The Diabetes Game or The Fitness Game: Ouch!

Howdy from Atlanta!

I hope everyone is doing well, and excited about a great day of turkey. I am just back from partaking in "El Tour de Tucson," which I did on behalf of JDRF. I got in Wednesday night, so that I could go around and visit doctors offices, hospitals, and was amazed at the fact that everyone knew about "the race." There were 9,000 +/- people signed up and ready to rock for the 109 mile venture through the desert. Sometime Thursday night, I came down with a stomach bug, which knocked me dead. By Friday mid afternoon, I had decided I was not going to do the race. No sense in trying to ride 110 miles if you can't hold food down, and haven't been training at all, right?

But then I get the pediatric ward of the UMC Hospital. I got to go around and visit with kids who were in renal failure, cancer patients, hit by a car, depression, and a few others. I see all these kids locked to their beds, but with the best attitudes. I got to compare surgery scars with this one girl, and hers were WAYYY cooler than mine. They all wished me luck on the ride, and I knew I had to do it. That night I gave a brief talk at the JDRF kick off dinner, and it was great to connect with old friends, and meet new ones there. I went straight to bed after, having eaten a total of 100 calories for the day.

Wake up 5:30, BS of 71, and go to breakfast with a sick stomach. I managed to eat some oatmeal with fruit, and drink 1/2 a cup of coffee, but it was enough to tell get the arrow on my FreeStyle Navigator going straight up. Head out the door, and ride 7 miles down to the ride with my buddy John Murphy, and at the start line 15 minutes pre, I was 169 trending down. Not good before a ride that long, right? Wrong! I eat a banana, and then we set off in an all out race for the first few miles. Felt ok sitting in, but when I hit the wind it was like a sack of bricks nailing me.

We make it through the first dirt, I drank some HEED, and then had 3 cliff blocks, and decided to check at about mile 15. 240 with an arrow straight up... So I switch to water only. I should have done some insulin for breakfast, but without a guarantee of holding down food, I didn't. Drinking water, drinking water as the miles fly by, and then I am 296 straight up I flattened out by the time I hit 324 mile 40, but the cramps (combo of dehydration/high BS) kicked in. This was right after the 2nd creek crossing, and it was all out war for position there. I went in 5th, and cruised through, but when it went full gas out, I just went tempo for the next few miles. Settled into the 2nd group, and tried with Jedi mind power to "not cramp!!!" At about mile 60, I was dying, and ready to quit. The cramps were coming strong, and I was not prepared for a ride of this length. Mind you, this was my 3rd ride in 3 weeks, as had been on the road traveling a ton.
I kept drinking water, and I think my BS peaked out at 374. Then it started coming down. As the decent of BS happened, the legs felt better. There was one more long gradual climb that I started near the front, and drifted all the way off the back by the top, but was able to get back on. Then I saw BS dropping, got a lift and sat last wheel for a while. We hit mile 80 at 3hrs and 15 minutes, and I knew with only 30 miles to go, and a block head wind, life would be ok.

Speed picked up, and I stayed right at the back, meeting a few friends, having some good conversation. Misery loves company, and no one (in my area of the pack) was feeling exactly chipper at that point. So we trudged along for the last 30 miles, over one climb, and into Tucson. I was about ready to cry at any given point my legs hurts so bad, as did my butt, neck, knees....

Got to the finish in the 2nd group, in a time of around 4:25, which was fast enough for me. Moral (1) of my story here: If you are going to ride a bike for a prolonged period of time, it is highly recommended to actually ride your bike... I know with some fitness it could have been much more fun, but nevertheless, it was an extremely rewarding experience. Went to the pool right after, and managed to eat a few french fries, and a chicken finger, which was the extent of my recovery meal...

Moral (2:) When you are down (or way up) a few points in The Diabetes Game, it doesn't mean the end, it just means adjustments. Instead of putting down calories for the ride, I put down water. If I would have had a pump, I could have fixed it, but I didn't, so had to make due with water. There is always a way to improve the situation, which may not be ideal, but is doable.

At the dinner that night, I hear the lady who won the spirit award tell her story. It was her 2nd bike ride, and the first she did was 52 miles. She got her clipless 2 days prior to the ride, and she finished the 109 mile ride. After I heard her talk, I shut my mouth, as I may have only ridden 3 times in 3 weeks, but the legs of 150,000ish miles in them over the years, which is tough for the muscles to forget.

Next up is Turkey day with the family, which I am excited about, and then on Monday I head to NYC for Partnering for a Cure conference. This will be very cool, and I should get to hear some wonderful speakers, and sharpen my game, while at the same time, searching for partners in the "Cure death from diabetes" campaign which we will be rolling out. More news to come on that, but for the time being, let's all be thankful for what we have, and have a great day with family, friends, or both!

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Phil
@philsoutherland