Update

Well it's been a long time but I have a few announcements to make:

1. I have decided to run in the San Diego Marathon June 1, 2008
2. I will continue to run to raise funds for diabetes research and a cure for Breast Cancer
3. I am adding Pancreatic Cancer to my list of charities I will run

I hope you will join me in my efforts.

Happy Holidays to all.

Success

What a wonderful race - my official time was 5:21 which I understand was better than Katie Holmes and a personal best for me- I also ran the entire race without stopping - no walking - no breaks 26.2 miles straight

I would like to thank everyone who donated and all my sponsors - your support was wonderful and greatly appreciated

I also want to thank my family - can't tell you what it meant to me to see you during the race

I have also decided to keep my blog going and use it as tool to help others with diabetes take better care of themselves - although I have never considered myself a patient advocate there are issues that need to be addressed - I am particularly interested in improving patient education for people with diabetes and their families

Finally I have decided to run more marathons and keep raising money for diabetes research - hopefully I will inspire others to join me and we can become a force for diabetes

In the next few days I will be posting some pictures from the run - until then Thanks to all your support is appreciated

Fast forward 24 hours and it will all be over expected for the post race carb load. No matter how many marathons I have run it always amazes me that all the hard work comes to a head.

As everyone knows tomorrow is not just a special day for me it's a truly special day for Debbie and I as we will be celebrating our 23 wedding anniversary.

For Sam and Dan it will be there 22nd birthday.

It's difficult to express in words how important my family is and what they done to help me reach my goal. Special thanks has to go to my amazing wife who has put up with me for 23 years. Deb has never doubted me and has been behind me every step of the way. I know there will come a point during the race when I will need some extra inspiration and my thoughts will turn to Deb and I will have no problem finding what I need.

I also want to thank all my sponsors and everyone who has donated. You have restored my faith in the true goodness of people.

Well that's it and the next time you hear from me it will all over - thanks to everyone

The Countdown Begins

The city is vibrant with runners and the anticipation is building. Picked up my number this afternoon and had a great dinner with Dex4 one of my many sponsors. Ran (excuse the pun) into several first timers tonight and being the veteran I felt like the wise sage dispensing advice to the newbies. It brought back great memories of my first marathon and the joy I felt crossing that finish line.

Tomorrow is stay off your feet day and do as little as possible - plan on spending the majority of the day watching college football with my son at the ESPN zone in Times Square while my wife and daughter will hit the New York shopping scene.

Will hit the hotel room early, try and fail to get a good nights rest - maybe this marathon will be different but I doubt it - it really doesn't matter as you get so hyped up by race day that you feel like leaping the Empire State Building

The Countdown Begins

Almost counting the hours

Well the work is now done and all systems are go. I think it really hit me today when I printed out the boarding passes for our flight tomorrow (technology is great when it works). You realize race day is close but as the day approaches you start to realize that months of hard work are about to be put to the ultimate test.

Here are some things I hope to accomplish on Sunday:

1. Finish- Although I have run three marathon the primary goal is to cross that finish line.
2. Personal Best Time - Not being an elite athlete with no chance of a medal - setting a personal best becomes a great goal - shooting for 5 hours or under.
3. Run 26.2 Straight - I know if I can get to mile 18/19 with no walking I will push all the way to the finish line without stopping - I have trained for this type of race - lets see if it works
4. Kiss my wife and hug my kids - without them there is no way I could do this - this is truly a team effort

Next time you hear from me I'll be in the Big Apple

Counting The Days

Thanks goodness I have been busy with work as these days leading up to race day can drive you crazy. With each passing day I get just a little more anxious. Spoke with a friend of mine today who's also running the race and I can tell the feeling is mutual.

The biggest obstacle at this point is controlling my excitement - I learned this from my first marathon I was so hyped up that I think I ran the first five miles in record time - only to pay for the fast start at mile 20 -controlling the emotion and sticking with a solid pace prevents burn out and really helps as the miles begin to add up

The weather forecast continues to look good - only a few days away CAN'T WAIT

Gearing Up

Another race day tradition is set, it's just as important to look good as run well - so with each marathon I buy gear specifically for race day - this is one reason I watch the weather forecast so closely - thankfully the forecast continues to improve with the chance of rain decreasing and nice cool temps - actually if the forecast holds up this will be my first marathon with temperatures above 45 degrees - this is a new experience for me and one I'm looking forward too.

I am also pleased to report that donations are coming in more rapidly as race day approaches - thanks and keep it coming - tell your friends, co-workers, family members basically anyone you can think of - see you tomorrow

The hardest week of all

All I can do now is wait - with no running this week that's all I can do other than check the weather forecast each day - frankly it's easier when I'm running- I have lots of nervous energy as the big day approaches - between eating pasta and drinking lots of water ( a race week ritual for me) - there's not much else to do

I have mentally run the race several times - trying to visualize how I will be doing at various points during the race - this is actually not as easy it sounds especially when you consider I have never run the NY race only Chicago

This may seem hard to believe but running the race is the most enjoyable experience and not all that hard - I know baring something unforeseen that I can run the 26.2 miles - I'm sure the NY fans will be as helpful as everyone at the Chicago Marathon - there's something very special when people who don't even know you encourage you to keep running -there is just something special about running through a major city and NY is one great city and I can't wait to be with 40,000 other runners sharing this great experience

Race Week is Here

Well yesterday was my last tune up run and I feel great. Hard to believe that the race is less than 7 days away.

Thought you might be interested in some stats - since I started training way back in June I have run over 450 miles - spent over 100 hours training - cut nearly 2 minutes per mile off my average pace and now have a 35 inch waist - FYI before I started running marathons I had a 40 inch waist

What I'm most proud of however is all the money I am raising for charity - this has been one joyous ride with the best to come Sunday when I cross the finish line - forecast improving looks like the rain will hold off

Good news and bad

According to Weather.com the early forecast for race day is a mixed bag, 62 degrees which is great but the possibility of rain which is not so great. As long as it's not a thunderstorm, rain really doesn't bother me. One of my best training runs came on cool rainy day - which is another reason I run even if it rains- you just don't know what race weather will be like so you better train in all kinds of weather

The biggest problem with rain as you probably guessed is footing, especially when your running on pavement. Not being familiar with NY I can only rely on my experience of running in the Chicago Marathon when it snowed, that's right one year it was so cold that it actually snowed during the race.

I like the temp - 62 is almost perfect not to hot and not too cold

Let's hope the temp doesn't change and the rain holds off

Never thought of myself as Type 1 or Type 2

cRead an article in the Wall Street Journal today that basically said there should be another classification for diabetes - not just type 1 or type 2 but now type 1.5 - to me this is stupid idea and have no idea why people are wasting their time and money even thinking about such things

I have never thought of myself as type 1 or type 2 and to me it really doesn't matter - I am person with diabetes - I am doing the very best I can to manage my life, family, business and my diabetes - I really don't care what they call it I just want them to work of finding a cure so others won't have to deal with it

Carb loading and diabetes

In the weeks leading up to the race, marathon runners go through a process called carb loading. Simply put carbs provide the fuel our bodies need to run 26 miles. For a non-diabetic the major risk is weight gain - for a person like me who has diabetes carb loading has an added concern - since carbs breakdown to sugars - I must be very careful during the carb load that my levels don't get to far out of whack.

Weight gain can also be an issue since I follow a routine of not running the entire week before the race.

The last few weeks I have been running less frequently and shorter distances. This process keeps me fresh but also allows my body to heal up before race day.

I'm not too concerned as I have trained longer for this marathon than the past three. I feel good and look forward to great race. So far so good on the weather front but as everyone knows this can change dramatically. My fingers are crossed but no matter what I will run and do my best.

Thanks and keep it coming

As race day approaches it's great to see everyone responding and making donations. Believe it or not knowing their are people who are willing to donate their hard earned money inspires me. I don't care if the donation is $10 or $1,000 it's great to see that people do care and are doing something about issue they are passionate about.

I truly hope that one day I can run for another cause because someone found a cure for diabetes, breast cancer or Crohn's.

So take a bow all of you who have donated and encourage others to follow your excellent lead.

Just Two Weeks Away

First, let me apologize for being away for so long. Thankfully my training is coming to end and race day is quickly approaching. During this last phase of training my runs are less frequent and shorter. I have begun carb loading which for me means pasta and more pasta.

As I approach race day I also begin mental preparation for race day. In my past three marathons I have always walked at some point during the race. This year my goal is try and run the race without taking a break. I figure if I can get to mile 18 without stopping I should hit my goal.

I am also beginning to watch the weather in NY. It's been unseasonably warm here is Chicago and my biggest concern is not if I can finish the race but what the weather will be like. Although I have trained in warm,even very hot weather running a race in really warm weather is a another story. My hope is race day will be a nice and mild 60 degree day with a mild breeze.

It's hard to believe the big day is almost here.

Welcome Bayer

Although it took awhile to get everything done Bayer is know officially a sponsor. As you probably guessed by the pictures Bayer's speciality is blood glucose meters. What makes Bayer's meters unique is that unlike most meters they don't require the user to enter in a code for the test strip or insert a chip when the open a new box of test strips.

For reasons I never understood meter companies never seemed to understand all the steps involved to check glucose levels. This really shouldn't be a difficult process as it's something a person with diabetes does four or more times each day. Being a pump user I check my levels between 6 to 10 times each day. So why in the world would anyone who makes a meter want to add steps to the process. Thankfully Bayer understands and has two meters that require no coding- just insert the test strip - apply some blood and get a reading - now what could be simpler than that.

Welcome aboard Bayer, thanks for your support and keep making things easier for those of us with diabetes.

Thank goodness I'm running NY

After seeing what happened in the Chicago Marathon I consider myself both lucky and fortunate to be running in the NY Marathon. I'm also wondering what I would have done had I decided to run Chicago this year. On the one hand I'm not sure I would have even run. Running a marathon when your diabetic is hard enough, add in temperatures nearing 90 degrees and it becomes dangerous.

On the other hand after training for over 18 weeks and feeling in great race shape it's hard to say no. The question becomes do I want to be brave and make a go of it or do I want to be sensible and wait until next year? My wife said knowing me that I would have run and she's probably right.

I am hoping and praying that I don't have to make this decision for NY. According to my research the average temp on Nov 4th in NY, the day of the marathon, is around 60 degrees which would be perfect race weather. But then again, I'm sure the average temp in Chicago for October 7th wasn't 88 degrees.

No matter what all the runners who did run Chicago and even those who didn't should be congratulated. Speaking from experience I know just how much work goes into running a marathon for an average person. The families too should be congratulated as they too make sacrifices. It may look like the runner is all alone on the course but running the race is a family effort.

Why running can be so great.

Let's face it everyone has had bad days when nothing seems to go right. Or days when your in box seems to grow like someone has thrown gas on a fire. Even when your really busy the work day can take alot out of someone. That's what makes running so great.

You slip on your head phones, tune out your troubles, forget about all things you didn't get done today and just run. This to me is one of the greatest things about running. This is also why I like running at the end of the day rather than mornings - the run has a cleansing effect - just washing away the work day. You come home, cool down, write your blog, take a shower and have a relaxing dinner with your wife.

I get to enjoy the added benefit of knowing that with each run I'm doing something positive with my diabetes.

Well that's all for this week as tomorrow I head to IU to spend the weekend with my lovely daughter and her sorority sisters.

Great to be back

Sometimes when you haven't run, even for a few days, you miss it. That's how I felt today. Had a nice long run on Sunday and then because of work was unable to run again until today. Even though I was away it felt great to be back and running.

This weekend is the Chicago Marathon and for anyone in the area I encourage you to get on down to the city and cheer the runners on. Looking it at the forecast it will be unseasonably warm here with temps approaching 85 degrees - this is quite different as I never run a Chicago Marathon where the temps made it over 50 - one year it actually snowed during the race. Like we say around here if you don't like the weather just wait a few minutes it's sure to change.

Besides the marathon, the Cubs (unless they sweep or get swept) have game four of their playoff series against the Arizona Diamondbacks - now that I think of it having 85 degree weather the first weekend in October and the Cubs in the playoffs are two truly unusual events- haven't checked the lunar cycle but a full moon and Bears victory over the Cheeseheads would make the day complete

As for me I will be spending the weekend down at Indiana University with the lovely daughter- it's Dad's weekend and I can finally go as I am not running Chicago this year - it's also her senior year which makes it even more special

See you tomorrow

Confidence

Back in the explorer mode today as I continue to look for new places to run or at least new routes. It struck as I was running today that I really had no idea how far I was going to run and I really didn't care. Whether the run was 8 miles or 16 I knew I wasn't in any danger of not making it. Simply put all this training has given me the confidence I need to run solid race.

Today's run was truly fun for me as I've had alot on my mind, children and work will do that, and it allowed me to clear my head a little. That's one of the hidden benefits of running and also one of the dangers. Sometimes you get in such a zone that you start to lose yourself in the run only to be awakened by a very alert driver honking their horn when you run into traffic. Yes this has happened to me in the past which is why I do my best to avoid major streets.

The weather is also getting great for running, nice and cool. While I'm sure we'll get one or two more 90 degree days, Chicago weather you gotta love it, fall is approaching.

Well that's about all for today - have a great start to your weekend- after all tomorrow is Friday.

Setting a personal best

Although I have never been overly concerned with speed and what time I run the race in - I would like to set a personal best in New York. So far I'm pleased with what my average pace has been. The big concern as I head for the home stretch is to avoid any major injury over the next few weeks.

Basically I am race ready and have just one more long run (15+ miles) left to do. After that each week leading up to race day is nice easy runs and nothing longer than 10 miles. I will not run at all the week of the race and let my body heal up.

Thanks to all my tools I will have enough information prior to race day to plan my insulin delivery rates.

So for now I'm just enjoying myself and trying not to get over anxious.

Always interesting to try new places

You know you've been training awhile when you start looking for new places to run - as much as I like certain trails or routes it can get boring running in the same areas all the time - so today I headed to a totally different area for a nice change of pace and scenery

With just six weeks to go I'm just about ready - bought my race day shoes already and will break them in gently over the next six weeks - besides one more nice long run all that's left is staying in shape and carb load

Hope everyone has a great week

Take a look

As promised I have taken the data from two of my devices - the Dexcom CGM and the Garmin GPS - to give you a graphical look at what my sugar levels do during a long run - in the next day or so I will combine the Dexcom and OmniPod data - but for the time being lets look at what happened.

As you can see by the chart my glucose level when I began my run was at 153 - honestly this is a little low for a long run but I knew I had the Dex4 instant glucose with me so I wasn't to worried about going low. Basically I have highlighted where my levels on the hour and at the end of the run- based on my pace that day you can safely assume I ran about 5 miles or so every hour - a few things are obvious here

1. My levels go down the longer I run (almost forgot the weather was great 54 degrees when I started)

2. After about 10 miles my levels appear to be steady

3. Thank goodness I carry Dex4 instant glucose

As I pointed out during yesterday's post this data can lead to over analysis - one thing I will try on my next long run is changing my basal rate (this is amount of insulin my OmniPod delivers on a regular basis) - currently my pod is set to deliver 1.10 units of insulin per hour - based on what the Dexcom device is telling me I could change it so my basal rate decreases every hour until the run is over -this would prevent me from getting too low

Right now I'm still experimenting as I don't have enough data to fully understand if this is what my body does on a consistent basis- like I've said before when you have diabetes no two days are exactly alike - who knows it could be 73 degrees when I start my next long and my beginning levels might be 190

Whatever the conditions the one thing I do know is I feel great and ready for race day

Why Diabetes Can Be Maddening

The more I play with all this data I have the more I realize just how complex controlling my diabetes can be. Reviewing my Dexcom sensor readings for my long run last Sunday I noticed that I was basically fine for the first hour or so and then dropped to levels below where I should be. During long runs I try and hydrate every two miles - I start with water at miles 2 and 4 - then move to Gatorade at 6 and 8 - then alternate water/Gatorade

I also carry the liquid version of Dex4 -which provide instant glucose - normally I know when my levels are dropping but there are times when I run well I get in a zone and just become oblivious to what's going on - in reality I really should take my Dex4 before I get too low so I can maintain a good pace

Not to be forgotten is my OmniPod - which gives me the ability to change my insulin delivery rate - now that I know how my body reacts to a long run I can program my Pod to deliver less insulin at different times during the run

But it doesn't stop there - also factoring into all this are things like the weather - cooler is better - what I ate the night before or that morning - stress - etc. Honestly there is no straight line when it comes to diabetes - 2 plus 2 does not always equal 4

I must admit that with all this new data it makes the process even more crazy - I have one more long run scheduled before race day and I will compare notes with my first long run - hopefully I can maximize all the various factors and have a great run - then again with all this data I might just end up with a major headache

Getting the most of all my tools

While it took me some and I'm not quite there yet - all the various tools I use are beginning to yield some great data.

Let's start with the Dexcom continuous glucose sensor - after a rough start I finally wore a sensor for seven straight days - and let say the data was enlightening - having never seen how my sugars react during a run it was interesting to see how they reacted during my 20 miler this past Sunday. The receiver that records my readings connects to my computer via a USB port so I can download all the data- I can use the software that Dexcom provides - which is pretty good - or I can export the data to Excel which for me is even better

My next step was to take the data from my OmniPod PDM (the device that controls my pod) and add it to the spreadsheet - this revealed several things - first since I manually check my levels before I eat the readings from the meter that's part of the PDM give me some idea how accurate the Dexcom device is - so far it appears fairly accurate - next I enter my carbs and how much insulin I took with each meal - this will give me some idea how my body reacts to different food groups and whether or not my settings are correct

The next step is to add the data from my Garmin GPS device - my goal is to see how my levels change during a run - the Garmin software is also pretty good so I can track what my levels where as move from one mile to the next

I realize this a great deal of data so I'm hoping to put it all on one nice neat graph that I can share with everyone.

Although I am only two-thirds through the process I am already learning more about my diabetes - which is the ultimate goal

7 weeks to go.

Well 7 weeks from today it will be all over and today was an indication that I'm ready. A solid long run under what I hope is race conditions. All I could think about today was what race day will be like.

Right now I'm debating how to run the race - should I go for 26 straight or divide the race into two 13 mile runs - at this point I'm leaning towards trying for 26 straight. All season long I've been shooting for running longer distances without stopping. I feel good and don't want to get ahead of myself but I'm seriously considering going for it.

With just 7 weeks to go I plan on just one more long run before the race. I think I'll make my decision after my next long run. Either way I'm excited and looking forward to race day.

Getting Ready

The last few days haven't exactly worked out as planned. Was hoping to get in one more mid range run before my long run on Sunday but work and family commitments got in the way. Not to worry the forecast looks great and I'm ready.

Hard to believe but the race is just 7 weeks from Sunday. Will continue the mileage build for about two or three weeks, then begin decreasing mileage up to race week.

The one thing I don't want to do is become over anxious, peaking too soon is a major no no.

Nothing on Saturday expect watching some college football, then a nice long run Sunday - see you then.

Getting race ready

There comes a time when you realize that your body is nearly race ready and it's time to start planning for race day. That's the stage I'm at now - although I'm not 100% race ready I'm about 90%. This is the time I start to think seriously how I will run the race - you just don't run 26.3 miles without a plan - that would be like a football going into the Superbowl without looking at game film from their opponent.

I also try and visualize how I will run the race which is why I'm really looking forward to this weekend. I only have a few more long runs and the weather this weekend looks to be close to what the average temps are in NY during race week - by doing a nice long run in conditions similar to race day will give me great info on what I need to work on the last few weeks of training.

I can feel the excitement building with each run.

Well that's all for today - for all my fellow tribe members I would like to wish you a happy and healthy New Year.

Great to be back

While I enjoyed San Diego it's great to be back for the final stretch. Just 8 weeks to go before race day and the weather here is turning for the better. Today was great 68 degrees and nice cool breeze - barley broke a sweat and felt great. It's really nice not to be sweating before your even start running. As much as I like summer there is no better running weather than late summer early fall.

Looking forward to the next few weeks, the off days in San Diego reinvigorated my body. With minimal travel over the next two months I should get in all the runs I need and be ready for race day.

See you tomorrow.

Almost Sorry I'll Be Traveling

After another solid run today I'm almost sorry that I'll be traveling tomorrow and won't get a run in. I'm hoping that while I'm in San Diego I'll get in at least one run. This is the great thing when you get in a groove, you actually look forward to each days run.

I must say there's almost no better feeling when you running well. This year really has been great, while pain has been with me from time to time I haven't had any major pain. This is really a switch for me. Not sure if it's because I've been taking Joint Relief but I must say that since in my previous marathon runs I didn't take any supplements I have no other factor to attribute this too.

I must admit that I when I started taking Joint Relief I wasn't a big believer in supplements. But I figured supplements are no worse than chicken soup - like my Mom says not sure if it helps but it sure can't hurt either. Another lesson learned - Never doubt what Mom says.

Holiday and Travel make for a strange week

This week will be short and sweet as I will be heading to San Diego to watch my beloved Bears take on the Chargers. Hopefully I'll get in a run or two, but I've never been very good about running when I'm on business travel or vacation. Running away from home is tough - I don't know the routes and I really don't like packing all my gear.

With about eight weeks to go and running well a few days off aren't critical at this point. That's one thing great about starting my training earlier than normal - had I been running the Chicago Marathon which is just a month away - there is no way I could take off four or five days this close to race day - typically I follow a 16 week program that takes me all the way to race day - this year I started earlier and have actually been training for over 13 weeks with about 8 weeks to go - This month I will continue my mileage build with no long runs under 15 miles - If all goes well I'll be race ready by early October and can spend the month of October doing speed work and staying in shape

Hope everyone had a great holiday - will post again tomorrow

A Labor of Love

This past weekend was another reminder of the hard work runners go through to get their runs in. I was all psyched and ready to go for a nice long run on Saturday - figured I would get in 18 or 20 miles - rest up and then go watch the Fighting Illini, my Alma mater, play some football. I basically have two choices when it comes to long runs, Busse Woods or The Half Day Trail - both places allow me to run without worrying about traffic and have plenty of water available and restrooms.

So on Saturday I decided to run the Half Day Trail - unfortunately due to the heavy rains we had the trial was still under water and as hard I tried I couldn't find a path that would allow me to get the run in - I basically ended up running in circles trying to find a dry path - so instead of running 18 r 20 - the day turned out to be a warm up run for Sunday

Not wanting to take any chances it was off to Busse Woods for a nice long run - I really like running at Busse as I see all the runners getting ready for the Chicago Marathon which is only a few weeks away. Seeing these people is a reminder of just how dedicated you have to be to run a marathon - it truly is a labor of love.

I also have some good news - my friend with breast cancer came through her surgery well - although she won't be able to run this year I fully expect her to be back at next year - she knows the road won't be easy but she has a great attitude and strong family support - as much as I enjoyed my runs this weekend seeing her with a good attitude was the best part of my whole weekend

I love it when it all comes together

While it's taken awhile I think I've finally mastered my latest gadget the Dexcom continuous glucose monitor. Just at it took me awhile to master the OmniPod when I first started using it, any new device has a learning curve. After all like most guys I didn't really read the manual until I absolutely had too. (Thankfully I have a GPS system in my car or I would also follow the age old rule of not asking for directions even when I know I'm lost.)

The best part of the Dexcom device is the it provides me with trend data - I can now tell if my levels are going up, down or staying in a range. Another nice feature is the device has an alarm that notifies me if my levels are too high or too low. This nice feature came in handy today while I was running as the alarm went off and told me I my levels were low. Thanks to the good people at Dex4 I sucked down some liquid glucose that allowed me to finish my run without incident. I actually could have run longer but I'm scheduled for a long run this weekend and didn't want to over do it.

Hopefully in the next few days I will be able to combine the data from my Dexcom device and OminPod system which will give everyone a better picture of just what's going on with my body during a run - I promise no pictures of me - just some fancy graph's (hopefully).

Back in the groove

While the week got off to great start my run yesterday just plain stunk. I didn't feel particularly well and my sugars were all screwed up. This happens from time to time and I honestly have no explanation as to why. It could have been something I ate or perhaps I had something in my system, it's anyone guess. After having diabetes for 10 years the one thing I know is these things happen.

Today on the other hand was a complete reversal, I felt great and ran well. I've been real busy at work and have lots going on which could explain why my body was screwy yesterday. When you have diabetes there are so many factors that go into how you feel. And those factors go beyond what you eat and the amount of insulin you take, stress also plays a role.

Tomorrow while I run I will have special motivation as my friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer will be undergoing surgery and it's my mom's birthday. I consider both events a reason to celebrate as for my friend it's the beginning of riding herself of this devastating disease. I know these past few weeks have been very hard for her and her family. Being the trooper she is she's already vowed to run next years marathon. Knowing her I'm confident that she'll keep her word.

As far as Mom goes, another year in the books. I've been sworn to secrecy and will not reveal her age what I can say is she's old enough to remember when radio was the main source of entertainment. Happy Birthday Mom - and don't worry I'll be careful running.

Welcome Dex4

I'd like to welcome my latest sponsor Dex 4 - these people make a product that is essential to people with diabetes and hopefully one that I won't need to use during training or on race day. Dex 4 is instant glucose and used to prevent or fix a hypoglycemic event.

Hypoglycemia in simple terms is when sugar levels drop too low. In severe cases this can be a dangerous event for a person with diabetes, in particular those who are not hypoglycemic aware - which means they don't realize their levels are dropping. Thankfully I am hypoglycemic aware and can feel when my sugar levels are falling.

Unfortunately dealing with hypoglycemia is part of living with diabetes. I am not aware of any insulin using patient has not experienced a hypoglycemic event. I can speak from personal experience such an event is not pleasant especially when your levels are crashing.

This is one reason I carry the Dex 4 products with me wherever I go - I keep them in my car, my golf bag, my briefcase, my fanny pack, etc. As hard as I try to avoid hypoglycemia during a run sometimes it can't avoided - thankfully the Dex 4 products work quickly and get me back to where I need to be.

Like I said before this one product I'm glad I have and hope I never need. My thanks to good people at Dex 4.

Welcome Nutrition 21

I'd like to welcome Nutrition 21 to my growing list of sponsors. Pictured here is their Joint Relief product which I use. In my previous 3 marathon runs I never used supplements as I wasn't sure if they did any good. Well let me say that I'm glad I'm taking Joint Relief as it does make a difference.

When your running four or five days each week it can take a toll on your body. As I've said before no matter how hard I train there are days when pain is just part of the routine. In the past I used to ice down after my longer runs. I must say since I've started taking Joint Relief my recovery time has improved dramatically. I no longer feel pain in my knees or ankles after long runs.

I attribute this improvement to using Joint Relief as it is the only thing I am doing differently from my previous marathon runs.

While I'm no expert on supplements I can only speak from my own experience, which has been great.

The Six Million Dollar Man

When I was kid I used to watch a show called the The Six Million Dollar Man - Steve Austin we can make him better faster stronger - all for mere six million dollars

I felt this way when my ipod shuffle died during the run - I then realized just how dependent I am on devices attached to my body- This past Friday I started wearing the Dexcom continuous glucose monitor - this device basically has two parts - the sensor which is inserted in my body - and the receiver which displays the readings - as everyone knows I also wear the OmniPod - which thankfully does not require any charging or batteries and I now bring my cell phone

Too early to give an assessment of the Dexcom device - about all I can say so far is that the readings have been off by a fair amount from what my conventional meter says but based on what others have told me this is not unusual and the device should provide more accurate readings as time goes by - my hope is to combine the data from all my various devices - almost forgot I also wear the Garmin GPS device when I run- to get a better picture of what happens to my diabetes during the run

The week is off to a good start with 15 miles plus in the books today - with the holiday weekend coming up and no major rain in the forecast looking forward to a solid week - hard to believe the race is 10 weeks from today

Welcome Bayer, Can-Am Care and Nutrition 21

While this may not have been the greatest week for running, too much rain and too much work. It's been a great week as I've signed up three more sponsors - Bayer Diabetes, Can Am Care and Nutrition 21 - as soon as I more information from the companies I will posting their links and product information.

I'm thrilled with the support I've been getting and look forward to even more donations.

Keep those donations coming- Can't thank everyone enough

Unexpected off time

This hasn't exactly been a great running week so far. After my best run of the year this past Saturday, I've only been able to get in one run since and a short one at that. Because Saturday was a long run, Sunday was a scheduled off day - Monday I wanted to run but work got in the way, same happened on Tuesday - thankfully I was able to get a short run yesterday and was hoping to get another effort in today - unfortunately we're in the midst of major thunderstorms

As much as I appreciate the off time as it lets my body heel up - I would really rather be running - like any other sport and running is no different you get in a groove and like to keep going -I also use my runs as stress relief and with as busy as things have been I could have used the release - but bills need to be paid and work has to come first

Hopefully the weather will cooperate and I'll be back at tomorrow

Dexcom Device Here

I am truly excited as I got my Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring system yesterday. If all goes well I should be wearing the device by this weekend as it looks like the Dexcom rep will be here to train me on Friday.

Although I have worn an earlier version of a different device I have never worn one while training. I'm really curious what my levels do while I'm running - in the long run (no pun intended) I think the more information I have the better I will able to train. The better I train the more likely it is I will hit my goal of running in 5 hours or less.

Since the system comes with software my hope is to show everyone what happens during a run or even when I'm not running. If I can figure out an easy way to do it I hope to combine the data from Garmin device, OmniPod and Dexcom into one nice chart. This would be awesome and provide a great picture of just what is going on with my diabetes.

Stay tuned.

A great run to cap off a good week

Before I get in the details of the week, take a look at the great logo the people at Signs of Success (my latest sponsor) came up with. While I know little about promotional products I think the logo is cool.

Today's run capped off a great week, 39.01 miles total for the week and today's 14.19 mile run was at the pace I want to be at for the marathon. I actually could have gone longer as my body actually felt great but at this point there is no reason to push things.

Looking ahead it looks like a raining week here in the Windy City. While I prefer cool and dry weather, you never know what race day conditions will be like. So rain or shine I run.

Off day tomorrow and back at it on Monday.

Welcome Signs of Success

I'd like to welcome another sponsor Signs of Success located right here in my hometown of Chicago. For anyone looking for promotional products or advertising specialities Signs of Success is the place to go.

This family owned company has been around for over 50 years and is a leader in it's field. Although I am no expert on promotional products what I do know is that these people are dedicated to providing their customers with the finest service there is.

While they may located right here in the Windy City, I found out they actually do business across the country and internationally.

About the only thing wrong with the company is there are too many Cubs fans working there. I should add the term long suffering whenever I mention the Cubs (which really stands for Completely Useless By September) as unlike my White Sox who won the World Series in 2005, the Cubs haven't won a World Series since moses crossed the desert.

You can find a link to their company store in the links section of the blog, check it out. I think you'll be as impressed as I was.

My friend pain

Lets face facts there is no way you can run a marathon without hurting somewhere on your body. Think about what a body goes through - 20 weeks of training than a 26.3 mile run - frankly I think it's amazing that the body can withstand all the pounding it takes

While I do my best to take good care of myself - eat right, stretch, drink plenty of fluids and get my rest - I still have not found away to avoid pain - I'm sure part of this is that I'm not a kid anymore and the older I get the longer it takes my body to heal.

Today's run was good example of how I try and make pain my friend - after all I know it will be with me for awhile so I might as well deal with it in a way that turns the pain into a positive- so I have made pain my friend - yes I even talk to it - telling my friend that there is no way he's going to beat me - he may slow me down a little - but in the end I will prevail

This may seem strange but it's become my way of dealing with it - just like running with wrist bands and taping my ankles - I started taping my ankles when I was training for my first marathon - I really don't need to do it anymore but I guess I'm a little superstitious - same with the wrist bands they don't make me run any faster but I will not run without them

Well three nice long runs this week, day off tomorrow then another long one on Saturday - actually feel pretty good - my friend doesn't stay with me for long and I told him to stay away until at least late in my run on Saturday - hope he listens

Overcoming Obstacles

With the a little help from the weatherman I decided today to try and complete a route that I have run before but with no walking breaks. It seems like every time I run this route it's 95 and humid. Although the humidity was there today it was a rather comfortable 76 and with a little breeze for good measure.

Not only did I complete the route I was able to extend the run - needless to say I was very pleased with myself as I overcame what was previously an obstacle. Besides a solid confidence booster - it runs like these I'll remember at mile 20 during the race - when I'm in pain and need something good to think about - as hard as anyone trains there are points in the race when your hurting and need some motivation- I was also happy to find out that even the really good runners go through the same thing - they just happen to get to that point faster than I do - for all miles I put in before a race - it's the space between my ears that gets me through the race- there comes a point when you basically say to yourself I am going to cross that finish line no matter what and heck with everything else

Having a positive mental attitude is only reason I completed my second marathon when I cramped up at mile 19 and was in more pain than I thought I could bear - looking back on that race I probably should have called it a day but I just couldn't - after all I had been through training I just wouldn't allow myself to quit - I am not alone as other runners I have spoken with have gone through similar situations

Looking forward to another cool day tomorrow, actually the next few days will be cooler, which really helps as your not sweating the moment you walk out the door - hope everyone has a great day

Extending the run

As much as I like running it can become boring running the same routes. To keep things fresh during my mileage build I extend runs beyond my normal routes. The same goes for my music, some days I run with my Ipod shuffle others I listen to the radio.

One of my favorite things to do is to what I call an exploring run. Basically I start on of my regular routes but take a different turn and see it where it takes me. The only problem with exploring runs is I'm not sure where I'll end up or how long I'll go. Since I run close to home and I know carry my mobile phone with me I'm not too worried.

In other news I have decided to start allowing ads on my blog but will donate the ad revenue to the charities that I'm running for. I know everyone hates ads but my goal is to raise as much money as possible. I was wavering on whether to do this but what tipped the scales was news I received regarding my fellow marathon runner who was recently stricken with breast cancer.

Unfortunately she will be undergoing surgery in an attempt to rid her body of the cancer and will be unable to run the race. While I am confident she will recover to lead a full life and run more marathon's the best I can do at the moment is to raise funds to fight this disease.

Another week in the book's - hoping for cooler temps

Total miles this week 29.66 a little less than I wanted to do but with the heat and 5 days of running this week my body is a little beat up. I was encouraged that my average pace continues to improve and I feel my running form is improving. But with temp's in the 90's all week and heat indexes at 100 or higher this was one tough week for running. As much I tried to run in the morning's when it's cooler my work schedule just didn't allow for morning running this week.

Besides making running tougher the heat also has an impact on the tools I use to manage my diabetes. When I do long runs like I did today I bring with me a little cooler that has water and Gatorade on ice - nothing better than finishing a run on a hot day and sucking down fluids. I also keep my OmniPod PDM in the cooler along with my test strips. Most people don't realize that your not supposed to store test strips in direct sunlight and if they become too hot they will deliver the wrong reading or just plain won't work. Although I'm not sure if the heat has any affect on the PDM I don't want to take any chances the PDM is just too important.

Before being on a pump I also used to put my Novo insulin pen in the cooler - insulin is not something that should be stored in heat.

Looks like two days off coming as Deb and I are taking my daughter Sammi back to school - hard to believe she will be a senior at Indiana University and thankfully will be graduating in four years - can't imagine what life will be like without tuition payments but I'm anxious to find out - back at on Tuesday

Donating Just Got Easier

I have added a button that makes it easier than ever to donate. All you need to do is click on that button and follow the instructions.

You can also donate by clicking on the links on the right hand side of the page.

Just to clarify a few things you will notice that I have set up links to several different sites - as I indicated in a previous post besides donating for diabetes, you can also donate to fight breast cancer. The donation link on the right hand side of the blog takes you to The Children's IBD Center at Mount Sinai Hospital - they are doing research into Crohn's & Colitis which is why I posted a link to the foundations web site.

All this may seem a bit confusing so let me clarify - The NY Marathon is not like the Chicago Marathon - to race in Chicago you just need to pay your entry fee - NY does it a little different - for non elite runners there is a lottery - if you don't get in through the lottery you can run for a charity - since I did not get in through the lottery I had to select a charity to run for - since there were no diabetes related charities I chose the Children's IBD Center at Mount Sinai - in reality I am raising money for three very worthy causes

The links to the American Diabetes Association and JDRF can be used to make donations or just more information on diabetes - I prefer that when making donations select the JDRF site as they do exceptional work and dedicated to finding a cure

When you make donations directly to Dave's Run for Diabetes using the PayPal button - I will divide those donations between diabetes, breast cancer and Mount Sinai

You can also send a check to

Dave's Run for Diabetes
603 Hackberry Ct E
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

Hope that clarifies everything - I'm just glad that I can do something for these worthy charities with your help and support -

Does testing matter?

This is actually the second time I'm writing today's post - was all done, went to publish and splat the wonderful error message - and the bummer is it was a great post - so I'll do my best to repeat it - hopefully it won't blow up on me again

Being an insulin user I check my glucose levels frequently as it is vital information. For example, last night at 8pm my level was 127, I calculated that my dinner added up to 44 grams of carbs and my OmniPod PDM (the device that controls my pod) calculated that I needed 3.5 units of insulin to get to my target range which I set as 100 -

This is no easy calculation as the OmniPod PDM takes into account how much insulin I have in my system, what my pre-programmed basal rate is (basal rate is how much insulin I get every hour- with a pump I get insulin all day long unless I stop it), how long the insulin works (this called duration of action) and it knows how much unit of insulin lowers my levels by - I can't imagine someone using an insulin pen or syringe going through all these calculations by hand and I'm thankfully my OmniPod PDM does all the work - all I have to do is check my levels

For my brother it's a completely different story as he takes pills to control his diabetes. No matter what he eats or what his levels are he takes his pills - even if he did test and his level was 300 (way to high) not being on insulin there is really nothing he could do anyway - also he doesn't know if he at 300 and going lower or 300 and headed higher - this number could mean his meds aren't working - it could also be because he just ate a candy bar or drank a can of Coke

Glucose levels aren't like a person's body temperature which everyone knows is supposed to 98.6 - glucose levels fluctuate widely throughout the day for a wide variety of reasons

Now it would be great if my brother tested 4 or more times each day, kept track of what he ate, whether he exercised and downloaded his meter readings to his PC - he could then take this info to his doc or educator who could use all this info to determine whether his therapy needs to be changed (it would also be great if he tracked his weight too) - but who has time for all this

I suggested that he check his A1c levels quarterly instead- A1c measures a person average glucose levels over a three month period - a reading of 7 or below is good, above 7 means more work to be done - besides being an easy number to understand - my brother doesn't have to carry around a meter, test strips and a lancing device everywhere he goes

Perhaps as he learns more about diabetes he will test more frequently but for now A1c is great starting point - being an insulin user I don't have that option as the information is vital - but for someone like my brother I can easily understand why he doesn't test regularly

I encourage everyone with diabetes no matter what they do to control their diabetes to have an A1c at least twice each year, quarterly even better - as being at 7 or under helps a person delay or possibly avoid the many complications associated with diabetes when it's not under control

Which is harder training for a marathon or managing diabetes?

At first glance many would say that training for a marathon is more difficult than managing diabetes. Having done both I can say without question that managing diabetes is actually more difficult than training for a marathon. The reason is actually quite simple, there are no days off when managing diabetes. While there are days off from training there are no days off when managing diabetes.

After the marathon is over I will be able to take some time off and recover. Yet the moment I cross the finish line my diabetes will still need to be managed, I cannot take a day off. Each day I must check my levels, watch what I eat and be aware of how I feel.

This is something I don't think people who do not have diabetes understand fully. Once your diagnosed, diabetes is not something that goes away. Yes, people with diabetes can control it, but there is no cure it never goes away. This is also frustrating.

People with diabetes have a host of tools and drugs that help them manage their diabetes. Tools and drugs which have improved greatly over the years. Still even with all the advancements that have been made we are really no closer to a cure than we were 10 years ago.

Hopefully this will change and I can be part of this change. Research cost money, lots of money. You too can be part of this change by donating to this very worthy cause. While it would be naive to believe that next year when I run my next marathon I can raise money for another cause because a cure for diabetes has been found. But it sure would be nice if with our combined efforts we are closer than we are today.

Say Hello to my latest Sponsor Dexcom

I can't help but be excited with the addition of my latest sponsor Dexcom. Dexcom makes a continuous glucose monitoring system. Unlike a conventional blood glucose monitor which measures my glucose levels at one point in time, the Dexcom system delivers readings on a continuous basis.

The good people at Dexcom have agreed to provide me with their system so I can measure my levels during training and on race day. As everyone knows I'm really just a boy with my toys but this is one toy which will provide some very valuable information. I've always been curious what my levels are during a run and I believe by knowing this information I will be able to train more effectively.

Many people when they see my OmniPod system automatically assume that besides delivering insulin the Pod also measures my glucose levels. While this may happen one day that day is not yet here. By combining the data from my Dexcom system with the data tracked by my OmniPod I should be able to more effectively manage my diabetes.

I have spoken with people who have used the system and they say it's an eye opening experience. As I do with my weekly running stats I will share my glucose levels - hopefully I won't overload everyone with all this data but I think it will be interesting to see what my body does during different runs.

Many thanks to Dexcom and welcome aboard.

Overall a Good Week

32.27 miles this week which is a good start when building miles. Next week I'll shot for 35 miles and so on. Haven't decided yet just how far I want to go during the building stage. Frankly it comes down to how much time I have to run. Now that I'm in the building stage even my short runs are 6 miles or more which means each run is at least an hour.

One of things that goes unnoticed is that training is more than just running time. There's prep time, cool down, stretching, etc - this adds another hour or so to the run - this is one reason runners save their long runs for the weekend - in my own case running 16 miles will take at least 3 hours of just running time - although I must admit that this year my recovery time has been better than ever - I don't feel totally dead even after my long runs which is good sign that I'm making progress.

Looking ahead the heat will return next week which means more morning runs and lots of water.

Well that's all for today now it's own to the wedding.

A Fellow Runner Striken

While running this morning I couldn't stop thinking of a fellow runner who's been diagnosed with breast cancer. I know this wonderful lady through her mother another wonderful lady. The mother happens to live with one of my best friends and this family is very close to ours.

I can remember talking with the daughter recently and how excited she was as like me she was also running the NY marathon. Unlike me, she's an elite runner and would have likely finished the race in under 4 hours possibly 3 and half. As she was recently diagnosed it's still too early to tell what treatment option she will pursue. All I know is that this women is a true fighter and I know she has the spirit and desire to beat this disease.

While my thoughts and prayers are with her I would like to do something more tangible than just offering my support. As such I have posted a link where you can donate for breast cancer. I realize there are many worthy charities and I also know that you can only give so much. Still I am willing to sacrifice donations to diabetes to help fight this deadly disease. Keep in mind that I have beautiful and equally beautiful daughter (see if you can guess who's who in the picture) and understand all to well the concern women have.

If your are kind enough to donate consider splitting your donation between breast cancer and diabetes. Thank you for your support.

Too hot today

With a heat index of over 100 and a schedule that didn't permit an early morning run - so a an unexpected day off. Will shot for an early morning run tomorrow which looks like my schedule for the next or so, as the from the looks of the forecast no let up in the heat wave.

Training is hard enough as it and there's nothing wrong with an occasional run in the heat, but running consecutive days in excessive heat can do more harm then good.

I've noticed a big difference in my training this year - call it a more confident attitude. This being my fourth marathon I know I can run 26.3 miles - but this year I really want to set a personal best time - my goal is to run NY in 5 hours or less - that requires an average pace of just under 12 minutes per mile - this pales in comparison to the elite runners who run in under 4 hours - and the truly elite who run in under 3 hours - but it means something to me

This one reason I want to maximize every run I make leading up to the race and if that means getting up early in the morning and running when the temp is more comfortable than that's what I'll do -

This goes much further than me

I mentioned yesterday that my brother's daughter is getting married this weekend. This means the whole family will be here and I've just got to make time to get my runs in.

What I didn't mention yesterday was my brother, my oldest brother who is 10 years older than I am, was just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I tried to warn him that he was getting way to fat and if he wasn't careful he would join the growing ranks of people with diabetes. Unfortunately I was right and he's now has diabetes, something he will have for the remainder of his life.

Lucky he has me, an over-educated diabetic who knows first hand what it like to live with diabetes 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Naturally I offered my insight to my brother knowing full well he was not going to get a an education from his physician. I taught him how to use a blood glucose meter, heck I even gave him one. I got him a subscription to Diabetes Health magazine. I told his wife, who also happens to be named Debbie- which is kind of strange that there are two Debbie Kliff's in this world - some things to look for and what not to cook. I told them both about the benefits of even a little exercise.

At first like most newly diagnosed patients and my brother was no different, he checked his levels, lost some weight and got on Avandia (now since switched to ActosPlus) - but this only lasted for a very short period of time as his real life got in the way of diabetes and when you have a wedding to pay for real life wins - diabetes doesn't pay the bills

He tells me that once the wedding is over he'll get back at it and I hope he does. The sad reality is my brother's story is all to common. My neighbor and very close friend was also recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The other day his family was over at his house, another wedding event also ironic, and his father-in-law didn't even know about it. This too is very common - not sure how it happened but adults with diabetes are somehow ashamed they have diabetes and don't even mention it to their family members.

There are over 20 million people in this country with diabetes and 51 million with pre-diabetes who will likely develop full blown diabetes sometime during their life - 95% of these people have type 2 diabetes - diabetes is not contagious - you cannot transfer diabetes from one person to another - yet millions of adults see themselves like lepers - this is why I run for people like my brother, my neighbor and the millions more who have or will develop diabetes

Hopefully one day people won't fell ashamed they have diabetes and there will be a cure or at least better treatment options - that will make their lives easier

By the way I'm the young, good looking guy in the picture - the much older guy is my brother

Climbing the mountain

The next eight weeks are the toughest yet most enjoyable part of training. While speedwork is important I will concentrate on building miles over the next eight weeks. Hopefully by October I will be in race shape and will begin tapering the first three weeks in October. This lets me take almost a full week off before the race so my body is fully recovered, rested and ready for the big day.

Today was a great run, felt reinvigorated after only one run over the past five days. The blister on my foot is going away and the body fells good. Ran nearly 7 miles today in 90 degree heat and never felt any pain. Love that feeling.

I'm also going to try something new, instead of posting my daily stats I will try and download stats weekly from my GPS system. This will give you a much better perspective of what marathon training is all about.

Also have some great news CNBC is going to cover my marathon run - guess they think a slow old guy with diabetes makes a good human interest story - hope it helps me raise more money for my favorite cause.

The rest of the week is supposed to hot and my brother's daughter is getting married this weekend. My whole family will be here but I will still get my runs in. Honestly I feel better when I run even if the run doesn't go as planned. Although the race is still 12 weeks away I can't let up even if that means running in 90 degree heat.

Learned a valuable lesson last week and won't forget it - although I think I need a smaller cell phone - mine is too bulky to run with - will have lots more news in the next days so stay tuned.

Body Shut Down

Yesterday's long run was a reminder that as hard as I might try I can't escape the fact that I'm 46 years old and have diabetes. As I have stated previously I don't like carrying my mobile phone with me during a run and normally this is not a problem. Once in a while I need to be reminded that it's better to safe than sorry.

Everything started out well as I decided to run early in the morning while it was overcast. The forecast called for sunny skies latter in the day so I thought it was best to run at the coolest part of the day. I also decided to run a beautiful trail near my house that offers the option of running almost any length run. What I didn't count on was the humidity and making a wrong turn.

My goal was to run between 12 and 14 miles and everything was going well. I was at 8.4 miles when I decided to turn around and head back. I figured that 16.8 wouldn't a stretch since I did 15.5 last weekend. What I didn't count on was on the way back I took the wrong trail. This may sound strange or stupid but this particular trail is actually a combination of multiple trails that go in various directions. If your not careful it's easy to make a wrong turn and end up running in a completely different direction, which is what happened to me yesterday.

Honestly I felt like an idiot when I discovered that I made a wrong turn but I had no choice to back track and get to the correct path. Unfortunately I ran out of both water and Gatorade and based on where I was there was no water fountains for another 3 or 4 miles. The one thing I don't want to risk is a hypoglycemic event while running, for a diabetic this can be a dangerous even life threatening event. Although I carry glucose with me while I run, there are times when your levels drop quickly making recovery even more difficult.

You also have to worry about cramping up which can happen when your body isn't properly hydrated. This happened during my second marathon at mile 19 and running the last 7 miles in pain was not a pleasant experience.

So there I was out of water and Gatorade about two miles from where my car was parked and my body was running out of gas. Thankfully I was able to find a phone, call my wife who picked me up and drove me back to my car.

All in all I got in about 16 miles. Still not a very pleasant experience but a valuable reminder that it's better to be safe than sorry. Although I don't like carrying a mobile phone during long runs it does make sense - if only for piece of mind.

Blisters and rain = extra days rest

Today was supposed to be another 6 to 8 miles but due to weather conditions and blister it looks like an extra day of rest. Blisters unfortunately are common during training and based on past experience it's better to let them heel then risk a more serious problem down the road.

With the marathon 100 days away, taking an extra off day won't hurt too much and actually will do some good as the weekend is coming which means another 13+ miles. Add in the fact it's been raining off an on all day and this decision makes even more sense.

The one thing I want to avoid is any injury that would prevent me from running for an extended period of time. Things are going well right now and I want to maintain my momentum but not do anything stupid.

A Good Bad Run

Today's Stats 5.86 miles 1:14 12.37 per mile avg pace

Today was one of those days when I had what I like to call a good bad run. First, I made the mistake of running to soon after a meal. I also ran in the middle of the afternoon during peak temperatures and my mind wasn't fully into the run. Still I completed my run and my time wasn't all the terrible, it wasn't great but not all runs are. This is why I call runs like today's a good bad run. The results were bad but it's good I got the run in.

This happens with my diabetes too. There are just days when it seems nothing is going right and yet my levels don't get to far out of whack. It's really tough even under the best of circumstances to keep my levels where I like them. The fact is real life gets in the way.

This why I don't worry too much about each days results whether it's running or my diabetes. I'm really more concerned with trends and making progress towards my goals. The fact is there are so many things beyond my control I can't worry about each and every glucose reading or mile that I run. By keeping things in perspective I am better able to manage my diabetes and train for the marathon.

I'm not sure who side it but life isn't easy so why make things harder by beating yourself up when things don't go exactly as you would like. This is true for many things not just taking care of myself or training for a marathon.

Getting to the good part

Today's Stats 4.75 miles 57:14 12:03 per mile average pace

There comes a point during training when I get really excited about running. Although I have trained before I do not run regularly through out the year. Since I like running outdoors and hate running on a treadmill that limits running time here in lovely Chicago. While I do see people running in the snow I do not consider this an enjoyable experience and prefer to workout indoors during our long and very cold winters.

During what I call my "off-season" I concentrate on weight training and other forms of cardiovascular exercise. The off season is nice change of pace and regular workouts keeps me from getting fat. Like any normal person I enjoy eating and prefer to work it off rather than diet. There are just too many good restaurants here and my wife, Debbie, is a great cook. That is when she feels like cooking, but that's a subject for another day.

But now that I have been training for four plus weeks my body is getting used to running. Just as a sailor has sea legs and misses being on the water, it takes time for runners to get back in the grove. Once you get their, and I getting closer, you really look forward to each days run.

I also have an advantage over runners who have 9 to 5 jobs. Since I am self-employed I can easily schedule my runs into my work day. I also work out of my home which is another advantage as I do not have to come home from work, change and run. Our get up really early and run before work. Training is a major commitment and I applaud those runners who do not have the advantages that I do.

Great Run Today

Today's Stats 14.44 miles 2:52 12 min per mile

Today was the best run I've had since I started training. Although my program didn't call for a 14 mile run today it was one though days when I got in a zone and felt like I could run forever. Even better my recovery time was much better than normal. No major pain, no painkillers,no nothing just some Gatorade and water.

There's something wonderful when your running and feeling like you can run forever. I have some favorite spots to do my long runs and today I ran at Busse Woods which is about 20 minutes from where I live. This is a great place for long runs as it has bathrooms and water along the route. Add in some great scenery, nice weather, good music and a motivated runner.

Just a point of clarification my daily stats don't include any walking. When you add it all up today I actually did 15.5 miles which made me feel even better as I only walked 1.1 miles. As you can imagine for guys like me it's difficult if not impossible to run 26.3 miles without walking part of the way. Besides trying to run faster this year I have a secondary goal of running more and walking less. Actually the two goals work together as on race day they don't break out running time and walking time.

Although the race is still more than 3 months away I feel good and a little ahead of schedule.
A good run like today really helps as it makes me look forward to Monday and my speed work.
Well that's all for today.

The Difference between men and boys- TOYS

Today's Stats 6.31 miles 1:18:29 avg. pace 12:25/mile

In case your wondering how I come up with my daily stats I run wearing a GPS device, the Garmin Forerunner 205. This great toy lets me download my stats to my computer and helps me track my progress.

Another great toy is the IPOD shuffle, it's the smallest version of the IPOD,has a 1 gigabyte capacity, the sound is outstanding, it's easy to operate and best of all it weighs practically nothing. I also have another MP3 player which besides holding 4 hours worth of music it has an FM radio. Not as light as the IPOD shuffle but very easy to carry.

On my longer runs I take along water and glucose (in case my sugars drop). On real long runs I take water, Gatorade, glucose and my cell phone. Occasionally I see other runners running and talking on their cellphones at the same time. Never quite understood what the heck was so important that someone would be on the phone and run at the same time.

To me one of the best parts about running is that I'm away from the rest of the world. Just me and my music. It's hard to explain to someone who has never run but there are days you just get into a zone and it feels as if you can run forever. This is one of the greatest feelings a runner can have - can't imagine that great feeling being interrupted by a phone call.

You might have noticed that I did not list my glucose meter as one of things I take with me on my runs. There are several reasons for this, first my meter is contained in Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) which controls my OmniPod insulin delivery system. Before each run I check to see what my levels are just in case I need to add some carbs or change the amount of insulin that is being delivered. I must say the OmniPod is one cool device and has made training more enjoyable.

When I trained for my first marathon I was using a different insulin pump, because the pump used long tubes it was a real pain to run with. I was constantly worried about the pump falling off my shorts and ripping the infusion set off my body. The OmniPod is a wireless system - no tubes,the Pod which contains the insulin stays attached to my body and I don't have to worry about any tubing.

Looks like an off day tomorrow and a nice long run this weekend- think I'll shot for at least 11 miles but 12 or 13 would be better - who knows maybe I'll get in a zone this weekend

A Welcome Off Day

One of the least misunderstood aspects about training is rest is just as important as running. While it may be possible for elite athletes to run everyday, for us mere mortals a day off is a great way to reinvigorate our spirit and help our weary body recover. Normally I try and run three days in a row, take a day off, do some speed work the next day, take another day off and do a long run - this program has worked well for me over the past three marathons

The truly great part is like my diabetes I can change things up once in a while to stay fresh- seeing that it was supposed to be over 90 today I switched my off day to today and will run again tomorrow when it's supposed to be a more comfortable 72 - I do the same type of thing with my diabetes - although I don't get any time off - there are days I will check my levels less than normal or eat something I normally wouldn't eat - this may not make my doctor all that happy but he's not the one living with diabetes I am - I see nothing wrong with changing my routine or eating something different - as long as I don't make a habit of it in the long run I'll be fine

Like so many things in life and marathon training is no different a little common sense goes along way -

Heat + Humidity + Long run and a surprise

Today's Stats 7.89 miles 1:39:54 Avg Pace 12:39/mile Temp 81 Humidity 60%

Training is never easy but training in Chicago during the summer is always interesting. Normally I try and run early in the morning or later in the day so I can avoid running during the most intense heat. Heat + running +diabetes isn't exactly the best combination. Still today I really didn't have much of choice as I have business to run (no pun intended) and that brings in the bacon so sometimes I have to work my runs around my work and family commitments. Today that meant running during the most intense heat.

I was also reminded of the similarities of marathon training and keeping my diabetes under control. Just as each day I work on different runs- yesterday speed today endurance - I also know that my diabetes is different each day - some days everything is going my way and my levels are great - while others it seems like no matter what I do I just can't get things where I want them - then I realize that unlike a marathon there is no finish line with my diabetes - all I can do is my best and realize that there will be both good and bad days

Sometimes I think other people with diabetes get down on themselves because diabetes can be so difficult to control and there is no finish line - after 10 years dealing with my own diabetes I can offer some free advice - so it take it for what it's worth- don't get too caught up with each day and keep in mind its progress that counts - this is not unlike training for a marathon I didn't just wake up one day roll out of bed and run 26.3 miles - it took weeks of training before I could that - to make training easier I set small goals that I used to build bigger goals - at first it was being able to run 3 miles, next came 5 and so on

I also didn't go it alone either - just as I did when I was first diagnosed I searched the Internet for information on marathon training, found a program I was comfortable with and stuck with it - the same was true for my diabetes - although it took me awhile I was able to find a program that helped me deal with my diabetes, followed it and was able to bring my diabetes under control

Today's surprise - while I am not overall concerned with my weight I decided to weigh myself today - down to 191 when I was at 200 not to long ago - recently several of my friends have told me how much better I look since I began training and after seeing a picture of myself taken a few years ago I agree - weight loss is a nice side benefit of training

Working on getting faster

Today's run 4.21 miles in 50:58 minutes average pave 12:06/mile

Now that I have run three marathons I know I can finish 26.3 miles, so my goal this year is to post my personal best time and hopefully finish in 5 hours or less. I ran my first marathon in about 5 hours and 30 minutes and my next two were right around that time. So this year I have focused my training on becoming faster and lowering my average pace per mile. I typically run 5 days a week and use my shorter runs (six miles or less) for speed work.

For non-professionals like me the goal is pretty simple build the miles you run each week. If all goes well this week I should run about 30 miles or so. Next week that should go to about 33 miles and so on. During the work week runs go from 4 to 7 miles - use weekends for long runs 9 or miles.

Being a diabetic I have to pay close attention to my sugars both before and after I run. Today is a perfect example before I ran my level was 181 - a little higher than it should be but not too high before a run - unfortunately after the run I hit a low of 53 - this happens sometimes when I push myself during speed work - sounds funny saying speed work when my average pace was a little over 12 minutes per mile - but that's better when I first started training when my average pace was over 14 minutes per mile - regardless I drank as some Gatorade which is not only great for bring my sugars back where they should be it also helps my body recover and believe me when your 46 you need all the help you can get.

Welcome to my blog - some history

I would like to welcome everyone to my blog and hope that my story will inspire you to donate to a truly worthy cause - finding a cure for diabetes. Over 22 million people in America have diabetes along with 51 million who have pre-diabetes. Sadly diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in America and is the leading cause of blindness and amputations.

I was diagnosed with diabetes over 10 years ago and ran my first marathon on October 13Th, 2002. To say this was a great accomplishment in my life is a vast understatement as I actually cried when I crossed the finish line. I just couldn't believe that I actually ran a Marathon.

Since that day I have run two more marathons and I am currently training for my fourth. Being a person with diabetes I am all to familiar with toll diabetes can take not only on myself but my family. Diabetes is chronic disease which means there are no days off - I live with diabetes 24 hours each day 365 days a year - there is no time off.

Besides wearing the OmniPod insulin management system, my daily routine consists of checking my glucose levels six or more times each day. This may not seem like much to person who does not have diabetes, until you consider that checking sugar levels involves pricking my finger with needle - not exactly an enjoyable experience - and this is something I do each and every day of my life - six or more times each day.

Like many people with diabetes I have experienced hypoglycemia, a state of low blood sugar, and DKA where my sugars ran way to high and actually required me to spend a day in the hospital- another not so pleasant experience.

When I signed up to run the New York Marathon I could not believe there were no diabetes related charities that I could run for. This was quite a shock so I decided to use my marathon experience and the power of the Internet to call attention to diabetes and raise money that hopefully will lead to a cure.

In the coming days and weeks I will be posting how my training is going and links to various diabetes related charities. I encourage you to support me and the millions of people with diabetes or pre-diabetes in funding a cure.

Thanks