A 6pm start for any race is a challenge for me, a race that starts at 6pm at the end of July when temperatures are close to 85 and the humidity is around 99% is a whole different animal.  As I have said many times before "I'm not going to win many races but my mental toughness will help me to beat a lot of people."  My first race in almost three hundred days wasn't pretty but a lot of good came from it.

The name of the game was being prepared, a smart runner would do very well on this ten mile rolling course.  A runner that was properly hydrated would be laughing at the hundreds of runners sprinting to water stations.  I was somewhere in between.  For the first time ever I ran with this guy, what a lifesaver that was!!  On a hot and humid day having my Nuun with me for the entire race was a must!!  In the past I tried to be the tough guy, I'd wait until the water stations and be dead around mile six because I wasn't hydrated.  Not this year, I was able to run the entire race with no problems because I always had water with me, if I carry a camelbak with me for a 50k and have water bottles when I ride my bike why not when I run?  It is the little things that go a long way.

Diabetes wise I did well, I had my CGM all set and began the race at a respectable 160ish.  I know my body, I start running or biking and my blood sugar falls, then about thirty minutes in I level out and stay around 100.  That is exactly what happened but I believe the heat caused me to go a little lower.  Just before the mile seven marker my sensor fell off (thanks sweat) I had the sensor heavily taped but hey shit happens.  When it fell off my CGM read 82, I began to panic a little but knew I could run a 5k and be okay.  A mile out I knew I needed something to eat, my stomach was empty and my mouth was getting a little numb.  Nothing crazy I would imagine I was around 70.  Again, I know my body and knew I'd be fine.  I do not encourage this!!  As I finished I went right over to the food table and grabbed two oranges and didn't move until they were gone.  Ten minutes later I would test and I was at 114.  Not pretty but again I found a way.

It's two days later and I'm having trouble with stairs, obviously the race kicked my ass a little.  I haven't been running like I was but this rejuvenated me.  I was afraid of my neck, I didn't know what I could do.  I finished with a time that doesn't look great for me but also finished with a time that looks good all things considered.  My mental toughness pushed me and that is what I wanted.  I'm still a ways away from a marathon or 50k but I know that I can do it and know that my body will be okay.  No more excuses or fear, my neck is fine.  It is time to get back to where I was!!

For the first time in 291 days I will be running a race.  284 days ago I stood on the podium for a 5k I ran in Atlanta, I was feeling amazing.  Things change quickly, the following week I ran and couldn't move my shoulder, four months later I would be having surgery on my neck.  The road back has been a difficult one, my race on Friday will be interesting.  I'm thinking I will just take it easy and enjoy being back but I know myself better then that.  I will run the first 5k at a relaxing pace but then get upset with my time or feel really good and start to push it a little.  I will enjoy being back where I belong and anxious to see my wife and our family at the finish.  

Can my body handle that?  After a forty mile bike ride yesterday where I beat myself up and really tested myself I have to say yes.  As always blood sugar management and being hydrated will determine just how well I do.  This race has been one that has always kicked my ass.  The 6pm start, the heat, and humidity kill me.  I have been in better shape then I will be on Friday which scares me a little, I don't want to embarrass myself.  This race means a lot to Kate and I, the race is great but it is the post race meal with friends and family that means the most.  For two years that post race meal has sucked, one year I ran like crap and was angry.  Then last year I ran great but I had to leave dinner because I felt sick and couldn't eat.

This year will be different!! I'm stronger mentally and that will help.  The past 291 days have been mental training like I have never seen before.  I'm coming off a bike ride that saw my blood sugars stay in range and I'm happy.  That sounds like the perfect recipe for a great race!!  Now it is time for a training run and some kick ass music!!

It's funny where my blog titles come from, tonight the title comes from a song by Notorious B.I.G.  Here is the link to the song (​www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEaPDNgUPLE) The title for the blog comes into the song around the 2:43 mark.  For those that don't listen Biggie comes in and yells "Yo man chill!! CHILL!! 

That kind of sounded like Kate when I told her that my right leg has been going numb randomly and that my arm is just limp and weak.  In a way that only Kate can she said "Lets think about this.  You are only five months out from fusion on your neck.  You are putting your neck under a tremendous amount of stress while running or on the bike.  That is causing the pain and is effecting your ulnar nerve.  The usual time table is a year for someone to get back to doing what you have been doing.  Either start stretching more or don't do anything."

Having an athletic trainer for a wife is good and bad but mostly good.  She is right, she knows my body and knows that I probably shouldn't be on the bike or looking to do a 50k or marathon in November.  She also knows that running and cycling is my "life".  Three months of sitting on my butt and getting fat is pissing me off, if I'm not moving I feel useless.  I need the bike and I need to run.  I need to do that because of my diabetes.  I'm a better diabetic and person when I run and bike, I'm competitive and chased down a runner the other day because I needed to win!! It was a casual run at 6am but still I needed to pass him.

The question I'm asking myself is do I keep going or do I take a slower approach and throw away my entire 2018 racing season.  In a week we will know the answer, ever since Kate and I have met I have run a ten mile local race.  It is our race and I look forward to it every year.  That race is in doubt and that hurts because I'm fine, I can run.  I didn't run the NYC half because my neck was just operated on.  I'm an athlete and if I can walk or run I'm going to race.  Am I causing more damage? No, but the runs and bike rides test me.  In one week we will see if I will have a 2018 racing season, if I won't I will be okay but it will be tough not racing until the spring of 2019. 

Today 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 Marcel Sieberg, a thirty year-six year old that rides for Lotto Soudal.  He is currently thirty minutes behind Geraint Thomas but he continues to suffer stage after stage.  He will finish the Tour de France and other then his team, family and friends no one will care.  Think about Marcel Sieberg, 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 morning I left everything behind, no phone, watch or cares.  Just run and enjoy it.  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 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.  

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.  

The day after our wedding Kate and I had on silicone wedding rings for a day at the beach.  Obviously this had people confused when they asked to see Kates ring but obviously we had a good reason for having two wedding rings.  As active people we didn't want to worry about or lose our rings when we are in the ocean, cycling or running.  With silicone rings if they break or get lost we can just order brand new ones online.  For anyone with an active lifestyle I highly encourage getting a set.

Anyone that knows me knows I'm a diehard Denver Broncos fan.  I have a Broncos tattoo on my arm, I cry when they lose in the Super Bowl, and I have Broncos gear all over our new house.  Why is it that my silicone wedding ring is blue, white and green?  Aren't those Seahawks colors?  Yes they are.  The Seahawks aren't they the team that destroyed the Broncos in the Super Bowl a few years ago?  Yes, so why would I get those colors on a ring that I will be wearing when I'm running a 50k or cycling for hours on end.  It's simple, Kate loves the Seahawks.  The real reason I got the ring is because when things get tough on the trails or the bike I can look at the ring and smile because I know Kate is waiting for me and I must finish because I never want to let her down .  She is my strength, when my legs hurt and I'm puking around mile 25 of a 50k I can look at the ring and know that I will be okay.  Kate saved my life and made me a better person, leg pain is nothing in the grand scheme of life, leg pain won't kill me.  That pain will go away when I finish and see Kate and that smile!!

My answer to people about why I got the ring is because I want to PR in races.  The quicker I finish the race I can get the stupid Seahawks ring off and get my real ring on.  I will look at the ring during a race and get pissed because I "hate" the Seahwaks, that will make me push harder.  Obviously that is my smart ass answer and the paragraph above is the real reason I got the Seahawks color ring.  I'm not saying that it will make me angry sometimes but that isn't the real reason I got it.  Love does amazing things and will make me a better person, runner and cyclist.

I have to say I'm damn proud of myself for the way I handled my blood sugar this past week.  With any major life event comes a lot of stress and we all know what that can do to someone blood sugar.  As a person living with diabetes I refuse to live a boring life and let my diabetes dictate who I am.  I'm in charge of my diabetes my diabetes is not in charge of me!!  That means I'm going to have some drinks, eat cake, and go snorkeling for an hour without my pump.  That does not mean that I don't care about my diabetes and let my blood sugar go extremely out of range, it means I know my body and can do all of that stuff with my blood sugars in a range that allows me to live my life.

What a day and night it was.  This isn't a wedding blog so I will spare everyone all of the sappy details.  I cried, I was nervous and I was in range!!  When I think about that as someone living with diabetes I know that I did a great job, I mean I've been nervous about races and basketball games and my blood sugar shoots up to 400.  Not on our wedding day, not when Sharky was waiting until the last minute to put on his bowtie and jacket.  The work that Kate and I put in to make everything perfect blood sugar wise made the day that much better.  Having a secret stash of Skittles in my pocket helped a lot as well, it's like we had done that during basketball or something!!  

The reception was the true test, how would dinner, drinks and cake go?  Would it ruin my night or would I be in range and a dancing fool.  I was a dancing fool and had the time of my life!!  It was all about balance!!  Knowing when to take insulin and when to have a drink or a piece of cake.  That sounds crazy and like I had everything planned to the minute but I know my body and have a wife that knows me better then I know myself.  Not once did I hear "Your eyes look off, go test"  If I did that would have been okay because life is not about being perfect, it is about the moments that teach us about ourself and life.  We all make mistakes, if you do it is okay.

Punta Cana, if you have never been you're missing out!!  What a week it was.  First of all I must say everyone complaining about diabetes and TSA and whatever else airports do wrong is like Bigfoot, it isn't real!!  I have done a fair bit of traveling the past few years and not once have I had a problem.  I was in a country where not everyone spoke english and had no problems.  I had pens, meters, needles, pump supplies and lancets with me.  I didn't have one problem, I was open and honest, I wasn't looking for the negative or to attack anyone that didn't know what an insulin pump was.  I think if people went in with an open mind and communicated better all of the crying on social media about airport security and diabetes would go away!!

That rant is over, time to talk about the honeymoon and how I could play volleyball and keep my blood sugars in range, how I could zip line and have no problems.  This isn't me bragging, this is me excited that I trained and prepared myself for all of this ahead of time!!  Don't get me wrong I had a blood sugar over 400 twice in a week, that hurts but I know what I did wrong.  I also woke up at 60 one morning, again I learned from it and know that I should have some crackers before bed when I'm at 130 when I go to sleep.

My average for the week was 156, think of that what you will but that average allowed me to be me and enjoy every minute of my week with my beautiful new bride!!  It also helped that I had a little mother like worker keeping tabs on me at the resort.  Day one she saw my pump on the beach and asked how long I have had diabetes, we talked and she got my story.  Everyday and every night this woman that worked her butt off for this resort made it a point to come check on me and ask how my blood sugar was doing.  The line of the honeymoon was "You're drinking so I know your blood sugar is okay"  She knew I liked to reward myself if I was having a good day and in range after dinner.

Blood sugar management at any holiday is alway a challenge, the fourth of July however is one of the toughest holidays.  With so many carb loaded meals, desserts, and alcohol the main staples of the 4th it makes keeping your blood sugar in range very challenging.  As an athlete living with diabetes it is during the holidays that my blood sugars are at their best.  The athlete in me comes out and I accept the challenge and want to have blood sugars that are in range because it is not expected of me.  

Yes I had some fun and more drinks than usual (I can still count the number of drinks I had all weekend on two hands) but keeping my blood sugar in range was the main priority.  I can have fun when my blood sugar climbs out of range but not nearly as much as when it is in range.  Why would I want to risk being out of range and not enjoying the people and good times.  It doesn't make sense to me.

As usual what works for me will not work for everyone and this was my plan for the weekend.  As always speak with a medical professional before adjusting any insulin rates or changing your diet.  It is very simple but the key to success was testing my blood sugar, if a meal was delayed or I had to have a snack because dinner was scheduled for 8pm and not the usual 7pm.  Nothing says I can't test, it is the easiest way to know what is going on with my body.  As always I have been a little dehydrated this weekend and with that comes the feeling of a low blood sugar.  If I just went off of how I felt my blood sugar would sky rocket and be out of range in no time!!  A simple five second blood sugar test and I know what to do when it comes to food and insulin.

Food is the next key, having cookies, pie and s'mores readily available for consumption is great but can send a blood sugar out of range quickly.  It is tough but I use the dessert as a reward, if my blood sugars didn't stay in range I wouldn't have enjoyed a nice slice of apple pie.  It is a small reward but dessert tastes so much better when it is earned.  Obviously covering any dessert or meal with insulin is important, this weekend my timing has been perfect when it comes to food and insulin.  I like to take my insulin twenty minutes before a meal, this weekend I was able to do so without any problems.  

After a great diabetes fourth of July weekend I feel rejuvenated.  Much like getting a PR in a race, a holiday weekend with blood sugars that were nearly perfect have brought me to a new diabetes confidence level.  I'm sure that the diabetes gods will dislike this post and I will have a day of blood sugars that are out of range but I'm going to enjoy my performance over the past couple of days  and smile because of how perfect it was. 

As many people may or may not know, I will be getting married on the 7th and then headed to a beautiful beach resort for the week.  I will be losing touch with the world and enjoying our honeymoon!! 

For three years I have been asking myself if I'm good enough to ride in the world's most prestigious multi-day events for amateur cyclists.  Haute Route offers amazing seven and three day events that are scattered all over the globe, from San Francisco to the French Alps, Haute Route has a ride for you!!  The aim of the Haute Route is to deliver an unparalleled professional experience both on and off the bike for amateur riders.  This all sounds well and good but this is no walk in the park for a cyclist of any level.  Haute Route Colorado just ended on Friday and did so with a poultry 14,000 foot climb up pikes peak!!  Haute Route will test you mentally and physically but will treat you like a pro!!  Riders benefit from full mechanical assistance from the event’s Title Partner Mavic.  Riders also have massages, meals and activities waiting for them once they are done with each and every stage that they ride!!

The title of this blog is "It's not about the bike" so why is the first paragraph all about how great this event would be for me personally.  It sounds like I'm excited to do this for myself and that I can learn more about life and myself while riding my bike all over the world.  It isn't that simple, obviously diabetes is my life and I owe my life to those living with diabetes.  For the past two years I have had a little bit of an insiders look at The Team Type 1 Foundation.  TT1  is an organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, striving to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes.  TT1 is collaborating with the Rwanda Diabetes Association and the Ministry of Health. In 2012, CEO of TT1 Phil Southerland and Biljana Southerland interacted with children who have Type 1 diabetes at a NCD event in Kigali – many of whom were suffering from complications with the disease. Phil and Biljana met representatives from the Rwandan Ministry of Health, and presented them with the Macedonian model of providing diabetes supplies. “We hope to give children with diabetes a chance of quality life that they truly deserve.”  That right there is what living with diabetes is all about, yes it is a daily job to manage my own diabetes but I can't complain!!  I have access to the medicine I need each and everyday of my life.  Children and others living with diabetes are not that lucky, if I can help those that do not have access to the medicines that allow us to live our life then I will endure any pain on the bike.

Team Type 1 is also funding scholarships in order to recognize young, talented athletes with Type 1 diabetes who demonstrate an ability to balance both academic and sporting commitments, promote good health with successful management of their diabetes through exercise, and support families already burdened with additional expenses associated with diabetes care.  For the past year I have had the honor of meeting and talking one on one with a lot of the global ambassadors that TT1 has provided scholarships too.  I have been moved to tears by their stories and so inspired to help the diabetes community in any way that I can.

I will be fundraising for Team Type 1 to ride in a Haute Route event in 2019!!  I have waited three years because I have been scared of the Haute Route, I'm still scared but I'm not doing this for me, I'm doing this for a child in Rwanda that does not have the proper diabetes supplies on a daily basis.  I'm riding for children in middle school that are afraid to tryout for their schools basketball or football team, I want to show them whats possible!!  Team Type 1 has changed my life and if I can change just one life with my fundraising and my story then that life will save another and the diabetes world will be a much better place!!