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
