Since I’ve been picking up a string of comments about my Camp Glyndon post, I set up a Facebook group as a place for former campers (counselors too, of course) to re-connect.

Check out the Hey Camp Glyndon group.

If someone has a better logo, please send it my way. That is the best I could whip up on short notice. And find some old photos! Who still has a t-shirt?

Did you know... 118,000 (15.1%) American Indians and Alaska Natives aged 20 years or older have diabetes (both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes). Taking into account population age differences, American Indians and Alaska Natives are 2.2 times as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. (from ADA)
See more diabetic facts...

A few months back i ranted a bit about the Medtronic Global Heroes program which discriminated against over 40 runners or ones with diabtetes more than 15 years for the Minneapolis Marathon.

Who would have guessed, they are dropping these conditions for 2009 according to an email I just received:

Alan,
Thank you for your previous comments regarding the Medtronic Global Heroes program and its guideline related to runners with diabetes. As you know, under that guideline, runners with diabetes older than 40 who were diagnosed with diabetes more than 15 years ago were ineligible to apply.

As promised, Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. and the Medtronic Foundation committed to review and re-evaluate this guideline following the close of the 2008 program applications. We thought you would like to know that we are removing this guideline for the 2009 program.

Of course, runner safety remains the primary concern of both Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. and the Medtronic Foundation. However, our organizations agree with feedback from the Global Hero selection committee that the current application and registration process ensures runner safety without applying the age restrictions.

Future selections will rely on an applicant’s personal running and health history, along with that runner’s physician approval, as the primary determinant, not age or disease longevity.

Again, we thank you for your feedback and interest in this program. We hope you will consider reapplying, or refer others that would enjoy the Global Heroes experience.

i doubt it means much for me as I am for now, retired from running, but felt it was worth sharing with a bit of Hallelujah.

Yep, I truly hate running. still

I Think I Remember These

Originally uploaded by cogdogblog.

I am still trying to figure out if I want to keep running. I am pretty PO-ed about the Medtronic “you must be under 40 to run our race” flap, which might be enough motivation to train.

I’ve pretty much given up interest in Medtronic’s Global Heroes program, which purports to recognize runners who’s lives rely on medical devices (many of them, ahem, who run with Medtronic devices, aka customers):

Running long distances was never meant to be easy. It becomes even harder when the body becomes a barrier. For runners diagnosed with medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, spinal disorders, chronic pain or neurological disorders, that is the reality. Yet the passion for running remains.

Medtronic proudly recognizes these runners as Global Heroes

They select 25 runners a year, fly them to Minneapolis in October, and sponsor their participation in the Twin Cities Marathon.

Cue the orchestra rising to a glorious crescendo.

And then there is a screech from the violin section, a trumpet squeaks, and the drums crash to the floor.

Under their guidelines it rains this parade, right after the cheery opening:

A Global Hero is a runner. An inspiration. A person whose life has been improved by medical technology.

comes this crushing blow:

Runners 40 years and older, who have had diabetes for more than 15 years, are ineligible. Learn more

As I already said, they pretty much say “Old Heroes Not Wanted”.

People like Team Diabetes fellow runner Jerry Nairn, diabetic pump user, who was run 43 marathons after age 40. Unlike me, who also started late, and pretty much runs at the pace of “enough to finish”, Jerry is a competitive runner, like Boston qualifying level.

So they recently added that little “learn more” statement which I find all more baffling.

Under those guidelines, the TCM [Twin Cities Marathon] medical director determined that runners older than 40, who have been diagnosed with diabetes for more than 15 years, are not currently eligible for the Global Heroes program. This decision was based on increased cardiovascular risks, including a rise in sudden death from atherosclerotic causes, associated with the longevity of diabetes in people older than 40.

So this was the decision of one person. I guess the TCM medical director know my medical condition better than my own doctor? I cannot wait to tell Dr B that his assertions of my good health are wrong.

Where exactly is the medical proof for this assertion? That ALL people at these conditions are at risk for death by running. WHERE IS THE MEDICAL EVIDENCE? cause it runs against everything I have read in more than 37 years of being diabetic.

And then there is this head scratcher:

Each year the criteria for the Global Heroes program is reviewed and re-evaluated. In fact, the guidelines for diabetes were revised from 2007 to 2008, making more runners eligible by adding the qualifier of “diagnosis for more than 15 years” to the age requirement.

Let me try to understand the logic here.

1. Guidelines in 2007 made ineligible diabetic runners over age 40.
2. Guidelines in 2008 added an condition to ineligibility “who have been diagnosed with diabetes for more than 15 years”

How the #^@% does this make MORE runners eligible? The wheels on that logic have fallen off the cart or I need more coffee this morning.

At age seven, when I first went to diabetic camp (yeah Camp Glyndon, which is no more), I heard all the messages that by taking care of myself, I Could Do Anything. There were no asterisks.

This entire situation is a direct slap in the face to any one of the 20+million US diabetics who may even dream of being long time fit, active, and healthy… “If you take care of yourself using the best care available, insulin pumps”, stay physically fit, you are rewarded by being told after age 40 and having been diabetic 15 years you should not be doing this”

I for one, remain totally dismayed by this entire fair. I’ve not run in 2 months since finishing my first marathon — I am in no way blaming Medtronic and their Colossally Stupid Guidelines, as there are other noise going on in my life, by I will say that aiming to be a Global hero (I was nominated by a very nice lady named Catherine), someone to be “An inspiration. A person whose life has been improved by medical technology.” is not a motivator at all to strap on the running shoes.

If you are a runner with diabetes, if you know someone who is, if you are a medical professional, read their words that are supposed to help you “learn more” — and then as they suggest, send your feedback, ask for justification and medical proof for this arbitrary age discrimination to mtcm.globalheroes@medtronic.com since, in theory, “Your input will continue to help us continue to evaluate this program.”

Heroes Wanted.

Must be Under 40.

WTF?

During my training for the last marathon, I had some wonderful comment and email exchanges from Catherine W, and a ton of support there. ironically, she works and lives in Phoenix though we never met (and certainly not on race day as she was way ahead of my time).

She wrote me about a neat program from Medtronic, makers of my insulin pump, their Global Heroes program, “Celebrating the passion and accomplishments of runners who benefit from medical technology”:

Running long distances was never meant to be easy. It becomes even harder when the body becomes a barrier. For runners diagnosed with medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, spinal disorders, chronic pain or neurological disorders, that is the reality. Yet the passion for running remains.

Medtronic proudly recognizes these runners as Global Heroes, in a first-of-its-kind program that brings people running from around the world with medical devices to Minnesota to run in Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon events.

In 2008, up to twenty-five Global Heroes will be selected and awarded their Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile Race entry fees, an exclusive travel package, recognition throughout the race, and a $1,000 grant to an associated patient organization.

Catherine went on to nominate me, and my excitement level was high until I got an email asking me to verify their program guidelines where it says:

Runners 40 years and older, who have had diabetes for more than 15 years, are ineligible.

WTF?

Why would a program rule out people who have dealt with an illness a long time and still are able to run distances? What does it say about a program that only wants young heroes? I am struggling to even see a reason for such a thing.

I am crushed.

Is this my first time of age discrimination?

I am crushed. Why should I get back running nextw eek if I am too old or have lived healthy with diabetes too long?

I am crushed.

Update: Upon asking the reasn “why” via e-mail, this is the explanation:

I apologize that you are not eligible for the program. The health and safety of our Global Heroes is of utmost importance to us. We worked closely with Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon medical staff in developing medical criteria for all potential Global Heroes.

As cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes mellitus increase with longevity of the disease, with a rise in risk of sudden death from atherosclerotic causes for people over 40, it was determined to limit the age of diabetic runners.

Every year the medical criteria for the Global Heroes program will be reviewed and re-evaluated. Your input will help us during this evaluation process.

You want review? YOUR PROGRAM SUCKS. What exactly is the message you promote? That people over 40 or have lived with diabetes 15 years should not be active? This is shameful, shameful, and I am making it my new mission to let as many people know as possible.

I know my health much better than some “medical staff”.

Pffftttttt on you and your program.

Yep.

The running shoes are in the closet.

I might be riding shotgun on the Excuse Train, buy to be honest, my life has been turned upside down (separation, move out of house, sadness) and now I live full time in Strawberry.

Hey, its cold here! There’s snow today! Great excuses? Not really.

People have written telling me how therapeutic running is. Sounds nice.

So my goal is just to do one run the next day I see sunshine (and the roads are not a muddy mire here).

Oh, yes, ther blog shall not be renamed “I Love Running”- the hate is still there, not a nasty evil “hate”, just a “I cannot pretend I dont feel this way” hate.

Thanks for the many nice messages I got after announcing completion of my first marathon. It is a big deal, and I know that stat about less than 1% of Americans can say the same.

I feel fortunate in that I had only minor soreness in the thighs for one day afterward, and feel great now. In fact, the whole run is seemingly a blur and I am sure I am forgetting how horrible miles 22-25 were.

Since then, I;ve not run- the advice from Coach Dave was resting a day for each mile run, so that’s time off til early February, and then from there decided what to do– Valley of the Sun Half Marathon in March??

On Sunday, I enjoyed a fairly strenuous hike down and out of Fossil Creek Canyon, 8 miles total and at least 1000, maybe 1500 feet of elevation change.

Cross this one of my life list. I completed a full marathon. It was not heroic, fast, not really “fun”. The final time was 5:26:01 just withing my secret, unblogged goal of 5:30. I came in 5264th place! That New Zealander in first place could have lapped me (he finished in something like 2:15, how do people do that?).

I want to send a big thanks to everyone who encouraged me, a double thanks for my sponsors, the folks who responded to my twitter messages. A big extra thanks go to Eric and family for showing up near mile 10, and a huge thanks to Travis and Britt for cheering me through mile 25. That was awesome.

All in all, the first half was great and second… not great.

The day was perfect, a total contrast to the 2007 FreezeFest. I knew it would get hot, so started in my shorts and singlet. I saw people shedding all kinds of sweats, garbage bags, gloves as soon as the sun came out. I got downtown in plenty of time, we had our Team-D meetup/photo, and I was primed:

All in all, I likely went out a bit too fast, as I started to fade past the halfway point. Here’s the splits which show a sliding pace…

1. 10:40
2. 10:42
3. 10.53
4. 11:27
5. 10:15
6. 11:07
7. 11:00
8. 15:00 (bathroom break, sent twitter message via phone)
9. 10:33
10. 11:47 (stopped briefly to greet friends)
11. 10:47
12. 11:06
13. 10:54
14. 11:50
15. 11:31
16. 12:02 (uh-oh starting to slow)
17. 12:19
18. 13:47 (yes, getting tired)
19. 13:12
20. 14:46 (started walk intervals, sent twitter message, to tired to spell)
21. 14:20
22. 13:22
23. 17:55 (ugh!mostly walked)
24. 14:31
25. 13:51 (picked up a bit more slow running)
26. 13:38

He’s Smiling; Is It Real?

Some favorite t-shirts seen today (there was a lot, but my memory got fuzzy)

• “The only easy day is yesterday”
• “Marathon Virgin” (2 of em)
• “Another LSD* Marathon” (Long Slow Duration)

All I can say is.. .I Am DONE! and the name of this blog stays as it is.

Marathon Gear

Originally uploaded by cogdogblog.

It’s time to try and get some restful sleep before that alarm is chirping at 4:30 am. All my marathon gear is ready, fresh songs on the mp3 player. I am hoping to set out in just the singlet, mid morning today was pretty toasty warm.

The gloves I’ll toss in the gear bacg; I have some old tube socks if I need some cheap gloves.

Okay, what am I forgetting?

Oh well…. Next blog entry should be the big recap of hopefully a completed 26.2 day on the streets

Got Gear?

Coach Dave and Julie from ADA

Geeez, such a tall Coach! Thanks Dave

Just got back from our Team Diabetes Carbo Loading pasta dinner, our last gathering before the marathon Sunday. I was proud to be among the 53 who made it through the 22 week training season, and we all remarked how quickly the time went. In reviewing the history, our local Team Diabetes is the only one left in the US after it was dropped by the ADA as a national program in 2003. There are active teams in Canada and Australia.

This year we raised nearly $75,000 for the ADA and over $500,000 over the 5 years of the program. Still, more and more people are being diagnose every year. Maybe of more people ran marathons….

I’d like to acknowledge my former colleague Gaye for being convinced to try to train for this effort, and being successful at it, and wish her well on her 1/2 marathon walk.

And ditto for everyone else on the Team, and regrets I was gone so much this year to hardly get to know many of you. Let;s make those red shirts fly on Sunday! Go Team D!

Oh, and a big thank for my Canadian friends who just stepped up with some generous pledges, thanks! Cannot wait to thank you in person in February.

So time to rest, drink lots of water, and not get too anxious about TWENTY SIX POINT TWO FREAKIN MILES!