Well, this is my first blog entry as part of Epic Cycles Fab 5. First, a brief introduction. As indicated in my profile, I am an insulin dependent diabetic triathlete on insulin for the past 24 years. I've been training and racing triathlon for about 11 years and participate in Sprint, Xterra, Olympic and 1/2 Iron distance races. I participate in 10 - 14 races each season. I've also raced several adventure races including 6 and 12 hour events. The adventure races normally include kayaking, trail running, orienteering, mountain biking and other obstacles. I competed in the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon in San Francisco on June 8th along with my 11 year old daughter (the youngest female to ever complete the race). I'm excited about participating as part of the Fab 5 training for the Great Floridian 1/2 Iron race in October and hope to use my blog entries to inform readers, hopefully other insulin dependent diabetic athletes including kids diagnosed with the disorder and their parents, about the health benefits of triathlon training and racing and how endurance sports like triathlon can assist the insulin dependent diabetic patient in better managing glucose levels.

This blog will also cover the many challenges that face the insulin dependent athlete, i.e., exercise induced hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and how to train and race safely and stay competitive with non diabetic athletes. This blog will consistently promote the view that with focus, organization, and diligence insulin diabetic athletes can live normal productive lives and compete at the highest levels in athletic competition while honestly discussing the various pitfalls and mistakes that are often made in preparation, nutrition, and insulin dosage before and during training and athletic competition. For insulin dependent diabetic athletes (IDDA) and their parents who may be viewing this blog, it's important to know my specific insulin regimen because different regimens will produce different results. I'm on a regimen of "intensive insulin therapy". I take a combination of Humulog, Humulin N, and Lantus Insulins. I take 30 units of Lantus before bed, an injection of Humulog before each meal and an injection of Humulog and 8 units of Humulin N before my evening meal. I vary my Humulog dosages based  upon my Blood Glucose (BG) readings. I take between 4 and 5 injections daily and test my BG levels about 6 times each day depending on my level of exercise and other factors like illness, delayed meals, etc. The most important safety factor for the IDDA is to check BG before, during, and after exercise to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia will cause performance to decline rapidly and if not treated with consumption of carbohydrates can cause fatigue, dizziness and eventual loss of consciousness. The number of times BG needs to be checked during exercise will depend on the athlete's sensitivity to exercise induced hypoglycemia. If sensitivity and hypoglycemia awareness is lacking BG will need to be checked a periodic intervals.

This afternoon, my training plan includes a one hour bike at a moderate pace averaging about 18 mph, followed by swimming 1700 meters (long course) including various drills. As always, the most important preparation for training is checking blood glucose levels. Prior to the bike my BG was 220. I need my glucose level to be higher than normal when I begin exercise because exercise will lower blood glucose. While biking I carry a fanny pack with a small glucose test kit and carbohydrate gel packs. I rode about 19 miles and when finished checked my glucose which had now fallen to 94. While this is a normal reading, I still needed to swim 1700 meters and had to increase my glucose level. I consumed one GU gel pack, about 120 calories and took a bottle of CytoMax with me to the pool. I drank about 3/4 bottle during my swim workout. At the conclusion of the swim, my glucose was 124. I suffered no Hypoglycemic events during this training day. Tomorrow I'm scheduled for VO2 Max testing at 5:30 pm and then a short run workout.