Technology Review

I received my new Garmin 405 via UPS Next Day Air on Thursday.  I have used the Garmin 305 for over a year now, and other than the bulkiness, I really like it.  The 405 is going to take a little time to get used to, and I think I'm really going to like it.  First, I'll give you the positives: The most obvious improvement is the size of the watch, you no longer look like you have a microwave oven strapped to your wrist.  Second, the touch bezel makes it much easier to navigate through the menus, which is VERY nice.  Because of the touch bezel, it makes it much easier to go from screen to screen, all you have to do is touch the bezel and it will jump to the next screen.  On each screen you can view up to 3 different "statistics", and you can set up 4 of these screens.   Another major improvement is the start /stop and lap / reset functions are now like a stop watch.  On the previous model I often hit the wrong button and didn't record all of m run.  

The only real negative I have with the watch will probably come with using it.  It's the sensitivity of the bezel.  As much as I stated that I like the bezel, it can also cause some problems.  You may be deep into one menu, then you accidentally touch the bezel and it takes you out of that menu and into another.  The only other complaint I have is the software is not Mac compatible yet, though Garmin is working on it.  I have trouble settling on specific screens, so if anyone has any recommendations for good things to watch while you're running, I'd love to hear.  

On the Diabetes front, I just received the good news that my sensors for my CGMS will now be covered by my insurance. If you haven't pushed you Doctor to write you a letter of medical necessity, I would recommend it.  I have been paying for these out of pocket for a year and half, it's not till I called Medtronic to see what they could do, they called my Doc, and within a few weeks they gave me the good news.  

Busy, Busy, Busy

I have been neglecting my blog, mostly because I've been pretty busy with work and travels, but also because I don't feel like I have anything interesting to say.  Then I thought, that's crazy, and I looked up the definition of a blog which states: A website in which an individual or group of individuals produces an ongoing narrative.  So I think, I don't have a blog if it's not ongoing, here I go! 

CONGRATULATIONS to Steve Runner at Phidippidations on completing the Boston Marathon, I know that someday soon Steve will break the 4 hour mark. I myself am striving to Qualify for the Boston Marathon.  If you haven't listened to his podcast, do yourself a favor and download an episode, he is EXCELLENT, and it's really like running with someone else.  

Now, on to me, If anyone out there has any recommendations how I can improve my tempo runs, I'm begging you, PLEASE HELP.  I ran my first marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon in 3:40:07, and I have to get to a 3:10:59, in order to qualify. I feel pretty confident I can get to a 3:30, possibly even a 3:25 this year in Chicago.  Mostly because I now have a Marathon under my belt, but also because the course is a little easier, and I feel I'm in better shape.  I do have a little over 5 months till the marathon, and I feel like there is plenty of time to improve.  

I also would be remiss if I didn't throw a big shout out to Jamie over at Diabetic Runner, I absolutely love his blog.  His creativity is awesome, and his content is second to none.  A fellow Diabetic Runner who truly embraces his Diabetes and doesn't let it stop him from doing ANYTHING!  If you haven't joined his Diabetic Runner 1000 or 500, do so NOW.

While I'm rambling, I want to see if anyone can tell me the etiquette when it comes to putting a link to someone else's blog on your "blog roll"? Steve Runner mentioned a blog called Got Lactate and I found it very interesting.  I just thought I'd pass this on, but I wanted to know from fellow bloggers if I should ask the Lactate Man if it's ok to link to his Blog?  

Balancing Carbs and Boluses(pre, during, and post), with Running

Jamie over at Diabetic Runner touched recently on bolusing post run.  Tonight, I ran 9 miles.  Before my run I tested my BS and it read 105, so as I always do before a run, I ate a Protein Bar with 31g Carbs.  At about mile mile 5, my CGMS read 94 so I ate 3 Cliff Shot Bloks.  From this point on my CGMS showed readings between 94 and 130, and when I got home I checked my BS and it read 127.  At this point I bolused 2 Units, and then ate dinner which was about 40g Carbs. This is a tricky scenario, that can sometimes be a tough juggling act.  I do think it's important to eat something that is low in fat as high fat foods can cause more problems (for me).

P.R. (I love saying those 2 letters!)

I ran in the 31st 15K HEART MINI MARATHON today.  This is the 4th consecutive year I've run this event, and my 4th consecutive PR.  Today I ran in 1:11:16.  Some day I would like to break 1 hour, but that is a few years away, just as my Boston Qualifier is a year or 2 away.  

I've been experiencing much better BG levels recently too.  I've been watching my diet a little closer, and as I've always know, diet is the key!

Frustration with Infusion Sets & Glucose Sensors

My love / hate relationship with all of this new Diabetes technology.   I absolutely love how much easier the Pump and CGMS have made my life with Diabetes.  There is no doubt because of this wonderful company, I will live a longer, happier, healthier life.   I do have some issues though.  

#1. I'm a pretty lean person and I don't have a whole lot of spots where I can put the infusion set, and / or CGMS.  I usually resort to my abdomen, and my back near the "love handles".  This leads me to 

#2. I think I'm starting to develop some scar tissue in some of these areas which leads to poor absorption.

#3. I realize the Sensor is very "new" technology and the people I talk to at Medtronic refer to it as the "model T" of sensor technology.  In 2 years these sensors will probably be amazingly different than now.  My problem is that I started a new sensor yesterday, I was very stable when I calibrated, and everything seemed to be fine.  Well, about 3 hours later, my CGMS reading was about 134, and my finger-stick was 255.  This usually doesn't happen with the sensors, but when these rare occurrences happen, it is VERY frustrating.  I think it makes it worse that I pay $35 per sensor.  

#4. Doing the Basal testing SUCKS! It's even worse for us runners.  If I want to do testing, I have to take a day off. I'm in dire need of doing testing, but it's sooo hard to get it in.  

Ok, I think I'm done venting, if anyone has any recommendations.  Please let me know. 

Six Word Memoir

I have been "tagged" by Jamie over at the Diabetic Runner, to come up with a Six Word Memoir that best describes me and my life.  Here are the rules. 

1. Write your own six word memoir.

2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you'd like.

3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible, so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere.

4. Tag at least five more blogs with links. 

5. And don't forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.  

After much deliberation and thinking on an 8 mile run, here is what I came up with:

Passionate Diabetic-Runner, Scared Dream Chaser.

Pump Support Group Meetings

My friends make fun of me when I say I'm going to a Pump Support Group Meeting, they say "is that like AA?"  If you're a Diabetic, whether you're on the pump or not, I would HIGHLY recommend going to one.  I go to the meetings in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Sidney, Ohio.  You can learn a lot at these, and it really is interesting talking to other Diabetics about how they deal with certain situations.  

As for last nights meeting, Medtronic spoke about their CGMS.  Since I've been on it for 18 months it's not that exciting to me anymore.   Don't get me wrong, I love it, but I was hoping to hear about a smaller, less invasive sensor, or a new feature.  Unfortunately no new news.  The coolest thing I heard last night was more an insurance issue.  The Doctor who runs the group is getting almost all of his patients CGMS covered by insurance.  I'm still paying out of pocket, so this is great!