hi everyone, too much to answer all at once! so just a little more on this subject.. Linda, (& Mike) thanks re my brother. When his blood sugar is going low is even during the day. He has a spot in his brain that is not getting enough oxygen (mri), we don't know why, & are not sure what it's causing. (but he's not himself anymore.) I think he has this lifelong fear of it going high, & leans too much in the other direction. he's testing better now, & counting his carbs, etc, but without being able to feel a difference, it's touch & go. My other brother lives in the same house.. (that's another long, related story) & his healthy enough now to get a job, but is afraid to because he has to watch him. they've had some very close calls. I'm trying to help, but am not sure how. he loves to fish. gardens like crazy & built a pond. places guitar mind blowingly well. I'm not sure what he can still do, want to encourage but not depress him. He was diagnosed with type I when he was 9. My other brother (he's 47) was diagnosed when he was 15. He had a kidney/pancreas transplant several years ago, but the pancreas failed. he's lost a couple of toes & part of his foot. But actually, he's doing pretty good. They've both had several eye surgeries. Once my DH & Darren had vitrectomies on the same day! isnt' that weird? Roberta, I put some of that in in case you ever have trouble keeping up with all you're doing... it doesn't sound like it, but most things like that are hard to maintain long term. Did you know that things like blueberries or bilberries strengthen capillary integrity, & esp. in your eyes? I saw a link that might have information you could use sometime. Of course, you might already know about it. I hope you dont' need this but will put it here just in case. http://www.healthylivingonline.com/library/displayNews.cfm?id=90865 ok. next time i'll play with fun stuff like running & injuries!!

Yes, the info on diabetes has been very helpful. I'm glad DH listened to his father, who died of diabetes at 72, and is taking care of himself. His three sisters and one brother are all pretty heavy, so he worries about them. More fun medical news: DH has to have a prostate biopsy and a partial thyroidectomy in the next couple of months. Since he has a bleeding disorder, Factor XI Deficiency, for each procedure he will need to take Novo Seven, a genetically-engineered product that prevents delayed bleeding. I read that it is THE most expensive drug in the hospital pharmacy. The hematologist's office said that each dose will cost either $18,760 or $21,840 a dose, depending on whether the old or new version is in stock. Ack! I'm trying to figure out how much Anthem BCBS will cover, but as usual, they're not being very helpful.

Laurie, what time do you run? What /when do you eat now? I've been wondering about you anyway... you keep getting colds. How much sleep do you get? what's your running / training/ working schedule? (sorry, i've been reading another book. ) congratulations on your successful clinic! I'd like to see your energy bar recipe. I used to make something along that line, just a snack for the kids, but I wonder if it would work for this. That's such a good idea, they would be much cheaper and probably much healthier than most of what's out there. Teresa, i'm losing track. when do you leave for your trip? That is awful about your DH. I hope everything is ok. Have you found out anything from the insurance people? Once I needed an exam by a neurosurgeon. I'd had a recent long term insurance battle about orthotics.. My pcp referred me to a non-participating vendor. Insurance folks kept saying that my dr. would not do that. So, I wrote my own referal? Anyway, before I went to this appt, I wanted to make sure, so I called my doctor to see if the surgeon was covered by my insurance. They didn't know. I called the surgeon, they didn't know. Then, I called my insurance co. They didn't know either. ! So, I cancelled the appt. Yep, not much help! Good luck, your situation is much more critical than mine was!!! Kevin, thanks for the advice, & for the hug . (I forgot about that picture.. ) Your advice was very timely. (right after I was all decided that I had to chill, my massage therapist told me I could run a little if I had to for my head. & so my head ended up all undecided again. )(he meant well). I've read you can't run through them anyway. well, not & get better. Linda, how's your ankle? yikes. yep, Kevin's right. maybe feed them a little less? I think you're right too... let's both be not injured for a while. My ankle's nearly better now... so it's time for yours to be too. Mike, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. That must have been awful, how heartbreaking for you. (You too, Laurie.). Ok, if it's 27, I guess you can dress a little warmer. I looked on my log, I did wear shorts at 30F. But had a jacket & gloves. I mention it because it was funny... some people out there were really bundled up, but a few of the runners had a lot less on than I did. So I felt less goofy. At least, when I went, it was going to start warming up pretty soon. When you go out, it probably doesn't change much. which reminds me, Kevin, how is 'your' Raynaud's this year? What kind of gloves do you wear? I seem to keep getting worse... my hands were white when I was driving home last sunday. They hadn't seemed that cold when I ran, but my hands sweat. I just realized I should bring a couple pairs of gloves & change them (my car is in the middle of my route). that's a no brainer, but I never thought about it before. eliz, I saw you signed up for another 5K. . I had 2 gym trips this week with about 45 min. on the elliptical, & 15 min. on the bike (hurt my shins) & the arc trainer. happily the elliptical & arc trainer didn't make anything hurt. I did my usual stability ball exercises after that, but skipped the weights this week.

deb, toast a cup and a half of rice crispies with 1/2 cup wheat germ, and 1/4 cup sesame seed (I put sunflower seed in too). After toasted mix in a cup of raisins, cup of chopped apricots. Set aside. Boil 1/2 cup honey and 1/2 maple syrup. When boiling mix in 1/2 cup sugar, 1tsp vanilla, 1tsp cinamon and 1 cup peanut butter. When all mixed in and smooth pour over cereal mixture in a 9x13 pan. Fold in and press into pan. Refridgerate for an hour then cut into bars. Yumm. You can add protien powder if you want too. I eat small meals throughout the day. I am going to try sport beans before the run instead of in the middle or end. Maybe some more protien would help. I think a referal to a nutritionist would help. 5 miles today with my old and favorite running partner who was supposed to do the half with me! Yeah! It was the first run together in months and was fun to get caught up on things. Hopefully things will be back to the old us running together. Ran out of energy at 3 miles but ate sport beans and ran 2 more strong. Wierd huh. Where the heck is everyone? Laurie

I'm hiding in VA this week. I might have said something last night, but very carefully packed up my computer at the end of the day and left it sitting at the plant for the night i have it tonight. Laurie--that sounds really good. anything that involves maple syrup and honey can't be too bad! do they stay as bars or are they really soft? i don't run long enough to have had to worry about fueling during, but seems as though you should do it a little while before, since I don't imagine that it gets in your system that quickly. Unless of course, they're magic beans deb--now that you mention it, it hasn't seemed as bad as the past (so far, knocking on wood) I've been taking niacin as a supplement to help reduce triglycerides (I think, can't remember exactly) but my doc said that since a side effect of it is to cause flushing (ie dilation of the capillaries) it may actually help the Raynaud's. it's never really bothered me while running. i tend to wear the one size fits all stretch gloves ($1 a pair) for most of the time. When it goes under 20 I have a pair of thermax liners that I use. Eliz--congtrats again on your highly successful 5K. you did really well. the next one will be even better! I signed up for the Jingle Bell run that I did last year in Dec. I'm hoping for better than last year and much, much better than my last race. Linda--glad you're healing. hope you're back on the roads (and 'mills) soon. Mike, Roberta, Teresa (even though I think you're now in SA) have a good night and hope to hear from everyone soon.

I'm still here, Kevin! I leave a week from tomorrow, gulp. I don't know how I'm going to get everything done. My dad has a laptop, so I'm hoping I can log any running and post here while I'm on the trip. I ordered an outlet converter for SA (traingular pattern of plugs, interesting), so I can use my Garmin 305, too! I'm so addicted. After my long run yesterday, my calves are sore, so I think I'll take a rest day. Maybe finish up some of my long to-do list. Have a great day, everyone!

oops. posted twice.

Mike - congrats on pulling off what certainly sounds like "a big event." When I was still teaching, I had fun (sort of) things and was equally glad once the event was over. Happy running everyone.