This Train Is Back In Service

Last Sunday my training just seemed off. After landing in Richmond the day before my interview with Darden I needed to find something to eat and grabbed a Subway sandwich - immediately after eating it I regretted that decision. For whatever reason I felt like I couldn't digest that tasty processed meat but still knew I needed to get a run in that evening. Prior to my run I had a small turkey sandwich, clif bar, accel gel and some Gatorade. During the run I felt like a Hippo after ingesting 15 kegs of beer and promptly threw my guts up after my hour long run. Tuesday evening I had a time trial test on my trainer but nearly passed out 42 minutes into it - my blood sugar dropped from 160 to 106 in a 5 minute span making me feel completely out of it with almost no power in my legs. I kept trying to fight through the malaise but the fog of depression, uncertainty or just sheer exhaustion continued to engulf me.

Finally on Thursday night I started to break free of whatever invisible hand was holding me back. I had a 1/2 hour trainer ride scheduled, perfect just a nice way to get the legs back in shape. As I grinded away I began to feel the strength come back in my legs, with each passing minute my cadence became quicker and speed became faster. At the end I had, had my best workout in a week's time. Friday brought a lifting session and a running session - I was able to complete each with the normal tenacity I have when going through my workouts. Then Saturday's hour long bike ride was my best yet although I was operating on not alot of sleep (social life is back!) and a slight hang over. Add to that yesterday's 70 minute, 8 plus mile run and this train is fully back.

I'm not sure if the troubles with my workouts last week were caused by the stress the Darden MBA interview put me under, something diabetes related, a virus or frustrations of a past relationship. Whatever it was, I was able to put that behind me, force myself to push and break through the wall. Training for an Ironman is all about finding the mental fortitude to push yourself through the hard times. Each run I have, each bike session Coach has me do won't be my best. There will be days where my legs feel weak and heavy, where my back is screaming and my shoulders are crying out. But each time I'm able to push myself through that pain, to defeat the mental demons is a day that brings me closer to my goal of finishing IMLP to the best of my ability while showing that Diabetes won't slow me down.

CONGRATULATIONS! COACH & TOM

This past weekend was Ironman Florida and two people who are integral to my training and diabetes management both competed. I'm Coached by Mary Eggers who owns Train-This, a Rochester, NY based triathlon team and training program. I was introduced to Mary through Courtney at Ironman Lake Placid; after interviewing potential Coaches I realized the Egg was the right one for me when she said "I take more joy in seeing my athletes cross the finish line than when I cross it myself." Coach has been unbelievably supportive throughout my training and has taken the time out of her schedule (which included taking care of her son with a broken leg!) to try and find ways to keep my bs more consistent during workouts. I've played for alot of Coaches throughout my athletic career and Eggers is without question one of the most dedicated and caring I have ever had the pleasure to train under.

Tom Kingery is the founder of Team Running on Insulin; in the future he hopes this organization grows into a national fund raising campaign with athletes from across the country competing in endurance events to raise awareness and funds for diabetes. Tom was a multi-time marathon finisher prior to his diagnosis of diabetes a couple of years ago. When I came across his website I e-mailed him and I was shocked at how similar our stories were. Tom, like me played college football and had a similar outlook to athletic training; we were both somewhat blindsided by our diagnosis. He is one of the main reasons why I initially had the confidence to sign up for an Ironman and I was proud to sponsor him for a mile of his 140.6 mile journey.

Now that you have the background I hope you share in my joy over their triumphs. Coach Eggers had a goal of finishing the Ironman in under 11 hours; she had previously twice completed Ironman Lake Placid and holds several records for short course triathlons but had never obtained her goal Ironman time. On November 3rd, Mary Eggers finished Ironman Florida in 10 hours, 58 minutes and 59 seconds! Congratulations Coach - I can't tell you how psyched I am for you although I will still b*tch when you tell me to run slower during training.

Tom's goal was a bit less ambitious than Mary's - as a side note Curt Eggers (Mary's husband) is an age group national champion and came in 6th at the Duathlon World Championship this year - Tom just wanted to finish. For the first time coming down the finishing shoot he heard the voice of Mike Riley say "Tom Kingery, you are an Ironman!" after 12 hours, 22 minutes and 26 seconds Tom finished the race. I can not tell you what an inspiration he has been for me. Tom as I stated earlier you are one of the main reasons why I have the confidence to chase this crazy goal and the fact that you finished the race in an incredible time and the top half of your age group lets me know that a Type 1 diabetic can pursue those dreams and push themselves to the limit - you rang the bolus on Saturday and displayed what Team Running on Insulin is all about!

Congratulations again Tom and Coach!