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.

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.