Friday, October 29, 2010

Alcatraz Swim

I've been meaning to write about this one for a while. Saturday, 9/18/10 I did the South End Rowing Club's Alcatraz Invitational Swim. What a blast!!! I wasn't the fastest 45 minutes I think, but I did it without a wetsuit, and just had a wonderful time.

I got to Aquatic park, in my typical, last minute fashion. Luckily I found an amazing parking place, where all I had to do was move an orange cone a tiny bit to squeeze my car into a place that was totally legal.

I met my neighbor and his wife and daughters there, got my number, asked them to write 'diabetic' down my arm, and was ready to go. Blood sugar was okay. I took a meter with me on the ferry to have. forgot a syringe, so I got so stab my finger with my syringe (brought insulin too). scrounged a free gel that someone had left on the table, and ate it, then, when the time came, jumped off the boat!

Swam in pretty calmly. didn't really feel too cold, but swam a bit out of my way, as I was scared to get swept under the bridge. My mom was at the end, which was awesome, and then they had some amazing food. Including good coffee, and BUNCH of steamed spinach!

All in all it was a lot of fun, amazing, and I can't wait to do it again. There were people from all over the world there too!

Could it all Come Down to 1 Unit? - Diabetes Duldrums

10/10/10 - The Healdsburg Marathon. I was hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

I woke up feeling strong. The night before was the usual nervousness, hoping I would make it under 3:40, which is 8:24 minute miles. I felt ready. This was the time. I trained quite a bit, hard, built a good base, did some serious spring work outs, was good to go.

I woke up at 6:30. BS was I think 167. Not bad. Went for a 15 minute short walk with the dog, got back 137. Ate a pretty big bowl of brown rice, almond milk, and agave. Normally I'd give myself 4 units for that. I took 2 units of humalog. Got my tights on, shirts, meter in my pocket, syringes, bag of lancets, strips, ultra mini meter, goos, and a lot of dates. I was ready to go.

Drove the 20 minutes up to Healdsburg. On the way I tested and it was 101. Hmmmm, that was only 30 minutes after breakfast, I still had most of my insulin in me, and eaten, and it was 100? So, I ate 2 dates (20 or so carbs), found a great parking spot, ran to the check in, got my bag, ran to Safeway to avoid the line (by the way WHY are the port a potty lines ALWAYS so dang long, why not just rent a few extra?). Anyhow, got back from the bathroom, and it was 91. Shoot, not so good. So, I ate a banana, and another date. I ran to the start, literally got there as it was beginning. Here I go.

I felt good for the first 5-7 miles. Pace (although I don't have a fancy garmin, or watch), I just checked my watch at the mile markers. Miles were about 8:05, 7:58, 8:04, around there. some were a few seconds faster, others, a few seconds slower). Tested 1/2 hour into it, and it was 120 I think. I ate about every 30 minutes too. Then, I tested at mile 11. 67. Shoot. Not good, and I started to feel really really tired. Like really tired. I downed like 4 shot blocks, 2 dates, and hoped that would do it.

But I did know at some level, that once it's dropping that much, you're toast. You can't eat enough as fast as you are burning it. Soooo, I kept going. I hit the half way mark at 1:47. If I just kept that pace, I'd still be able to make it. But that aid station at the turn around was out of water. It was actually pretty hot.

Then, I've never every done this in a race, well since I was like 8 at least. I walked. I was so depleted. I felt so tired. I thought I was going to collapse. I kept thinking that if someone offered me a ride, I'd take it. I was miserable. I felt physically so depleted (which I guess I was because all the glycogen was gone, and I had no reserves). I walked part of miles 14 - 21 probably. The slowest mile I think was 10:32, fastest of those 9:30 or something. Then, I started thinking, maybe I can at least finish in under 4 hours. I knew my hopes of 3:40 were gone. So, I made myself walk for no longer than like 1 - 2 minutes at a time. And, I got a little bit of a second wind at mile 22. But I was still miserably tired. I finished at 3:58, actually got 3rd in my age group. But, I was tired, and a little bummed.

So, I kept thinking, could the whole race really have been different if I had take 1 less unit that morning? Crazy to think.

Now, I'm thinking about CIM, but probably won't do it, and planning on Carlsbad. And, really looking at why I feel the need to qualify for Boston, and if I can.

Not sure what to do now.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Documentary, Updates

I am so excited to be a part of the upcoming documentary showing:

I look forward to seeing many familiar and new faces there.

Also, last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Keaton, my triabuddy! I also met Keaton's sister Kelsey, mother and father. I am so excited about getting to know all of them, and working with Keaton especially. I look forward to seeing them at the documentary.

Sunday, Oct. 10 is the Healdsburg Marathon, which I'm really looking forward to also. I am hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon in this one, but have to remember that it's okay too if I don't. Last year I missed it by 7 minutes. We'll see.

More soon, but for now, please, if you can come to the documentary showing. The info is below.

Insulindependence Presents the San Francisco Premiere of the
Documentary
• 2.4 Mile Swim
• 112 Mile Bike
• 26.2 Mile Run
• 12 Type 1 Diabetics
• 1 Goal
Triabetes: “Give it a Shot”
In 2008, 12 people with type 1 diabetes set out to complete Ironman Wisconsin as part of a team called Triabetes. Triabetes has now grown to be the world’s largest triathlon club for people with diabetes, shattering presumed limitations and revolutionizing the way people approach diabetes management. Come meet current Triabetes members, and join us for an evening of inspiration, education and exploration as we follow these athletes and the kids who partnered with them for their journey to the finish line and beyond.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010 @ 7:00 PM
University of California San Francisco, Cole Hall
513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco 94143
Tickets are free; $5-10 donation welcome at the door.
To reserve a ticket, visit:
www.insulindependence.org
View "EVENTS" tab
Ticket questions: triabetesdoc@gmail.com
Insulindependence info@insulindependence.org
www.insulindependence.org