Training Programs

I bit the bullet and decided to buy one of Greg McMillan's personal training program.  I bought the 20 week program, and I will start my training for the Chicago Marathon on this coming monday, Memorial Day.  My overall health is pretty good, definitely better than I felt going in to training last year for the Marine Corps Marathon.  I'm changing my training up a bit this year.  Last year I used a modified version of the FIRST method, where I only ran 3 times a week and complemented that with 2 days of cross training.  I expect to be running 5 days a week and logging approximately 15 - 20 miles more a week.  It's exciting to get started towards a new goal!

I ran in the Flying Pig Half Marathon on Sunday. I PR'd by almost 7 minutes, but I really didn't have that good of a race. My stomach bothered me almost the whole race, and at the six mile mark I had to take a "pit stop" at the Porta-pot. I'm guessing this took about 2 minutes, and it just wasn't my day. As the day went on it got worse. After the race I ate half a banana, a small bag of potato chips, half a blueberry bagel, and just about anything I could get my hands on. I bolused for everything, and when I got home we had brunch. My blood sugar steadily rose, once it got to 300, I checked my infusion site. Somehow my infusion set had twisted off, but was still "attached". The reason I know this is I pulled it right off (without twisting) and there was insulin on my fingers. Not knowing how long it had been disconnected I bolused 11 units to try and cover me. It was a little too late, my blood sugar kept going up, topping out at 489. I did not throw up, but I felt HORRIBLE. This has only happened to me one other time, which resulted in me vomiting. Definitely NOT a pleasant experience.

I would love to hear any recommendations anyone has on how to "unload" before a race. This is something I've struggled with and it was bound to bite me sooner or later.