Tempe International Triathlon...Part 1

Sunday was my first race of the season. My intention was to get my feet wet, literally and figuratively, and get the bugs out. I think I successfully did that. The Tempe International is an Olympic distance race: a 1500 meter swim, 40K bike, and 10k run. It was required that we check our bikes in on Saturday so I got it all set up Friday evening. Races wheels on, tires aired up, bottle cages tightened and adjusted, blood sugar meter secured and attached, test strips filled, bike computer mounted, gel packs taped to the frame for easy access. Saturday morning I did one last check and took it around the block for a final test drive...why is it so noisy? Why won't it shift into the big ring in front? Ugh...bug number one. At most races one of the local bike shops has complimentary mechanics on site so I load it into the car and hope that is going to be the case today. Sure enough, I check in, get my race number, bike number and swim cap. I head up towards the transition area and Landis Cyclery is set up right next to the entrance, Ryan from Landis adjusts the front derailer (shifter) and says was getting stuck on the big ring and it is most likely from the cables stretching as the bike breaks in. I take it for a spin and it seems good to go. My bike is hung on the rack to sleep for the night and wait for me to return in the morning.

Race Morning

My alarm goes off at 4am. Even though I went to bed around 10 I didn't fall asleep until at least 12:00. Pre-race jitters I guess. PLUS, I had a low blood sugar of 67 around 2:30 or 3:00. Is that another bug? I think it is...bug #2. My age group is set to go off at 7:09. I like to eat 3 hours before a long workout or race because I have to take insulin when I eat. Humolog (the insulin that I use) peaks around 2 hours and stays in my system 3-4 hours. Since exercise lowers blood sugar, if I still have to much insulin on board when I start the affects will be multiplied and I would be risking having my blood sugar plummet really low. The result could be as simple as nausea, jitters, disorientation etc. or could be as bad as passing out, or seizure. Add that to the fact that the first 40 minutes of the race I will be in the water and well, I think you get the idea. That's why I like to eat and take insulin 3-4 hours before, I want the insulin cleared. It eliminates the variables. So back to breakfast...I ate 2 power bars and had two cups of coffee. I like to eat things that I know will be consistent from race to race and workout to workout. I want to know EXACTLY how many carbohydrates are in my breakfast. Again, eliminating the variables. Fueled up and off to Tempe for the race.

Tempe International Triathlon Highlights

Check out the highlights from todays race!

MONEY!

I went on a 3 1/2 hour (54 mile) ride the other day and tried a new nutrition strategy. One of the things I learned at Diabetes Training Camp is how important it is to have insulin on board when exercising. One of which is that you need it in order to get enough nutrition to sustain the longer distances. I have not been using even close to enough insulin while I exercise, particularly greater than an hour. I have been turning my basal* rate down to about 10-20% of my normal day to day amount while exercising. Dr. Corcoran suggested that I should never go below 50%. I asked one of my Triabetes teamates, Casey how he manages it. He is a veteran Ironman and is planning on qualifying for Kona this year. He recommended 2 bottles of Perpetuem (an endurance nutrition drink made by Hammer Nutrition), starting with 4 scoops in each and working my way up to 6 scoops in each by Ironman. In addition, take 1 gel per hour. I left my basal* rate at 100% and took a combo bolus** on my Animus pump to cover the carbohydrates in the Perpetuem, but not the gels. Combo meaning I took 15% of the insulin up front with the remaining stretched out over 4 hours. Long story short...IT WAS MONEY. I don't know if it was beginners luck or what but check out the Blood sugars below!  I'm going to try it out in my first race this weekend.

53.72 Miles

3 hours 23 minutes

Average Heart Rate 131

Starting BG: 130 (11:50am)

12:27 107

1:26 109

2:24 87

Rolled in the driveway at 107 (3:28pm)

*In the treatment of diabetes the term basal rate simply means the low rate of insulin supply needed to cover the basal metabolic functions of daily living (i.e. breathing, heart rate, and other metabolic processes of the body). That is, what insulin is needed to maintain good blood sugar control without taking into account eating any food (food is covered with a "bolus" of insulin).

**Bolus = a single dose of insulin. Bolus insulin can be given by injection (shots) or through an insulin pump.

Bolus insulin is given for two reasons:
1. Whenever food is eaten that may raise blood sugar (especially in the case of carbohydrates); and/or
2. Whenever blood sugars are too high and need to be corrected (made lower).