Superior Athletic Club Strength Challenge

The Superior Athletic Club Strength Challenge was a fundraiser I competed in yesterday. It was great to be able to compete only 30 minutes away from where I live. All the proceeds were donated for homeless teenagers. There were a few ups and downs, but most importantly it was a fun and great atmosphere. This was my third strongman competition. Hopefully this will put a spike in interest in strongman in my area. Strongman is for everyone. 

The first event was a yoke walk at 700 pounds for 80 feet. I made it 70 of the 80 feet. We were allowed one drop. This is the heaviest and furtherest I have done on a yoke. Blood sugars were great going into this event. I was sitting at 116. Afterwards I shot up to 168. Adrenaline can be a major hurdle with control. I bolused and gave myself a bit more than what my pump called for. 

The next event was a log clean and press at 220 pounds for reps in 60 seconds. I finished with 5 reps. I can clean the log fairly easy, but my pressing is not very good. My triceps need more strength. On my last rep I put the log on my toes. This resulted in a laceration on my big toe along with two breaks. I have to meet with an orthopedic surgeon this upcoming week to see if I require surgery. I expected a microwaved hotdog for a toe, but was pleasantly surprised with two breaks. This caused my blood sugars to shoot to 243. 

Next up was an axle deadlift for reps in 60 seconds with 500 pounds. I completed 4 reps. My grip strength failed me here. The blood sugars were dropping now. I manually bolused here a bit because I wanted to get to a normal range for the rest of the competition and worry about going low later. Probably not the best approach. Luckily, I stayed in an optimal range the rest of the day.

The circus dumbbell at 115 pounds was the fourth event. This event is what I was most nervous about. The last few years I have dealt with shoulder issues. Pretty much what it comes down is a lack of strength and mobility. I completed only three reps. My fellow competitors killed this one. My blood sugar was 120 afterwards. 

The final event was a stone over a bar at 236 pounds with no tacky allowed. My goal here was to get at least one rep. By this time in the day I was exhausted and getting really tight. I finished with two reps. Blood sugars were 143 afterwards. 

Overall it was a fun day. It was a first competition for a number of people. I was one of three in the "Elite Men's" category. There weren't any weight classes. I finished in second. It still always amazes me the commraderie amongst competition in strongman. Strongman is a great sport. 

My lessons learned:

Improve overall conditioning

Eat throughout competition

Don't drop heavy things on your toes

Increase tricep and upper body strength

BREAK DIABETES!

Bolusing and Barbells

I went to the doctor last week for results of bloodwork and a general appointment. My bloodwork was great with an A1C of 6.4. The practioner I see changed offices, so I was required to answer some new questions about diet and exercise. I had a difficult time answering some of them. 

The first question was to explain my diet. I did my best to explain how I carb cycle. On lifting days my carbs are a lot higher and non lifting days I keep the carbs to a minimum. My doc didn't get it. I have tried everything under the sun and have had good results with blood sugars from a bunch of different options. I am very thankful for my doc because she doesn't push a high carb ADA recommended diet.

With the carb cycling I am consuming carbs before and while I train. This has helped in a number of ways. I feel stronger, volume has increased and my overall mood has improved. My blood sugars post training have been improved as well. 

One of the other new questions was inquiring about my cardiovascular activity. I explained what I do for strongman. I was asked why I would want to do what I do. My response was that it's fun and rewarding. Lifting is what I enjoy doing. It's a grind and makes me feel like I can run through walls. 

Lifting and competing are very rewarding for me for a number of reasons. I have always enjoyed challenging myself physically. I think being type 1 gives a bit of extra motivation. Type 1 can be very consuming. When I train, I feel like a healthy disease free person. I have never really thought of my disease as a disability like others do. It's a part of who I am. 

This weekend I will be participating in a small local strongman competition. I am excited to compete. I haven't competed since August. There are only a few other competitors. It would have been great if more people would give it a try. Hopefully this comp can bring more interest for the sport of strongman in the Southern Oregon region. I have never found a more close knit community in any other sport. Not too many times in other sports will your competition help you out with advice and pointers. 

 

Whatever it is that you want to do, do it. Don't go half way, don't doubt yourself. Everyone has hurdles to overcome. Heart and character is what counts. 

Part animal part machine! 

Break Diabetes!

Family Support or Burden?

The relatives and loved ones of a type 1 can have a bit of extra responsibilty. Today for example, I gave myself a bit too much insulin and dropped to a blood sugar of 44. I was sweaty, mumbling and half naked on the kitchen floor. It was up to my wife to help me get food while also getting the kids ready for bedtime. I can't be more thankful for her. 

At times, I feel that my disease adds extra stress to my family. It adds me extra stress. If my numbers are off, I am a different person. I am not as patient and have a bad attitude. I am guilty of ruining a Christmas back in 1997 because I was low and didn't come out of it until noon. I was swearing at my grandmother and spitting food out of my mouth that my family tried to get me to eat. Luckily, that was the real wake up call to get my act together and take control of my disease. 

This disease is not a solo mission. My family helped me and still support me to this day. My wife is a saint for putting up with it. 

Financially, T1Ds is a major burden. We added up expenses for taxes over the weekend and I still can't believe how much out of pocket we spend. My Dexcom sensors are around $20 per sensor. A sensor can last one to two weeks. It's recommended that you change them every week, but due to cost I see how long they can last. The longest I have been able to wear one is two weeks. Some of the other expenses are test strips, insulin and my insulin pump supplies. Prices of these vary month to month. Test strips are normally $50-$70 once the deductible is hit. Insulin is around $70 per month as well. My pump supplies is normally around $500 for a few months. For the tightest control, all theses things are needed. 

T1Ds has forced me to rely on some very important people in my life. I am so greatful for all their support they provide me without making my disease my identity. It's a part of my life and they accept 100% of me.

Break Diabetes!