Losing Weight, Scotland and More...

So 2.5 weeks ago, I started a marathon plan. I also set out on a plan to lose ten pounds to get myself to my peak marathon weight before the plan got too intense. I had a good first week and then lost five days of running due to a miserable bug. Here's what's up:

Since the bug left, I've run seven days in a row. I've got two more scheduled before a rest day on Friday. Today's a short recovery run and tomorrow's an interval workout. Because I've been pretty good about going easy on the easy days, I'm feeling pretty fresh.

Most surprising, I've already dropped eight of the ten pounds I wanted to lose. This is good, because pretty soon the miles are going to be piling up and dieting when you're running 50 miles a week really isn't a good idea.

I'm no dietitian, but here's how I've managed to lose most of the weight:
1) Switched from cereal to oatmeal for breakfast. If I had to pick one thing, this is the big one, as I don't even get a little hungry now until 1.
2) For my lunch, I'm having peanut butter with celery. Not a big lunch, but the fiber from the celery keeps me from getting too hungry until supper.
3) I used to have two cans of Gatorade after running. 43 carbs worth. Now, I'm drinking diet soda. This would be a bad move in the summer, but I'm ok with it in the winter.
4) I quit drinking alcohol for a week and switched to light beer after that.
5) I've increased my caffeine intake. Not to crazy levels, mind you, but I had myself down to a little more than one coffee and two sodas per day. Now... well, let's just say I'm having more.

Reading that, it sounds rather unhealthy. I say: so is running a marathon with ten pounds of excess baggage.

One of the cool things about being diabetic is you can see how much insulin you're taking during the day (assuming your blood sugars are in control) and you can pretty much tell if you're overeating or not. In the book "Pumping Insulin," they suggest a total insulin dosage of 42.5 units for a 170 lb. man, 40 for 160 and 37.5 for 150. (Your mileage may vary.)

When I'm firing on all cylinders, I typically weigh 157 and will consume enough insulin for about a 170 lb. man, due to the added carbs needed for distance running. In the past two weeks, I've averaged 35 units of insulin - the approx. dosage for a 140 lb. man, but have also ran about 30 miles per week (aside from the layoff). In doing so, I've gone from 167 to 159.

In other news, I'll be heading to the UK in a week, starting in Scotland for two days, followed by five in London. It's a work trip, so it'll be hard fitting the miles in, but there's no better way to see a place than running it. We'll be in Edinburgh first - where the World Cross Country Championships were last year. I've got no idea if the course is marked, public or open, but that's at least one goal I've got when I'm there. And if I can shed the last two pounds before I get there, I won't mind if I eat well and gain a few back. There's always more celery when I return...

The Best Laid Plans....

Why do I even attempt Spring marathons?

Last year, I hurt myself after three weeks of training. This year, after a flawless first week, I got the sore throat from hell. It's only now beginning to abate and I haven't run a step in five days.

It appears to be getting a little better so I'll try to resume tomorrow.

I wouldn't say all hope's lost as the plan's pretty easy at this point, but nevertheless, hardcore training in this part of the country at this time of the year is difficult to say the least. But I'm going to try to be zen about it, remind myself that the marathon's a long way away and I won't even sign up for at least two months. At least, that's the idea.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Diabetic Heroes Welcomed in 2009

Last year when the Medtronic Global Heroes program opened up for 2008, I had a lot to say on the subject. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and Medtronic vowed to allow old diabetics to apply. They've just opened up applications for 2009 and - true to their word - there's no line about older diabetics being ineligible.

For the record, I've never applied to the program and am unsure if I'll apply this year. I think it's an awesome program, but I'm more concerned with qualifying for Boston. However, if you're a diabetic marathoner, I encourage you to do so.

Hal & I Are Going to Delaware

Today starts my 18 week training program for the Delaware Marathon. This time around, I'm using the Hal Higdon Advanced Plan 1. Various thoughts:

* Most important, I think training in January and February is tough. Thus, I haven't registered for the marathon, and won't until deep into training. However, I'm in better shape than I was in this time last year, so I think it makes sense to go for it.

* The biggest difference with this plan is two-fold: greater emphasis on middle-long runs and shorter short days. Previously, I was loyal to the long run, but never went further than six miles the other days. Hal has me doing lots of tens later in the training, which I think is a good thing.

* However, this plan only has 3 20's (though there's also a 19, so frankly, you may as well call it 4). My last one had five. However, I do think I tapered a bit early last time out, soooo...

* My travel schedule is so-so this spring. I've got a week long trip to the UK and another trip to Chicago planned, so those weeks will be tough. But otherwise, time won't be too bad.

* Hal has me resting on Fridays and running Sat. & Sun. This isn't exactly ideal for me and will mean losing some sleep. However, he has me doing a lot more short easy days than I'm used to, so I'm hoping that compensate a bit.

* This plan will be fueled by Hammer. Not sponsored by them, mind you. In fact, I'll be paying them. However, it's a switch from previous marathons.

* During the first month of the plan, while mileage and intensity are low, I'm going to be trying like mad to lose weight. Sadly, I'm ten pounds heavier than my first marathon. While that puts me right at an "ideal weight" according to the sites that measure such things, I've got no interest in carrying ten pounds of fat around the streets of Wilmington. Thus today, I resigned from the beer club at work and am going to have to make a conscious effort to lose a winter's worth of peanut butter cups and Guinness pints. It won't be fun, but....

* The whole plan here is run 3:15. Not 3:10, like I stupidly tried to do last time. 3:15. 3:15. 3:15. No faster. No slower. Get to Boston and be done with it...