I can. It's starting to hurt like hell right now.

Mile20: I round the corner from the last H2O stop and go about .25 miles. There is a woman and her child out cheering on the runners. She's alone and doing a great and much appreciated job. I ask her as I pass if she happens to have a AAA battery. She says she isn't sure, but she'll look. I get a couple of blocks away from her and I hear a voice calling from behind me"BATTERY,BATTERY!" I turn and see an angel come running in my direction with a AAA battery. I thank her and tell her she's an angel. I wasted no time changing that sucker out. Lucky for me, I did not lose my settings. I just couldn't take a bolus. Trust me I tried.

Mile 21-25: I'm pretty much down to running up-hill, speed walking the flats, and walking down hill - wanting to snarl at the folks at the top of the hills saying "you're good it's all downhill from here". Lesson from this is if they're not cheering you on....don't listen to them. Those down hills were absolutely killing me. I've never hurt that bad before. I'm surprised my knees didn't just give up in me.

Mile 26: I told myself no matter how much it hurt, I had plenty of reserve, on that last mile you better run man and all of it. So I did. Probably in like 10-11 minutes.

Lesson: Make a checklist prior to all races (race type specific) and use it. I had everything nailed down except the pump batter.
Lesson: YOGA and start soon. I was extremely tight before I started training for this marathon. Stretching has helped, but I would need a years worth of stretching to get flexible enough for me to change my mind and sign up for another marathon.

Wednesday - Easy Run

Run: 3.7 miles
Terrain: Pretty flat
Time: 0:28:21 (too fast for a slow/easy run )

Pre-Run Glucose: 134 mg/dL
Post-Run Glucose: 108 mg/dL
Intake: 1 c Choc. Silk, 1 mini banana muffin (pre-run)
Run Pump Status: Suspend

   This was suppose to have been an easy run. I guess it felt like it, but in my mind I'm thinking, while running, "man this feel great...HR 168, breathing good, stride great...keep it going....am I doing too much? Yeah I think I am. Alright on the second half I'll let up and see how it goes." So, I let up and still get an average of a 7.15 mph on the last two miles and it's more uphill on the way back. Hmmm. Is this a good sign? Feels like it. We'll see this Sunday I guess eah!

Sunday - First Road Ride of the Year

Ride: 18 miles
Terrain: Mostly Flat With Rollers
Time: 01:05:44

Pre-Ride Glucose: 155 mg/dL
Post-Ride Glucose: 108 mg/dL
Intake: Granola bar - post ride
Ride Pump Status: Basal rate @ 50% of normal


   Well, I dusted the bike off, lubed her, kicked the tires and headed out on the saddle again today. It's been too long. It felt good. I mean I haven't had a good ride like that in a while. I'm itching to do some speed work already. Man, I must be nuts. I look forward to some speed on Friday's. I hope to have some others join in on the fun this year. I only averaged like 16.5 mph, but heah I wasn't out to impress anybody. We got the team pic for our TDC Promo and that was great too. I've missed that route for awhile now. I always love coming down this certain farm road that's fairly flat and fast. It's got these perfect early morning over-the-fence views of some great farmland out there. Bluebirds on the fence and all. Just peaceful. One of those places you would love to live in or near. May the rides keep coming!

Friday - Dog / Mud Bog Run

Run: 4.5 miles
Terrain: Trail @ Hay Bay
Time: 0:50:43 (not to bad for a dog run!)

Pre-Run Glucose: 132 mg/dL
Post-Run Glucose: 89 mg/dL
Intake: Granola Bar (post run)
Run Pump Status: Suspend


   I was itching to go for a good trail run, but forgot how sloppy the trail gets this time of year around the lake. I was about as dirty as the pooch after mucking through the unavoidable slalom-like mud slides both up and down hill. I'll be glad when it dry's out just a little more. I can't help it though I'm a trail junky, not a road rat. I was nursing the plantar this weekend, so no runs. My plan this week is to do an easy 4 miler Tuesday and then a 1-2 miler Saturday before race day. Watching the input and trying to guard against all unneccesaries for a few days. Ummm. I'm gettting excited. This is gonna be fun!

Tuesday's Thought

   Well, here I sit wishing my quads to a faster recovery. I've forced myself to do at least 15 minutes of stretching a night. Honestly, I think I'd get more flexibility from a yoga class, but I don't have the time. I love my job (I'm a Nuclear Medicine Technologist), but with working 4 ten hour shifts in a row and being on call, short evenings still bec. it's still Feb.,....yap yap yap, you only have so many hours in a day. I'll get a few shorter runs in over the next 11 days leading up to Mercedes Marathon. This is my first road marathon and only my second marathon ever. My first was a trail marathon (Mystery Mountain Marathon - M3) and it was not an experience to forget. This time around I'll have far more miles in the bank and will have worked out some serious details as far as my diabetes care plan goes. I think I had no clue on that first attempt of a marathon. In fact, because of that I tend not to count it as my first marathon.

   So, with all that I've changed, monitored and planned out this time....needless to say I'm excited. I still don't know yet if my quads recovery time is a little more prolonged compared to the average Joe or not, but it does seem to be so. So, I'm just going to take it easy and play it safe for the next 11 days and do some temperate reminder runs. No frills, lot's of stretching. After this, I will start ramping up the cycling a good bit more again too so I'm getting some good steady mileage in by late April for the TDC Century. This ought to be a fun century again this year and always plenty of perfectly placed SAGS.

Sunday - Tapering

Run: 13 miles
Terrain: Mostly flat
Time: ~02:20:00

Pre-Run Glucose: 89 ml/dL (30 mins before run), start of run was (133 w/ 2 up arrows)
Post-Run Glucose: 108 mldL
Intake: 6 PB & J crackers prior to run (sugar was 89), 6 oz Gatorade, 1 Gel
Run Pump Status: Suspend (first 6 miles), reg basal after that


Well, this run was one for the "It Sucked" book. That's alright once in a while. I expect it. I realised I had overcompensated for my low bg prior to take-off. It is far easier for me to raise my glucose levels during a longer run than it is to try and drop them when rising too quickly. This was a "Soar and Crash" run. The quads at mile 5 felt like they usually do at mile 10. Not good. I managed the glucose, pushed as hard as possible, and walked about 1/2 mile. It's hard for me to push through a high glucose period. It totally feels like crap, but what are you going to do? Suck it up and make it back. Learn and grow.

Saturday - Quads Warm-up Run

Run: 3.5 Miles
Terrain: mostly flat and open
Time: 0:44:13

Pre-Run Glucose: 161 ml/dL
Post-Run Glucose: 135 ml/dL
Intake:
Run-Pump Status: Suspend

   I have to say that I'm not too happy about doing this particular run. It's high traffic, wide shoulder, moderate to high wind area. I know there are better areas to run, it's just that this on is like 3 miles from the house. This was an easy run, no pain (hmmm....no gain?) and just a pretty good warm-up for the quads. It's amazing to me that not but some 1-2 years ago doing more than 5 miles on a run was crazy ludicrous, or only wildly an option once a month. Nowadays I look at my mileage and I'm doing 13.1 on a average run day. Crazy man. Not that the increase in mileage doesn't hurt, but the best part is looking back at your training log and realizing what you've done in the big picture. Nice.