Trial Run (Bike, Run)

Well, the end result is a mixed bag, but nothing to be surprised about considering recent training.

13:52 – 2 mile
1.23
1:59.45 – 40.3 mile
1.30
1:26.56 – 8.8 mile

Total – 3:43.28

Enough to place 10/21 for the Duathlon and 1st in my age group.

My training supports the results. I was pretty strong in the 2 mile and on the bike. However, the 3rd leg just isn’t where it needs to be. I haven’t started training with brick workouts yet, so it’s no surprise.

Action Item #1: Time to start the brick workouts.

As far as my fueling plan? Just about spot on. 25 grams of simple carbs every 20 mins through the event and my blood glucose, stayed just at, or just under my target performance range of 130-200. I had set my base rate of insulin for my pump at my predetermined rate, so that I wouldn’t drop too low, but still have enough insulin on board to turn the quick carbs into fuel for my legs.

Action Item #2: Make adjustments to basal rate to keep from dropping below 130 during event.

Other things I learned or was reassured of today.
1. The endurance community is made up of some generally good people.
2. Maybe I should put regular soda in the bottle that’s easy to clean.
3. Might have to make adjustments to my shoes, as my feet were cramping off of the bike. However, this may subside if I just do some bricks.
4. Mighta….shoulda used a little more chamois cream…….
5. This was a test. It’s always a test. But generally, I give myself a B. need to work on bricks and longer endurance. However, everything else went real well and I was able to push through to the 2.5 hour mark.

The Important Stuff
There are a couple of main reasons for why I am able to do this. Lets recount the excuses others have made or I could make:

1. I am a retired hammer and discus thrower.
2. I have asthma
3. I’m 6’2″ and 205 lbs
4. I have Type 1 Diabetes

However, never one to believe in naysayers, I took on this challenge of turning the above 4 items into an endurance athlete. And I’ll tell you how it happened:

I was inspired as a child through a camping program for kids with Type 1 Diabetes. By participating in this program, I learned I wasn’t alone, I could do things other kids do, and that I was fortunate to have good access to healthcare.

I was enabled through advancements in care by the research driving by JDRF, the #1 funded of Type 1 Diabetes research over the last 40 years.

Because of these experiences, I can take on some previously perceived ridiculous ideas of athletic performance. And by doing so, I hope it inspires others, others with challenges and especially my children, who have the mixed bag of athletic genes that may lead them to living with Type 1 Diabetes.

For that, I thank all of my JDRF sponsors again, for all of the support you have continuously share. JDRf, the Type 1 Diabetes community, and I, could not do it without you.

20140504-154642.jpg

Emotional Response and Physiology of Training with Hyperglycemia

First 20 mile run today for the JDRF / AllScripts Tobacco Road Marathon on March 17th.  In spite of continued high BG during the run, I kicked T1D butt today and got it in!  At mile 14, it was 300 and rising, T1D thought it had me, but by proper use of the CGM, I made the necessary adjustments and turned the tide on my nemesis.

–Now.  That is my emotional response to this high blood glucose event.  I am proud to say that I was able to finish the workout, but in hindsight, there were a couple of failure points that limited the impact of this workout.

Let me clarify a few things:

1. First 20 miler with a CGM

2. My BG = 60 when I woke up this morning

3. I over treated for my BG, and turned down my basal rate too much

4. My intent in running this marathon is to beat my wife’s time from her last marathon, which I know I am capable of doing, but have never before.  This type of training, takes constant focus on BG levels so that I can gain the most out of my workouts.

By the 14 mile mark, my BG was 300 and rising.  I had not had any fuel throughout the run.  My legs were toast.  Here’s why:

I didn’t have enough insulin in my body to transfer the glucose from my blood stream to the muscles to be used as energy.  So, the liver starts to break down fat and proteins to be used as energy. This results in excessive acid in the bloodstream and the start to the very dangerous situation of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).  In 30 years, I haven’t had to deal with DKA, and today wasn’t the day to start.

I had to get fuel in to continue my workout.  I had to get my BG down to fuel appropriately.  However, I just ran 14 miles, how much insulin to I put in?  What do I do with my basal rate?

Extremely important questions, with even more important answers.  Here is what I did to get my BG down.

Small.  Small changes.  Small bolus, and small raise in the basal rate.  I kept running and pushed through the dead feeling of not having fueled during the run.  More about that shortly.  However, soon my BG was leveling off and then slowly dropping.

My fear, after not having fueled during the run, is that I was causing more damage to my muscles than I could recover from before my next workout.  I am looking to improve…..not damage beyond repair.  So, I fueled during the last 5 miles of my run, after I was sure my BG was dropping.  I then had my recovery protein shake when I got back.  A recovery shake is supposed to be consumed with 30 minutes, and I made sure I took advantage of that window to get fuel into my muscles.

The failures points from today?

Over reacted to my low BG.

Over compensated before my run with lowering my basal too much.

Not making a basal rate change when the CGM said 264 with an up arrow.

12 Hour Look Back

12 Hour Look Back

Success points of the day?

Having confidence that a little bit of insulin would go a long way.

Getting fuel in as soon as I could eat it.

Smart fueling and basal adjustments post run.

Important Notes:

Success is gained from information.  Information for a T1D is in more BG readings and the CGM device gives me as much as I want to read.  I am extremely fortunate that I have access to the healthcare that allows me to use this device.  It is incredible how far T1D care has come with the backing if research by the JDRF.  I fought wearing a CGM for years, and now I hope I never have to give it up.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post, on the National Day of Service, to see what I plan on doing about the future of T1D.

Monday Night Run

I went for a 5 mile run tonight while my son was at soccer practice. I just kept thinking “how would the AP handle this?”

After waking up low this morning and pushing the start of my run back to make sure my blood glucose was stable, I am more determined to have the artificial pancreas.

How long is it really going to take to get it to market?

How much money is it going to take to get it to market?

What more can I do to help?

Workout

4 more miles running today. Treadmill run as I couldn’t get my act together to get out before dark.
However, 4 more miles towards reducing my cardiovascular risk. You know, since I’m in a high risk category. Gotta fight for yourself.

Daily Miles

4 miles recovery run.  Little tight from the long run on Saturday, but have to work it out and prep for this week’s intervals.  Also have to figure out how I am going to work around the APP study this weekend.