#1
Lows......why do the come at the most inopportune times?
Like when you have to go to the dentist, and the teeth are all brushed, then you have to eat or drink something in the car before you put the money in the parking meter and have to get your crown put on? Or when you are in the middle of working with a client and everything gets fuzzy, you aren't hearing a word they are saying, and you hope that you aren't screwing up their hair. I have another great one...but I'll keep that one to myself. Let's just say I'm glad I have an understanding husband.
#2
There is a reason I ride alone sometimes. To stay focused on my paticular workout of the day is one...but an even better one is because I want to be in my own head for awhile. Another inopportune time. Why is it when you are in this mode that a perfectly nice woman rides up next to you and proceeds to be a Chatty Cathy Doll?? Really..perfectly nice....but I was not in the mood.
The ride was great though! Not ideal bg's' at the beginning, but here's how it looked:
Took in 10gms and lowered basal rate
11:50AM-325....not sure if I should have gone with this number, but rode anyway
12:32PM-308...encouraged a little that it went down
1:08PM-177...Powergel 27cb.+.5 units...don't know why, just a gut feeling
1:48PM-158..looking good
2:05PM-70...good thing I was done.
Maybe that .5 unit bolus wasn't needed...but hey, trial and error right?
#3
I have been surrounded by new diabetics lately. Unbelievable numbers of them. Most of them Type 2, and one of them has pancreatic cancer. That one gets to me. For obvious reasons. Things in this mans life couldn't be more perfect. Works is going great, kids are great, wife is wonderful. Then...BAM! Healthy person gets pancreatic cancer AND diabetes. Now he going through cancer treatment while trying to learn how to deal with multiple daily injections....not to mention just learn about the disease. I can't even begin to imagine what must be going through this mans head.
I sometimes think I have it hard with this disease, but then this is a huge reality check. Why does someones else's hardship give you a reality check???
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Update:
After a great dinner with friends, with a little wine and a huge helping of carbs....PLUS a small dessert...my sugars were stable at 130. Then the bottom dropped out as I was going to bed....58....45....I drank 2 juice boxes and a granola bar. I kept checking every 10 minutes or so and it wasn't going up or down...just sitting there in that uncomfortable range. Not a bad low...I've had way worse! This morning I half expected to be high, but lucky me I'm at 82.
That workout yesterday really caught up with me. I must remember to lower my basal after such a day!!! It's never really been an issue before, but 2 plus hours of a high, not really "easy", aerobic heart rate will do it to ya!
That workout yesterday really caught up with me. I must remember to lower my basal after such a day!!! It's never really been an issue before, but 2 plus hours of a high, not really "easy", aerobic heart rate will do it to ya!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Another Brick Under the Belt
"What time are you getting up", he says. "I dunno", I say.
I just love that early morning ride, but when you are going alone, it's hard to not hit the snooze button. So that's what I did...but only once. I'm sure to Brent's surprise...but he had to get up early too.
My goal for today was to do a long brick workout. The best thing for that is to be properly fueled and hydrated. I stretched out the morning eating a good breakfast with the obligatory coffee. Yes, I drank water too!
I got all the gear loaded into the car to headed to the park. I really do miss walking out my door, onto my pony, and meeting friends at the corner. The area I live now is pretty congested with traffic, and I just don't feel safe riding the roads as a single rider.
It's now been about 2 hours since breakfast. I purposefully drove my sugars high, 202, for the workout. I ate about 10 gms of carbs on the road...a just in case measure. I got to the park a half hour later and the bg was 213. Good thing I listened to my gut and did that just in case eating!
I got on the trusty steed...the Felt today. Wow..it's been awhile since I was in that aero position. On the road I mean. I've been aero plenty of times on the trainer lately, but on the road there's the balance issue. Getting into the groove never seems to take too long, and with the stunning day ahead of me it's hard not to let that adrenaline catch up with me.
Here's how it looked today:
10:40am-213 at the start
11:15am-167
11:53am-90- swallowed an icky tasting gel, 25gm(don't get raspberry flavored GU!)
12:30pm-101- drank 15gm Accelerade(new one with some protein in it..not bad)
Commence running.....ok, after putting the bike in the car, and a small rest
1:11pm-after 3 miles 111...isn't that weird? Maybe I should play the Lotto!
I stopped my the bagel joint on my way home for a whole wheat bagel with peanut butter....UMMMMM good. I never eat bagels..too carby. But I love an excuse to eat the stuff I can't...have to replace those glycogen stores!
I just love that early morning ride, but when you are going alone, it's hard to not hit the snooze button. So that's what I did...but only once. I'm sure to Brent's surprise...but he had to get up early too.
My goal for today was to do a long brick workout. The best thing for that is to be properly fueled and hydrated. I stretched out the morning eating a good breakfast with the obligatory coffee. Yes, I drank water too!
I got all the gear loaded into the car to headed to the park. I really do miss walking out my door, onto my pony, and meeting friends at the corner. The area I live now is pretty congested with traffic, and I just don't feel safe riding the roads as a single rider.
It's now been about 2 hours since breakfast. I purposefully drove my sugars high, 202, for the workout. I ate about 10 gms of carbs on the road...a just in case measure. I got to the park a half hour later and the bg was 213. Good thing I listened to my gut and did that just in case eating!
I got on the trusty steed...the Felt today. Wow..it's been awhile since I was in that aero position. On the road I mean. I've been aero plenty of times on the trainer lately, but on the road there's the balance issue. Getting into the groove never seems to take too long, and with the stunning day ahead of me it's hard not to let that adrenaline catch up with me.
Here's how it looked today:
10:40am-213 at the start
11:15am-167
11:53am-90- swallowed an icky tasting gel, 25gm(don't get raspberry flavored GU!)
12:30pm-101- drank 15gm Accelerade(new one with some protein in it..not bad)
Commence running.....ok, after putting the bike in the car, and a small rest
1:11pm-after 3 miles 111...isn't that weird? Maybe I should play the Lotto!
I stopped my the bagel joint on my way home for a whole wheat bagel with peanut butter....UMMMMM good. I never eat bagels..too carby. But I love an excuse to eat the stuff I can't...have to replace those glycogen stores!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Pain & Anguish=Control?
Do any diabetics out there wonder this too? I certainly can't be the only one who hasn't felt this from time to time. Why do I even bother with trying to control things? Yes of course I know why, but really....it seems like when I'm not striving to keep things under control vs. working diligently at it, it makes no difference at all. I realize this is all just a phase for me right now, but none the less frustrating. I just want to toss that meter into the trash, and and eat normal, exercise normal, think about food normal, drink normal, dress normal (so I don't have to hide my pump), and...well....just be an ordinary citizen. But then that's just crazy talk, isn't it? Come back from "La La Land", kick yourself, and practice what you preach. Which I never do. But I'm going to try to swallow my own medicine.
Of course it takes all of one second for it to become clear to me.....all this anguish, and yes, a little pain equals control. Maybe not a lot of control at times, but enough. It's hard. Very hard. Very, very hard. But I plan on being around for some time and I'm not going to blow it because of a crappy attitude that makes me slack off. With a disease that constantly throws you curve balls you have to stay smart...there is no room for slacking off. At least in my world. There are plenty of people who do on a regular basis, (I'm sure I don't know any of them), but I don't. Which is where the anguish comes in. I can really drive myself crazy! It's what I do best!
Of course it takes all of one second for it to become clear to me.....all this anguish, and yes, a little pain equals control. Maybe not a lot of control at times, but enough. It's hard. Very hard. Very, very hard. But I plan on being around for some time and I'm not going to blow it because of a crappy attitude that makes me slack off. With a disease that constantly throws you curve balls you have to stay smart...there is no room for slacking off. At least in my world. There are plenty of people who do on a regular basis, (I'm sure I don't know any of them), but I don't. Which is where the anguish comes in. I can really drive myself crazy! It's what I do best!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Long Cold Winter Finally Comes To An End
Finally the day is here...I never thought it would come...but it looks as if spring is here to stay. After many, many months of snow, no sun, and frigid temperatures I felt the sun on my face and sweat dripping off of it today, as I rode for 2 hours in 55-60 degree sunshine. Ohhhhh how sweet it is! If I could just look past the lack of fitness. I really can't stand it. I trained so hard this winter indoors, but it doesn't compare to being outside. I had no legs to speak of, but I enjoyed every hill climb.....while cursing them...and every flat. Only rode about 30 some miles...pitifully slow for 2 hours. I have to believe that it all will come back at some point...just hope it gets here by August!
My blood sugars were pretty good throughout, considering some of those anaerobic hill climbs. And boy, there are some climbs. I started on the loop that had the most, if not all of them. "Let's hit it hard", I say to myself. Then after that loop...."Who do you think you are??? Big George???" 45 minutes have past, and I'm at the car, and I'm not going to wimp out now. I still have energy for more. I made the executive decision not to do the same. The burn in the legs is still there. I made my way to the path instead of the road...it seemed to have fewer climbs, and less steep. I got to the tunnel that goes to the park across the road and headed out for another 8 miles. I took in half a gel around that time....I really didn't want to bonk. I made it back to the car and tested the bg...127. That 5 second wait on the meter is killer. The anticipation is sometimes unnerving. I want a good blood sugar after a workout, and if it isn't I wrack my brain trying to figure out how it happened. I loved seeing the 127!
Beautiful day. Beautiful ride. What a way to spend a day off!
My blood sugars were pretty good throughout, considering some of those anaerobic hill climbs. And boy, there are some climbs. I started on the loop that had the most, if not all of them. "Let's hit it hard", I say to myself. Then after that loop...."Who do you think you are??? Big George???" 45 minutes have past, and I'm at the car, and I'm not going to wimp out now. I still have energy for more. I made the executive decision not to do the same. The burn in the legs is still there. I made my way to the path instead of the road...it seemed to have fewer climbs, and less steep. I got to the tunnel that goes to the park across the road and headed out for another 8 miles. I took in half a gel around that time....I really didn't want to bonk. I made it back to the car and tested the bg...127. That 5 second wait on the meter is killer. The anticipation is sometimes unnerving. I want a good blood sugar after a workout, and if it isn't I wrack my brain trying to figure out how it happened. I loved seeing the 127!
Beautiful day. Beautiful ride. What a way to spend a day off!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Spring Is Here
When I go to run outside after a long winter treadmill running, I'm always amazed at how hard it is. I feel like I've taken a step backward. Same with cycling. Frustrating...but I know it will all come back. This mornings run was better then the last few....average pace of 9:30. I wasn't staying in the base zone the whole time...hills and all, but getting better. Just SO happy spring is finally here in Michigan. It has been one long winter!
Here's what my run looked like:
Here's what my run looked like:
Monday, April 07, 2008
What Do You Believe?
I’m a NPR junkie. Pretty much the only way I get my news…because of no TV…cable TV that is. They have an ongoing series called “This I Believe”….here’s my take on it.
There are lots of things I believe in. Lots of obvious things…family, friends, health, etc…But I only get involved with things I really believe in. I was at the beginning of the Michigan Humane Society’s Pet Education Center….ok, long name for it, but we taught dog obedience classes. I believed we help keep dogs placed, because we gave all the students the right tools to train. Rewarding and beyond! Why do things have to come to an end? Sadly, like with a lot of non-profits, we had to close the PEC because of money. After 8 or 9 years of volunteering every Tuesday night, it all ended. We made a difference…this I believe.
After my diagnosis, I really didn’t think much about anyone else with the disease. Maybe I had to accept my own diagnosis before I could start to accept others. I guess I feel like I have to be in their shoes. Even though I kind of am already. Every story is different. And just how can I help?? Which always takes me back to Diabetes Training Camp. There was never a more profound experience then the 2 years I went. Every story resonated, and feels so fresh in my mind. It changed so many things for me. I so badly want to be on the other side of it all…to be the one who helps, and supports. Training and motivating fellow diabetics. Too many people walk away from their camp experience with similar feelings….it HAS to be working! It’s the only thing out there we have! Dedication to athletics and diabetes…who knew there would ever be such a niche?? I KNOW the camp helps…this I believe!
I’m in no way comparing dog training to people training….but then again, anyone who knows me well, knows the comparison is used often by me. We gave the tools to our students in dog class to help them succeed at home. To have a normal household without a crazy dog jumping about. Diabetes Training Camp gives the tools to be able to exercise or train for that silly half Ironman, so we can feel like “normal” people, and we won’t be those crazy people jumping about. I hesitate to use the word normal, but not producing any insulin well….that’s just not normal, so I’m using it.
All this I believe.
There are lots of things I believe in. Lots of obvious things…family, friends, health, etc…But I only get involved with things I really believe in. I was at the beginning of the Michigan Humane Society’s Pet Education Center….ok, long name for it, but we taught dog obedience classes. I believed we help keep dogs placed, because we gave all the students the right tools to train. Rewarding and beyond! Why do things have to come to an end? Sadly, like with a lot of non-profits, we had to close the PEC because of money. After 8 or 9 years of volunteering every Tuesday night, it all ended. We made a difference…this I believe.
After my diagnosis, I really didn’t think much about anyone else with the disease. Maybe I had to accept my own diagnosis before I could start to accept others. I guess I feel like I have to be in their shoes. Even though I kind of am already. Every story is different. And just how can I help?? Which always takes me back to Diabetes Training Camp. There was never a more profound experience then the 2 years I went. Every story resonated, and feels so fresh in my mind. It changed so many things for me. I so badly want to be on the other side of it all…to be the one who helps, and supports. Training and motivating fellow diabetics. Too many people walk away from their camp experience with similar feelings….it HAS to be working! It’s the only thing out there we have! Dedication to athletics and diabetes…who knew there would ever be such a niche?? I KNOW the camp helps…this I believe!
I’m in no way comparing dog training to people training….but then again, anyone who knows me well, knows the comparison is used often by me. We gave the tools to our students in dog class to help them succeed at home. To have a normal household without a crazy dog jumping about. Diabetes Training Camp gives the tools to be able to exercise or train for that silly half Ironman, so we can feel like “normal” people, and we won’t be those crazy people jumping about. I hesitate to use the word normal, but not producing any insulin well….that’s just not normal, so I’m using it.
All this I believe.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Where For Art Thou?
Where have I been do you ask? Ever have one of those week where you don't know where the time went or what you did? You now know how my week was. Nothing bad...just busy I guess.
By the way...thanks for the pizza tips. Believe me...I've tried for years to get it right...square wave...dual wave. The only thing that works is eating 1 piece and a lot of salad. I can manage that. Just not the 2-10 pieces I would love to eat and make myself sick with. Wouldn't that be fun? I actually can't remember the days before the diabetes and eating anything I wanted. I look at that as a good thing. I've always said that my diagnosis has made me a healthier person. Do I miss some foods?? Of course, but you always find a way to squeak them in! So I just don't stuff myself silly with pizza.
Ok...now I want pizza!
What did I do to work off that pizza? This was a long time after the pizza fiasco. In fact it was Sunday. I strayed from the usual long bike trainer workout because of the nice weather we are FINALLY having here in Michigan. I have really needed to get outside and run. It was awesome getting off that treadmill. Doing 7 miles on a treadmill is boring no matter what music you have. I was a bit surprised to see that my heart rate was a little high for the intensity of the run. But then I thought better of it and realized that it was because I was outside......AND hilly I might add..... that it was high. No struggling, just a nice pace for the first run outside in a long time. Why so long? I've had a few slips on the ice in the past and it's not worth the risk when I'm all about this Half IM. I can take the cold, just not the slick surfaces.....just to clear things up for any of you who think I'm a wimp!
I've had another test week since I wrote last. All the times were close to the same...within seconds. No major improvements. It's alway a joy seeing the blood sugar fly up after a 1 mile all out test. Instead of giving myself a bolus early to help control that, I just run at a good aerobic HR for another half hour or so. That day I ran for 7 miles...so it was a long warm-up, test, run. That works out well. If you are ever worried about your bg's running low during a workout, do a few sprints and watch that soar! I've done the sprints in the pool too...but that's a whole other issue when you get out of the pool, haven't had any insulin in a hour, you did sprints because your bg's were a little low. That will have to be another post!
By the way...thanks for the pizza tips. Believe me...I've tried for years to get it right...square wave...dual wave. The only thing that works is eating 1 piece and a lot of salad. I can manage that. Just not the 2-10 pieces I would love to eat and make myself sick with. Wouldn't that be fun? I actually can't remember the days before the diabetes and eating anything I wanted. I look at that as a good thing. I've always said that my diagnosis has made me a healthier person. Do I miss some foods?? Of course, but you always find a way to squeak them in! So I just don't stuff myself silly with pizza.
Ok...now I want pizza!
What did I do to work off that pizza? This was a long time after the pizza fiasco. In fact it was Sunday. I strayed from the usual long bike trainer workout because of the nice weather we are FINALLY having here in Michigan. I have really needed to get outside and run. It was awesome getting off that treadmill. Doing 7 miles on a treadmill is boring no matter what music you have. I was a bit surprised to see that my heart rate was a little high for the intensity of the run. But then I thought better of it and realized that it was because I was outside......AND hilly I might add..... that it was high. No struggling, just a nice pace for the first run outside in a long time. Why so long? I've had a few slips on the ice in the past and it's not worth the risk when I'm all about this Half IM. I can take the cold, just not the slick surfaces.....just to clear things up for any of you who think I'm a wimp!
I've had another test week since I wrote last. All the times were close to the same...within seconds. No major improvements. It's alway a joy seeing the blood sugar fly up after a 1 mile all out test. Instead of giving myself a bolus early to help control that, I just run at a good aerobic HR for another half hour or so. That day I ran for 7 miles...so it was a long warm-up, test, run. That works out well. If you are ever worried about your bg's running low during a workout, do a few sprints and watch that soar! I've done the sprints in the pool too...but that's a whole other issue when you get out of the pool, haven't had any insulin in a hour, you did sprints because your bg's were a little low. That will have to be another post!
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