When you get the Reds (a la Audrey Hepburn)

Today was not a good day.

With last night's late night I didn't get a run in in the morning so I tried for one after supper. The fact is, I was distracted by a million things and just couldn't get my groove on. Not only that, but you know how something simple can completely break you down when you're upset? So I'm running and my fanny pack is flopping everywhere and I got so mad I wanted to rip it right off. I finally get past that hiccup when my pump goes flying off of my waistband.

Now it may sound funny to those non-diabetics in the audience, but one of the most upsetting things when I'm having an upsetting day is my diabetes getting in the way. This whole running thing seemed challenging but not impossible or incredibly difficult to me. Then the pump flies off and I think to myself 'How on Earth am I going to do this with my Diabetes'. And that ladies and gentleman is how I get in a funk. Like now. I am in a funk now.

I don't want to get anyone down, don't think that. I want to make sure you experience the realism of life with a disease and its general ups and downs. Most days I'm quite chipper with my situation, but some days, some things get in my way and I just can't focus.

Today it was insurance. As of September I am off my parents' plan as I will no longer be a student (6 years was good). Now, for the average human being this is a little anxiety-provoking but nothing major. For me, not finding a good plan could mean thousands of dollars in medical related bills. It's scary. And even when I think it's a good plan, there's something that scares me. Something about the hospital stays, or the prescription coverage, or something. It's scary. Being a Diabetic in this world sucks, and I hate having to think about it.

Sorry today's not a great exciting day like all the rest everyone. Tomorrow I'll run longer.

Running Manners

Wow, isn't this fancy, a morning post :)

Apologies that I did not post last night, but here's my story in brief:

Worked 12-3

Raced Home

Worked again 6-9

Caught a bus to Peterborough 9:20pm

Arrived in Peterborough 2am (stupid late night buses)

Anyway, before yesterday became crazy, I knew exactly what I wanted to discuss. But first, let's tell you some great updates

1) Yesterday I went out an hour earlier on my run like always. I went a kilometer further, pushed myself to run for 3 more chunks than the day before AAAAAND I sprinted for a bit too! It doesn't sound like much to someone who runs regularly, but to me, it's huge.

2) Spoke with the Co-Ordinator for Team Diabetes Canada in our region. She can't combine Jeff and my pledge sites into one but has let me know that we are tagged as a team fundraising together. That just means that if I raise a whole whack of moola and Jeff gets nothing, we will still be able to participate together as they will 'transfer' some of the money in my account to his.

3) Our first fundraising event is booked! We are hosting a TOPLESS Car Wash in Guelph this Saturday, July 4th from 8am-1pm at the ESSO on the corner of College and Edinburgh. Make sure to come take a look ;)

Okay, so, I'm out on my morning run, trying to get into the groove of my iPod (which is only communicating through my right headphone these days), as well as to get past the pain of my socks rubbing against the bit of sunburn on the tops of my feet. It's a nice run. The trails smelt delicious since it rained so hard the night before and it was early enough that not many people were on the trail as I headed out.

There are many standard unspoken rules in the running world. Some I am still learning, but for instance, you move out of the way for someone going faster than you. That's a given.

What I also thought was a given is this. If I'm coming towards you on the trail, just like fellow motorcyclists wave at each other or Jeep owners too, I figured we're all in the same 'club', it's a gorgeous morning for a run....we should smile/nod/say good morning. NOPE.

Not one runner I passed did any of the above. They tend to stare straight ahead ignoring you, or glance at you, look disgusted and keep running. Of course, those of you who know me, know very well that I smiled at every single person that went past. There was even a large contingent of cyclists that went past on my return and I said good morning as each group passed (several times to be sure everyone heard me).

I did this for several reasons. 1) Hopefully soon people will see me being interviewed on the news and think 'Hey, that's the sweet girl that said good morning to us' 2) Maybe I will change someone's manners so they start doing the same 3) It was a damned gorgeous morning and it made me feel even greater about the run to interact with those people!

From now on, I am not only inspiring people to get active and change their lifestyles....I am inspiring the active people to smile and look like they enjoy being active!

Remember you can help inspire me to keep inspiring people through the pledge site!

https://ocp.diabetes.ca/pledge/cspledge.asp?prId=td&oId=10771747&tId=10706

See you at the car wash!

Meeeeeooootivation

Ah, so we're back from our day out on Lake St. Clair, thanks to Jeff's cousin Seri and her husband Dub. What a beautiful day - although I know most people were drenched in rain, we only had a light misting on the lake and then sunshine from 10:30 on....which my kneecaps can attest to.

Which brings up a mental note to self - carry sunscreen on the course in Hawaii or suffer severe 'skin of the Irish' consequences.

I brought in three fish all by myself, and one even was a contender for the biggest catch (that only lasted 5 seconds, but hey, take each victory as it comes!). Why did I enjoy fishing so much? Well, because I knew Jeff would talk about all that he brought in...so I had to do my darnedest to out-do him. I was definitely bragging about the distance of my casts for a significant length of time (that's how you can tell I'm a rookie!).

Either way, this is a nice tie in to today's thought....motivation. What gets us to do things? The challenge, the competition, the accomplishment. All of these and more have motivated me on my way to registering for Team Diabetes Canada, that's for sure.

The challenge - well, we've already been over the fact that I am not an athlete, nor a runner. But I believe my lack of athleticism is not because I can't do it, but rather a lifestyle I was brought up in. Athleticism to me is not a natural ability, but something that takes training (check!) and motivation (triple check!)

The competition - although competition was not huge to me, the idea of possibly, maybe, even .000001% of a chance that I might a) keep up with or b) beat Jeff across the finish line is pretty fun. I like to laugh at him so...good reason!

The accomplishment - hell yeah! Do you realize how many Negative Nancies we have already been faced with? Before we even signed up! People don't think we can raise it, lift it, push it, run it, whatever. Everyone has doubts. And damn won't it be good to say 'SEEEEEEEE????' at the end of it all? My favourite was my Assistant Manager at work who informed me that I should not do it because I'm diabetic. Well sir, that is one reason why I MUST do it. I was raised on the belief that my diabetes is not an excuse for anything - and that includes running a marathon. And hey, if I can do it, than all those 'horizontally challenged' folk out there who are just begging for a dose of Type 2 Diabetes can sure as hell get off their butts and go for a walk.

Sorry. Bit of a rant. Phew.

Along that same line though is the inspiration. Follow with me down Story Lane.

So, Jeff and I are driving back from London tonight and I won't go into detail, but there were a few diabetes related setbacks today. We're driving along the 401 and I pull out my glucometer. Test. High, of course (see the aforementioned setbacks). So then I pull out my vial of Humalog insulin and a syringe (which by the way, I do not use, I am on a pump and only do syringes in emerg situations). Prepare to inject. Jeff turns to me and says 'Baby, you are my hero'.

Yeah. I know. Best words ever. 

And so I told him - that is the greatest thing I could hear. He used to say it a lot, in reference to my diabetes, but hasn't said it as often lately. But as I explained to Jeff, that is part of why I am doing this marathon. Sure I say that I'm glad I have diabetes, and in a way, I am as it has helped me appreciate life and be who I am today. However, really...who wants diabetes? So, if I can bust my butt and inspire someone - that makes me feel like I truly was given this "gift" for a reason. 

Awwww. Okay, moving past the sap.

Final motivation, obviously the cause/fundraising. The cause itself is motivation to me but equally the fundraising is motivation and not as I am sure you believe it is. Rather, every time I get a donation - I get the urge to run. Somewhere out there someone believes in me. Today, (err well yesterday but I saw it today), someone believed in me a whole $250 of belief. How can I not get out there and prove you right! (Daily plug, remember to pledge us...keep me running lol). Either way, I get home tonight sunburnt and tired after a 5am start to the day and all I can think about is getting out for my run before the sun sets. That's what $250, a challenge, an accomplishment, and an inspiration can do.

Needless to say, I did not get on my run. That's because even as I type today's 'entry', I feel as though the whole room is part of a ship out at sea. Wooooooah Nelly!

The Benefits of Running....or something like that

Yep, so it's Day 2 of training and I'm already experiencing a number of physical ailments, from ear aches to shin splints.

Let's start with the good news though - today I got out on my run a whole hour earlier (it was still 10:30, but if I can get out an hour earlier every day, soon it will be 5am!). Not only that but I stayed out an extra 20 minutes and ran for farther than yesterday. Still not the whole distance, but again, it's a development. The run was somewhat relaxing to be honest. 

I say this as though I am surprised because I am. Jeff (boyfriend I am trying not to murder while we train), used to try and get me excited about exercising by saying things like 'Running will make you happy' and 'Exercise will wake you up'. So, happy isn't quite right, but it at least distracted me from all of the worry that was weighing me down when I woke up with only $20 in pledges so far. I came back with a sense of calm - although I think that was more the music I was grooving to as well. Hmm, but my left headphone is busted and I'm only getting partial music. Who knows.

As far as the waking up...still haven't experienced that yet. I came home and immediately tore off my tshirt to stretch in my sports bra. Did I mention we have no AC in our apartment? So, I stretched and then headed for the shower (where again I found myself in very entertaining positions trying to get my sweaty sports bra over my head). After the shower, the most attractive thing to me was........the bed. I laid there with my arms stretched wide, my cat meowing in my ear, and the ceiling fan lulling me to sleep.

Then I remembered the sole $20 donation.

The majority of today was spent brainstorming fundraisers, as we pretty much need to host an event weekly to reach our first $2500 deadline in 6 weeks. There were highs (friends from Niagara agreeing to bake for me!), and lows (the mall needs TWO weeks warning to book a table). It's hard to think we can do it right now, but I'm trying to be positive - and it's those friends (helping with baking, joining our Facebook group, brainstorming about documentaries, and just plain old saying we can do it) who will get us to the finish line!

So, on that note, tonight we are heading to London so we can get an early morning on the lake with Jeff's cousin, Seri and her hubby Dub (hehe hubby dubby). Anyway, for non-fishers, this weekend is bass opener. It's kind of a big deal. Maybe I will get a run in tomorrow, maybe not. But since I'm dealing with shin splints and random earaches, a day off might be good. And the lake might distract me from the looming $2500 deadline!

Remember to donate follow a link below:

For Annie: https://ocp.diabetes.ca/pledge/cspledge.asp?prId=td&oId=10771747&tId=10706

For Jeff: https://ocp.diabetes.ca/pledge/cspledge.asp?prId=td&oId=10771803&tId=10706

Decision Day

Oh......my.......god......

Did I really just do that? Mmmmmm yeah I did. Frig. Bare with me while I do some math. Oh my god.

Oh right, what did I just do? I registered for a marathon. Yup. Me. The one my baseball team used

 to tease for my running skills. I think I have gone crazy.

Oh, also, I should mention, I have 24 weeks to train for this marathon. Yuuuup. But my book says I can do it in 20....so that's good. Painful. But good.

Oh AAAAAAAAND I have to raise $6100 by November 13th to participate (the first deadline is $2,500 by August 7th).

This is scary. YET AWESOME! I am so excited. For anyone who has ever seen my list of life goals, this is going to get TWO taken care of.

I have been a diabetic pretty much my entire life...I've had ups and downs...from great blood sugar results to a 3-day coma. So, needless to say, the opportunity to raise over $5,000 for Diabetes research is one I cannot pass up. Add to that the ability to inspire my friends and family to become more active in their lives (if Queen Couch Potatitus can run for several hours at a time, so can you!) and thereby reduce the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes. It's a win-win.

Well, until we consider the rashes, blisters, muscle aches....but right now I'm on a high. Don't take that away!

And guess what. Today I did my first run for training. And yes, it is friggin hot today. I went out for 40 minutes and did a full-tilt run for....well, like, 5 minutes. But still, I was moving fast enough to cause a perma-burn in my thighs that has yet to fade. And after getting out of the shower, my face was still quite hot from the increase in my heart rate.

What an amazing feeling.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my blog. I know I want to document this entire experience so if I can connect with you as I do it - that will be perfect! So please stay tuned here and live vicariously through me as I attempt the following:

1) Run 42.195 kilometres by December 13

2) Raise $2500 by August 7, and a total of $6100 by November 13th

3) Be alive to go to Honolulu and run the marathon

4) Fit in spandex...and get out of it after my morning run

5) Not murder my boyfriend as he attempts to train and fundraise alongside me....and of course attempts to beat my finish time by an hour and a half (I may have set my goal too low to account for long pauses and sitting)

In advance - thank you all for the outstanding support you will be giving to us over the next 6 months....in words, thoughts, running with us, and pledging us!

Which reminds me, you can donate right now online at

https://ocp.diabetes.ca/pledge/cspledge.asp?prId=td&oId=10771747&tId=10706

Remember, if it's not a challenge, it's not awesome!