Insulin pump

After almost three years of using multiple daily injections (MDI) to deliver my insulin, I've updated to insulin pump technology. The pump should provide a bit more flexibility in my doses but the biggest benefit is that the doses can be more targeted and will hopefully help me minimise my 'departures' from the blood sugar target zone. This will help to minimize my chances of getting the nasty complications that result from this terrible disease.

One week into pump therapy and things are going really well. Still some fine tuning to go to get the insulin to carb ratio right and also to have the correct background 'basal' rate throughout the day.

The disruption to training was minimal thanks to some good progress in getting through the fine tuning.  I didn't expect to launch straight back into heavy training but due to good progress, I was able to get out for a 100km ride and 30min run this morning. My settings on the pump worked well. I tried a temporary reduction of my basal rate to 60% of normal for 12 hours and that seemed to do the trick. I did learn the hard way that I also need reduce my post ride mealtime insulin 'boluses' further to avoid some of the low blood sugar (hypos) I had this afternoon. 

During the week I had to endure a 'skip-meal' basal test, which involved waking up and not eating ANYTHING until midday. That was torture! But what it was able to prove was that as my blood sugar level didn't rise or fall during the morning, my basal rate must be pretty close to right for that period. I'll have to do some more of these over the coming weeks, skipping other meals to confirm I have the basal rates correct throughout the day.

I'm looking forward to another solid week of training and maybe two good training sessions squeezed in somewhere over the Easter weekend.

Week 1 training

I've completed the first week of my Cairns Ironman 70.3 training. I generally keep in good shape but my training has been more relaxed recently. As a result, I'm really feeling the extra volume and intensity in my training. On Sunday, I completed a long, wet ride to Mt Nebo of over 100km and followed it up with a 30 minute run. I'll be looking to some more sessions like that to build the endurance I need for the race.

Another focus for this week has been the preparation for a change in my diabetes management. This week I'll be going in to hospital to switch over from four+ daily insulin injections, to an insulin pump which should provide more targeted and flexible delivery of insulin when my body needs it. It's going to be a steep learning curve though!

14 week training plan begins

Today marks 14 weeks to my goal race, the Cairns Ironman 70.3. For those unfamiliar with triathlons, the race consists of a 1.9 km ocean swim, a 90 km ride along the spectacular Captain Cook Highway and a 21.1 km half marathon run.

I've set out a 14 week plan that will balance my work responsibilities, family commitments and still have me on the start line in peak condition. I've been there before, but this time around I have the added complexities of diabetes management and family commitments to consider.

After a great race at the Noosa triathlon in November,
I've taken the opportunity to reduce my training load. I've been able to relax more and spend lots of time with my family. It also means I'll now be able to switch my focus to my training in the lead up to the race.

I've structured my training plan to fit in as best I can around Kindy drop-offs and work commitments. As a result, I won't have the same training volume as my previous long course races. I'll have to ensure every training session counts.

For the first few weeks, I'll be working on (re)building an endurance base. Long rides on Sundays, a long run during the week and getting back into squad. I'm looking forward to it and just hoping the weather will cooperate!

The longer sessions will be particularly important for me to trial different diabetes management techniques. I can reduce my basal insulin doses, increase my carb intake or more likely a combination of both. Getting the balance right will be the tricky bit!