Run The Coast get TV coverage - Thanks Jerry!

This November, Jerry Armstrong and a “band” of ultra-runners will run from San Francisco to San Diego in an event called Run The Coast.  I met Jerry last summer at Ironman Louisville, his wife has type 1 diabetes.  Jerry is committed to putting his love of ultra distance running to good use to help people with diabetes.  I am the lucky recipient of his efforts because the Run The Coast was conceived by Jerry for the purpose of raising money for the Iron Andy Foundation.  The other day Jerry was interviewed by his local TV station, check it out - http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=145783&catid=188      

To find out how you can support Run The Coast, check out http://www.runthecoast.com

IRONANDY

“Better Northwest”

I guess this is a teaser since I don’t know exactly when it will air…but yesterday while in Seattle I filmed a TV spot for KIRO TV’s “Better Northwest” Show.  We filmed it in the Fife, WA Good Neighbor Pharmacy.  You’ll have to come back to this BLOG or follow me on Twitter to find out when it will air.  For info about the Better Northwest show, check out: http://www.kirotv.com/betternorthwest/index.html

That same morning I spoke at Camp Leo in Shelton, WA.  There were over 100 kids, staff and LIONS volunteers present.  I spoke for about 45 minutes then answered questions for another 30.  This was one of the best diabetes camp audiences I have ever spoken to…very enthusiastic, attentive and they asked great questions.  Thanks to Camp Leo, the counselors, directors and volunteers for making this experience for kids possible.  And thanks to “Shorty” for inviting me.

 IRONANDY

Time for the kids!

It’s been a great little respite from travel over the past two weeks, I’ve really enjoyed spending quality time with my sons.  Tomorrow I hit the road again, back to eastern Washington for a speaking engagement at Camp Stix , then to Seattle to speak at Camp Leo in Shelton, WA.

Next week I am manning the Iron Andy Foundation booth at the IronKids Tri in Carmel, IN, then more camps - Camp Possibilities in Maryland and Camp Red Jacket in Allentown, PA.

Lots of young people to inspire!

IRONANDY

Recovery Week

After a successful Ironman finish #6, I spent last week relaxing.  Although I know my body needs the rest, the relaxing lasted until about Friday then I was itching to start training again.  Today was my first workout, went for a 40 minute run…in the 100 degree heat!  Still felt good to get my body moving again.  I will swim once and bike once this week, then get back to “work” for Ironman Wisconsin in September.

Nothing more to report.

IRONANDY

Ironman CDA 2010 - It’s never easy!

Ironman Finish #6 is in the books, but like all of them this one was a struggle…but not for the reason you may think.  Despite the fact that my very busy travel schedule this Spring hampered my training slightly, I felt I was in good condition and ready for the race. 

The swim, like all Ironman swims was very crowded.  My time was 1:24.  Not earth shattering but average…for me.  It is always such a relief to get out of the water.

The first half of the bike was very good, just under 3:00 hours.  I was on pace for my fastest Ironman CDA bike split.  Then, at mile 75 my blood glucose dropped to 80.  It was above 200 for the first part of the day, then out of nowhere it was 80.  Way too low, especially since I still has 37 miles on the bike and a marathon still left.  In the past, my blood sugar didn’t get low until half way through the run, but never that low.  I had to slow it up a little, going barely faster than a coast, AND I started loading up in Gatorade and Gel in an effort to bring my blood sugar up.  For two hours, it would not budge above 100.  I was facing the prospect of either not finishing, or best case scenario having to WALK the marathon.  So the second loop of the bike took over 3:40…and most of that was over the last 37 miles.  Needless to say, all the get and gatorade was making me feel very sick!

I managed to keep the blood sugar at around 100 and I finished the bike.  It was very frustrating to feel strong, and like I could have ripped up the course, but instead I had to watch as hundreds of people rode by me.

I got into T2 (transition are between bike and run) and although I felt sick from all the junk in my stomach, my blood sugar was finally starting to rise…150.  I left transition and ran into a volunteer I knew, I told him my issues and he handed me an ice cold can of coke.  Obviously I don’t drink Coke on a regular basis but I was in survival mode.  I downed half the can and started running.   A few hundred yards up the road was the Special Needs Run are, where at about mile 14 of the run you are allowed to get into the bags with the “special needs” (stuff you put in the bag the night before - gel, drinks…in my case an extra blood glucose meter and a few bottles of glucose gel.)  I downed a bottle of gel and kept running.  At mile two I tested again and my blood was 426…higher than I have ever been in my life.  Not only is that too high, but it meant that I could not take in any carbs/energy….which would make it very hard to run a marathon.  I decided to give myself a small bolus of insulin to bring it down a little.  But by the time I got to mile four, I was back down to 150.  SO…I spent the rest of the run with my blood sugar hovering around 100.  I had to run slow because of it…and once again very frustrating since my legs felt very strong.

The good news is - I finished.  My time wasn’t great, but considering what i had to deal with I am very satisfied and relieved.  Someone asked me today “why I do this, the other triathletes out there don’t have half the battle you have?”  What I said is the same thing I always say - If it was easy, no one would be inspired!”

Next stop - Ironman Wisconsin in September…but for now I will take some time off from traning and bask in the glow of my 6th Ironman finish in four years!!!

IRONANDY

Beatrice…more rain???

If you’ve been reading my BLOG’s you know that bad weather has followed me as I have criss-crossed the country this year.  This past weekend was no exception.  I was in Beatrice Nebraska for the Homestead Days Celebration.  Saturday was a parade (this was the first year ever that it rained) then Sunday was the Bow-N-Go Triathlon and the 10k Run.  Apparently, in past years it has been hot and sunny…this year, I show up and it rains!!!  It was, however a great weekend and thanks to Dienes Pharmacy for hosting me…great people!

On Wednesday of this week I leave for Coeur d’ Alene for Ironman, my third year in a row doing this event.  Hard to believe it’s here already.  I am excited although slightly apprehensive as my very busy travel schedule this year has cut into my long training runs and rides…but at 7:00 am on Sunday morning that won’t matter much - adrenaline will kick in (and I hope muscle memory too) and I’m sure I will be fine.  If I can successfully manage my blood sugar and the weather cooperates (not couting on that one) I should have a great race.  You can follow me at http://www.ironmanlive.com  Just find the “Athlete Tracker” for Ironman Couer d’ Alene.

Check back next week for my race recap.

IRONANDY

Dow Midland Walk-Run

Good Morning fom Des Moines.  I am here participating in the Hy-Vee Triathlon, today I will be at the expo in the Iron Andy Foundation booth (IAF also has a booth today at the Iron Kids Triathlon in Round Rock, Texas…it’s almost like we are a real organization :)  I will get to Hy-Vee and Round Rock in next week’s BLOG, today is about Midland, MI:

The week in Midland began with a very cool, and new experience for me.  I got to throw out the first pitch at a Minor League baseball game!  It was for the Great Lakes “Loons” who are a LA Dodgers farm team.  The pitch was good, over the plate but a little high.  I also had a television interview and an ESPN radio interview.  I spoke at Smitty’s Ironworks gym and at the Midland Community Center.  The highlight of the week was the Dow Midland Run-Walk.  I took part in the 10k run and it was nice to have some of my new friends from the Apothecary Shoppe running with me.  The trip was successful and I would like to Thank Tonya, Carolyn and Dave from the Apothecary Shoppe for inviting me!

Check back next week for Hy-Vee results.

IRONANDY

Service

I was in San Antonio this past week, speaking at both Randolph and Lackland Air Force bases.  This was my second visit to an AFB since doing this IRONANDY thing.  I had an opportunity to speak to four different groups of airmen and women, went on two morning runs and had a round-table discussion with a NCO (non commissioned officer) young leadership group.  One of the questions I was asked was - “Sir. (I heard Sir. a lot in two days) what are your feelings about the military and what we are doing?”  I wasn’t expecting this question and wouldn’t have thought I was prepared…but the answer rolled of my tongue like I had been rehearsing it for weeks - I said, “I think all Americans are proud and humbled by the SERVICE these men and women are giving.”  “Whether or not we agree with where we are, or why we are there…EVERYONE is thankful, proud and supportive of these young men and women.” 

Of course I was in San Antonio to inspire and motivate, but for me it was a chance to thank a few hundred people who are risking their lives…not necessarily for a cause you may or may not believe in, but because that is there job.  That is what SERVICE means! 

Anyway, if you have a chance to thank someone in the military - DO IT!  In an airport, shopping mall, wherever.  It means a lot to them to know we are thankful and that we support them!

IRONANDY

El Paso

Last weekend I was back in El Paso…great trip!  It began with a radio interview, then a speaking engagements at Texas State Health Department, then the Pan American Health Organization.  Last but certainly not least, was the EPDA (El Paso Diabetes Association) Walk.  I took place in the Walk then spoke to the crowd afterwards.  There was a great turnout in this event’s 2nd year.  To learn more about EPDA, check out their site at - http://www.epdiabetes.org  I hope to return to the event next year!

IRONANDY

Tri-Cities

Great trip to Tri-Cities area of Tennessee - Tri-Cities is Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol (VA)  I appeared on two local TV shows, spoke at Colonial Heights Middle School and kicked off the Tri-Cities JDRF Walk.  For once, the travel Gods were with me as I was able to get on an earlier flight, then an earlier connection to be in my house at 3:00 pm on Saturday instead of Midnight! 

I would also like to recognize two members of Team Iron Andy who finished the BRUTAL Ironman St. George (Utah) this past weekend.  Jonathan Rigby - fellow type 1 diabetes Iron Athlete completed his 10th IM with a very impressive sub-13 hour time.  Also, Lt. Colonel Chris De Los Santos finshed his 2nd IM.  Apparantly of the 2700 competitors, nearly 1000 DNF (Did Not Finish) that is unheard of as there is usually a better than 90% finish rate.  From what Jonathan told me the water was frigid, the bike had massive hills and wind…as did the run.  I’m glad I skipped that one.  Nice job fellas…Thanks for representing Team Iron Andy proudly!!!

Off to to El Paso this week.

IRONANDY