Howdy from Temecula (now Tucson with internet)
I gotta say thanks again to all the great fans out there this week. Big thanks to Brittany for tall of the posters, and to everyone who came by the bus. I had to split from the race for a couple of days to begin to refocus on training, as the season has just begun. The training is much needed, as my body went into shut down mode post race. What does this mean?
The day I dropped out, I increased to 14u Lantus, and was ok that night. 2 days ago, I went to split dose, and was still ok throughout the night, doing 16u total. Yesterday I think I did more shots then any one day before (slight exaggeration maybe.) Instead of 2u for a lot of breakfast, it 5u for a small portion. Then a correction of Apidra again afterwards. After that it just seemed like I was doing correction, after correction, after correction…. My body had been used to a lot of exercise, and now was getting none. I went from doing a grand total of 24-28u/day for 7000+ calories, and yesterday I did close to 40u of insulin for 2400 or so calories. Granted the day consisted of getting on the bus for 1.5 hours, walking around chatting for a few hours, and then in the car for another 4 hours with John Murphy on the way to San Diego.
I am now on two doses of 10u of Lantus. I have done 7u of Apidra already this morning, for my coffee, and a breakfast burrito. Blood sugar is 95. About to go out for a 2 hour training ride, in hopes of jump starting the body again. I am pretty sure my body is no different than a non-diabetic in terms of “how much insulin” is needed pre/during/post race or exercise. I am not a doctor, but I would venture to say that if everyone would exercise an hour or 2 a day, total insulin requirements would drop significantly.
What would this mean?
For people with diabetes, easier to manage blood sugar, and less insulin ($$ saved,) better A1C- less risk of complications.
People without diabetes: less production of insulin, which would prolong beta cell burnout, which could prevent the onset of type 2.
For all of us: a better state of mind, as I know I sure do feel a heck of a lot better on days I ride vs days I do not. So please, give it a try, and get a friend to do it, cause you can make a difference.
Today will be a day of relaxation, as the rest of the team fights to get in breakaways. It has been a rough go for the team this tour, but still 2 big days left. We are fighters, and not done yet. I am looking forward to getting back to the race tomorrow afternoon to see the finish at Palomar, and have a celebration with our team/staff/directors. We are celebrating the start of a great year, and hopefully many victories to come. Personally, I am looking forward to a few days of consistent riding, and getting my insulin regime back to normal.
Also, I would like to comment on a comment… I like it when people take blows like this, and don’t leave a name.
“yeah , what your doing as far as spreading a message for diabetics is great. but you have no right in a race like TOC. you have no results that should make you pro. remember, this is a professinal sport, not a charity. do something on the bike that will change my mind. not as a diabetic, but as a cyclist.”
Last I checked, I was on the start line, with a # pinned to my jersey, which technically gives “the right” to be in the race. On some level, you are right, in the last 5 years I have no results, in fact have barely raced. 5 years before I raced, got plenty of results, and for what? The work has been done, and with the goal of group health insurance for people with diabetes so that the next 20 year old with diabetes thinking about going to Europe can do it w/o question. Again, I would like to commend you your no-named comment. Real ballsy.
HUGE thanks to everyone else for all of your support and comments. I read them all, and plan on reporting some stage wins from Taiwan. That is the goal…
About to head out for a 4 hour ride, and trip to the Chiro. Hope to get straight again, as Cali turned me sideways…
Thanks for reading! Have a great day.
Phil
16 comments:
It really is amazing how much less insulin the body needs during athletic phases. Sometimes I find it really difficult to "taper" before a race. I would almost rather go into an event not perfectly rested than deal with the insulin balancing act that comes from reduced/no activity. I hope you get back to normal soon.
It's obvious that the anonymous comment was made by someone in both ignorance and perhaps jealously. It's comical how the poster compliments you on your message but goes onto say you shouldn't be a pro - a bit contradictory, no? Nice try at trying to preface yourself as a "nice guy" before you get your dig in there, dude. Seriously - he/she is not worth any of your effort or time.
Rock on.
I agree with PJ as well, it was amazing how my insulin needs climbed a day, week, month out of the saddle. Now I get to do the opposite and deal with all the hypos on the way back down to riding/racing form. :/
As for the comment, the only thing some people believe in is there right to criticize. I believe that it's a very lonely world when all you have to do with your life is tell others what they are doing wrong. That person needs to get a life. I back you 100%, 1000% when 1/4 of Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes, that's a problem. When type 2 diabetes is being found in children at triple digit increases year-over-year, that's a problem. That person needs to head back into their little cave and put a sock in it. I didn't see them with a number on in the TOC.
TT1 RULES!!!!
keep peddling Phil, the no name comment guy probably only races to his refrigerator for a beer and on his way there he likely has to stop and catch his breath.
My first visit here and have not read a lot, but you did shots for your ride, but your bio says you are on a pump??
Did you give up on the pump or do you do shots for riding?
Phil,
I'm really glad that you put this team together and are doing what you are doing. I heard you a few days ago while you were being interviewed during the Tour of California. I have a hard time just keeping up with others in my spinning class (was up and riding at 6 a.m. this morning!) and yet, it's a person like you that inspires me to just keep going. So forget about all that negative stuff. You are doing great things for all of us!
Go Phil Go!
You have totally been an inspiration to me! I have always been active and worked with my diabetes through the sports I have played, but I can't say that I have not gotten discouraged and thought from time to time if it would be easier to just give up. Reading your blog and seeing how you work through the ups and downs and continue to work with it even though it is unpredictable from time to time inspires me to keep working with it. I am not alone. Your openness with your management takes courage and I appreciate your willingness to share your management techniques.
Phil,
Hope all is working out for you are in Tucson. Was hoping to connect while you are here either at the ADA Tour de Cure VIP event 3/7 or on the road somewhere, but looks like you are heading to Taiwan.
So here is the thing about the No Name comment. Hiding is one thing, but speaking out about something with little to no knowledge is like telling Lance after he fought his cancer, that he shouldn't of raced in the the Tour de France. However, because he won, it leaves folks like this with pie in their face.
I am with you, riding makes me feel better, I out perform and out work individuals 10 - 20 years younger then me. I had a colleague of mine ask me today where I get my energy. I commute 21 mi during the week, I ride 40+ on wknds, I have diabetes, I work, I travel for work and I have a family, which includes a daughter and a son. The difference for me is my son has Muscular Dystrophy. Double Whammy, not exactly... I have learned to live through all that I have been handed and I can't wait for tomorrow.
Phil, you are the Pied Piper for folks with more than Diabetes, what you are doing is what we all need to do, say "Yes I can." Keep it up we are all behind you saying... "You are right,you CAN!"
Keep on Trekking
Penny - aka redcyclist.blogspot.com or you can find my story on the Trek Bicycles of Tucson website.
Hey Phil
Wow, interesting feedback you received! But I'd like to say that in a way the no-namer is right: TOC certainly didn't go to plan, and if that was the plan for TT1 and the message for everyone out there with diabetes, then I think the goals were set way too low. People with diabetes CAN achieve more on the bike and in big arse races like TOC. Just because all sorts of crap happened this year doesn't mean it won't happen. It will happen.
What comes next is the important thing, and I think you are committed entirely to delivering that: doing something on the bike as a cyclist with diabetes.
Now thats inspiring.
Keep at in and win me some stages!
Monique
Great response Phil to the person who can't even admit to who they are when they comment on your blog. Obviously they are scared for us all to find out who they are and point out their lack of any cycling knowledge what-so-ever.
I will always commend you and the rest of TT1 for what you are doing. You have just as much right being out there as any of those guyes and HAVE proved that in the past, no matter what that jerk says. Does he know what you guys did as a team just last year? If not, I suggest he learn a little about you guys as racers before commenting. So this might not have worked out the way you wanted it this year... there are going to be PLENTY out there when you all kick ass and take names.
Take care of yourself, recover, enjoy the time with the team and we'll be anxious to follow all of you in your next race!
Phil, you're too kind to some folks, but I understand the position. Honestly some folks have no idea. They are clueless the battles we face and go through everyday as type 1 endurance athletes. It's tough enough already just to get to where you can, but then tac on the fact that you've done it with type 1 diabetes, and man it's a 100 times more complicated. The fact that it's being done...IS the whole point.
As a type 1 diabetic I want to thank you for taking up the torch. After I was diagnosed with late onset type 1 diabetes (that was brought on by a tooth infection that almost took my life) I had started to do my own research online and found Team Type 1's website. As an avid cyclist Team Type 1 has inspired me to get the old bike out and tune it up and back in the saddle and ride into better shape than before. I am 47 now and have the goal of being the first type 1 dibetic over the age of 50 to do the race accross america solo. To my knowledge no one over 50 with diabetes has ever done that race solo. Do you think Team Type 1 would want to sponcer a solo rider? I know you have a pro and elite team but do you have a solo rider. You and Team Type 1 have also inspired me to get more involved in my local Tour de Cure events as well as the Red Rider program. So much so that the local ADA has asked me if I would be interested in becoming a Red Rider Embassador. Diabetes has changed my life (for the better) and I hope I can help others like Team Type 1 has helpped me. Thank you for all you and the team have done and good luck in the future.
Thank You,
Anthony DiPalma
PS Great job in the TOC ALL of you on Team Type 1 riders and coaches and crew should be very very proud of what you have done. Keep it up.
He probably spent $5K on a Cervelo, Guru or Litespeed - and is so jealous that he can't even win a CRIT. I feel sorry for the poor guy. Even if tt1 had finished 106, 107, 108 -- you were 'invited'... *BUT* for a race with Levi, Lance, Hincapie... the BEST in the world... you guys did great! And you got to ride the come-back train with Lance... he didn't seem to have a problem riding with you!!!
Phil, I have so much respect for you guys. I thought I had it tough managing my 8 year old daughters diabetes, but you guys amaze me with what you go through.
As for anonymous comment dude, I really feel bad for him. He just doesn't get it. Let's let race organizers decide who "deserves" to be on the start line. As for the ATOC being a charity, I wonder if he also sent a message to a certain Mr. Armstrong as well telling him that he shouldn't be racing with Livestrong on his top tube...
phil _ nice to meet you in escondido, don't let the no name no brain comments get you down. Some people don't like to see others achieve, it makes them feel worse about their own failings. you did well to rise above it, it's ll fuel for riding and doing the good work that you do.
Im still really struggling with my bloodsugar, my school doctor won't see me for about a month but i'm going to try and find someone who will, even if i have to pay. I have decided to save some money by bailing out on few races - which makes me really sad but i guess my health comes first
james
Hey P! You guys did a great job last week in the race. I was glued to everything you guys were doing and pumped up for you all week. It was a tough race... period! What all of you did showed a lot of character and class.
As you well know, there are always those folks that doubt diabetics have any business doing what you, or any of the rest of us a d-athletes try. The biggest difference... we try, we admit to shortcomings & accomplishments, we don't see "fame for ourselves" but rather the opportunity to help someone down the road get there without all the stigmas we face, and the chance to enjoy life little excitements. As you said... last I checked, you wore a starting number and received a number of official finishing times. That's a "ticket punched" by any standard... I wonder if the anonymous poster would be willing to line up beside and try a hand at out hammering you... or brave the conditions and circumstances all of you faced last week against the top .1% of the world's cyclists...
Good luck with the prep for early March. Tell Joe, Morg, Mon, and the others I said hello. Take care! --J
Keep racing, and keep TT1 alive and well. Screw the skeptics. Getting a T1 into the TDF would be cool, but TT1 is my inspiration no matter what.
Type 1, training for my first century in 30 years.
Post a Comment