The Thank You Post

While the actual Ironman race is a solitary journey it takes a strong foundation of support to get to the starting line. My support family was phenomenal and made my voyage incredibly special. Without each of the people listed below I would not have been able to tread the water in Mirror Lake with the confidence that I'd finish my first Ironman prior to the starting gun.

Coach Eggers - Your guidance helped me realize that Ironman wasn't about finishing the race in a particular time. While many other coaches would have been eager to exploit my desire to kill myself in every workout you held me back, you made me go slow and you turned me into a triathlete. You were my shepard through all my dark hours of doubt and helped restore the faith I once had in myself. Without you this journey would not have been possible.

Lauren Antanucci - Your formulas, metabolic tests and unbelievable knowledge of physiology saved me from medical disaster. When I first came to you 70% of my workouts were cut short due to low blood sugars and nutrition SNAFUs. As a diabetic nutrition is the single most important part variable in my race plan. You gave me the knowledge needed to complete every work and cross that finish line alive. Sure, there were blood sugar issues along the way but without your help the Ironman would never have happened.

Brian Shea - You took the information and knowledge that Lauren provided me with to help me select the perfect products for my nutritional needs. We discussed the different glycemic indexes of various carbohydrate products, found flavors that worked together and the right blend of carbs to give my body the energy it needed. Your customer service combined with Lauren's nutrition knowledge was the perfect marriage for my nutrition needs. From Carbo-Pro, to Cytomax to EFS you always provided insight into how these products would affect my blood sugars - thank you for your dedication to helping supply athletes with the energy they need.

Cliff Scherb - You took time out of your coaching schedule to work with me on a one on one basis, to discuss my nutrition plan, to study my cycling stroke and to talk about my fears of doing an Ironman with Type 1. Seeing you in your always fashionable Tri Star bicycle cap as I walked from transition to the swim start brought my heart rate down about 50 bpm. Knowing what you have accomplished in the past and knowing that you once had a physiology similar to mine let me know what is possible for a type 1 diabetic. You helped give me the strength to hammer on when things went so terribly wrong on the 20th.

Anne Findlay - Like Cliff you have demonstrated what is possible for a type 1 to do. You answered so many of my noob questions from testing on the bike to carrying extra nutrition. Your improvements from last year's CDA to this year's CDA proved that a diabetic can work their butt off and demonstrated what a little knowledge about basals and boluses can do! Where as Cliff is a seasoned Ironman pro your career is relatively new so you knew all the things I was freaking out about. Essentially you became my first grade diabetic triathlete teacher letting me know all the things I should know so I could understand everyone else!

Terrier Tri - Coach Robert and Coach Megan you helped me get over my fear of open water swimming. You analyzed my swim stroke and helped me find the perfect bike (even if it breaks all the time). Coach Megan you checked in on me during my early days of training to make sure my blood sugars were ok and answered so many questions I had about swimming. Coach Robert you answered some of the more off-beat questions I had and allowed me to see how passionate people can be about this sport. Without the open water swim clinic at Coney Island I'd still be terrified of the OWS.

Train-This - When I first met most of you at the WAP I was shocked to find out how much you all knew about me and how much you seemed to care about me. Bill helped me with so much during this journey that I can't even put it into words. Bill, you took me under your wing and gave me all the "inside" knowledge I could handle. Sarah, you are an amazing triathlete and knowing what you think I'm capable of meant the world to me - seeing you at the swim start let me exhale and relax before the gun went off. Adam, having those beers with you at the brewery on the day of my blood sugar disaster took 1,000 pounds off my shoulders. K-Dub, Jeremy, Sharon, Natahlie, Kim and the rest of the team thank you all for your support you welcomed this insider with open arms and let me feel like I was part of a triathlon family.

My Readers - Thank you all for listening to my ramblings and leaving comments of support and questions. I started this blog to raise awareness and knowledge of the challenges a person with a chronic illness faces during training and athletic competition. Please keep asking your questions and I'll answer them to the best of my ability or refer you to someone else if I don't have the answer. As I saw my readership increase over the year I realized that my message was being heard, you all gave me the strength and courage I needed to do what I did.

KK - You have been in my life for just a couple months now but I know this journey wouldn't have been close to as special as it was without you. In my darkest hour you supported me and you had faith in me, you were my security blanket when I needed one most. You have stolen my heart, sharing this experience with you made it one of the most special of my life.

My Friends - Most of you hadn't a clue what the heck I signed up for last year but all of you said "well if someone can do it, it's you." You let me cancel plans because I had to train, you didn't laugh at me too much the first time you saw me in bike shorts, you came to bike shops with me, you asked questions to trick me into thinking you were interested in my nutrition mixes. You didn't hound me too hard for not drinking, for not being able to golf or for wearing a fuel belt during a bachelor party. Steve and Conor although you didn't get to see the finish of IMLP, having you there at the start meant the world to me; thanks guys for supporting me through this.

My Family - More than anyone else you made this journey possible. Mom and Dad you raised me to believe in myself, to tackle obstacles and to have faith in my ability to overcome adversity. Triathlon was completely foreign to both of you and while I'm not convinced you totally "get it" yet and while you still haven't figured out how to spot me when I come out of the water having you at my races means the world to me. You have put up with my mood swings during training and before races; while I keep my smile on for almost everyone else I meet you let me express my frustrations. Pug, there is no way words will do how much your support has meant to me justice. From taking pictures at my races to keeping the nervous energy of Mom and Dad before a race away from me you have been my biggest fan. Without your notes of encouragement, rabid cheering or excitement for what I was doing none of this could have been accomplished - thank you. Heidi & Bari, while you were my long distance fans, calling me after each of my races and tracking me on race day meant the world to me; thanks for supporting me and believing in me.

Lake Placid Nutrition & Pacing Strategy

Coach Egg and I are finalizing the details of my race day strategy but what you see below is pretty much what I'll be following on the 20th:

Pre Race
	4:30 AM		2 pieces of whole wheat toast with peanut butter
			coffee
	5:30 AM		Turn pump down to 40% basal rate
	6:00 AM		Cliff Bar
	6:15 AM		Pre-race nutrition mix
	6:55 AM		Pre-Swim Mix
Swim
	7:25 - 7:35 AM		Power Gel (chocolate) should be on the home turn when taken
	Mid-way		Test blood sugar, if below 180 take nutrition mix
	1.5 Miles Into Swim		Power Gel (chocolate)
T1
	Post Wet Suit		Test
			If Blood Sugar is below 160 take nutrition mix
Bike
	Every 15 Minutes		Sip on nutrition
	Water Stops		Change water bottle at each stop - should go through 3 Aero bottles per hour
	After descent into Keane		Test & have 1/2 Clif Bar
	After climb into Wilmington		Test & have 1/2 Clif Bar
	After Wilderness Inn II		Ramp up nutrition intake, keep bike in small front ring
	Special Needs Pick Up		Test
			Repeat Above for 2nd lap
Pacing & Cadence
	Climb into Keane		Cadence should remain at or above 90, speed should be around 15 mph
	Route 9N		Keep pace under 24 mph with a cadence of 100 - don't hammer!
	Climb into Wilmington		Small gear and spin, don't get frustrated, speeds will top out at 11 mph
	Out & Back		Keep pace under 24 mph with a cadence of 100 at the fast part - remember the hills and don't burn the legs
	86 First Part		Mostly downhill, large front ring, cadence of 90 and speeds of 20ish
	Last 11 Miles		If you're not in the small ring, you're wrong! After Whiteface and before the Cherries you can get speed - don't be tempted to shift to big ring; smooth pedal strokes, Papa Bear is waiting and you want your legs fresh, cadence better be above 90 to get the lactic acid out, remember to drink and take in nutrition mix
	Special Needs Pick Up		Don't worry about your time and relax - still a long day to go; patience and don't be obsessed with the negative split, just follow the same strategy
T2
	After Bike Is Racked		Test
			If Blood Sugar is below 160 take nutrition mix
Run
	Each Aid Station		3 cups of water, if cups are less than 1/2 way filled have 4 cups
	Between Each Aid Station		Sip on nutrition mix, if carbohydrate intake at aid station, skip nutrition mix
	Test		Every 5 miles (about every 45 minutes)
Pacing
	First 13		Head out at a 9:30 pace, increase to 9 minutes if feeling strong after 3 miles
	Second 13		At mid-way point, increase to an 8:40 pace, hold for 7 miles, if legs are available increase pace by 10 to second increments each mile, with 3 miles left empty the tank
			IT'S OK TO STOP AND STRETCH!

Bib # 286!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes!!!!! Yes!!!!! Yes!!!!! I can not begin to tell you how happy I was when a certain triathlete e-mailed me a comment about racer 286. When I went to Ironmanusa.com to find out my race number low and behold - 286 was me!!

Normally a sane person wouldn't be so excited about some digits. But in all honesty can someone who is relishing the opportunity to work their butt off for 140.6 miles be considered sane? Ever since I signed up for Ironman Lake Placid I have been praying that my race number would contain a 6 and a 2. 62 was my college football number, and represents so freaking much to me. Oh man this is awesome - every once in a while things all come together at just the right time; the 20th can't get here fast enough.

The Quiet Before The Storm

On Thursday afternoon I anxiously packed my Pathfinder for the last weekend of training hell. I was unsure of what to expect, unsure of my level of preparation and nervous as to how my nutrition plan would hold up. To simulate race day as best as possible I brought all the food I would need for the weekend and cut myself off from the outside world to focus. When I arrived at the Placid Bay Inn, and came to find Rocky IV on TV, I started to think that my July 4th Weekend would be something special.

It's kind of embarrassing to admit but one of my heroes growing up was Rocky Balboa. The underdog who always fought to the finish, the size of his heart and will to win always overcame his shortcomings as an athlete. Oddly enough I think both Rocky Balboa and Hulk Hogan, 2 fictional characters helped develop who I am (a post for later this week). When Duke, Rocky's trainer told him "you're going to have to go hell and back to get ready for this fight and you're going to have to do it alone," I couldn't help but think he was talking directly to me.

I woke Friday morning to perfect blood sugars, with anticipation for what the day would hold. I got to Mirror Lake at 7:55 am but was distraught as the lake was filled with crew shells; after speaking with some of the crew Coaches I found out that there was a big race on July 5th, and while they had been training on the lake for weeks now a bunch of "new" teams were there and they didn't know how observant of swimmers in the water these teams would be so it probably wasn't safe to swim. No problem, I had a ton of other stuff to do so instead of getting into the water, I hopped on my bike and set out for the 112 mile ride.

I can't exactly explain the feeling I had during the first loop of the bike course. But something "clicked", for some reason I kept smiling. I kept thinking of my Mom's final words to me before I left the house on Thursday, "just remember to have fun." Instead of fearing the course I respected it. Under gorgeous blue skies I realized how lucky I was to be out riding, to be pushing myself and to be chasing a dream. I started to have a slight belief that I might actually be ready for the race.

The first loop was incredible, the 3 hours and 10 minutes were the best I had ever biked. During my 70 mile ride on Tuesday my quads were burning and my mind was tired; however for the first 56 of the Placid course I felt "perfect". My blood sugars were only 91 after the decent into Keene so I added a banana to the nutrition plan; at the end of the loop I was at 180 and was psyched to head out to enjoy the course again.

My second loop didn't go quite as well, but wasn't a disaster by any stretch. After the decent my blood sugar was 121; I should have just stuck to my nutrition plan but instead made a HUGE mistake and took in a hammer gel. About 15 miles later my blood sugar had spiked into the 220 range and sapped alot of my energy. The second I took the gel I knew it was a mistake but also learned a really valuable lesson. I need to adapt for my blood sugars but need to be smart about it. I shouldn't take products that Lauren and I haven't tested 100 times before and should use my training experience to know how I need to adapt. The stupid move slowed my pace down 1.5 mph compared to my first lap for a final time of 3 hours and 27 minutes; however I was able to finish strongly and did a 1/2 hour brick at a 8:30 pace - a pace I couldn't come close to holding after the 56 mile bike at Mooseman - tangible proof of improvement!

I was asleep by 10 pm on Friday for a 4:50 am wake up call. To get in some quality swimming at Mirror Lake I needed to be in the water by 6am. There was something incredibly serene about swimming during a sunrise; it was just a fisherman and me in the lake - vastly different than the experience I'll have with 2,000 other people on the 20th though. Most importantly I didn't have any blood sugar issues pre or post swim and my new wet suit felt incredible, my confidence was growing with only 1 hellish session left, a 2 and 1/2 hour run.

After biking more than 200 miles, running close to 40 miles and swimming about 5 miles in a 6 day period my legs shut down on me at mile 10 of my run (I was able to finish 13 miles in all). I didn't run the 20 miles I wanted to on Saturday but in all honesty that didn't matter. 6 or 7 miles into my run on the Lake Placid course, I smiled the biggest smile I've had in months and out loud said "I'm Ready." At that moment I knew I had prepared as best I could, I knew my nutrition plan was spot on, I knew all those people I had placed my faith in hadn't led me wrong. I finally believed in myself, I finally believed in my ability to complete Ironman Lake Placid. The biggest distance we race for an Ironman is the space between our ears - it took me nearly a year to cover that distance but 15 days before race day I finally crossed that finish line.

So much happened over the past 72 hours that I'm not 100% sure how to put it into words. This is the quiet before the storm, the calm confidence that lets me know I'm ready for race day. Before the butterflies come and before I'm holding back vomit in Mirror Lake, I know I'm ready. At this moment I'm not worried about my blood sugars, and I'm not worried about my preparation - I know I've done all I could to prepare for the race. I also had an incredible time sharing all this with a certain triathlete while swimming in Walden Pond on Sunday.

I think all the doctor visits, all the time spent researching about nutrition, the buckets of sweat, the hours of sacrifice and the pain endured are all to reach this confidence and the self-belief that one is ready for race day; I had to put myself through a week of hell after 50 weeks of training to achieve it but now I can't wait to be on that starting line.

The Final Push!

Tonight I head up to Lake Placid for my final push towards becoming an Ironman. Some argue that the taper period should be 3 weeks, others argue for a 2 week taper period; however for diabetics the taper period is the most difficult time of training. Coach Egg and I are trying to avoid the pitfalls of Mooseman, where the taper period destroyed my basal rate profiles. So our plan is to work my a** off this weekend and then recover my legs through hour or two hour workouts up until the Ironman. It's a risky strategy but I'd rather have my legs somewhat sore than my blood sugars flying out of control.

The plan for this weekend:

Friday:

1) Full Ironman Lake Placid Swim Course (2.4 Miles, 2 Loops Mirror Lake)

2) Full Ironman Lake Placid Bike Course (112 miles)

3) 3 - 4 Mile Run Around Mirror Lake (30 Minute Run)

Saturday:

1) 1/2 Ironman Lake Placid Swim Course (1.2 Miles, 1 Loop Mirror Lake)

2) 3 Hour Run On Ironman Lake Placid Run Course (Hopefully At Least 20 Miles)

Taking Cliff's advice I've mapped out my entire nutrition plan for the 2 days of hard core training. This plan should help me just focus on what needs to get done without worrying about anything else:

And yes, I am that big of a dork that I mapped out my entire nutrition plan in Excel. My future Darden classmates would be proud!

Then the highlight of the weekend will come as I get to spend Saturday night in Boston with my new favorite Triathlete, commiserating about our fears of IMLP. The final push to Placid is going to be a blast! And if you're out training in Placid this weekend I'll be the guy wearing at least 1 article of orange clothing, make sure to say hi!

Diabetes - What! Diabetes - Who!

Diabetes gave me its best shot yesterday, it tried as hard as it could to make me cut a workout short, to not even attempt a work out in fact - but yesterday I won the battle, the most important to date. After the exuberance of finishing my 45 minute run on Monday I ignorantly thought I had diabetes under control, I thought I finally learned how to hit the curve ball and was well on my way to batting 1.000 against this thing. Yesterday, diabetes came back with something that I never expected.

It all started in the morning, I wanted to get a muffin when I got to my office so I decided to just have a glass of OJ in the morning. As I put on my work clothes I started to feel really weird - man my apartment is hot I thought, but to be safe I tested - 42! WTF how am I down to 42, I didn't over bolus. So I called my boss, let him know I'd be in a bit late and made myself a delicious glucose tab cocktail. I felt somewhat strange for the rest of the day but was still determined to go for my 5 mile run after work.

At 3:15 I turned my pump down 95% and had a blood sugar of 85; at 3:30 I had a clif bar unbolused, at 4:15 my bs was only 100 - really weird - my bs normally shoots up 50 points for an unbolused clif bar. I decided to add an unbolused clif builder bar to my stomach - at 4:45 my bs was 154 so I headed to the gym. 10 minutes later my bs was 106 - ugh! I had an acel-gel, after stretching I was up to 110; oh well I have enough carbs in me I thought lets get this done.

10 minutes into my run I had a second acel-gel but refused to test, 15 mintues after that I had a second acel-gel and refused to test yet again. I completed my 45 minute run with a bs of 87 - yesterday would have been easy for me to walk away from the treadmill. Yesterday I had a perfectly acceptable excuse to tell my coach why I couldn't run, my blood sugars weren't at a safe level to begin exercising. But what I refused to accept that diabetes would stop me from running, from training, from reaching my goals. Perhaps I put too much into getting every workout in but I refuse to let diabetes be an excuse, I was determined to finish that run yesterday and there was nothing this disease could do to stop me. I will continue to fight it and I will continue to win these batttles and ultimatley win the war. Diabetes, when I cross the finish line at IMLP on July 20, 2008 you will have done everything you could to prevent me and I will smile and know that I defeated you and proved that this disease can not stop me.