I hate carrying things when I run. In the good old days, I used to head out on runs with almost nothing; sometimes not even my keys, banking instead on the goodwill of my roommates not to lock me out (this rarely worked out the way I hoped). Runners aren't supposed to need the extra bits and bobs, right?
But I caved and started toting a wristlet, stuffed with glucose tablets lest I go low. When it became clear that I needed my blood sugar meter for longer runs, I tried stuffing it inside my wristlet as well. My wristlet is now dead: yellowed from sweat, punctured by lancets, ripped in two places.
So I caved and bought a SpiBelt. It makes me sad just to look at the thing, but I can see the value of carrying it on runs longer than 10km. Once my training ramped up, I realized that carrying my supplies wasn't enough; I needed to start measuring my pace, assessing my times, if I wanted to get faster.
So I caved and picked up a cheapo watch, because I'm not in any position to afford a Garmin (Christmas, mom?). The thing scratches up my arm but it does the trick. So now I'm carrying both a fanny pack and a watch, but it still feels like I'm missing something--especially since my runs are only going to get longer.
So I caved and bought a handheld water bottle. I hate this! It's terrible! But here we are. Runners, especially those with type 1 diabetes, can't afford to go "free" for hours at a time. I used to love the freedom of disconnecting from my pump for a short run, leaving it all behind. As my kilometers keep stacking up, though, the risks of going without gear far outweigh the bliss of feeling free.
I'd like to think that hydration is only an issue during the summer, but that's not the case. In the fall I'm planning some of my longest runs--20km +--and I'd be insane not to drink water before, during, and after those. So, handheld water bottle, I concede to you.
Now somebody just needs to get that information across to this bimbo: http://runningmagazine.ca/2011/08/sections/training/blogs/water-belt-or-fanny-pack-whats-cuter/
I'm still amazed that this girl was able to finagle a "style" running blog on such a respected site. (If you'd prefer to post a blog about running and disease, CR, I'm your girl!) She has decided not to wear a fuel belt or carry a water bottle because "honouring [her] body [is] the most important thing". Well, have fun with that. I've decided to honour my body by strapping three heavy, separate things onto it--because not dying is way more stylish than dying.
gadget
Tuesday, August 30
Monday, August 22
Acura 10 Miler Recap
Last Sunday I ran the Acura 10 Miler, the longest distance I've ever raced. I still find that hard to believe: I've been running half my life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHBikURKkUM) and I've only started serious road racing now? Luckily, I think I'm off to a good start. I've only got longer distances and faster times from here.
I've always wanted to run the Leslie St Spit (Tommy Thompson Park) but had never made it down there before this race. It's a real trek just to get to the spit, let alone run it. This course started in the Distillery--a place I'd also never been to, west end girl through and through--along the Lakeshore, out into the park and then back. The Spit wasn't nearly as exciting as I'd hoped it would be, but maybe I just didn't spend enough time looking back at the skyline.
This was my first race on an insulin pump. I had trained, prepared, considered all the options--but still felt like I was going into it blind. Would nerves affect my blood sugars? Would I soar, would I plummet? I had a sense of what my chip time should be, but it was vague; my blood sugars were even more up in the air.
My pre-race blood sugar was a not-good 14.4, but I decided it was best to err on the high side. I set a temporary basal rate an hour before the gun and made sure I had at least two gels in hand. I tried following my brother's advice to stay consistent, mile by mile (spoiler alert: my brother, freakish, finished nearly 30 minutes ahead of me). I came through 5km in roughly 25 minutes, mostly on track. I was feeling strong through 8km, until I finally took note of the Gatorade at the water station and knew: my blood sugar was dipping low. Way, way low.
From then on I ran the race from one Gatorade station to the next. I never pulled out my blood sugar meter to check--I thought it would eat away at my time goal. I never touched a single Gu--I thought it would impede my pace, even temporarily. Around 15km I started to really feel the effects of my low: shaking hands, starry vision. I faded when I should have powered through, finishing just over 1:25. Yeah, sure, not bad.
There were a lot of take-aways, and I don't just mean the tech shirt:
- With steady blood sugars my time would have easily been 2-3 minutes faster.
- I need to learn how to prick my finger while in motion, without spraying the person next to me with blood.
- Next time I need to take in carbs after 60 minutes, no matter how I'm feeling. The Gatorade was good for temporary sugar spikes, but the speed+pressure of racing demands more long-lasting carbs to keep my blood sugar stable.
- If I can run this race in a decent pace, I can definitely run the Scotiabank half under 1:50.
I'm finally starting to feel like a runner again. Bout time.
I've always wanted to run the Leslie St Spit (Tommy Thompson Park) but had never made it down there before this race. It's a real trek just to get to the spit, let alone run it. This course started in the Distillery--a place I'd also never been to, west end girl through and through--along the Lakeshore, out into the park and then back. The Spit wasn't nearly as exciting as I'd hoped it would be, but maybe I just didn't spend enough time looking back at the skyline.
This was my first race on an insulin pump. I had trained, prepared, considered all the options--but still felt like I was going into it blind. Would nerves affect my blood sugars? Would I soar, would I plummet? I had a sense of what my chip time should be, but it was vague; my blood sugars were even more up in the air.
My pre-race blood sugar was a not-good 14.4, but I decided it was best to err on the high side. I set a temporary basal rate an hour before the gun and made sure I had at least two gels in hand. I tried following my brother's advice to stay consistent, mile by mile (spoiler alert: my brother, freakish, finished nearly 30 minutes ahead of me). I came through 5km in roughly 25 minutes, mostly on track. I was feeling strong through 8km, until I finally took note of the Gatorade at the water station and knew: my blood sugar was dipping low. Way, way low.
From then on I ran the race from one Gatorade station to the next. I never pulled out my blood sugar meter to check--I thought it would eat away at my time goal. I never touched a single Gu--I thought it would impede my pace, even temporarily. Around 15km I started to really feel the effects of my low: shaking hands, starry vision. I faded when I should have powered through, finishing just over 1:25. Yeah, sure, not bad.
There were a lot of take-aways, and I don't just mean the tech shirt:
- With steady blood sugars my time would have easily been 2-3 minutes faster.
- I need to learn how to prick my finger while in motion, without spraying the person next to me with blood.
- Next time I need to take in carbs after 60 minutes, no matter how I'm feeling. The Gatorade was good for temporary sugar spikes, but the speed+pressure of racing demands more long-lasting carbs to keep my blood sugar stable.
- If I can run this race in a decent pace, I can definitely run the Scotiabank half under 1:50.
I'm finally starting to feel like a runner again. Bout time.
Monday, August 8
On J. Crew
When I was younger, 10 or so, I got into the (totally bizarre) habit of ordering J. Crew catalogues in the mail, then cutting animal heads out of old Owl magazines and pasting them over the model's faces. It was a brief summer craft project that turned into a full-blown obsession. I wish I still had a few of these kicking around--sadly, all of my outsider art was thrown away as kid crafts gave way to teen diaries. Back then, J. Crew was all crinkled khakis and pastel polos; it was more dockside, less desirable. It was the age of Dawson's Creek, what can I say?
(photo via stayinginwithvlada.com)
As much as I love Pacey Witter (which, to be fair--to this day--is a lot) J. Crew had to grow up eventually. And, year by year, it's been getting better and better. Under the creative direction of Jenna Lyons, she of the heavy framed eyeglasses and little boy nail polish controversy, the brand has become more classic and more daring at once.
They've been teasing an entry into the Canadian market for years, but next week it's finally going to happen: at Yorkdale on August 18th. I don't think this will damper my bi-monthly road trips to Buffalo, NY, but it's still a bright spot in a crowded mall. Now we just need to start pulling Madewell up past the border--gently, gently.
From the J. Crew fall 2011 lookbook:
(photo via stayinginwithvlada.com)
As much as I love Pacey Witter (which, to be fair--to this day--is a lot) J. Crew had to grow up eventually. And, year by year, it's been getting better and better. Under the creative direction of Jenna Lyons, she of the heavy framed eyeglasses and little boy nail polish controversy, the brand has become more classic and more daring at once.
They've been teasing an entry into the Canadian market for years, but next week it's finally going to happen: at Yorkdale on August 18th. I don't think this will damper my bi-monthly road trips to Buffalo, NY, but it's still a bright spot in a crowded mall. Now we just need to start pulling Madewell up past the border--gently, gently.
From the J. Crew fall 2011 lookbook:
Not so much the pants, but definitely the trench.
I don't enjoy being swathed in black all fall/winter long, but my coloring (red hair, freckles) usually doesn't give me much choice. This is a combination I can get behind, though. Mint and burgundy? So pretty. Reminiscent of one of my favorite snacks: mint chip ice cream with blueberries. Tastes awful, looks delicious.
Yes please.
(photos via fashionolgie.com)
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