Newly diagnosed 57 yr old Type 2 Diabetic, BMI 24, 10 units insulin/day: Can I get back in shape to climb Mt Rainier in 2010??
Help anyone? I was just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 8 weeks ago and out-of-shape. I'm male, 57 yrs old, 158 lbs, 5'8" with a BMI of 24, started on Lantus insulin 20 units/day at diagnosis. At diagnosis, I almost immediately started a low glycemic, mostly plant-based diet and have been walking 6 miles/day alternating with elliptical workouts and recently began weight lifting. I'm now on only 10 units per day with average fasting glucose of 84 in the morning. My BIG question: If I keep this training program up without straining ligaments/muscles/etc, is it possible that I could return to mountain climbing to a point where I could summit Mt Rainier?? Or am I too old for this? Is it too late to try this? Does anyone have any advice on how to prepare for a person of my age? Does anyone know another type 2 diabetic about my age who has successfully done this? I don't want to get my hopes up...What's realistic? -Much Thanks!!
Jack,
I have just two words regarding whether or not you should attempt Mt. Ranier: Shit yeah! For starters, being a 58 year old type 1 myself, 57 doesn't sound old at all. Your decision should end up being a matter of when you're planning the climb (can you easily achieve your target fitness goal by then), your comfort level in managing your newly diagnosed type 2 (being able to adjust insulin needs according to heavy vs light exercise days) and eventually tweaking the gear you'll be carrying to include managing the probable hypoglycemic episodes, insuring insulin cannot freeze, etc. But in that order. Your confidence while in the mountains is critical as well. Are you going self-supported or with guides (RMI or others)? It sounds like you're off to a good training start. Stay focused on that and this group will be a great source for other needs as they arise. DP has summited Ranier and will doubtless have some good suggestions.
Good luck!
Jeff
Good points Jeff. Thanks. I went to the RMI website. They give some good pointers but no endpoints about "when I know I'll be ready." I talked to them a couple years ago when they told me 4 of 10 Rainier climbers are in their 50's and 1 in 20 in their 60's...probably a 'bucket list' & clock phenomena. RMI gives lots of pointers that I will implement but they don't alert me as to when I might be ready with any rough metrics for folks my age (e.g., 5 miles in 50 minutes? carry 50 pounds 5 miles in 90 minutes? do X lunges/squats with Y% of your weight as barbells in 3 sets of 15 reps? etc., etc.). Guess I'll keep looking. I'm up to seven miles or more per day (did 10.2 last week) but I think I need to kick up the speed some. I did 5 miles in under 60 minutes last week (12 minute miles) so I have a ways to go. When I started this in late May, I could do 4 miles slowly, so I am getting much better. I'm thinking that since this is 2009, somebody SOMEWHERE must have a chart of some kind that tells a person what kind of exercise combinations and what exercise target goals (measurable) are reasonable for doing different things by persons of various ages and weight...? Then toss in diabetes...Hmmm. I'm just learning the food thing which is complicated by itself. How will food intake change on a strenuous hike--will be my next problem I guess. I'm now down to 8 units insulin per day so that's moving in the right direction. Looks like I'll have to gain muscle mass to get insulin needs to drop much further. At the moment, my hiking thoughts are just take a lot of extra food and a lot of glucose strips and be ready to adjust insulin doses. About Rainier, if it turns out to be possible, I'd probably go via camp muir arriving there about 5pm, then eat & sleep until 1AM (day 1); and then summit day 2 in early morning around 7 or 8AM by leaving camp muir toward the summit at around 1AM or 2AM. I think that's pretty typical. I led a rope team in my twenties but turned back when a rope team member got altitude sickness between muir and summit. Back then I ran 5.5 minutes miles, etc. I had been trained by the Mountaneers basic course (...but I've forgotten more than I remember!). I just picked up the latest FreedomOfTheHills edition to re-educate.
I'm now thinking that I best keep progressing not too quickly to avoid tendon, muscle or bone damage--while keeping blood glucose between 70 to 140 by eating low glycemic meals six times daily to avoid high glucose peaks--but still eating enough protein to put back 5 or 10 pounds of muscle that I lost prior to my diagnosis. I'm hearing that may take a year at my age. I picked up an Elliptical machine for rainy days and got some free weights for weight training (which I haven't yet systematized yet...Iguess you can easily hurt yourself with weights unless you do this properly/slowly). I dunno. I think I'll keep progressing a while longer and learn a bit more before I commit with confidence that, "I'm going to Rainier!" But the thought is tantalizing at the moment. ...If dp can do it, can I? Hmmm...
Sounds like you are on the right track!! I will confess to you that I was twenty years your junior (37 years old) when I was on Rainier, but you are likely not the oldest diabetic who has reached its top. Many a diabetic foot hath traipsed across the Columbia Crest....
You want metrics? I say hike up/gain 1000 meters in one hour. Gaining fitness for this project is going to be a great thing for your diabetes control. And I totally agree that your training needs to be sustainable AND fun!
Good luck preparing!
dp
I came across this book which might be helpful to you: http://www.bodyresults.com/p1rainier.asp
Jeff
I read the reviews and think I'll order this right away. Thanks Jeff. Great idea. One possible downside: I don't think this DVD addresses 50 & 60-somethings. I'm curious though what 50/60-somethings can do with 6-month workout programs. These guys say, "If you can't carry a 30 lb pack at 3.5mph for at least an hour, then you're not ready for Rainier." Hmmm...I think I might be able to do that if I work at it. Right now I can probably do 4mph for 90 minutes without a pack. Hmmm...but 30lbs is a lot for that speed and time...
As usual, Jeff's suggestions are good ones. In many ways age can give one better perspective and an ability to ratchet down the youthful exhuberance which can sometimes get one in trouble. (though I wish I had that youthful exhuberance!!)
Mt. Rainier (or any glacier slog on a volcano where summit day is 4000+ ft (1500+m)) takes quite a bit of fitness and some snow/ice experience for it to be fun. I'd suggest contacting the companies who guide there and see what they suggest in terms of fitness and training. Good luck and let us know how it's going!
dp
Thanks dp. Have you summitted Rainier and were you in my age range when you did it? And what level of "measured" condition were you in at the time (e.g., what distance, how fast, how much weight training, etc)? Have any more specific thoughts?
HI Jack,
Reading your blog has been quite encouraging. I'm in a simular situation with the same dream. I had hopes of climbing Rainer this Summer. But as I work toward that goal I realize I may not be in good enough shape by then. I have a much longer way to go than you. But I will keep working at it and hope for next year. BTW, If you or anyone else has any suggestions on to keep insulin from freezing while on a climb, I would apprechiate the feedback.
Thanks,
Emmy