Last summer my friend Megan challenged me to go on a bike ride with her next summer. I had been thinking about riding in the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure for a while, so her challenge made the goal more real. Then for a family night we discussed making goals and doing hard things and I set the goal to actually do the Tour. So, my wonderful husband Mark forced me to buy a road bike last summer, which was a huge and wonderful step up from riding my mountain bike. The goal felt more achievable. I rode often last fall, then started up again this spring when it was warm enough to ride. The hour rides, slowly turned into 2 and 3 hour rides. With that I not only trained my muscles and mind, but I had to figure out how to balance my food and insulin over extended periods of high activity. The first few long rides made for very low blood sugar episodes, but I adjusted and in the end learned to give half the amount of insulin for breakfast (if my ride was right after breakfast). If I ate anything during the ride I gave 1/4 of the insulin I would usually give, unless my blood sugar was trending down, I wouldn't give any insulin at all. Of course, I stayed very hydrated, carrying my camel pack with me, which was helpful because it seemed I had to carry numerous other things as well (blood sugar monitor, many snacks, glucose tablets). The Monday before the race I completed 54 miles and felt that I really could do 62! I didn't touch my bike until the day of the race (mostly because it was the last week of school and it was incredibly busy).
For all my training rides, I rode alone, which was fine for training. But I was really, really glad that my Dad and my sister Loni rode with me for the Tour. It was great to have people along with me that loved me enough to stop with me every time I needed to check my glucose, to ask me how I was doing, to talk with and make the time pass quickly-ish. Thank you so much!
Beginning of the race where riders were instructed to say "GO RED RIDER!" everytime they passed a red jersey that said "I ride with diabetes." (I didn't cry. . much)
My Dad at the start line, with his beeping heart monitor, BeeGees and Karen Carpenter serenades.
At the lunch stop my Dad decided to write my name on his calves. As weird as that sounds, when he was in front of me during the last five mile stretch, I felt like my name was being chanted every time I looked up and watched him (Li-sa! Li-sa! Li-sa!). I got desperate for motivation, what can I say.
I feel like a hero crossing the finish line!
My sister and Dad right behind me.
At the finish line with my riders and my family! So glad for their support too!
When I heard that passing riders would say "We're riding for you!" I cried just thinking about it and I worried that I would hyperventilate while riding and crying. So I made a sign that might make other people cry too. I'm so nice. But really I am grateful for all who rode and care about helping diabetics. I realized that with a disease that is highly individual, sometimes the only way people can help is to show support at an event like this. And really, even though diabetes is a 24/7 issue and can be completely frustrating and down right depressing, there are more things to be grateful for than to complain about.
All done at the finish and we are still smiling!
Here are some things that I learned (you can read too, but I just need to keep a record to help me remember):
*During training, most of my rides were right after breakfast, so I need to cut my breakfast insulin in half. But the day of the race, I ate breakfast at 6:30 and didn't race until 9. So I gave my regular amount of insulin, but it was still too much and I needed to eat again before the race.
*As during training, I needed to stop often to check my blood sugar level. I did have my Continuous Glucose Monitor with me to help me know if my sugars were trending up or down which was helpful to prevent really low lows and highs. I'm happy to say that my blood sugar ranged within 90-180, which is perfect for a long ride. I was very happy to prevent very low lows which force me to stop and wait until I'm back to normal.
*The amazing thing about continuous exercise is that I give very little insulin for what I eat. All the food I ate during the race amounted to around 200 carbs. Ordinarily I would have to give 25 units of insulin for that amount (2/3 of what I usually give in a day). But I only had to give 3.4 units and come to find out I really shouldn't have given as much as I did for lunch. (Note to self - only give 1/4 of requirements for ANYTHING including a lunch of pasta, and 1/4 of the requirement for corrective highs as well). I even had two red vines, which I usually have to give 1 unit of insulin per piece and I didn't have to give anything! That's worth doing the race again next year!
*People are great. I appreciated all who donated, all who well-wished, all who yelled to me "Go Red Rider!" The only time I choked up is when a guy passed me and said, "You're doing great! Good job!" I absolutely love my family!
*The only time I get injured is when I'm standing still. I fell over after catching my breath at the top of a hill, while standing straight up. (Note to self: work on balance).
* I learned that my tires need to be 120 psi for an optimal ride. Did not do that during training, but maybe that's why I had a good ride, because I was physically prepared from harder training rides. Just looking at the bright side of mistakes.
* I was reminded how much I have. As one wise man said, "What works is more than what doesn't work." That's so true and I'm so grateful, first to God who sustains my life from moment to moment and I'm sure has preserved my life more than what I am aware of. I'm so grateful for a body that works. I'm so grateful for scientific advancement. I'm so grateful for educators. I'm so grateful for people who love me and am so happy to love them back. Life is good for this near 40-year-old.
*New note: remember to work with an exercise basal rate, instead of keeping the regular daily basal rate so you don't have to keep eating. Be mindful of the basal changes from morning to afternoon, as I give more in the afternoon.
