I find it very odd that I have decided to keep a running log, for years and years I was supposed to keep a blood sugar log and that didn't go very well. In the age of technology all of blood sugars are automatically sent to my insulin pump, I can then go online and download or printout a very nice blood sugar and insulin log sheet.

Running and cycling use technology but an old school log is the best. Yes my fancy watch paired with my phone can tell me my heart rate, pace and max speed but it doesn't allow me to put in my mood. Do I run better on days that I don't have to work? What about my blood sugar, do I run best when my blood sugar is in or out of range. I can also keep track of my resting heart rate and how I slept the night before. All of this may seem like over kill but I believe this is the best way to approach training for the next race I have no matter the distance.

When I ran the New York City marathon in 2013 I was prepared physically but not mentally, when I ran my first 50k a few months back I felt I was prepared mentally but not as much physically.  I'm hoping that a running log will help me be ready both mentally and physically.

For the past week or so my body has been "off". My legs are no where to be found!!  I went for a few bike rides last week and each time my legs gave out before the top of climbs that I usually laugh at.  During the first ride I thought it was because my blood sugar was out of range, however when I got home after the ride my blood sugar was in range and my CGM never was out of range while riding.  I then thought it was due to dehydration, not the case, my urine was fine and I was sweating the entire ride.  Finally I thought it was due to my recent sinus infection battle, I was on medicine for it but I'm not sure that has ever bothered me.  I don't know what it was but it was enough to piss me off.

I started to think about what I want as an athlete.  Do I want to focus on ultra marathons and ride the bike for fun?  Do I want to just have fun and ride or run when I can and only run one ultra a year?  Do I want to focus on the bike and try racing at the local level again?  The answer is simple, I never had more fun then I did when I ran an ultra, my goal moving forward is to run at least two a year and run a 50 miler in 2018.

The truth is I haven't put in the work that I should to run two ultras this year.  Yes I ran one and had a bad break but I could have done more.  I have two months to see if I can run another 50k in November.  That is where I am confused, do I get in the gym and use weights as part of my training or do I just log mile after mile.  I honestly don't know, I have people that sit on both sides of the fence, some say the miles will help muscles and prepare me.  I have others that say muscle will be better from weights and running.  Personally I want to incorporate pain into whatever I do, I pushed myself to the edge mentally in the 50k but didn't go to the point where I was extremely uncomfortable.  I'm a big believer that mental toughness beats athletes that might be more fit but not as strong mentally.  My pace might be slower but if I can endure pain and the guy that is faster can't I will probably beat him!!

How does someone train like that?  This is a question that I have asked myself for years, if anyone has any suggestions or knows of a training plan I'm all ears!!

Greatness stands the test of time, in March of 2016 I wrote a blog about The Engine1 app that I had been beta testing for about a month or two.  I'm here to update that blog and to let every athlete living with diabetes that the app is now available for Apple products and available online when using ENGINE1 Pro and the free trial.  I wrote my first blog about Engine1 in March of 2016 and praised the application.  Almost a year and a half later I'm happy to say that this is the best and only diabetes application that an athlete living with diabetes needs to be successful.

Six years ago when I started to ride my bike and train a lot I dreamed of an app like Engine1.  An app that could take my blood sugar, the carbohydrates I have eaten and let me know how working out would effect my blood sugar.  For years I got much better at understanding my body and how being on the bike or running would effect my blood sugar.  My plan wasn't perfect, I would often start with a blood sugar that was above my set range.  I would also eat the wrong foods before training or racing.  I thought I knew what worked best and was happy with my results as an athlete living with diabetes.

I was then asked to be a beta tester for the Engine1 app, everything sounded great on paper but could this app really deliver?  The answer is yes and personally I have had much better results while racing because of the application.  Last week as I prepared for a forty mile bike ride I turned to Engine1 has I have done each and everyday for the past five months.  In the past I would set a temp basal, load up on carbs two hours before a race not thinking about what I had put into my body before that.  I'd just load up on carbs wait for my blood sugar to get to a certain level and go jump on the bike. With Engine1 I know my body and my diabetes so much better!!  I know how much active insulin I have and how many carbohydrates I need to keep my blood sugar in range while training or racing.  Engine1 has taken the nerves out of preparing for a run or bike ride with diabetes.  As long as I use the application each and everyday and log all of my diabetes information I can go for that random run, I no longer have to plan everything down to the minute.

The application is also a very handy application to use each and everyday, on days that I'm not training I use the app.  Having started a new job a year ago I didn't know how my blood sugars would adjust to a new daily regimen.  What changes would I have to make to my basal rates and what about my diet?  The Engine1 app has helped make that transition very smooth.  

Obviously I believe that the Engine1 app is the best diabetes application that is available today!!  I say this without any payment or gifts from Engine1, I have used the application on a daily basis and love everything that it offers a person living with diabetes.  I have waited years for this technology and I'm happy that it is finally available!!  I encourage everyone to download the Engine1 app, try the free trial, and if it doesn't work for you that is ok.  I have a feeling that almost everyone will fall in love with the app and use it on a daily basis.  Engine1 has been there for all of my training runs and rides and I don't see it going away anytime soon!!

After a grueling week at the Tour of Utah Team Novo Nordisk stays in the western half of the United States this week as they prepare for the inaugural Colorado Classic.  Team Novo Nordisk brings six riders all under the age of thirty that are eager to work together and get on the podium.  Stephen Clancy 25, is the veteran of the group racing in his fifth season with the pro squad.  The team will lean on his leadership to get the team through the four day event.

This young squad worked together in the Tour of Utah just last week and with the nerves gone Team Novo Nordisk is primed to have a great race against some of the best pro teams that the world has to offer.  As you may imagine the stages of the Colorado classic offer a lot of climbing which will test all riders.  Men pro cyclists in the 4-stage race will cover 313 miles (503.5 km) and endure more than 20,000 feet of intense, high-altitude climbing.  Just like the Tour of Utah the name of the game will be mental strength, the stages will test the riders physically and the riders that have the ability to fight through the pain will be on the podium.

I believe Team Novo Nordisk will do very well this week at the Colorado Classic, stagiaire Sam Brand has his first race under his belt and the nerves are gone.  He knows what a pro race is like and is feeling good, don't be suprised to see him in the top 25 of a stage or two.  Stephen Clancy and Fabio Calabria bring some experience for Team Novo Nordisk and will be working hard to not only help the team but to get in the top ten.  Reid McClure  has the build for the mountains, keep an eye on him during stage 1.  Umberto Poli and Rik Van Ijzendoorn will be in the peloton waiting for their chance to get in the break and leading out their teammates.  Team Novo Nordisk brings a close knit group to Colorado and they're ready to make their impression at the first ever Colorado Classic!!

Team Novo Nordisk is a global all diabetes sports team of cyclists, triathletes and runners, spearheaded by the worlds first all diabetes professional cycling team.  The team has put a tremendous amount of pressure on themselves as they have their eyes set on racing in the Tour de France by the year 2021.  All members of Team Novo Nordisk have been racing all over the globe and inspiring people as they race with diabetes.

We can all see what Team Novo Nordisk does on the bike and we are blown away by the teams hard work and dedication to their appropriate sport.  What about when the race is over or a team member has no races for a week, what happens then?  Yes the training continues and they ride, run or swim just as if they were racing.  Something magical happens on those off days and even the days when the team has a very important stage of a race. 

The photo above brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye.  This is what Team Novo Nordisk is all about, this is Team Novo Nordisk inspiring, educating and empowering people affected by diabetes.  The members of Team Novo Nordisk will do about five hundred events in 2017.  The events will range from intimate support group meetings all the way up to keynote speeches in front of thousands.  This does not include taking a half hour out of their day to talk with a fan and fellow person living with diabetes about a race they have coming up.  Each and every member of Team Novo Nordisk takes the time to help anyone living with diabetes, they have been there, they know about the fears and nervousness that comes with diabetes.  They know what it is like to be heading to school with diabetes, they know what it feels like to worry about what a friend or coworker might think about diabetes.  Knowledge is power and Team Novo Nordisk is sharing their experiences to change diabetes. 

Team Novo Nordisk set out to change the world when it comes to diabetes.  They are doing so and have done so without complaint.  We can all learn something from Team Novo Nordisk as we live our lives with diabetes.  It is the next generation that is living with diabetes that needs us, for the thirty to sixty year olds that are living with diabetes anyone living with diabetes under the age of thirty is our son or daughter.  Like Team Novo Nordisk we need to give our knowledge and inspire the next generation to live the life that they dream of. 

Last week it was announced that Sam Brand would join the Team Novo Nordisk Pro squad as a stagiaire at the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah.  Fans of Team Novo Nordisk were anxious to see how Sam would do, especially after last year’s stagiaire, Quentin Valognes, did so well in his debut.  The millions of fans that follow Team Novo Nordisk on Facebook could see from daily posts that the team was excited for Sam to make his debut.
 
Sam Brand and Team Novo Nordisk faced a very difficult Tour of Utah that saw the fans show their love for Team Novo Nordisk as team member Stephen Clancy was awarded the America First Credit Union fan favorite jersey.  The voting was open to the public, the jersey was based on the rider with the best ideals and professionalism in cycling, community or a charity.  Stephen would wear the jersey with pride as he and the team rode the 151-kilometer second stage.
 
After stage three Sam Brand would post about the toughness of professional racing as that day’s stage was a straight uphill nine-kilometer time trial that was ridden on their road bikes and not the usual time trial bikes as they were not allowed for the stage.  The pain from stage three went away quickly as the Team worked together to lead Fabio Calabria to a 10th place finish in a high-speed bunch sprint that saw John Murphy of Holowesko-Citadel Racing Team take the top spot on the podium. 
 
Stage five showed the heart that Team Novo Nordisk rides with each and every day, Gerd De Keijzer and Fabio Calabria went down in a nasty mid race pileup.  For anyone that has ridden a bike you know that the pavement doesn’t give and that the pain after any crash is tough to deal with.  Both riders would finish stage five and start the next day at stage six.  Team Novo Nordisk would finish the final stage with five riders, one with road rash and all the others exhausted from seven difficult stages that took them all over the great state of Utah.  As Sam Brand finished the race in downtown Salt Lake City he did so with a couple of honors.  He became the first Isle of Man native to ever complete the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and became the first Team Novo Nordisk stagiaire to complete his first professional race.
 
Each race is a step forward for Team Novo Nordisk but for the 2017 season I personally believe that no race has shown the heart that the team possess like the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah.  Cycling is not only a physically demanding sport but a sport that tests you mentally as well.  For a rider that crashes the pain is always with you and each stroke of the pedal brings a grimace to the face of any rider but Gerd De Keijzer and Fabio Calabria dug deep and knew that they had a job to do.  They needed to keep going for their brothers, cycling is not about personal glory, it is about doing anything and everything for the team.  The pain will go away when a teammate wins a stage or when you’re back on the bus and you hear from a teammate “You helped me finish the stage, without you I wouldn’t have finished.”  It is about the family (team) as they sit on the bus together and crack jokes about a brother that brushes his teeth in bed. 
 
Sam Brand showed what Team Novo Nordisk is all about this past week in Utah.  Sam and the team continue to raise the bar show the world what is possible with diabetes.  Team Novo Nordisk is looking to make the second half of the 2017 season the season of firsts and is off to a tremendous start as team members head to Colorado for the Colorado which will begin on Thursday.  Be sure to check out my blog on Wednesday morning as I will experiment with providing a race preview.

We all know how much work goes into managing diabetes, from carb counts to insulin ratios, diabetes is a never ending math equation.  From figuring out the appropriate amount of carbohydrates to fix an out of range blood sugar to insulin for an ice cream sundae it makes us analyze anything we eat or drink.  One area that I have over looked for the past few weeks has been the timing.  From cycling and running all the time I'm often grabbing protein bars or fruit quickly to keep my blood sugar from falling out of range while training.  That has carried over to a snack when I'm home and relaxing, I'll grab a rice cake or two and not take insulin because I'm so use to eating small snacks and not needing insulin because I'm so active.  

Over the past few weeks I have made some minor tweaks and a lot of it is time based.  I will now plan my snack or make sure I know when my meal will be and do all that I can to take my insulin fifteen to twenty minutes before eating.  When my blood sugar is in range this plan works perfectly, I will take my insulin fifteen minutes before and nine out of ten times my blood sugar will stay in range.  The challenge comes when my blood sugar is just out of range, if it is above the set range do I take the extra unit or two and hope it isn't to much or if it is below my set range do I have some fruit snacks to get it in range and take my normal insulin dose.  

Diabetes is knowing your body, life and being educated to know how everything works together.  Yes, I take some risks when taking my insulin before a meal with my blood sugar at the lower end of my range but everything is monitored very closely and I always make sure to have all of the supplies I need in case anything does happen.  Diabetes is always forcing us to change, our body is always changing and to keep our blood sugars in range we must make small tweaks to be the best that we can be!!

It has been almost one year since I decided to go from an insulin pump to injections.  The truth was I waited a little longer than I should have to make the change because I was scared.  I was in a great spot with my insulin pump, my A1C was right where it needed to be but was making a change because of running and cycling a good idea.  

A Block Island birthday getaway with Kate made the decision for me.  After being in the ocean my insulin pump site had fallen off, luckily I was prepared and had brought two extra sites.  Each one would fail and my blood sugar would climb above 475.  A few days late I would make the switch, like anything it took sometime to get everything dialed in but man has it been worth it.  As long as I'm in range going for a spur of the moment run or bike ride is totally possible.  Before it was suspend the pump wait an hour or two and then run or ride.  When it comes to training and racing the injections have made a world of difference. 

I won't lie, my A1C is almost a full point higher because of my switch to injections.  That full point does not put me in any danger however, my health is great and my endo is happy my A1C is where it is.  For someone that is so OCD with his diabetes, how could I let that happen to my A1C.  I mean I was determined to get my A1C below 6 for so long and now I've crept away from that.  It is very simple, my quality of life has changed tremendously.  I have eliminated my below range blood sugars which were a daily occurrence before injections.  My blood sugars are in range more and I'm happier.  When my blood sugars are in range I'm a kid, I'm full of energy and I'm happy.  In turn that makes me a much better worker, fiance, and father.

I can definitely make some small tweaks to better my A1C, which I will do with the help of my endocrinologist.  As always my decision to make the change from an insulin pump too injections was one that I made with endocrinologist and nurse practitioner.  As always what works for me will not work for everyone!!  Please contact a medical professional if you are looking to make any changes to your diabetes treatment.

Redemption was on my mind as I began my warmup at the Blessing of the Fleet in Narragansett, Rhode Island.  Last year with temperatures above ninety  and the humidity close to one hundred my body couldn't handle the conditions.  I would over heat around mile four and my blood sugar was a disaster, started out above my set range and finished below my set range.  It was easily the worse race I had ever run, I shouldn't have finished a ten mile race in over two hours.  Yes I finished but I wasn't prepared and that is what hurt the most.  

This year my body was ready and having a group of supporters helped more than anything.  Being able to ride to the start with my parents meant a lot, it put me at ease.  I was able to be my usual goofy self as we rode up, that allowed me to not think about the race which is huge.  Then as I was stretching and doing my warmup I saw Kates grandparents, these two amazing people that have lived in the area all of their lives but had never been to the race.  It added a little bit of pressure but to say goodbye to them and then run a couple miles to the start was so nice.  It also helped that Kate was with them and gave me the amazing fiance you'll kick ass pre race speech.

At the start my nerves got to me, I was thinking about last year but stopped and said "You ran a 50k, you're worried about ten miles??  Are you kidding me!!  Go do what you do and you'll be fine."  I was right, for all the runs done without a watch racing with a watch was the best thing ever.  I knew that I wanted to run the first mile in nine minutes, peeking at my watch I could see my pace and finished the first mile in 8:47, exactly where I wanted to be.  I felt amazing as the miles started to go by, I hit mile five at 42 minutes which was right where I need to be.

It wasn't until mile eight that I hit a little speed bump, I had not had anything to eat or drink until that point, I figured I could make the entire race with just a gel at mile five.  With my stomach being off I was afraid of the gel and it caught up to me, I would have my gel and some water at mile eight and it helped me get to the finish but mile eight and nine were run at 9:34 and 10:16 respectively which messed with my time a little.  I was able to have a nice little kick for the last mile and finished just over 1:30:00.

Compared to last year it was a great race, my blood sugar was absolutely perfect after the race.  As I changed for a nice dinner with everyone that came to support me I started to feel a little off.  My stomach was a mess and running probably wasn't the smartest thing to do.  I paid the price for running that night and all weekend, I got to know my bed a lot better but I'm back to normal and happy with the way I ran.  I've been asked numerous times why I ran, the answer is simple, it's not going to kill me.  Yes it hurt and I felt like crap for a couple days but did I put my life in danger?  No, you learn more from the pain and the struggle than you would if you only ran or did things when you felt good.  The pain helps, you learn more about yourself in those times than you will when things are good.  I got my revenge on the race and I'm ready for a 50k in October or November!!

I have had the honor of meeting and hanging out with members of Team Novo Nordisk a few times over the past three years, each experience is the same but also very different.  Each meeting is the same because the team is truly a family, for the most part I'm a very quiet guy that likes to sit back and take in my surroundings and the people when I'm in a new place and meeting new people.  Each time I have been with the team I sit back and I can see how much they care for one another.  They pick on each other like brothers but care for one another like brothers that are  in their late forties.

One rider that has allowed me into this special brotherhood has been Sam Brand.  Last summer I arrived at the Team Novo Nordisk Talent ID camp and after giving Brais Dacal a big hug and talking with him (I had met Brais in Boston the summer before) this gentleman came over and introduced himself.  I figured he was just being nice but he quickly slapped me on the arm said "You're the diabetic cyclist? I love your blog, its so honest, it's great to meet you!!"  From that moment I had a feeling Sam was a decent guy.  For those next few days Sam and I would pick on one another, crack jokes about the other development team guys and learn about each others past. 

In December I had the honor of attending the Team Novo Nordisk team presentation in Atlanta, I knew more team members and felt a part of the brotherhood but once again Sam came running over "Hey Ryan, how's it going?!?!"  I said "Hey it's Sam Brand from the Isle of Man, have you turned that into a rap song yet?"  The next day I would get to see the team ride, as nice as these guys are off the bike they are monsters on the bike.  Seeing an athlete in race mode is incredible, these are normal guys that flick a switch and are the meanest and most determined people I have ever seen.  

For the rest of the 2017 season Sam Brand gets to prove his worth with the pro team.  His first race will be a week long event in The Tour of Utah.  It might not be the biggest race in the world but when it is your first pro race it is.  All of the work that Sam has put in pays off this week and as huge fan of Team Novo Nordisk and Sam I will be doing all that I can to watch the stages.  I feel like Sam is my brother and will be nervously watching or checking the general classification to see how Sam has done.  I was lucky enough to conduct an email with Sam via email before the start of The Tour of Utah.  Thanks to Sam for taking the time to answer the questions and a special thank you to the people behind the scenes that made it possible!!  Best of luck to Team Novo Nordisk this week!! 

1) Congratulations on making the pro team, can you put into words what you're feeling? What does it mean to be making your debut at the tour of Utah?

It is all a bit of a blur really with everything happening so quickly, but I'm brimming with excitement. This opportunity means the world to me. To race in the professional ranks is a dream come true. I've dreamt of this for an awfully long time and to be able to do it to empower all those around the world affected by diabetes is icing on the cake!

2) Sport has been a part of your life since you were a child, when did you know that cycling was the sport for you?
In all honesty, I'm not exactly sure. My father used to race so I've always been around the cycling scene at home in the Isle of Man. In my teens, I started focusing on other sports and ended up competing in triathlon. I represented Great Britain at the 2013 ITU World Championships. I believe that in life certain doors close while others open. Opportunities arise and we must take advantage of them. At the point in my life when I was finishing university, a fantastic opportunity opened up to change paths from racing triathlon as a member of Team Novo Nordisk’s elite squad to join the development team. I knew then that cycling was what I wanted to do, and I dedicated everything I had to this opportunity.

3) How has Team Novo Nordisk helped you as a cyclist living with diabetes? How has the team helped you personally?
The team has helped me immensely. I've been welcomed into something that is more than a community; it’s a family. Team Novo Nordisk has given me the chance to empower, educate and inspire others affected by diabetes and by doing so has given me the ability to empower myself.

4) For a ten year old child living with diabetes that dreams of being in your position, what words of advice can you give them?
I often tell a story about my cousin being diagnosed. My mum, aunt, and cousin called to tell me and my immediate response was, "It's going to be ok. It's the greatest thing to ever happen to me". When I tell this story, my answer is usually met with a pause and a puzzled look, so let me explain. At 10 years old, I was diagnosed with a life changing condition. I didn’t ask for it but it was there and I had the option to embrace it. I learnt routine and gained maturity at such a young age, one that I frequently notice my peers didn’t learn until they were in their late teens or beyond. It gave me a tool to study myself. If I met a 10-year-old in my situation, I'd tell them that obstacles are there so you can figure them out. Work hard, dream big and stay true to yourself.

5) The Isle of Man produced one of the best sprinters ever in Mark Cavendish, has he been a role model for you? If so what would it be like to be bumping elbows with him in a race?
It is fantastic to see great achievements spawned from our little rock in the Irish Sea. I think everyone at home takes pride in seeing a fellow Manxman achieving great things. As an avid cycling family, we would watch the Tour de France every year and would cheer on Cav. I had the privilege of racing Mark in the British Championships this year on our shared home soil of the Isle of Man. It would be great to be able to bump arms with him again, hopefully at the Tour in 2021, if not before.

6). What should your fans expect to see from you for the rest of the season?
Not much has been decided yet; at present, I will race the Tour of Utah and the Colorado Classic. People can expect to see me give my all whilst racing to empower, educate and inspire others affected by diabetes.

Saturday I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to run the Narragansett blessing of the fleet because of a nasty little sinus infection. Luckily a z-pak has me feeling much better and excited for the race on Friday.

Training wise I've been doing well, I've missed about a week because of the cold but now it seems that the weather wants to level the field. We're not just talking a quarter of inch with light rain and a ten mile an hour wind. The forecast is calling for an inch or two of rain with some tropical downpours!!

part of me is very excited for the rain and the race. I'm a big kid, kids always want to play in the rain but as we get older we flip a switch and bad mouth the rain, why? I'm a kid and want to be running in the rain and stomping in big puddles!! Once my body is soaked why should I care, it's going to be warm so what's the problem. The only thing that I'm worried about is my cgm and having my phone on me, I will keep my phone in a plastic bag so it should be ok but will the rain make it harder to keep my cgm attached. Also I don't feel like eating soaked snacks while running.

Again the worry won't change or fix anything, I just need to go out have fun and do the best that I can. I'll be laughing as I run through puddles and will be chasing kate around the finish line to give her a nice big hug!! Hopefully she will bring an umbrella so that I can hug her and get her drenched!!

I'm not sure why but it seems before any race my body decides giving me some kind of cold is a good idea.  I believe I only have myself to blame, I usually try to do to much work and training wise and don't let my body recover.  Once again this seems to be the case and as usual I'm only five days from an important race.  The good news is that when I went to see the doctor it wasn't strep throat like I believed, instead it is just a simple sinus infection.  Nothing a Z pak can't fix.  That means the eye discharge, throat pain and stuffy nose should all be gone before Friday.  That also means that my long run that was scheduled for tomorrow is cancelled and that I'll be hoping my training gets me through my ten mile race on Friday.

The funny thing is that my blood sugars have decided to stay in range since I started feeling sick on Friday.  As usual I have been testing my blood sugar a lot more and have been keeping an eye out for keytones.  My go to sore throat remedy has been Fla-vor Ice so keeping an eye on my blood sugars is important with that sugar ice entering my body.  For now it is back to the couch to watch nothing because the Tour de France is over!!!  Maybe that is why I'm sick....

It has been thirty days since I raced my first 50k. In those thirty eight days I have been living life and running has taken a little bit of a back seat. I was burned out, I love running but my body needed a break, I got on the bike instead of going for a run. I put so much pressure on myself while running before the 50k, I needed some time to get back to the love of exercise and not feel any pressure.

For the last week running has come back and I'm smiling while doing so. That has me looking forward to my first race since the 50k. It will be a ten mile race and one that I have run a few times. The Narragansett Blessing of the Fleet holds a special place in my heart but is also a race I hate!! Last year I ran the worse race of life, I did it with Kate and my parents at the finish waiting for me. A lot of things went wrong that day but I will never forget the pain I felt as I finished. I let myself down and that anger has motivated me this past year.

My body is feeling good and next Friday will be a great night. Last year was the last race for my pump and I need to run a good race to make myself feel like that was the right decision. Going from the pump to injections was the best thing for me as an athlete and it has made my diabetes management a lot better. It was the right decision and a race won't make me feel like I did but it will motivate me. I'm still eyeing running a 50k in October and this race will let me know if I can!!

Yesterday as I watched the Tour de France I was looking over the general classification and thought about the guys that are over an hour or two behind the leader.  I started to think about those guys, someone like Laurent Pinchon, a thirty year old that rides for Fortuneo-Oscaro.  He is currently two hours and twenty minutes behind Chris Froome but he continues to suffer stage after stage.  He will finish the Tour de France and other than his team, family and friends no one will care.  Think about Laurent Pinchon, this is a guy that has dedicated his life to cycling.  He is on the road ten months out of the year and he may have kids.   

As I went for a run this evening I left everything behind, no phone, watch or cares.  Just run and enjoy it.  My only motivation was to run the ten miles before Kate met me at our special ice cream spot in Mystic for a post run snack.  With nothing on me my mind was allowed to wonder, I began thinking about the start of my running "career".  It was field day and I was in third grade, I was determined to beat a couple guys that were the better runners in the group.  At the age of nine I was a dirty runner, I wanted the inside track and cut off one of my buddies as we took a sharp corner, he slowed down and that allowed me to sprint ahead and get the win.  I then thought about my second start at running when I was happy with a twenty-seven minute 5k.  I didn't know what I was doing and making it 3.1 miles was tough.  I now run ten miles for fun.  Diabetes was there for each start and keeping my blood sugar in range was never easy and made me angry.  Today I can test three times in the hour before my run and know what to do after each test to keep my blood sugar in range.

Professionally each rider at Team Novo Nordisk started at the bottom one time, yes these are professional cyclists that race all over the world but they're told they aren't good enough and keep working to realize their dream.  Team Novo Nordisk recently held their second Talent ID camp and I must say the daily video recap of camp brought a smile to my face.  Watching these boys and girls that are in their teens working to realize their dream was inspirational.  

Today they posted the video from day #5 and hearing Team CEO Phil Southerland speak was so inspirational.  Team Novo Nordisk has made huge strides in the past couple of years as a professional cycling team  but they still have work to do.  It wasn't long ago that Phil Southerland was being laughed at because he wanted to start an all diabetes professional cycling team, again hard work and perseverance has been paying off as Team Novo Nordisk gets closer to riding in the Tour de France in 2021.  

Today I felt like a proud big brother (I forget sometimes that I'm 34 and older than a lot of the team members)  as the 1:41 mark in the video below gave some great news to fans of Team Novo Nordisk member Sam Brand.  Sam is a genuine great guy that went out of his way to say hi to me when I attended Talent ID camp last July and again at the Team Presantation last December.  Sam is a pro cyclist that is in love with life and always smiling, in fact every member of the team is that way.  They all know the ultimate goal and all remember being that nine or ten year old kid that dreamed of racing in the Tour de France.  In 2021 when members of Team Novo Nordisk start and finish the Tour some will finish two or three hours behind the winner but they will have realized a dream.  A dream that they share with over one billion people that are living with diabetes.  It doesn't matter what your dream is, it will be difficult but never forget when that dream started, it is that passion that will carry you through the bad days and help you to realize your dreams!!

I had the honor of interviewing Brooke Mead, Brooke rode the Haute Route Rockies for the Team Type 1 Foundation.  Brooke explains why she rode for the Team Type 1 Foundation and why a someone from Switzerland was so interested in riding the rockies. A special thank you to Brooke for the interview and to everyone that made it possible!!

What does this ride mean to you and what made you decide to ride for the Team Type 1 Foundation?

My husband was diagnosed with pre-diabetes in a routine blood exam despite being a very active and healthy person. This scared us a lot and inspired us to learn more about the disease. During our information search, we learned about the Team Type 1 Foundation, the work they are doing in Rwanda for diabetes, as well as inspiring young athletes with diabetes to be a voice in their communities. We were also inspired by the men’s professional cycling team connected to the Team Type 1 Foundation—Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team. It was immediately clear that I needed to be a part of this organization and do something that makes a difference. It feels great to ride for a reason especially one which supports children who don't have a chance to improve their situation. As a mom of two young, healthy girls, which is a gift in itself, this is my opportunity to give back.


Riding in the Rockies for a week is a huge accomplishment where does this event rank for you as a cyclist?
We fell in love with the Rockies and the whole package that Colorado offers, which is very different from Europe. The Haute Route organization is fantastic because you get to feel like a professional cyclist, race alongside professionals and enjoy the beautiful and epic scenery. Even the food is amazing! This tour through the Rockies is already the highlight of my summer!


For anyone looking into riding the 2018 haute route Colorado what is one tip you would give to them?

I have two tips:
1. Always train like you will race - so practice climbing and descending on unpaved roads. There are many sections of road that can change day-to-day because it is not paved, so be prepared for the unexpected. For me, this meant wider all-season tires (I used new 28s and never flatted once). I would also think about disk breaks if you were uncomfortable during your training but I don’t think this is essential. I didn’t use them. Before heading out on a bumpy ride, always double check your water bottle cages.
2. It is called the Haute Route Rockies for a reason. If you can practice riding at altitude or in chambers that simulate less oxygenated environments, go for it! This is something very difficult to do and not something I did heading into this event. Looking back, I think coming a week earlier would have helped me acclimate to the altitude better or I should have aimed to train in a simulated environment.
3. Train harder and rest longer than you think so that you can enjoy it and always listen to your body so you can keep your health as a top priority!

Lookup determination in the dictionary and you will more than likely find a picture of Phil Southerland.  Since being diagnosed with diabetes at the age of seven months Phil was determined to do all that he could for anyone living with diabetes.  Since the age of 12 cycling has been a part of Phil Souterlands life, from racing in high school to forming the first professional cycling team made up of athletes living with diabetes Phil has beaten the odds.  Along the way he has inspired so many to take control of their diabetes by getting on a bike.  As Phil says "I believe sport can be the unifying point for people with diabetes"

From June 24th to June 30th Phil and many others rode the inaugural Mavic Haute Route Rockies for the Team Type 1 Foundation.  Founded in 2005 by Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge, TT1 operated as a grassroots initiative to inspire those with diabetes to better manage their disease.  TT1 is transforming the way the world looks at diabetes, and the brand has become a global movement to demonstrate to the world that with proper education, care, and empowerment – anything is possible.  For three consecutive years Team Type 1 has been the official charity of the Haute Route. The partnership has truly made an impact on Team Type 1 ‘s mission by bringing awareness to all the Haute Route riders that they can make a difference in the lives of people with type 1 diabetes in third world countries while they train for and ride the Haute Route.  In 2016 Team Type 1 had 32 cyclists use the Haute Route as a platform to save lives, provide hope, and inspire. The Team Type 1 Haute Route team raised over $284,000 which is $138,000 more than last year or a 160% increase. Within the group, 14 friends from all over the world that came together and formed Team Type 1 Pyrenees, raising $191,000!

Phil Southerland is a man of great determination and is a role model for myself and everyone living with diabetes.  Although this interview was done via email I can see the passion and determination in his answers.  With the help of his amazing wife Dr. Biljana Southerland and all of those helping the Team Type 1 Foundation, TT1 will instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes. 

You have been all over the globe watching and competing in some of the most prestigious races what makes haute route so special and unique?

I think the cool factor around the Haute Route is that anyone can do it, and it truly allows people to know what it feels like to be a pro for a week.

One thing that I can’t stress enough is that the ride is hard, very hard. It is a bit ironic that I would even consider doing the Haute Route because I don’t enjoy climbing and the Haute Route is all about climbing. But one big thing that I got to remember throughout this week of agony is that as hard as the climbs were, the descents were 10 times as fun!

One of the main things that stood out for making the Haute Route so special was the ambiance around what we called the race circus. It embodied passion and vigor. Everyone there signed up for this pain and what really touched me was how many chose to support the Team Type 1 Foundation. All of these people were willing to spend a week suffering so that others wouldn’t have to. I can’t express the pride I felt seeing our jersey all over the course with so many great people supporting the foundation.

Being able to ride in the inaugural haute route Colorado and having TT1 as the official charity must be a dream come true, can you put into words what this means to you personally and for everyone that works for TT1

It was a great experience, but I must admit that I was heavily underprepared for it. It has been an absolutely crazy year for me from a business standpoint, which meant much more travel and much less time on the bike. My form was far from ideal when I showed up in Colorado. Yet once I crossed the start line on the first day, I knew it was exactly where I was supposed to be, regardless of fitness, training or anything else going on in my life; I needed to be riding the Mavic Haute Route Rockies.

It was more than simply riding from point A to point B. We received some tremendous visibility for the Team Type 1 Foundation and were able to bring a lot of awareness to Team Novo Nordisk. I felt like so many pieces were put into place that will end up playing a significant role in the future of these organizations.

One of my most memorable experiences at the Haute Route was riding with Rémi Duchemin, the CEO of OC Sport/CEO of the Haute Routes. Spending time with him was an absolute treat, and we were able to strengthen the relationships between our two organizations. Over the past four years, the Team Type 1 Foundation has served as Haute Route’s official charity, and I can’t express my gratitude for Haute Route’s support. Yet, I developed an exponentially deeper understanding and appreciation of what exactly makes the Haute Routes so special over the past week.

The TT1 Foundation has done amazing work in Rwanda, how has that work helped you while riding haute route?

As I said before, I made the choice to suffer during the Haute Route. Each day, each pedal stroke, I had the option to stop or to continue. I had the benefit of being able to use a CGM and was fortunate enough to have access to insulin at all times. The kids in Rwanda do not have this choice. Without Team Type 1, they die. So throughout what I was my brief taste of suffering, I thought about them. Their struggles and challenges in life are what pushed me through the tough times and trust me---there were about 50,000 feet of tough times (total elevation gain) throughout the week.

What's next for TT1?

One of the most exciting things on the horizon for Team Type 1 is announcing this year’s scholarship recipients. We have 130 amazing applications, and we are working hard to raise the money so we can support all of them.

What is really driving me and everyone at Team Type 1 is the constant fact that there are kids who need us. And the parents of those kids need us even more. We are determined to raise the money to support those families and to do this we need to grow our donor and fan base further than ever before.

To help achieve these goals, we recently launched the Hall of Fame club for the Foundation, where people can sign up for $83/month, or $1,000/year over a 5-year period. My hope is that 25 donors will sign up now.

From a personal level, it felt good to give back by riding the Haute Route. When I crossed the finish line after such a challenging week, it strengthened my motivation to dream big and help even more people in need. The sense of pride that came over me when I hugged my wife and my two kids after crossing the finish line will stay with me for years to come.