Howdy from HotLanta,
So back from Taiwan, settled home again, and bored out of my mind. There are times when things are intense, training is full on, on the phone/computer 8-10 hours a day, and then there are the not times. Things are relatively slow right now, which is most likely just the calm before the storm. Here I am 2 weeks at home, and already missing life on the road. One would think that this means plenty of time to ride, but I just have not had any motivation to get on my bike. Pretty beat both physically and mentally after the 2 month stint on the road, and 4 month heavy workload on the bike.
About a week ago, did a nice 5 hr hard ride, then day off. Tuesday, I went up to the World Champ Crit, got 4hrs total in, and feeling ok. Then the rain hit, and I couldn't make myself ride to save my life... This wasn't effecting basal much, as I was just not eating a whole lot. Daily diet when not riding consist of oatmeal w/ almond butter for breakfast, fruit in afternoon, and then a salad for dinner. Add in a few shots of espresso, and the day is done. So here I am with plenty of time to ride, but no desire to do my favorite thing in the world.
Was planning to race this past weekend, so riding was essential. I made it through most of Friday without the bike, and had conceded to being super fresh, when my buddy called and peer pressured me into 1 hour on the bike. Same deal Saturday, but I put the pressure on, and out we went for 1.5hrs. Went hard a few times to open up. Got a good dinner of Sushi and Guiness on Saturday then Sunday am set out for the Gainesville RR.
5:45: wake up, coffee, oatmeal, more coffee, pack the car (was thinking ahead, and packed bags the night before) hit McD's for game day breakfast and hit the road. Got to the race, and had blood sugar at 140, at the start, and was eating consistently. Set off with 50-60 other brave soldiers at 42 degrees, overcast, and windy. I made a deal with myself that I would not attack until my vest came off, which ended up being about 10 miles in. Started going with moves, and was feeling ok. As the race went on, I kept feeling better, and better, and would give it a go here and there. There were about 10 mygen, and 10 PaceSetter Steel boyz in the race. No moves could really get a gap, and it looked to be coming down to a sprint. So I bided my time, and was sitting good. 500m to go, someone tries to take my front wheel out, and I unclipped for balance. Got back in, having lost 10 spots or so, and then hit it out full gas. I was passing lots of dudes, and managed to sprint for 2nd overall. 2 feet later, and I think I would have taken it, but that is the game we play. I was pretty happy with 2nd, and ready to take on race #2 later in the day.
Hit the car, BS is 143, and do am dose of basal at 8u (total 16 on board now)
Then 4u rapid, and a recovery shake with 80gm carb, 20gm protein. Hit up a sandwich shop, and thought I was good to go. 1hr 45 min before the start, I was sitting at 154. Here is where the detail think comes in. Typically 1hrs 45 min before race, if I saw 154, I would wait, and then test 20 minutes later. But, idiot me only brought 7 strips or so for the day, 5 of which were now gone. So I planned on checking 45 min before the race, and right after. 45 min before, I am feeling a little groggy, and sure enough, 54. Eat Dex4 liquid blast for the quick spike, and a snickers for duration. Then sip on hammer gel leading up to the race. Felt good starting off, aggressive, and feeling good. Then about 10 miles in, we were going slower, and I was felt like it was harder. I could just be out of shape from not riding, but it was a different kind of pain. I was taking down lots of food during the race, but apparently not enough. At the rate I was going, I was sure I was going to get dropped from an easy race. So about 2 miles before the car, I drifted to last wheel, and as everyone made a right turn to race, I made a left to the car. Checked at the car, and was 53, which explains the dead feeling out there. I was thoroughly pissed. Lining up for a race, planning on going like hell for the Win, and then this crap happened. Was I pissed at diabetes?? Yes, infuriated. But when it comes down to it, if I would have brought more strips, checked more, ate more, done things better, I would have been fine.
They say: "guns don't kill people, people kill people."
I say:
"Diabetes doesn't create problems, poor diabetes control creates problems"
In this case it was on me, and I am still pissed off at it. In the past now, lesson learned, won't let it happen again. Every year, once during training, I will go low. Then I bring too much food for the next 364 days, and it doesn't happen again. Well, this is my "I didn't bring the strips" day of the year, and it will not happen again.
This week, I am local until Thurs, when I take off for Long Beach. Going to the Diabetes Tech conference out there, and will get to talk with a lot of the inventors, scientist, engineers behind the great products, and future goods of the diabetes world. Call me a geek, but I really enjoy these meetings, and am very excited about the opp to learn while there.
Then either racing in Long Beach on Sat, or flying back to Charlotte for Rock Hill RR on Sunday. Still working out the details. Hopefully I ride once or twice before then too...ha I am back on it, and looking forward to riding again tomorrow. I hit bottom last week, and feel like I bouncing straight back to the top. Hope the ride up is a good one!
Thanks for reading.
Phil
3 comments:
Where was your navigator ?
Damn! I was in Gainesville, GA Saturday morning, and left and went back to Dahlonega when the trails were closed. If I'd known you were around, I would've come out and gotten my spectator on.
Yo Phil, Nice explanations of racing and living with diabetes.
It is always easy to remember the little test strip holder, much more difficult to remember how many strips are in the little test strip holder. I feel your pain my man.
keep up the good racing!
Nathan B
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