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April 09 Moving To BloggerI'm going to pull the pin here and moving to http://bikingdiabetic.blogspot.com
Come on over, it will be an improvement. April 07 Weekend UpdateGot in some good riding this weekend. Rode up to Two Harbors on Saturday, what a nice ride. Sunny, warm, felt just like spring. Sunday, cold, damp, windy, kinda like the Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen) weather was this weekend. That was a great classic, rain, snow, mud, cobbles, and won by Tom Boonen's team mate, Belgian national champion Stijn Devolder. He broke away when the break he was in was caught and never looked back. A thing of beauty in front of the huge Flemmish home crowd. Speaking of crappy weather, I put the SKS fender on the MTB for my Sunday ride, did some exploring of back roads in area. With the wide down tube, I really don't need a front fender all that bad, but a rear is nice to have. Helps keep the your back and seat pack dry and clean, This one clips on in seconds and stayed in place very well. 15 bucks at REI was well worth it. The shoulder held up well, and my energy was up. A nice weekend for a change. April 03 Spring Is SpringingSome people watch for robins as the first sign of spring, but me, I watch for bicycles. This morning, I saw my a fixie w/ bright yellow fenders and bull-horn style bars heading west on Arrowhead. Earlier, I spied a regular on his first appearance of the spring, churning up Glenwood, still weaing the same canvas tennis shoes as when I last saw him last fall.'Tis the season..
Me , I've put in a few miles lately, but still haven't felt up to par. Lingering cold/flu crap is just keeping my energy level down, but my shoulders are the main problem. I had a CT scan last week, and the results were not what I wanted to hear : arthritis, along with a mysterious clouded substance the doc thought was air. So, he check with an ortho surgeon who said that it's not air. He doesn't like the look's of it, and may want to go in and see what it is. Just what I need, a scope job to slow me down. If it's not one thing, it's another. But that's life. These things crop up with age, but it seems like I'm getting more than my fair share. If my blood suugar would stabalize, I could deal with these other problems more easily. One thing at a time, please!
This weekend, I vow to get in some serious mileage, pain or not. Also, were doing a fish fry Saturday night with friends and family, so that should be fun. I got a new cell phone/ mp3/ camera combo when we re-upped or contract, so it means that much less to haul around. Lastly, I got my new computer at work. 22" flat screen, duo core prossessor, DVD burner, 320 gig hardrive, tons of sr memory - very fast. Best of all, like the phone - NO CHARGE !!! March 24 My New FavoriteFabian Cancellara wins the Tirreno-Adiatico, then Milano-SanRemo back to back, the first to do it since Fondriest did it way back. He's my new favorite rider, well maybe not new, because I've pulled for him in the past, but is now my clear-cut "guy" in the bunch. He's got five wins this year already and is in the mix in most races he's in. Fabian seems like a class act, never in the drug talk even thugh Bjarne Riis is the d.s. Too bad CSC is pulling out of cycling next year, they are always well represented by classy riders. Nice kit too!
Versus seems to have stepped in it with their coverage Sunday. The Directv listed Tirreno-Adriatico coverage for 2 hrs on Versus and 1 hr on Versus HD, the channel they share with the Golf Channel HD. Their trailers also nentioned coverages of both races, but showed just Milano-San Remo on both shows. Nothing on Tirreno-Adriatico. Having to deal with Euro feeds may have been the problem, but you'd think they would have said something. But what we got was very good, though Phil Ligget needs some new cliches. Maybe they should run a contest for some new ones. I think I'll compile a list of his top phrases and invent a drinking game. March 21 Back to the LivingWell, almost. This stupid flu is still hanging in there a bit, just enough to be annoying. I plan on getting back on the bike this weekend to start up the fitness again. I feel like I've lost it all in just two weeks. My blood sugar levels continue to be a problem. After meal levels have been soaring, even after a small bit of food. I had my annual six month check up on Weds, at which the doc had some ideas: Retire and become a full time athlete, carefully monitoring diet and excersize every minute of the day and night. Not practicle at this point. Or, go on pre-meal insulin, which would mean three more injections per day to go along with the three I already take. Just would add to the charm of being diabetic. Lastly, gastric bypass surgery. This would get rid of my last 50 lbs, and just might reverse the diabetes. It's worked in close to eighty percent of those type 2 diabetics who were obese and had the surgery. I don't like any of these plans of attack, but the double edged sword that is insulin scares me. It seems, in my humble opinion, that the more insulin you take, the more weight you gain. That's been the case for me, so I really wouldlike to avoid that path.
An eye doctor once told me that he thought it's entirely possible to get my a1c under 5 by going on a near starvation diet for a year. He said he had been to several conferences at which people had spoken of their experiences with reversing the condition. The endocronologist I see said this is b.s. He claims there is no documented cases of such reversals, otherwise he said there would case studies galore on tyhis method. Who and what is a guy to believe? There is so much info out there, and a lot is just opnion. Some educated, some not. I guess I would rather trust the MD and endo guy I see that somone posting on the web. Don't get me wrong, there's some good info out there, and some not so good, you have to sift through it and form your own opinion. March 12 Death MarchI got hit by the flu - hard. For the last 3 weeks, I've had and off and on sore throat, but nothing serious. So it seemsed. Then, a couple of guys at work went down with the flu and late last week, bang, couch ridden for a couple of days. Friday night, after playing cards, I hit the hay and it started. Chills, severe sore throat, sinus headache, nasty body aches, nausea. The full monty. No appettite, no energy, basically no will to live. Late Sunday, I felt a little better, so I went to work Monday. My boss sent me home, as he didn't want to get it, and also wanted me well enough to testify in a labor dispute arbitration on Tuesday. That was a gas, sitting at a table getting hostile questioning form some mout-breather union rep who could even pronounce basic words and names correctly. The arbitrator was not impressed. Nor was I, barely able to talk, having to verbally joist with this neandrethal. Today, I'm better, but still can't talk very good, but at least the aches are gone. And the appettite is back. Blood sugar is coming down, too.
p.s. - my boss is getting it now, as we speak. poor guy. March 05 Weekly UpdateA quick update -
My blood sugar continues to be unstable, but better than a couple of weeks ago. Like last night, for example, we went out for dinner, at which I had an omelete and toast. I felt sick on the way home, which I attributed to forgetting my shot of Byetta. I took it when I got home, which is supposed to be ineffectual if not taken before you eat. I took it anyway, at 6:30 pm. I felt weird, so I sat down in the media room and watched the Science Channel in HD. An awesome channel, I highly recommend it. At 8:00, I felt better, so I went upstairs and check my glucose level. I was 249. No wonder I felt rotten. I went back to the set, mixed a gin and tonic, and watched the story of the internet until 9:00 pm. I went upstairs to go to bed, and while climbing the stairs, I felt vey light headed and woozy. So, I checked my blood, and it was down to 50. In one hour, a drop of almost 200. Scarry. I had a yogurt and went to bed. This morning, back to normal. Just plain strange.
I got some time in on the road, on the trainer, and skiied this last week. I went with daughter #2's school class on Friday for 2 plus hours. It was a gas, except for hitting the wax wrong and having an ice-up in the grip zone for the first hour. So it was more like running than skiing. Great grip, no glide, what a work out ! I don't recommend it.
I did get to go back to REI on Sunday and picked up a 870 SRAM chain, a rear fender, and some misc. bits for biking. We went to a surprise birthday party for a friend in Woodbury, so I got to do a little shopping while the rest had breakfast back at the party site in the AM.
I have an appointment latter this month to do sme more tests to figure out why the wild swings in glucose are happening. I know plenty of type 2's that never have this problem, and I would like to get to the bottom of this. One thing I have started to do is buy more organic food. It's a little more money, but with the recent studies pointing to pesticides as a possible trigger for type 2 diabetes, it can't hurt.
February 23 Misc StuffThe battle continues....
My blood sugar readings are staying on the high side most mornings lately. They have been coming down to normal after my AM dose of Lantus. The only way they stay low is if I eat virtualy no carbs at night. Even a small bowl of air popped popcorn is out for the time being. Maybe that will help shed a few more pounds, but it's tough when it the family snack food of choice. Maybe the high numbers are dur to this cold/flu thing going around. I've had a mild sore throat for a week, feel kinda light headed and spacey, like I've been drinking alot.
The EPO maker Amgen sponsors the Tour of California, how ironic. But, while many people rake them over the coals in the blogging world, the didn't invent the stuff for cheating in endurance sports, but to treat low red blood cell problems. But of course, someone figured out that more red blood cells means more oxygen carrying capacity, which lead to massive sports cheating. So don't blame Amgen, give them credit for sponsoring a major race for our enjoyment. The ToC is a nice 8 day event, televised by Versus tv, well run according to the riders, and is on US soil. It's not often you get to see Boonen, Bettini, Voigt, Cipollini, O'Grady,Cancellara and many other Euro peleton lunimaries duking it out on US soil, so thanks, Amgen. Now go and find us a cure for diabetes, would you please ?
The ToC has also provided me with new stationary trainer grinding material. The hour long episodes are the perfect length for a nightly indoor spin. That's about all I can handle. Also the Rock Racing commercials are all I can handle. Michael's Ball's should go after the fixie poser city crowd, as I don't think the tat's and edgey image plays all that well with the main stream cycling fan. But it is something different. He got colorful bad guy Cipollini out of retirement, seems to have a few bucks to spend, and surrounds his team with good-looking ladys, so he can't be all bad. Just not my style.
The weather is warming up, so tomorrow, a nice 2 hour road ride is in order. Should be fun, and just what I need. February 18 Suitcase Of CourageBike racing is back - on Versus television, that is. Yah, they had some off-season fluff, like the tour race in Africa, on which guys were racing on recycle bin equiptment because they couldn't afford better. Good for them, but it was more of a human interest story than race coverage. The time and money that went into the production of the show would have been better served convincing one of the big players ie: Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, ect. to donate gear to these diadvantaged hopefuls. On the other hand, maybe the PR from the show may help toward making this happen. But I digress....
I really enjoy watching bike racing, as being a fan of cycling is one of my things I enjoy. I'm a tech-head, and seeing the latest and greatest riding the latest and greatest is a nice afternoon diversion in the pain cave theater. Speaking of which, that project is pretty much done, except for some minor trim and touchup work. HD flat screen, surround sound, recliner sofa, the works. Almost too nice to sweat in. Also, the Directv dvr will let me catch all of the TDF action and zap the commercials, making it easier to burn to DVD. Should be great to have new stuff for next off season workouts. As they say, stay tuned. I will be - at my convenience. February 15 Bump In The RoadMe and my BIG mouth. Just as I was going on about my blood sugar being stable and things looking up health-wise, my glucose levels are sky high. Over 200 every morning. I haven't changed my eating habits, meds are the same, but it just keeps rising. my workouts haven't been the best, but better than most people manage. Last night, I hit it hard, had a small bowl of popcorn for a snack, slept well, and was rewarded with a 202 reading this morning. Nice, especially since I'm used to readings below 130.
What to do? First thought is to increase the morning insulin. I have bumped it up a bit to no avail. Plus, more insulin means weight gain, which just increaes the blood sugar. A no win situation. I'll pick up the pace on the excersize, but as i told my MD, I just can't run a marathon or ride a century every single day. I'd love to, but life gets in the way. Maybe a visit to the endcronologist is in order, as he has been a big help in the past. In the mean time, I just be that much more disiplined and see how it goes. I does get depressing, but I was warned there will be alot of bumps in the road in this battle.
February 10 A Few ThoughtsYes a few thoughts on a cold day. Basement workout today, as it's bitter cold windchills outside.!
Congrats to Doug Robertson over a MN Bike Commuter for his finish at the Arrowhead 135 winter marathon. He had a tought time with invisible people towards the end, but stayed with it to finish a very tough course. Read his account over at his site. Good and inspiring reading.
I spent some time snooping around the REI store in Maple Grove this week. I like to buy local, but the selection and general feel of REI's co-op system is hard to beat. I picked up a pair of Pearl Izumi MTB shoe for $59.95, a very good deal. The nice thing was is that I could try on different sizes and walk around a bit to see how they fit. If I would have gotten them mail order, I would have gotten the wrong size. A 45 would have been way to small, as I ended up with a 46.5. I wore them when I rode the trainer and they feel great. They are almost as light as my road shoes and are walkable.
A nice thing about the REI store is the wider aray of simular products, ie they just don't have one or two, say, lights to choose from, but several models from different manufaturers. You can look over several that you may have seen in catologs, but not in your local LBS. Some things I had never seen before, which can broaden your scope of thoght on which to go with. Same for things like chain lube, cleaning products, ect. There also seemed to be alot of commuter-type items, like fenders, bags, panniers and such. The clothing selection, both name brand and their house brand, Novara, was great, with lots of clearance and sale items. In general, a fun place to shop, even if you aren't buying much.
January 30 Gimme A Break41 above zero - rain to -25 below zero and 40 mph winds. I had to pour an entire 50 sack of ice melt on my driveway to get our all wheel drive vehicle up it. Nice. At least I have Friday off this week. It's suppose to be up to 23 degrees, and I'm going snow biking. Should be a gas !
On another subject, are you as sick of everthing being labeled "Extreme" ? Very few things are really extreme. The AH 135 is extreme. Fake pro wrestling is not. Deoderant, tools, batteries, sports drinks, don't qualify, either. So find another word to describe your latest and greatest product. Extreme has gotten extremely annoying. January 27 Nordic SpiritI worked the Nordic Spirit XC ski race this morning out at Spirit Mt. I hiked in from Becks road and maned a snowmobile trai crossing. I took some pictures, but the memory card screw up and I lost them. Drat the luck. This was the first XC race I have been to in many years, and it was run on my old stomping ground, or skiing grounds, the Magney Snively trail at the end of Skyline Parkway. The trails were in great shape, the groomers did a great job, and I wished I had first track on them. I need to get some new skate skis after watching the fast guys fly thru on the latest gear. I had recently commented that my gear was good enough for now, but I now realize my skate skis don't have much life left, they're to soft and dead. Maybe when the tax return gets here, I can pull that off.
I worked the check-point with 2 guys I had never met before - Jerry Olson and Pat Susnik (?) . Nice guys, enthusiasts of several endurance sports, we had some good conversation. Turns out Pat will be running in the Arrowhead 135 next week, along with several other Twin Ports area folks. Good luck to all, including Pat, Doug Robertson, and Charlie Farrow. It looks like the course will be fast, so the bikers should be able to fly. I ran back to my car on the snowmobile tracks after the race, and can tell you 2 miles was enough for me. I'd rather bike or ski a long race like that, for sure. Once again, good luck to all with the intestinal fortitude to take on the AH135 challange. Me I'm going to start a little smaller... January 23 RamblingsIt's been cold for a while, kinda puts a cramp in your style, training-wise. Since getting the basement project done and things organized, I set up the trainer in front of the big screen, cleaned and set up the tread mill, and have a nice area for the big blue ball workouts. No excusses anymore. Even my wife is riding her bike on the trainer, so we may have to get another one. I like the Cyclops we have, easy to set up, dedicated skewer so no chance to bung-up the good one on my road bike. Power on.
Doug over at Mnbikecommuter is a big Pugsley fan, riding it on snowmobile trails thoughout the winter. With low pressure 4" tires, it's like a bike/ATV combo unit for all-trerrain riding. I would love to have one, but all my time is taken up with skiiing, road and MTB riding, camping ect. Hard to make time for a new endeavor., though I would love to have a Pugsley. Some day.... I should just retire, then I would have plenty of time. If I could just win the PowerBall, all my problems would be solved ! January 15 What's For DinnerGood question. What is for dinner? As you know, diabetics have to watch what they eat very closely. Your test meter is your key to blood sugar management. I do mine several time a day. You get a certain satisfaction when your numbers are consistantly low. AM readings below 130 are the target. Mine are back below that lately, like this morning's 106. Disiplined eating strategies must be adhered to to maintain this, along with exercise and proper medications. When I don't have time to get in good workouts, I have to really watch what I consume. Low carbs and leaner protiens work best for me. Last night I had a small sirloin and a salad, with a yogurt for a snack. I have a small fridge at work for my lunch and snacks, stocked with whole grain bread, apples, oranges, turkey or lean ham, albacore tuna, carrots, and condiments. Makes it easier to avoid the machine-cuisine and fast food that my co-workers live on. Also make it easy on the wallet to make one grocery store run, instead of hitting the burger joints everyday for lunch. Above all, avoiding all the pitfalls that derail the typical "dieter" . Fast food, chips, candy, cheap carbs, white flour, white rice, deep fried foods, ie: things that make you fat. Pretty simple, but tough to stay on track in today's. Right now, I'm winning the battle, but it's a life-long war. January 10 The Right FootWell, I hope I can sustain my 2008 start forever. I've kicked the sugar/white bread/ fast food/ junk food habits by 90%. The holiday weight gain has been shed, and I'm back in my 36" waist pants. I've gotten lots of bike and ski mileage under my belt, and the home theater project is near completion. At this rate, those last 30 lbs could be gone by July. That should lessen my diabetes drug intake by quite a bit. Fitness is the most important component in controlling blood sugar.
All my gear is in good shape, bikes, skis, tread mill, and clothes are ready for duty at all time. I can be out the door to do several sports in no time. This helps the motivation factor, as I don't have the worries of do I have the right stuff for the appointed task. Some of my equiptment could use some updating, but who's couldn't. I could wear Assos instead of Nashbar, A full carbon/Force Roubaix inseatad of alu-carbon/Ultegra bike, or top of the line skate skis instead of the sport line ones I have. Would I go faster and better? Probably not that much. My equiptment is better than me at this point. I'll upgade the gear when I my performance does.
Joining Velo Duluth will give me more avenues for group rides. It's easier to go longer fast when riding with other like minded people, and you have to be sharp and focused. Sometimes it's great to train alone, ecpecially if you are out for a specific workout, such as intervals, but group tempo can really build a good base. I am stoked for some good hard group rides this spring. That should put me in good shape to start racing again on a more regular basis, which will in turn lower my medication needs. Light at the end of the tunnel....
January 02 Happy New Year !
Well, 2008 is here, and it started off on the right foot for me. I joined Velo Duluth and rode in the 1st club ride of the year New Years day. A nice 1 hour cruise with some nice people I hadn't ridden with before, but will in the future, for sure. It was a mix of bikes, including 2 Pugleys, which you don't see too often, some commuter specials, hybrids, cross bikes, and I rode my MTB. I didn't want to salt up my road bike, and the forecast called for snow showers. It snowed a little, but was just mainly cold - 5 degrees and a -20 wind chill. I got the kit just right, except for my hands. Both middle fingers got numb at the end, and were painful when they thawed. I've never experienced cold hands until the last couple of years, I think due to diabetes. Next, I think I'll try some chemical hand warmers to see if they might help. All in all a good ride for me, I felt like I hadn't had a several week layoff from the bike, probably due to the fact that XC skiing and biking work similar muscles and XC really works the cardiovascular system. A nice sandwich at the Quizno's, which was open to only us, after the ride was a great finish. I felt so good after the ride, I hit the trail and skied for another 1 /2 hours in the evening. With the fabulous snow this year, it's hard to miss out when the opportunity arises. Great trails close to home make it easy, along with my wife who got out and gave it a try last weekend. She did great and plans on skiing regularly to get in shape and to strengthen her surgically repaired knee. Me, I just have to ratchet up the work to get in bette r shape, loose weight and try to get off the medications. It's slow going right now, but it's a battle of which I can't surrender. And I won't. December 27 Attack of the Killer HolidaysIt's that time of year. Calories bombard you from all directions. Cheap sugar coated concoctions temp your glucose meter to read uber-high, in the almost tilt range. Party after party, training time cut short, shopping....
I'm really getting tired of it, both mentally and physically. Being a diabetic, you have to be extra vigilant to the Killer Holiday Syndrome. I don't want to sound like a whiner, but I need a break. A diabetic should stick to a routine, boring as that sounds, but learning to walk with a fake foot as a result of uncontrolled blood sugar would suck alot more than a regimented life-style. Alot of people just don't get that, not having had to shoot up insulin, Byetta, and take pills to stave off the slow death that can be diabetes.
The upside of the holidays is the gathering of friends and family. We spent Christmas Eve at our house with my inlaws, turkey dinner, opening of gifts, a nice quiet evening at home. A good time was had by all. Christmas day was at my brother's house. Had a good time, chatted biking with Biking Duluth blogger Jeff, who is my sister-in-law's brother (small world ). Tons of food and snacks, but I tried to be good, and didn't fare that badly. At work, though, there is nothing but sweets in our office area. It's no wonder that there are so many fat people working here. Makes it hard to be good.
On the bright side, the skiing has been great, lots of snow and temps just right. My waxing has been right on, my technique is getting back to ok, but not where I left it 13 years ago. I hear there is a New Years Day ride coming up, I just might make it if there isn't much ice cover on the roads. I don't have any studded tires. Maybe next year... December 13 Cross Training TimeIt's a good time to get some cross training going. XC skiing is starting up, still not too cold to bike, and a good time to hit the gym. The trails by me in Lester Park are lit till late, so XC is always available as long as the snow holds up. And my shoulders, which are still not fully recovered. I skated for a couple of hours on Monday out at Lester, and my shoulders still are tender. Getting old, I guess. On the bright side, my legs held up well, no soreness, not fatigued, good power up the hills, though my technique is not up to par - yet. I think I'll wax up the classics and give it a try tonight. Funny, but the 12 year old klister is still sticky after all these years. It may work better than Swix blue in this well worn old snow ! I'm going to pick up some new skate ploes also, as I've been using my classic poles, and they are a bit short for skating. More snow and cold temps, please !
A trend I kinda like in XC skiing is, especially in the skate/sprint area is not to get too light. Muscle mass in the right areas seems to lead to more speed in the short run, and more stamina through a long season. You may have noticed that alot of top bike racers seem to get sick late in the season, are slow to recover due to no natural protection to fight off the cold and flu bugs. Watching the top skiers and seeing how they are built, ie solid but lean, versus bike racers being rail thin except in the legs. I don't think man was meant to be the latter, but the former. It gives me hope in my fight with the body weight. Top junior skier Petter Northug tries to keep his muscle mass up, and has won world cup races as a junior. So my goal is now converting flab to muscle. I did it before, I'll do it again. An early New Years resolution I intend to keep. December 05 Project UpdateOk, I finally finished the basement project for this year, getting the theater room done, all except the ceiling, in time for this weekend's big party. 20 people are coming, all from my wife's side of the family. It's her family's tradition, which I have a feeling will be held here from now on. Now that it's done, I can get back to regular workouts, which I have been missing for the last few weeks. I hope my shoulders are well enough get in some XC skiing in this weekend. I have a 3 dayer coming, since I worked last Saturday, and would like to get some serious km's in. Nice to have some great snow already. I've got to stop at my LSS and get some gloves and pants, the rest of my gear is ready. I'm champing at the bit. Here's some pics of the project, complete with the Cat-4 crew helping lay the carpet and generally overseeing the project: |
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