Help Support and Inspire Folks with T1

This August I will be running in the Ragnar Relay Great River 24-hour race along with 11 other athletes with diabetes as a part of Team Glucomotive.

I am raising money for our sponsor, Insulindependence and I need your support by making a donation to this fantastic organization.  Insulindependence changes lives by helping individuals of all ages with diabetes overcome challenges and fears.  Children with Type 1 Diabetes have a special place in my heart and Insulindependence has a number of amazing programs that help mentor and inspire kids living with this terrible disease.

Last year I ran the Ragnar Relay Del Sol with Team Glucomotive (read about it here).  It was my first chance to be around a group of active people living with Type 1 Diabetes.  It was an incredible learning experience and has provided me with friendships and a life-long support group.  By supporting me, you will also provide the opportunity for others to have this same experience and to live life to its fullest despite living with diabetes.

Please consider making a small tax-deductible donation to help support me and Insulindependence.  My teammates and I are each required to raise $750, so any thing you can give would be tremendously appreciated.

To make a donation, visit my donation page here.

Thanks for reading.

http://www.glucomotive.org/index.php/events/team-relays/great-river-24-hour

Gateway Triathlon 2010

I finished my first Olympic Distance Triathlon this past weekend at the Gateway Triathlon in Carlyle, IL.  The Olympic Distance includes a 1500 meter swim, 40K bike, and a 10K run.  I managed to swim 1500 meters and bike 40K, but the 10K didn’t involve much running.

This would be my first big open water swim and I was dreading it.  I was comfortable with the distance, but getting out there without that black line at the bottom to follow and the issue of dealing with a bunch of other swimmers can be a bit overwhelming.  The water temp was “cool” at 70 degrees, but by no means was it cold especially since I would be wearing a wetsuit.  Surprisingly, I really enjoyed the swim.  First of all, swimming in a wetsuit feels a little like swimming on a surf board.  It is crazy.  You’re legs just float along and you just FLY.  Love it.  I took it pretty easy, had no problems sighting at all, and actually had fun out there.  I turned in a 28:33 1500 meter swim.  Couldn’t be happier with this time.

My 1st transition time was 3:40.  This is not terrible considering I had to climb a huge hill to get up to the transition area from the lake, get out of my suit, test, get ready to ride, all while feeling quite dizzy coming out of the water.

I finished the 24 mile bike ride in 1:17:47.  The ride was an out-and-back course and naturally the “back” was dead into the wind.  The course is mostly flat, but did include a couple short hills in the middle.  The ride back to transition was tough.  With the head-wind, I probably only averaged 15 MPH.  This was a perfect setup for a bad run.

Transition 2 time was 1:43.  Lighting fast… for me!

Here’s where it gets ugly.  This race started at 9, which put me out for my run around 11:00 am.  Did I mention that it was 90 degrees?

I was done as soon as I left transition.  I had nothing left and had 6 miles to go.  It took me 1:11:43 to cover the 10K distance, which is by far my slowest 10K.  I HATE walking in these races, but felt it was much smarter to play it safe in the heat and not get myself into to trouble.  It was some consolation to notice that nearly every single person was walking at some point.  It takes time to acclimate to running in the heat and here in the St. Louis area, we just haven’t had to deal with it yet.  So, with a mixture of walking and running, I finished with a 3:03:24.

My BG numbers were very good all day.  One of my concerns was how to handle the time just before the race.  Normally at triathlons there is a period of time before the start that the transition area closes and everybody is called in for a pre-race meeting.  For this race, the transition area closed at 8:40 for the 9:00 start.  So, I waited until they announced that it was closing before disconnecting my pump and leaving it in my bike shoes.  At this point I tested at 172 and was coming down just a little, but I figured I may have some nerves to deal with, so I felt like I was in pretty good shape.  Usually before I start any exercise I will eat 20-30 grams of carbs, but since I would be disconnected from my pump for 20 minutes before the start, I decided to forgo the snack.  I tucked a GU into my wetsuit just in case and off I went…  Post swim BG?  152.  NICE!

Post race BG?  147.  Sweet!

Diabetes Snapshots

Day 6 of Diabetes Blog Week – Diabetes Snapshots

While I normally control my BG pretty well while exercising, these 2 guys got me safely home after testing a 75 about 12 miles from home out on my bike the other day.

Diet Coke.  I can’t believe I neglected you for 28 years.

It’s called a satchel.  Indiana Jones had one.

After a 100, a 123 is my favorite.

Using every last drop.

And 2 reasons why it all matters.

Let’s Get Moving

Day 5 of Diabetes Blog Week – Let’s Get Moving

Having Type 1 Diabetes is not a good excuse for not exercising.

I tend to say that I run despite having Type 1 Diabetes, but I just recently read a quote from somebody (I wish I could remember who) that said they run, BECAUSE they have Type 1 Diabetes.  That is simply awesome.

With some determination and trial and error, you can workout just like everybody else.  There are days when I fall on the “error” side (like yesterday afternoon’s bike ride), but for the most part I know how my body is going to react.  The absolute most important thing to consider is Insulin on Board (the amount of active insulin in your body).

This morning I ran 6 miles and managed my BG perfectly.  118 when I woke up this morning, took the kids to daycare, ran 6 miles and finished up by testing at 122.  Here’s what I did this morning and what I do for every morning run:

• 2 hours before starting my run, I lowered my basal by approx 50%.
• About 5 minutes before my run I ate a package of peanut butter crackers (23 carbs)
• Ran (didn’t eat anything during my run)
• Let my basal go back to normal half way through my run to help prevent a spike after

So, here’s the thing – you do NOT have to let your BG go sky high before exercising.  By controlling your Insulin on Board and eating a few carbs before going out, you can make it with normal BG levels.

A few more important things to consider:

• TEST.  Before, after and for longer activities, during.  I found on longer runs, every 4-5 miles works good for me.
• Watch out for lows 6-8 hours following an activity.  During this time, your body is recovering and using up glucose.  After a morning workout, I will lower my basal by 60% for 2 – 3 hours later in the afternoon.
• Extremely hard efforts can actually raise your BG.  I have noticed after hard effort swims that my BG will skyrocket.  I have to give myself an extra bolus after wards to prevent a big spike.
• Never go out with some sort of carbs with you.  I prefer GU.
• GET A ROAD ID!!!!  I have an Elite and I never take it off
• Different activities require different plans.  For running and cycling, I use the same plan.  For swimming, that is all out the window.  I am now down to only lowering my basal by 50% 1 hour (MAX) before, eating 20-30 carbs pre-swim, and then giving a bolus to cover any missed basal asap following my swim.

Don’t let me fool you, working out and dealing with T1 is an enormous challenge, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges.

If you are interested in more information, here are some previous posts that go into more detail…

• Chicago Marathon Training Week 13
• Chicago Marathon

I need your support!  Make a donation and support me at the Great River Ragnar Relay.  Click here for more info.

To Carb or Not To Carb

Day 4 of Diabetes Blog Week – To Carb or Not To Carb.

First off, let’s be clear about one thing:  they are Carbs not “Carbos”.  You “Carb Load”.  You most definitely do not “Carbo Load”.

Ok, pet peeve out of the way.

I believe strongly in living life to its fullest despite having Type 1 Diabetes.  I have run a marathon, I have done triathlons and I’m training for a Half-Ironman, and I have done an 8-hour Adventure Race.  I also believe strongly in eating whatever I want despite having Type 1 Diabetes.

This may not be the best approach, but I don’t let this disease keep me from doing anything.

I do wish that my eating habits where better and that I ate less junk, but I’m pretty good at bolusing for anything I want.  I have to utilized the Super Bolus technique some times to prevent a big spike followed by a low.  I use a dual-wave to cover pizza.  I am a world champion carb guesstimator for pasta and have no problems with Chinese food…  wait, no… I ALWAYS have problems with Chinese food, but I digress…

Aside from being very careful what I eat before and after running/biking/swimming, I eat what I want.

My Biggest Supporter

Day 3 of Diabetes Blog Week –  My Biggest Supporter.

My biggest supporter is my wife.  We had been dating for just over a year when I was diagnosed, so considering the fact that I was “damaged goods” and a complete goof ball, it’s a miracle that we are married today.

The way she supports me may be a little different than you would think.  While I do get the occasional “did you test?” her support is trusting me that I am doing what I need to do to control my diabetes and stay healthy.  I really don’t need or want somebody to constantly nag me about every little thing.  She trusts me and I can’t thank her enough.

She’s also understanding when I have to play the “diabetic card”.  There are times when I get smacked by a low and I just need a minute.  She understands that lows completely suck and while I do my best to prevent them, they happen and I need a break to fix it.

Thank you Mindy for being my biggest supporter.  I can’t imagine anyone being better at being the wife of a Type 1 Diabetic.

Oh, and thanks for having a purse and carrying my meter for me.  You’re the best!

Making the low go

Day 2 of Diabetes Blog Week – Making the low go

My hypo-fixer of choice is a package of fruit snacks.  At times it seems like fruit snacks are literally keeping me alive.  I have the little bags stashed everywhere.  The handiest place is in the front pouch of my OneTouch meter.  Since it’s always with me, I always have snacks with me.

Lately, I’ve been hitting the Pop-Tarts pretty hard.  Some days, especially after a tough morning workout followed by yard work or other activities in the afternoon, I put away a few too many Pop-Tarts.  As a side note:  I finally kicked my self in the rear and lower my basals by .5 across the board.  WAY too many lows lately.  8+ hours of triathlon training a week will do that to ya.

During training I prefer GU.  I never (read:  NEVER… EVER!!) head out for a ride or run without GU.  GU is a fast-acting energy gel that has 100 calories and 25 grams of carbs.  The perfect amount.  They can be a bit of an acquired taste, but I really like them.  Vanilla Bean and TriBerry are my favorites, but I do also like the Chocolate Outrage (tastes just like frosting) and for the holiday season they make a Chocolate Mint.  Yum.

There ya have it – life sustaining fruit snacks, Pop-Tarts and GU!!

I need your support!  Make a donation and support me at the Great River Ragnar Relay.  Click here for more info.

A day in the life . . . with diabetes

Day 1 of Diabetes Blog Week – A day in the life… with diabetes

How about yesterday…

On days that I’m running, cycling, or swimming, my “day” typically begins right before I go to bed the night before.  Yesterday morning, prior to having everybody over for Mother’s Day, I had a brick workout planned.  A brick is a combination of one or more of the triathlon disciplines.  Yesterday morning I did a 24 mile bike followed by a 3 mile run.  In order to prepare for this I needed to lower my basal 2 hours before starting my ride.  So, at around 11 PM Saturday night, I planned out what time I would start – 8:30 AM and edited a basal pattern that would lower my basal by approx. 50% starting at 6:30 AM and would stay like that until returning to normal at 10:00 AM  (planned for a 1:25 ride and a 25 minute run).

Strap in… it was a busy day and I tested a LOT.

I woke up (child assisted) at 7:00 AM and tested at 128.  Good deal.

Just before my ride, I tested again at 102 and ate a package of peanut butter crackers (no bolus here).  During my ride I ate one GU and tested at 139 before heading back out for a run and then tested at 154 right after my run (10:51 AM).  Good numbers.

Now here’s where it was going to get tricky.  For the next few hours, I needed to do some yard work and finish cleaning up the house before everyone started arriving at our house at 2.  My goal for the rest of the day was no debilitating lows.  Time for a temp basal…  oh, and 2 donuts without a bolus. 

12:44 PM – 87.  Doing good…  oh, and I might’ve had another donut.  Hey, I burned a ton of calories earlier!

1:57 PM – 77.  Is it time to eat yet?

2:45 PM – Lunch time.  I made it!!  Not a typical meal today for Mother’s Day, so considering that and the exercising earlier, I guesstimated and bolused for 45g of carbs.  Way lower than what I actually ate.

4:25 PM – 89.  Yeah!  Desert time.  Chocolate cake time (did I mention that I rode and ran earlier?).  Another big guesstimation and bolused for 60g of carbs.

5:48 PM – 68.  Whoops, blew the cake and lunch guesstimations.

6:41 PM – 71.  Heading out to do day 3 of the Couch to 5K with my wife.  I do the timing, give support AND push 2 kids in the jogging stroller.  Downed 30 or so grams of carbs and off we went with 2 tired and crabby kids.

7:24 PM – 134.  Hmmm… heading up a bit.

8:38 PM – 114.  Hmmmm!?!…. heading down a bit.  Had a small bag of popcorn (no bolus).

9:38 PM – 225.  K, now that’s odd.  The popcorn did not do that.  2.0u of correction.

1:23 AM (monday) – 266.  What in the world?  2..7u of correction.

6:30 AM (monday) – 227.  WTF?  Ok, bad site.  Changed the site and went on my merry way.

It’s crazy, but this really is a typical day in the life.

ps. – I was back down to 155 before lunch today. 

My Diagnosis

I was diagnosed with Diabetes in December of 2002.

My symptoms were the same as everybody else.  Unquenchable thirst, frequent urination, constant exhaustion, and blurred vision.  I had also lost about 20 pounds over the course of a few weeks.  I remember looking into a mirror at work and thinking to myself – I’m dying.

I remember being very upset about my vision.  I had always prided myself on having better than average eyesight and the thought of it getting bad bothered me.  I became quite near-sighted over a couple weeks and even went and bought some cheap glasses from Walgreens.  Whenever  your blood glucose is high for a prolonged period of time, the fluid in your eye has to adjust, causing your vision to be blurry.  Eventually, the eye adjusts and vision will return to normal.  This actually happened to me and when I finally went to see a doctor to talk about my symptoms, I was convinced things were getting better, because my vision was back to normal.

When my doctor’s nurse asked if the doctor had mentioned that it might be Diabetes, I was devastated.  I knew nothing about the disease and thought it was an immediate death sentence.  Not good news for a 28 year old that had been dating his future wife for just over a year.

Like many adults near 30 years old, I was initially diagnosed – by 2 different doctors no less – with Type 2 diabetes and for a year or so I took oral medication and watched my diet (I ate a LOT of sugar-free Jello).  This worked for a while, but soon I wasn’t able to keep my blood glucose in an acceptable range.  Looking for help, I visited a dietitian and her first question was “what type of insulin do you take?”.  Um…  insulin?  I’m Type 2.  Another scare.  Insulin?  I don’t what to have to do that!  I HATE needles!!!

The dietitian put me in contact with one of the top Endocrinologists in the St. Louis area and soon after I was a confirmed Type 1 diabetic.  I started by taking multiple daily injections with an insulin pen along with Lantus and then shortly after, I moved onto a pump.  Making the jump to an insulin pump was another lifestyle change.  When talking injections, I felt like the remainder of the day I wasn’t diabetic.  With a pump attached to me 24/7, there was no escaping it.  Pretty big pill to swallow, but I made the change and couldn’t imagine my Type 1 life without an insulin pump.

Looking back, it was a terrible time in my life, but I only felt sorry for myself for 1 day.  Seriously.  1 day.  I decided to just played the cards I’ve been dealt.  Every once in a while I’ll get upset about something that this damn disease is doing, but I let it pass.  I don’t let Diabetes control me.  Simple as that.

Since my diagnosis I have done amazing things.  I have gotten married, had two wonderful children, have run a marathon and did an 8-hour adventure race.  As I like to say -  there are no limitations!

I need your support!  Make a donation and support me at the Great River Ragnar Relay.  Click here for more info.

Cape Girardeau Steamboat Classic 2010

Triathlon season is finally here!  Last Sunday I did the Cape Girardeau Steamboat Classic Triathlon, which consisted of a 450 meter pool swim, 15.5 mile bike and a 5 mile run.  Naturally, all of these events ended with me being wet.

Storms blew through the St. Louis area late Saturday night and I had hoped that all would be clear by 9 AM on Sunday morning.  We left home at 6 and headed south to Cape.  I could see clearing off in the distance and by the time we were setting up transition, the sun was shinning.  Sweet!  Well, that didn’t last long.  Fortunately, it was a drizzle, but as soon as we got out of the pool the rain had started again.  This wasn’t my first rodeo.  (here, here, and here) Weather conditions:  58 degrees and rain.

The swim was a serpentine 450 meter swim in a 50 meter pool.  The pool that I typically swim at is a small 25 yard pool.  FYI – 50 meters is a long way.  This pool also had a serious deep end and I could feel the difference at that end of the pool.  I started off fine and flew down the first 50 meters.  Made it back for the first lap, but then started to tire quickly.  I 1) didn’t warm up and 2) started out way to fast.  I had to mix in some breaststrokes just to get through the swim.  I wasn’t pleased with my performance here and have some work to do before my Olympic distance open water swim in a few weeks.  Swim time:  10:03:50.

After a short barefoot jog to the transition area, a failed BG test or two, I was off on the bike.  Transition 1 time:  2:43:60.  Just awful.

The bike course was tough and despite the elevation chart, the biggest and most challenging hills were after mile 11.  I hit the bike hard and had a good ride.  I’m really enjoying cycling and see much more of it in my future.  Bike time:  49:13:65.  Very happy with this time.

Back at the transition area, I did a little bit better job getting out on the run.  I waited to test out on the course, so that saved me some time.  T2 time:  1:22:30.  Not good, but better… for me.

Now here’s where I got frustrated.  I was unable to test my BG during the run.  My OneTouch Ultra Mini that I normally love was returning nothing but Error 2′s.  I’m fairly certain that these errors were caused by the damp conditions, but neither my meter or the test strips got wet.  I guarantee it.  I kept the meter and the strips in a ziploc bag.  They never came out.  I have had this happen during the humid summer months and would have to remove and re-insert the strip a few times to get it to work.  I tried a number of times during the run, but it never worked on this day.

Dear OneTouch,

This is UNACCEPTABLE.

Seriously.

I had to rely on past experience and go with how I felt, which is often quite difficult.  At times when running, a high is tough to distinguish from a low.  Going into the swim I was at 170.  Given nerves, a quick high intensity swim, and being off the pump for about 30 minutes, I was 177 before the bike.  I drink a G2 on the bike, so factoring this all in, I placed myself a little high.  So, I no GUs for me on the run and I would just take water at the aid stations.  I started off the run a little sluggish, but feeling pretty good and by the end of the 5 miles I felt great.  I didn’t push it at all.  Just kept a good pace.  Run time:  42:48:50.

Finish time:  1:46:11

Finish BG:  89  <–I was right.

Despite the conditions and my failed meter, I had a great race and a really good day.  Hats off the the race organizers.  Great job and the post-race meal was perfect!

I need your support!  Make a donation and support me at the Great River Ragnar Relay.  Click here for more info.