Ride Hours: 06:56

Insulin Delivery Summary:
Daily Total: 40.74 units
Meal: 13.50u
Corr: 6.60u
Basal: 20.64u

Daily Carb Intake Bolused For: 243g

End of February already! So PSYCHED!! Time change coming up, and we are quickly closing in on some of the bigger races in the season. All of this, plus the slightly warmer temps has me very amped!!

Today was the end of my first month of training with a coach. It was a good month, and I enjoyed the schedule and having some to report to. It went well, and I am looking forward to starting month two.

The last ride was a long 7hr mtb ride on my Superfly. I had finalized the fit on this bike last week, and yesterday proved it was spot on. I covered about 80 miles in the 7 hours, and stayed spot on to my required HR range.

I also have been experimenting with BG control for these longer rides as well. The first thing I did was add a basal pattern specifically for the weekend and long rides. Today was the first day I used it, and it worked perfectly. Here are the two basal patterns I am currently using

Riding Daily (Mon-Fri) - Most training rides come after work at night:
00:00 1.10u per/hr
01:00 1.15u per/hr
04:00 1.20u per/hr
06:00 1.20u per/hr
08:00 1.05u per/hr
15:00 1.00u per/hr
16:00 0.90u per/hr
22:00 1.00u per/hr

Ride Sat/Sun - Training rides start more towards mid morning and are more intense and last longer:
00:00 1.10u per/hr
01:00 1.15u per/hr
04:00 1.20u per/hr
06:00 1.15u per/hr
07:00 1.00u per/hr
10:00 0.90u per/hr
16:00 0.95u per/hr
18:00 1.15u per/hr

The other additions I tried were basically diet in nature. For breakfast today I consumed about 1 cup of pasta. Pasta is a tough one for me, as it ALWAYS raises my BG levels about 5hrs post regardless of home much insulin or positive temp basal rate I use. My nutritionist suggested I try it for breakfast a couple of hours before a long ride start. I started today's ride at my house at 10:00am, so I ate at 08:00. This worked GREAT.

The other is the addition of a few more cals per hour when training in a slightly lower endurance paced zone. Both Chris' in charge of my riding life right now thought it was a good idea, and it too worked as planned. Added about 80cals per hour.

Burned over 6,000 cals during the ride, but BGs ran as follows yesterday:

151 - 08:50
132 - 11:10
98 - 13:29
127 - 15:41
148 - 16:48
121 - 18:23
109 - 19:47
86 - 18:55
99 - 20:47
76 - 23:18 Simple Cs going on board, and post ride over nite 25% reduct temp basal active

Can't ask for better than that! Still a work in progress, but I really feel like I am making some important knowledge advancements. Like I am closer to closing the circle.

What a LONG week (or two) it's been.

The main story line has been work, and a project that has been impacting EVERY other aspect of my life. Endless stress filled days, more hours post dinner and riding from home.

The software went live today though, and although there are a few issues, I feel like I am on the verge of getting back to some type of normal. :)

I have been missing from the blogosphere since I didn't even want to look a pc when I didn't have too. I should be back on tracks for updates starting Monday.

The situation at the gig has been waking me up at night, and screwing with my workouts and eating. Been tryin to stick to the plans, but it has been a struggle. Missed about 4 hours of saddle time over the past two weeks. It is what it is..

Had a great conversation with my nutrition advisor, Chris Newport though. Learned a lot and layer out some first step plans to change things up. Very thankful for the input and ideas.

I actually ate pasta for dinner for the first time in years! It was a distaster as my bg was crazy high in the morning (even with a combo bolus AND a basal rate modifcation), but I feel it was successful in terms of learning something new for fueling during rides.

Tough ride today after deployment. Actually rolled out on the road. 50 degree air temp, so you think perfect yeah? Nope. 35mph wind gusts. LOL. After 6+ hrs in the office, it seemed like a lot of effort for very little speed.

Tomorrow, however, should be a sweet 7hr day on the Superfly. Nice.

George and Sara at 8 Dot have pretty much completed the design of the 2010 Type1Rider kit. It looks amazing. Can't wait to show everyone! Need to give those guys a big hug. :)

I have been communicating with some compainies about supporting the Type1Rider cause and mission. Hopefully I will get this done soon, and get those new threads into production.

Received this photo from Dave Naderman from Trek Raleigh who is at the Handmade Bicycle Show in VA. So it is a little custom Ti Kish. You know, for my two small boys:




Just too cool.

I will do my best to get caught up on phone calls and emails over the next few days (sorry Chad).

Drop a line if you are going to be riding in the Umstead, LCCP area tomorrow!

OUT.....

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Race was pretty decent, and I was able to stay fairly close to my planned and targeted training range for 75% of the laps.

Mostly took my time and did 6 8 mile laps in about 5hrs 45mins.   I think I finished up about 12th out of 18-20.  It was a tight race and I believe I could have been top 8 or 9, but gave up a handful of minutes attending to an injured rider who went down right in front of me.  Will find out tomorrow when the results get published, and if he was ok.

All in all a great day on the bike.  I will get the full race and blood glucose report up as soon as I can.

Tomorrow looks to be near 65 degrees, and I am looking forward to a recovery ride with some friends.

Thanks to everyone who sent well wishes and luck!!  I appreciate it!!

Time for bed!

Running a little late this morning....

BG was a touch high when I woke up at a 199, but much better to have it run a little high then a little low. Especially on race day.

Just inserted the spare infusion set. If I didn't I would need it.. you know how it goes.

Cold out right now at 26, but should be near 60 before the race ends in the mid afternoon. I have brought more clothes with me than I could ever wear, but I feel like I am packing for two different climates.

I am hoping to get some quality saddle time in, and really interested in seeing what some of the new fueling techniques will do to the bg's.

Out.... :)



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Man, what a day.....

Got out of the office about 2 hours late, so I was running behind schedule packing up for tomorrow. 85% done now though....

Weather looks good, so it's only a question of how wet the trails are at the start.

I mentioned trying a few new nutritional and bg control things for tomorrow's "race".

I am going to adjust my target bg setting on my pump from it's normal 100 to race target 150 tonight. I usually wait until race morning, but thought I would raise the bar by doing it tonight before dinner.

Also, going to try an extra 100cals per hour for the full 6 hour event. Target pace is 70%, so the cal load should (hopefully) be ok.

I would like to also start the race with a 65% basal reduction starting an hour beforehand. About 30 mins before start drop it to a 75% reduction, and then back to a 60% reduction after 15 mins.

We will see how the BG digs that. Hopefully a smoother race entry bg level will result.

Should be a fun day seeing some friends, while getting some hours in.

Did I mention 55 and sunny? No? 55 and sunny!! LOL!!





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ride Hours: 01:51

Insulin Delivery Summary:
Daily Total: 46.54 units
Meal: 14.25u
Corr: 7.60u
Basal: 24.69u

Daily Carb Intake Bolused For: 213g

Missed one of my workouts this week, so I wanted to make it up tonight. And I did. :)

I went to Trek Raleigh at lunch, and picked up my Superfly. The crew there is awesome, and they did some fine tuning on the shift and brake cable lengths. I love these guys!!

Was able to head straight over after work to the UNC Wellness Center to get out for some road miles on the 'Fly. I set my pump to a 65% basal rate reduction at 16:40. I was hoping to get on the bike by 17:30, but it ended up being a little later.

Hill repeats in a target zone were the order of business, so I warmed up and got to it. After that was done, I found a long way home to get an extra 30min of recovery spin in.

Max HR:		179 BPM
Avg HR:		148 BPM
Calories:		1,519 kCal

I have been working really had to try to incorporate some extra cals in during my rides. The fueling was tough during the higher HR hill work, but all in all, it is working out fairly well.

Superfly is 99% perfect. A little seat adjustment and it should be good to go.

Back to the car at 20:00. Set the pump back to my normal basal rate. BG was a 88. Decent.

This coming weekend marks the first "race" of the 2010 season for me. It is a 6 hour local affair that I will mainly use as a planned training day, and to test some new fueling and insulin dosage techniques. Even though I don't care whether I finish 1st or Last (well, ok... let's hope not last), I still have a dose of pre-race jitters.

I find that pretty darn cool. I'm stoked to get this year rolling. :)

If you are out and about and in the area on Saturday stop on by to check out the racing and say "Hello"! Follow Meltdown at Harris Lake for details....

Off to bed... 10% overnight basal rate reduction.

Ride Hours: 02:03

Insulin Delivery Summary:
Daily Total: 46.21 units
Meal: 15.25u
Corr: 6.30u
Basal: 24.66u

Daily Carb Intake Bolused For: 229g

Time continues to speed on by, and the past couple of days have continued the hectic pace that the weeks of the month have set.  Work is still incredibly busy, with a huge software release going out next weekend.   The drain of stress and long days combined with training is causing the usual drag.  I am working had to keep my head above the rogue waves, and things are still moving along in a very positive direction.

The new training plan is going very well.  I am really enjoying it, and feel I am getting a bit better with each workout.  Truth be told however, I DID fall asleep on the trainer at home last night doing a 90 minute low cadence recovery spin.  Funny?  Hysterically!!!  Woke up with my forehead on the bars, my hands on the drops, and my feet moving at 20rpms.  LOL!!

Sunday I was able to get out with a group for about 5 hours.  George arrived with his family of snowmen:

The group included Matt Briskie from Trek of Raleigh, Chris Newport of Endurance Newtrition, and George Scott from mySwimBikeRun.com.  Lots of Fisher 29ers and a pair of Fuel EXs. 

Tonight the ride was a 2 hour solo effort of efficient riding on the mtb.  I set the temp basal rate on the pump to a 65% reduction at 16:38 in preparation of the ride.  Rolled out of the UNC Wellness Center parking lot at 17:47.

Stayed on the usual fueling and hydration plan, and was able to keep the HR in the required zone.  However, this might have FELT like the coldest ride I have ever done.  Air temp wasn't terrible, maybe 32, but the wind chill was crazy cold.  I was happy it was only 2 hours.

Vertical Distance:		354.00 yd
Max HR:		180 BPM
Avg HR:		143 BPM
Calories:		1,686 kCal

Ran into a good friend while rolling through CH.  Always glad to see Independent Fab rider and all around great guy Steve Gisslelman out riding as well.  We got to chat for a couple of minutes, and then we headed our separate ways. 

Saw some new art work near the Chapel Hill Police department:

I am not exactly sure what it represents, but I will look for a descriptive panel laying around the next time I roll buy.  I wonder if there are more of them around?

When I hit the hay later on tonight - soon! - I am going to use an overnight post ride temp basal of 75% for 6 hours.  Should be GDG.

On other notes....

I was invited to speak at the Tour de Cure kickoff here in North Carolina on March 2nd.  It's being held at the Hibernian Pub in Cary from 6:30 - 7:30pm. All are invited!  RSVP to amlaw@diabetes.org.  Bring a friend to enter our drawing and a chance to win one of 2 Trek Limelite Bicycles.  These are usually a good time, so come out and say hi if you are around.

Don't be surprised if some of the graphics start to look a bit different on the site and here at the blog in the next couple of days or weeks.  After 3 years we are changing the color scheme slightly, and besides pink, lime green, and brown are in. 

Only kidding.  I just wanted to let y'all know so you can be on the lookout.

Thanks!!  OUT.....

Wow.... February is just cruising by.  It has been an INSANELY busy time, and I have not had the time to blog on each workout as I usually do.  I can see things settling down soon though... and will be able to get back to that blogging pace.

Today is day 10 of my program with Chris Eatough.  Although just taking the first steps, it has been cool working with Chris, and I am getting more comfortable with the processs.  I just need to stop asking stupid questions.  LOL!  I know, there are no stupid questions...

Having a training plan is a great asset, especially, as those used to working with a coach can attest,  when dealing with the colder, darker days of winter.  It definitely keeps me focused and motivated to get through the workout.  Seems like an obvious statement huh?

BTW - Nance it IS possible to play any XBOX 360 game while hammering on the trainer.  Some are easier than others... my aim in Halo isn't quite as good when my HR is about 160.  :)

Speaking of Eatough, he is also coaching the new Trek / Fisher / Bontrager supported Team CF.  This team gained my interest in particular due to the fact that Harlan Price is riding for them this year.  Harlan has stated publicly that CF runs in his family, and I think it is fantastic that he is using his world class talent to forward a cause.  I am happy for him personally, and wish the team and their efforts great success this year.

The other Chris in my training life, Chris Newport from Endurance NEWTrition and the HPL at Meredith College, and I have, I think, finally nailed down a system for recording my diet and BGs.  We are using the MyPlate D at Livestrong.com along with the associated iPhone App to collect the data points. 

Not sure how we are going to collect all the relevant information during endurance based training rides and races, but we are working that out as well.   Hopefully we can put it all together at one of the VERY local 6 hour race events that are coming up in the next 6 weeks.

First race of 2010 will be the 6 Hour Meltdown in New Hill, NC on Feb. 20th.  Originally I was planning on doing the 36 Hours of Pisgah, but keeping an eye on the overall goals for this year has changed that.  I have a planned 6 hour training ride that weekend anyhow, so I will just use this event for that vehicle. 

Should be fun to see and ride with some friends for a bit out there.

The weather here hasn't been as "bad" (to me) as other places  on the east coast.  We did get some snow that stayed for a couple of days, but it's 99% gone already.  I did get out and ride in it though, which was pretty fun.  Couldn't do it all the time though.  Yup, I am officially a wus... can't stand the cold.  (Yes Jimmy, I know... I know... you're just a strange cat). 

Still have a few things to iron out before getting the new 2010 Type1Rider kit into production.  A TON of work has been done on it, but all the pieces aren't in place yet.  I am hopeful and optimistic that I can get all of that done soon.  Thanks to everyone who has inquired about purchasing the new kit. 

I will do my best to keep you in the loop, and will provide more information as soon as I can.


Saw George Carlin attributed quote posted this morning by Liz Hatch via Facebook:



"Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town."


It immediately made me think of the constant battle with A1Cs and BG control (the monkey).  During the year I hear boat loads of tales from diabetics about how 6 months are great, than it all goes in reverse and the A1C goes back above 9.  Diabetes (the circus) is "hyper-dynamic".

Something that gets lost is that it takes a constant vigilance to stay ahead of it.

That doesn't mean a few days here or there are going to make a huge overall difference, but BG control is always in need of attention.

The circus stays in town.....

A sign. An indicator. An omen. Sometimes you need one to get you motivated and focus, particularly when there are distractions coming at you from all angles of life.

For the past 3 weeks it seems that I have been about 10% from top dead center.

Some of it I attribute to the duldrums of winter. Dark when you get up, dark when you get home. Always training and riding in the dark and the cold.

Another factor has been work just wearing me down. Lots of issues. Lots of extra hours. Boring projects.

Add some of the stresses and emotional fallout of personal and Type1Rider challenges, and you can get slightly off track.

I have been riding as much as time allows, and probably getting 8-10 hours of base miles per week. I have also been hitting the weights a couple of times per week.

However, I just haven't been my usual hyper focused self.

Today, call it what you will, amist the snow and ice on the ground, I got my signal.

As I was shoveling the ice off my doorstep, the UPS truck pulled up. The driver handed me a small sealed bag.

I opened the package and found my 29er Crew cycling cap.





I had forgotten that I had ordered it weeks ago. A total surprise.

Then it occurred to me... today, Feb. 1st, is also the first day I begin my training program with Chris Eatough.

I contacted Chris a couple of weeks ago in regards to training options. We had a great phone conversation (um, yeah, I was extremely nervous for the first 5 minutes - I mean come on) during which Chris provided a ton of insight and training ideas. I really feel he understands what motivates me as a rider, and that is critcal to me.

I would whole heartily recommend contacting Chris if you are looking for a mountain bike coach.

So like a kick in the shorts, the intersection of these two events has me re-focusing on the things I have control over.

Like riding my bike.

Spring is right around the corner. Everything else will just fall into place.

Time to ROLL!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone