As promised, today I went to Columbia. Drove in the rain on the way up and thought about the TT1 guys heading out to get past St. Louis today. Apparently they've changed strategies with more runners dividing up the daylight running. Will be interested to see how this adjust their pace. At least it was in the mid-50's so running in the rain wasn't like being pelted with ice. I called Karen, but she wasn't sure where they were so I decided to forgo tracking them down again.
Stopped in and worked on a floodplain project with my surveyor friend and then to the county planning dept to check in with my friend over there looking for some info and touching base in general. Then to the pool. There was some kind of private party so only one lap lane that already had two people in it, but once they said "go" to the kids, they stayed pretty much out of the lap area so I jumped in and swam next to the lane and had clear water for the most part. I was kind of tired going into it, but ended up feeling like it was a pretty strong swim. I often wonder if my form looks as good as I think it should. Someday I have to find some kind of class. I had a good song in my head and just knocked out 40 minutes. I was thinking - I feel pretty strong, but not fast. I guess I can live with that for now. Not too sucky of a swim anyway.
Haven't run in over a week so will do that tomorrow. Maybe the Walmart 5K again - our bank has a branch there and I have a check from the middle of last week that needs to be deposited.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Met the TT1 Guys!!
So I don't know what happened to the rest of last week. I just was in a bit of a mental funk or something and didn't get my act together after a really good start to the week. Did a little blog reading and commenting, but not much else. Then this morning I woke up and realized I hadn't checked in on those amazing Team Type 1 guys and their Run Across America. OMG! I almost missed them! Thankfully, they had just hit Missouri late last night. So I checked around on their FB page and a couple blogs and got ahold of the team "mom" Karen this afternoon and made arrangements to catch up with them in Pilot Grove, MO.
I got there about 7:40 PM - just after the last of the runners had come in for an eating break. So I got to meet ALL of them!! Karen took pics that she said she'd email me, but I already have some proof - check out the awesome autographed water bottle!!
(Oops - no idea how to rotate this stupid thing).
They also gave me a t-shirt that I can wear to show my support. I'm so stinking excited! They were all wonderful hosts of my little groupie moment. I told them about my dad and they shared funny stories from the road (some diabetic and some not). One story was about how they chose who would run first when starting a new leg. I asked if it was "Rock, Paper, Scissors". Nope - highest blood sugar wins. Loved it! Another was about the newer technology of blood glucose monitoring that is real time (takes it every 5 min and sends it to a readout on a pager like thing). They set the range they want to be in and there is an alarm that goes off if they are out of that range. Not everyone uses this, but apparently the other night everyone in the van had them going off and it was like some kind of weird symphony. Time to slurp up some more of Karen's cooking!
I love their spirit! What an amazing group of men! Even if we were just standing in the parking lot of "Becky's Burgers and Cones" (which was closed of course). So no excuses - tomorrow I have business in Columbia so it will be a swim day. Back on the wagon again. Because if 10 guys with diabetes can run across America, then by golly I can get off my backside and walk/run my 3 miles!
Here is the ROUTE- if they are coming near you it is totally worth going to meet these guys! I was fortunate that it was a pretty short drive for me (hour each way - could have been a little shorter, but they are hitting Columbia in the middle of the night). Their next stop is in St. Louis - but your guess is as good as mine as to when. The tracker tool is a little off though based on cell tower locations. Had them a little further up the road than they were tonight.
I got there about 7:40 PM - just after the last of the runners had come in for an eating break. So I got to meet ALL of them!! Karen took pics that she said she'd email me, but I already have some proof - check out the awesome autographed water bottle!!
(Oops - no idea how to rotate this stupid thing).They also gave me a t-shirt that I can wear to show my support. I'm so stinking excited! They were all wonderful hosts of my little groupie moment. I told them about my dad and they shared funny stories from the road (some diabetic and some not). One story was about how they chose who would run first when starting a new leg. I asked if it was "Rock, Paper, Scissors". Nope - highest blood sugar wins. Loved it! Another was about the newer technology of blood glucose monitoring that is real time (takes it every 5 min and sends it to a readout on a pager like thing). They set the range they want to be in and there is an alarm that goes off if they are out of that range. Not everyone uses this, but apparently the other night everyone in the van had them going off and it was like some kind of weird symphony. Time to slurp up some more of Karen's cooking!
I love their spirit! What an amazing group of men! Even if we were just standing in the parking lot of "Becky's Burgers and Cones" (which was closed of course). So no excuses - tomorrow I have business in Columbia so it will be a swim day. Back on the wagon again. Because if 10 guys with diabetes can run across America, then by golly I can get off my backside and walk/run my 3 miles!
Here is the ROUTE- if they are coming near you it is totally worth going to meet these guys! I was fortunate that it was a pretty short drive for me (hour each way - could have been a little shorter, but they are hitting Columbia in the middle of the night). Their next stop is in St. Louis - but your guess is as good as mine as to when. The tracker tool is a little off though based on cell tower locations. Had them a little further up the road than they were tonight.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Team Type 1 is Amazing!
I just spent a little time on a couple of blogs reading up on the Team Type 1 Run Across America (Here and here). These guys are just amazing! I found out about them from IronDiva's blog (her husband Tom is one of the runners). They are trying to average 8:15 min miles for over 3000 miles to get from CA to NY in time for World Diabetes Day on November 14th. Two vans with five guys each are doing this incredible relay with a RV for additional support. They aren't just dealing with the usual blisters, inflamed achilles tendons and so on - they are juggling blood sugar levels through adjustments to basal insulin rates (or not), testing frequently (the joke is that the test strips will fill the van like confetti by the time they are in NY), and eating/fueling their bodies to handle the challenges of running so far for so long.
I lost my dad to Type 1 Diabetes in June 2010. I had watched as he battled this awful disease for almost 37 years at that point - which doesn't touch the 19 years before I was born. At 66, he was considered "very old" for a Type 1 diabetic. He was in renal failure for the last 3 years of his life attending dialysis three times a week in order to survive. He went blind about 13 months before his death. Towards the end, the poison his kidneys weren't able to remove left him foggy headed and unable to hold a coherant conversation most of the time. It was truly awful to watch.
When he lost his wife in December 2009 (to lung cancer and heart disease), I think he just gave up. We should have let him go then, but we had hope that he would remain strong enough to get something out of his life for a little longer. But he just didn't want to and his nephrologist finally confronted us with his thought that he gives people dialysis so that they can live - not the other way around. We made a decision together - as a family - to discontinue treatment. By the next morning he was in a coma and two mornings later - he was gone. I still have bad dreams.
My dad was told at an early age he'd never live long. In his early years, he embraced that and told me once it made him a great cop because he wasn't afraid to die. Later, he said he went to law school because he knew his body would fail him eventually and he figured he could practice law from a wheel chair if necessary. He hated the idea of dying with no dignity. He was angry that the disease took this from him. Actually, he was pretty angry at his disease for a lot of reasons. I'm sad that he was never able to put that anger away and focus on what all he could do. This is why these guys inspire me so much. They don't let it limit them - they don't let it define them (other than naming their team). They overcome it as just another obstacle in this thing we call life.
I found one approximate map of their route and it appears to go through central Missouri. I have no idea what time of day they might be coming through, but I am going to follow the reports and see if I can find out as they get closer. I want to go out and cheer them on. I want them to know how truly INCREDIBLE this feat they are doing is. God bless and keep them safe on their journey.
I lost my dad to Type 1 Diabetes in June 2010. I had watched as he battled this awful disease for almost 37 years at that point - which doesn't touch the 19 years before I was born. At 66, he was considered "very old" for a Type 1 diabetic. He was in renal failure for the last 3 years of his life attending dialysis three times a week in order to survive. He went blind about 13 months before his death. Towards the end, the poison his kidneys weren't able to remove left him foggy headed and unable to hold a coherant conversation most of the time. It was truly awful to watch.
When he lost his wife in December 2009 (to lung cancer and heart disease), I think he just gave up. We should have let him go then, but we had hope that he would remain strong enough to get something out of his life for a little longer. But he just didn't want to and his nephrologist finally confronted us with his thought that he gives people dialysis so that they can live - not the other way around. We made a decision together - as a family - to discontinue treatment. By the next morning he was in a coma and two mornings later - he was gone. I still have bad dreams.
My dad was told at an early age he'd never live long. In his early years, he embraced that and told me once it made him a great cop because he wasn't afraid to die. Later, he said he went to law school because he knew his body would fail him eventually and he figured he could practice law from a wheel chair if necessary. He hated the idea of dying with no dignity. He was angry that the disease took this from him. Actually, he was pretty angry at his disease for a lot of reasons. I'm sad that he was never able to put that anger away and focus on what all he could do. This is why these guys inspire me so much. They don't let it limit them - they don't let it define them (other than naming their team). They overcome it as just another obstacle in this thing we call life.
I found one approximate map of their route and it appears to go through central Missouri. I have no idea what time of day they might be coming through, but I am going to follow the reports and see if I can find out as they get closer. I want to go out and cheer them on. I want them to know how truly INCREDIBLE this feat they are doing is. God bless and keep them safe on their journey.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Quick bike ride + cute kids
The warm weather stopped by mid-Missouri again today - low 70s. It must have been brought in by that south wind (14 mph according to Weather Channel). Boy could I feel that wind tonight. Husband ran off to work, kids were playing with their cousins and I snuck out to get in a quick bike ride. Almost bailed, but I really would have felt guilty for skipping it when the weather turns cool again in another day or so. So just 8 miles in my usual area - threw in three decent hills to make it interesting. I was huffing and puffing a little on them. Maybe I can blame the lingering congestion from last week's bug, but truthfully - I'm always winded on hills. No blistering speed here - it took me 45 minutes or so to do the lousy 8 miles. But better than nothing.
Especially given the crazy amount of candy these two cute trick-or-treaters brought home. My little cowgirl and my soldier.
The week before we carved these pumpkins while daddy was at work. The pumpkins looked kind of icky last night and got tossed today.
Since I swam Monday and biked today, I guess tomorrow will be a run day. Unfortunately, my other workout is house cleaning. Ugh!
This evening while little one was at Brownies, I returned the older one's tackle football gear and then ran into JCP to look at athletic wear (newbie status means I don't have much). I had a coupon for $10 off. I scored on an Adidas running jacket on clearance and a "Tokyo green" tech tee that was 40% off - all for $25! Yay me! Still need to find something I can wear cycling in the cool weather, but this should cover me for a little longer on my walk/run.
Hope everyone is resisting the giant piles of candy that may have invaded their house this week. I did pretty good today - only one peanut butter cup and one small snickers.
Especially given the crazy amount of candy these two cute trick-or-treaters brought home. My little cowgirl and my soldier.
The week before we carved these pumpkins while daddy was at work. The pumpkins looked kind of icky last night and got tossed today.
Since I swam Monday and biked today, I guess tomorrow will be a run day. Unfortunately, my other workout is house cleaning. Ugh!
This evening while little one was at Brownies, I returned the older one's tackle football gear and then ran into JCP to look at athletic wear (newbie status means I don't have much). I had a coupon for $10 off. I scored on an Adidas running jacket on clearance and a "Tokyo green" tech tee that was 40% off - all for $25! Yay me! Still need to find something I can wear cycling in the cool weather, but this should cover me for a little longer on my walk/run.
Hope everyone is resisting the giant piles of candy that may have invaded their house this week. I did pretty good today - only one peanut butter cup and one small snickers.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Hello Mr. Shark
Time was a little tight with having to be back at the kids' school at 2 PM for Halloween parties, but I managed to get in a 40+ min swim in at the ARC. And I felt pretty good while doing it! I did some drills (almost exclusively catch up drills plus a couple rounds of fist) and counted some strokes (I might be down a stroke or two from last time). In general, I was feeling on the slow side, but strong. Overall, not bad for not swimming for two weeks due to being sick last week (and the pool I use being 40 min drive away). Nice to see Mr. Shark make a brief appearance.
Kids are all psyched up for trick-or-treating tonight. They had fun at their school parties and dressing up today for "crazy day" (they don't get to wear costumes at their school, but get to dress silly). My son decided he was "dressed crazy" because he was wearing three different camo patterns. Cracked me up! My daughter was all mismatched and clashing (turquoise plaid shorts, tie dye shirt, one Halloween sock of mine and a purple Hello Kitty sock of hers and a Hanna Montana wig that has seen better days). Tonight, he is pretty much wearing the same thing and going as "soldier" (his standard getup) and my daughter is going as a rodeo cowgirl. Now to stay out of all their treats!
Weather is supposed to be warmer tomorrow so I think it will be a bike day.
Kids are all psyched up for trick-or-treating tonight. They had fun at their school parties and dressing up today for "crazy day" (they don't get to wear costumes at their school, but get to dress silly). My son decided he was "dressed crazy" because he was wearing three different camo patterns. Cracked me up! My daughter was all mismatched and clashing (turquoise plaid shorts, tie dye shirt, one Halloween sock of mine and a purple Hello Kitty sock of hers and a Hanna Montana wig that has seen better days). Tonight, he is pretty much wearing the same thing and going as "soldier" (his standard getup) and my daughter is going as a rodeo cowgirl. Now to stay out of all their treats!
Weather is supposed to be warmer tomorrow so I think it will be a bike day.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Quick bike ride w/ my girl
With my husband still working crazy long night shifts and trying to sleep during the day, my kid-free time is really limited. So tonight I made the best of it and took my 7 year old daughter with me on my first post-sickness bike ride. I pedaled ahead of her a little bit and, as she tired near the midway point, I went quickly ahead and turned around to come back to her. She must have been hungry or tired or both - she was much more whiney than on past rides - cried after part of one hill. The sun was starting to set and it was getting cooler (note to self - she doesn't belong with me on the anything much colder than 60°). So I told her to catch her breath - gave her a drink - and suck it up and ride home. I didn't make her add any extra distance since she was obviously not in the mood. So it was pretty short and sweet - 5 miles in about 30 min. Better than nothing.
I discussed the YMCA membership with my husband. He thought it would be pretty good for the coldest months - for both me and the kids. So I'll probably going to try to suck it up without it another 2-4 weeks, but then for December - March do the Y membership (even though I'll have to pay the $100 joining fee for not signing a contract for a year). So I think I'm going to punt the trainer purchase for now. So many other things to save up for.
And can't let the day go by without saying: HOW ABOUT THOSE CARDINALS?? YEE HAW!!! What a bunch of great games to watch this last week! Wahoo!! Way to win the World Series!
I discussed the YMCA membership with my husband. He thought it would be pretty good for the coldest months - for both me and the kids. So I'll probably going to try to suck it up without it another 2-4 weeks, but then for December - March do the Y membership (even though I'll have to pay the $100 joining fee for not signing a contract for a year). So I think I'm going to punt the trainer purchase for now. So many other things to save up for.
And can't let the day go by without saying: HOW ABOUT THOSE CARDINALS?? YEE HAW!!! What a bunch of great games to watch this last week! Wahoo!! Way to win the World Series!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Back from the Dead
By Tuesday, whatever my chest cold was morphed into a combined sinus infection, stomach bug, chest congestion crap that made me feel like death - and not even the "warmed over" kind. I slept part of the afternoon after a conference call in the morning. Eating didn't go well and dinner didn't stay down. Made for a lovely Weight Loss Wednesday (lowest number of the year), but I slowly started feeling less pukey on Wednesday afternoon. Getting a little more food in me brought some strength back and I thought about going for a walk, but the cold rain and still feeling sluggish squashed that plan. So today, with there being a bit more sun and me keeping a bit more food down, I started to feel a little antsy. I think that is a good thing. I had kind of worried that this would be my "falling off the wagon".
So this evening, I'm still fighting what feels like concrete setting in my sinuses and a little bit of a chesty cough (as that stuff drains to my lungs and gets coughed back up), but I decided to go for a short walk/run. I walked briskly for 5 min, then ran 1 min/walked 1 min for about another 25 min with a short walk cool down. Went about 2.2 miles. Not great, but not bad for a girl "back from the dead".
Going to take it easy again tomorrow morning. Kids have early release and then parent/teacher conferences in the afternoon. If I feel up to it, maybe I'll do a short bike ride when we get home. Otherwise, that will be on tap for the weekend. It is supposed to warm up a little. It was 50° this evening while I was out. Used my new ear band.
Totally off subject, but I was pretty stoked about this - my daughter found the gold watch I lost several weeks ago! The one my husband gave me as a wedding present 16 years ago. It had fallen down in the side panel pocket of my car door and she was digging for a pack of gum and found it on Saturday. God bless her and her tiny little hands! Still using the cheapo sports watch I bought for walking/running since it has a great stopwatch feature.
So this evening, I'm still fighting what feels like concrete setting in my sinuses and a little bit of a chesty cough (as that stuff drains to my lungs and gets coughed back up), but I decided to go for a short walk/run. I walked briskly for 5 min, then ran 1 min/walked 1 min for about another 25 min with a short walk cool down. Went about 2.2 miles. Not great, but not bad for a girl "back from the dead".
Going to take it easy again tomorrow morning. Kids have early release and then parent/teacher conferences in the afternoon. If I feel up to it, maybe I'll do a short bike ride when we get home. Otherwise, that will be on tap for the weekend. It is supposed to warm up a little. It was 50° this evening while I was out. Used my new ear band.
Totally off subject, but I was pretty stoked about this - my daughter found the gold watch I lost several weeks ago! The one my husband gave me as a wedding present 16 years ago. It had fallen down in the side panel pocket of my car door and she was digging for a pack of gum and found it on Saturday. God bless her and her tiny little hands! Still using the cheapo sports watch I bought for walking/running since it has a great stopwatch feature.
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