Diablo Century - April 17, 2011

Erin and I signed up to do this century after finding out the Cinderella Challenge we were training for was not a century.  We considered the Cinderella Challenge a training ride for this century. 

We left my house at 5:15 to arrive at the start by 6:00 so we could be ready to check in at 6:30 and ready to roll.  We arrived right on time at 5:58 and were "mostly ready" by 6:30.  Long story short, we rolled out of the parking lot at 6:47, the sun was just coming up.  100 mile riders left between 6:30 and 7:30, the 100k riders were to leave between 7:30 and 8:30.

first rest stop

I started off with three layers on my top.  I decided not to wear leg warmers so my legs were a little chilly but after a few miles, I didn't even notice and was glad I didn't have to carry them.  The first rest stop was at 17 miles.  On the way there, I came upon three guys that were going at a pretty good pace and showing good riding etiquette (pointing out hazards, announcing moves, etc.) so Erin and I got behind them for the majority of the way to the rest stop.  The way there was very nice rolling hills through beautiful residential areas.  At the rest stop I ate a miniature bagel with cream cheese, stripped off a layer and off we went to climb up Mount Diablo. 

I was unfamiliar with this route to Mt. Diablo.  As a matter of fact, I was unfamiliar with this entire 100 mile route I was doing.  We had no ride leader to tell us what was coming up either.  About this time we were really missing our other princesses we have been training and riding with since January.

Now it was time for the big climb of the ride - Morgan Territory.  I took off my wind breaker in preparation for the climb.  The only time I have ridden up to Mt. Diablo, I went up on the western side.  That road was two lanes and a mellow, steady climb with nothing *too* steep.  This was the eastern side of the mountain.  The road got narrow and it got very steep.  It was beautiful and tree covered though.  I was continually being passed by people that looked like very accomplished cyclists.  This was becoming much different than the fun, casual, all female Cinderella ride we did two weeks ago.  I was getting more and more discouraged by the minute.  As the road got steeper, the further behind I felt like I was getting, even though this wasn't a race.  I kept wanting to stop and I couldn't figure out why I had signed up to do something like this.  Since it was just Erin and I, I was trying to make sure we stayed together.  I would pull over and wait for her every once in a while, during the climb.  She was never far enough behind me so I could catch my breath very far behind me and when she saw me she would just wave and keep rolling on by. 

Mt. Diablo, here we come

We finally made it to the second rest stop, the top of Morgan Territory at mile 33.  How it could only be mile 33 was beyond me.  I was BEAT!  I had absolutely no clue how I was going to continue another 67 miles.  I ate some peanut butter and pretzel sticks, put my wind breaker back on because of the very steep descent that was coming up.  As soon as we left the rest stop we climbed up a little more and went smack into the thick, cold fog.  Very thick.  It was a long descent and I took it very fast, enjoying every second of it.  Suddenly, I was feeling a lot better.

At the bottom of the hill, the course split off - 100 mile riders to the left, 100k riders to the right.  Erin doesn't enjoy downhill portions as much as I do so I waited for her for a little while.  Believe me, if she would  have even hinted to me that she wanted to go to the right, I would have gone, no questions asked.


view from the top

The next rest stop was in Sunol at mile 55.  This was the best rest stop EVER!  They were making turkey and cheese sandwiches.  OMG, they were delicious.  I had three quarter pieces, a bag of corn chips and some boiled potatoes.  I was finally starting to feel like I could do this thing.  I was coming to life again and it was a good feeling.  I was over half way there. 

From there we got onto Foothill, taking it to Dublin Canyon Road.  I was feeling good and ended up pulling far ahead of Erin, knowing she had someone back there keeping her company.  I passed up a couple of guys on a hill and they rolled up next to me at a light.  One of them commented on my bike, saying it was pretty cool the bar tape and cable housing matched the colors in the bike.  He asked me my name and introduced himself as Bart.  When we turned onto Dublin Canyon he told me to "feel free to draft".  As soon as we turned east and I felt the headwind, I had no problem tucking in behind him.  Sadly though, the climb and the wind kept me from sticking with him very long.  But, his friend was slower than me on climbs so he did keep turning around and going back for him so I did get to use him a few more times.  He was more than willing to help me out, a very nice guy (as you will see later).

We entered Castro Valley and went onto Redwood Road, another tough climb.  Nothing like Morgan Territory but it was L-O-N-GGGG.  I tried not to look up the road too often but it seemed like every time I did, it just kept climbing and there was no end in sight.  Matter of fact, this is when I thought up this nice little poem and I kept repeating it over and over and over as I climbed up Redwood Road.

I do not like this Redwood Road

This Redwood Road I do not like

I do not like this Redwood Road

Especially riding up it on a bike!

Maybe half way up, I got a flat.  My first flat ever and I was riding alone.  Perfect!!  I turned my bike upside down and took the tire off.  Oh, who's this I see coming around the corner?  Bart!  He jokingly asked if I was pulled over waiting for him to catch up.  I told  him the obvious, I had a flat.  He got off his bike and immediately went to work with my tire irons.  Since I've never changed a flat, I watched intently and thanked him and his friend Dwight immensely for their help.  Every rider that went by asked if we were alright and one SAG vehicle pulled over to make sure we had everything we needed.  Erin came flying by and said she would wait for me at the rest stop just a few miles ahead.

Bart and Dwight

the final rest stop

This was the final rest stop and left us 22.5 miles to the finish of our first century.  They had candy here.  I think I heard angels singing. 

I had some more peanut butter.  This time it was covered in chocolate and called itself Reese's.  We asked how the rest of the ride was.  I was not in the mood for any more climbing.  Lord have mercy, tell me we have no more climbing.  One of the SAG vehicle drivers asked us if we were "feeling strong".  I asked her why she wanted to know?  Was there something she needed to tell us?  She explained the roads and said there *was* more climbing but nothing like we had just done on Redwood Road.  Then, my answer was yes, we felt strong.

Pinehurst Road

Pinehurst Road was our next and final climb.  Knowing this did make it much easier.  I was playing leap frog with a guy until finally at a light we linked up and rode the final 17 miles together.  At least it was company and he was great at pointing out hazards in the road.  We came up on Bart and Dwight in the final seven miles so all four of us rode to the finish together.  They all knew this was my first century and cheered loudly for me when we pulled into the parking lot.  I was at the back of my car, just letting Keith and Sara know I had made it when I see Erin pull in.  She had the biggest smile on her face.  We hugged, high-fived and took a photo to remember the moment. 

We changed our shoes and put our bikes in the car before checking in and enjoying the barbecue that was prepared and waiting for us.  Chicken, salad, vegetarian pasta and fruit.  We sat at a table with four people we had seen throughout the final 45 miles of the ride and talked about the ups and downs (literally) of the ride.  We were all punch-drunk-happy.  I think all but one of them were first time century riders.

Erin and I were having trouble believing we actually completed a century.  I'm very proud of Erin and I'm even proud of myself.  I'm still soaking it all in.  It was quite an accomplishment.  It wasn't easy.  At several points in the ride, I was convinced I would not make it the entire way. 

But, I did make it the entire way.  I couldn't be happier about it.

Thanks for reading.

"MED2011 Accountability:
04/08 - 1.5 mile walk
04/09 - 1 mile walk, 40 mile bike ride, 1.5 mile walk
04/10 - 1 mile walk, Body Pump, 1.25 mile walk
04/11 - 1 mile walk, Body Pump, 2 mile walk
04/12 - "Camp24" class
04/13 - 1.65 mile walk, Body Pump, 2 mile run
04/14 - 2 mile walk
04/15 - 4 mile hike, 1 mile walk
04/16 - 3 mile run
04/17 - 100 mile bike ride!
04/18 - 2 mile walk


Until later.............

Cinderella Challenge Ride - April 2, 2011

As you know, I began training for this ride with Fremont Freewhelers back in January.  Each Saturday our rides were longer and more challenging.  This training series was absolutely perfect because when Saturday came and the ride was done, I easily could have kept on riding.

The ride started and ended at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds.  We were all meeting across the street at a business complex.  One of the women in our group works there and was kind enough to open up the parking lot to us and the building too, so we could use the bathrooms prior to riding over to check-in.  We met at 6:30 a.m. hoping for a 7:00 roll time.  It was still dark and a bit chilly.

After getting our gear together and taking some pre-ride photos, we made our way to check-in.  Since we didn't park in the event parking lot, I didn't realize how many women were there already.  The place was packed!  Check-in was pretty painless.  We got a number to put on our bike and I picked up the jersey I had pre-purchased.  I am so glad I had that jersey to put on because I was only wearing a sleeveless jersey with arm warmers and a vest.  I wore both jerseys all day.  By the time we all got checked in, went to the bathroom again and put our numbers on our bike, it was 7:30 already.  Finally, we are rolling.

This ride has a Classic ride, as well as the Challenge ride and it's all about women.  The Classic ride is a metric century and most of the women that day were doing that route.  The Challenge ride is 87 miles.  For the first ~30 miles, both groups share the same route.  After ~30 miles, the Challenge riders take a turn where the women separate themselves from the girls our climbing for the day begins.  Our first climb was Patterson Pass Road.  At the top of this road was a great view of the windmills on the Altamont Pass and a lot of cold wind.  Very cold wind.  Luckily there was a SAG vehicle up there and I tucked in behind it to block myself from the wind.  When I did this climb in training a month ago, I had to stop a couple of times and weave myself up the steepest part.  Saturday?  I went right up, without weaving.  It was great to see this improvement.

We then got the fun ride down the other side of Patterson Pass and took Grant Line Road under I-580 to *our* first rest stop.  (We elected to roll through the first rest stop at mile 15.)  At this rest stop there was probably a lot of good food and drinks but the only two things I remember was a shiny little pin to commemorate completing the Cinderella Challenge and a great big tray of Mother's frosted circus animal cookies!  I ate my fair share, let's just say that.

Kathryn & Soraya

Vanessa

Then it was time to tackle Altamont Pass Road.  Lord, the wind was ridiculous!  The nine of us got to take advantage of what we've been learning for the past three months.  Pace lining at its best.  We tucked in tightly behind each other and rode the hardest we could.  It was quite tiring, to say the least.  At one time I had to drop back, I just couldn't hold it any longer and I didn't want the girl behind me to suffer.  I went to the back and held on for dear life while I caught my breath.  After a few minutes I was able to get my strength back and got myself back to the front part of the pack.  Near the end of the pass the group had separated into three different groups and it was just me and Erin for a while, helping each other through.

We headed back over I-580 on Flynn Road for another nasty climb.  The wind was only getting worse.  There was no pace line happening here.  We were pretty much all on our own (I don't know why).  I kept my head, shoulders and elbows down and only lifted my eyes once in a while to make sure there was no hazard in the road ahead.  The final turn of the climb came upon me and suddenly the wind was stronger than ever.  I was moving so slowly, pushing and pulling the pedals up and breathing hard with each one.  It started to feel a little bit easier so I lifted my head up and realized I was beginning my descent.  Hallelujah.  I lifted my shoulders up and stopped pedaling, thinking I could coast down the hill.  Nope!  The wind was too strong and I almost came to a complete stop, going downhill.  After a short time I was down low enough so the wind was blocked by the hills and I could enjoy flying down to the next regroup. 

At the bottom of Flynn Road we were once again put back on course with the Classic riders.  I was so happy to know the climbing was behind me.  It was only going to get easier from there. 

We all pulled into the lunch stop together where we made ourselves HUGE sandwiches and scarfed them down.  I think I can speak for the whole group when I say we were elated to be at this point of the ride.

Lunch time!

After lunch we had about 30 miles left.  It was beautiful back roads with rolling green hills.  Speculation was the wind was going to beat us up but it was not as terrible as it could have been.  We made a group decision to skip the final rest stop that was 15 miles from the finish.  We stayed pretty close together and made excellent time back.  We were in extremely high spirits as we rolled into the fairgrounds together.  We were hollering at the other women that were walking or riding by us, already accomplishing their goals for the day.

Rolling in to the finish

We checked out, got our goody bags and sat down for our final meal together.  We chatted like a bunch of little girls on their last day of school before summer vacation.  We were happy we finished the ride in one piece but sad that we wouldn't be seeing each other on a regular basis now. 

I'm extremely happy I took a chance and signed up for this training and this ride.  I'm also happy I got Erin to sign up with me.  To see her improvement and dedication week after week was so refreshing.  I got to see her achieve things she was so nervous about even attempting.

Jean, Jennie, Me, Soraya, Kathryn, Vanessa, Karen, Erin

We did it!!!

Ten more days until my next big ride - The Diablo Century.  Erin and I are going solo this time.  We'll have to find some people to draft off of.  :)


"MED2011 Accountability"
04/01 - 1.25 mile walk, 2 mile walk
04/02 - 87 mile bike ride
04/03 - 1.25 mile walk
04/04 - 2 mile walk, Body Pump
04/05 - 32 mile bike ride, Body Pump, 2 mile walk
04/06 - 1.25 mile walk, Body Pump



Until later.............

Princesses are ready to roll!

My Saturday Mount Hamilton ride got canceled (again) due to the road being closed because of snow.  The weather was sucky too, so the group I've been training with didn't get to have a final ride together that day.  Instead, we all went to our planned graduation party where we had pizza and cake.

Me and Erin

Sunday, Erin and I met up with two other girls for a nice 37-mile ride (with a lot of climbing) out of Sunol.  Three of us first went up Kilkare then joined up with the fourth one and went up Calaveras to the wall and back.  It was the first nice day we have had in a *long* time. 

Karen, Me, Erin & Kathryn

 

Calaveras Reservoir



This morning I rode up and over Palomares and back again with two girls from my group.  It was 20 miles but as locals know, it's a tough 20 miles.

Soraya, Me, Amy

What does this all mean?

Our main event is here!  We have all trained hard over the past 11 weeks.  We have hit milestones on some rides, climbed hills we'd never dreamed we could or would.  We rode in very cold temperatures and it's safe to say we never over-heated.  We learned how to ride in a pace line, how to draft and conserve our energy.  We know to point out hazards and how to communicate everything from a car coming in either direction to if we're slowing, stopping or rolling.  Many friendships have been formed and future rides together have already been planned and paid for.

Altamont/Patterson Pass ride, March 10

Cinderella Challenge, 2011 - here we come.  Saturday morning we will be meeting at 6:30 so we can all be ready to roll at 7:00.  Woohoo!  Wish us luck. 


"Med2011" Accountability:
03/23 - 45 minutes bike trainer, Body Pump class, 1.35 mile walk
03/24 - 60 minutes bike trainer
03/25 - 3 mile run
03/26 - 1 mile walk
03/27 - 1.25 mile walk, 37 mile bike ride, 1.5 mile walk
03/28 - 4 mile run, Body Pump class
03/29 - 1.65 mile walk, 1.5 mile walk
03/30 - 1 mile walk, Body Pump class, 2 mile run
03/31 - 20 mile bike ride


Until later.............

Yeah, so what?!

I took a week off. 

Sort of.

After my huge bike ride over a week ago, I did go hiking the next day with Boomer and on Monday I went to a Body Pump class.

Tuesday I had packed all my gear, totally prepared to go to a spin class right after work.  Wednesday was already reserved for a free ski day at Sierra-At-Tahoe.

Well, for some reason, I started feeling overwhelmed.

I told Keith I just wanted to run away somewhere for the night and play all day Wednesday.  We did just that!  I got home about 5:20 and we were on the road to Capitola by 5:30.  We arrived at The Venetian and were given a room with an ocean view.  We walked over to Margaritaville where we were the last guests to be served dinner.  That's what happens to coastal towns in the winter, when it's raining.  After dinner we lounged around the room and were able to hear the waves crashing as we fell asleep.  Absolutely perfect!

When we woke up in the morning the sky was as clear as could be.  Just a beautiful morning.  We walked out on the wharf and had a yummy breakfast at The Wharf Restaurant.  After breakfast we walked around and took some photos before taking the long way home through Watsonville (checked out the course for a century ride I'm doing in May) and Gilroy (yes, there is an outlet mall there).  And it was just too bad, we got home too late to go to Body Pump that night. 

By Thursday morning I was ready for some time with Ellen.  I sent a text to one of the Cinderella Challenge ride leaders, asking if she was riding Thursday.  She told me she was and she told me what ride she was doing.  I knew Sierra Road (scroll to the bottom of the link for the elevation profile) was a tough one but I said I would give it a try.  Wow!!  I thought Mines Road was tough last week?  HA HA HA!  I stopped "a few" times and even got off my bike at one point, sat on the ground and told the ladies I was "going to wait right here."  I am very proud to say I didn't "wait" anywhere and I made it up to the summit and enjoyed flying down the other side A LOT.  Gotta love patient people that motivate others not to give up and even teach them a thing or two along the way.  Many thanks for Soraya, Cyndi and Amy that day.

My ride up Mt. Hamilton this past Saturday got rained/snowed out.  Hopefully we will do a make-up ride this Saturday.

Other than that, I did not go to any classes at the gym the entire week.  Yup, you read that right.  I did however, walk daily and spent some time with Ellen on my trainer.  Today it was back to normal for me.  I went to a "Camp24" class tonight and a 1.5 mile walk this morning.  As far as my "MED2011" Accountability goes, I'm not going to detail every walk I did last week.  I will start up again with today, and I just wrote what I did.

How about some pictures from Capitola instead?  Here ya go............

The Venetian

Until later.............

80 mile Cinderella Challenge training ride - Mines Road, Livermore

Wow.  What a ride.  The most challenging ride I have ever done.

Yesterday, nine other princesses in training and I rode 80 miles, 60 of it was Mines Road to The Junction Cafe.  Please, click on the link and check out the elevation profile.  Tell me if you think it looks crazy or what!  This profile may be just beyond the Cafe, but you get the point. 

I was nervous about this ride.  I've never ridden 80 miles before! 

The ride started off fine, until 1.5 miles in.  We were driving on a residential street in Pleasanton, in a pretty tight line.  A man in a little SUV pulled up to the curb ahead of us and opened his door, right into one of our front riders.  She went flying off her bike, into the street.  It was a terrible sounding crash and was followed by screams from the other riders.  He said he didn't even look before he opened his door to get out.  She landed in the middle of the street, thank God there wasn't another car coming up the street that could have hit her.  The impact cracked her helmet.  Erin was right behind her and actually ran over her bike.  We called 911 and her husband.  The fire department came, as well as the police.  A police report was filed and everyone was interviewed.  She denied transportation to the hospital but promised to have her husband take her to the ER right away.  The good news is she was able to walk and talk.  After that, we were all a little on edge, to say the least. 

It took a while for all of us to get to The Junction Cafe.  I couldn't have been happier to get off that saddle.  That was a TON of non-stop pedaling to get that 40 miles done.  I grabbed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a bag of corn chips.  It wasn't a lot but I think it was just what I needed to get me through the rest of the ride.  After the first HUGE climb coming back, there was a bit more down hill portions this direction so it was a *little* easier.  We took turns pulling each other on the hills and some of the flat parts.  Teamwork at its best.  We are such a great group of ladies!

Erin and I after refueling at The Junction Cafe

After driving home, I took a hot lavender scented bath and ate an entire black bean and cheese burrito from Chipotle.  Both things were much deserved. 

Erin feeling so good at the finish!

Next week?  Mount Hamilton - all the way to the top.  Bring it on!

Lack of sugar

I survived my 70 mile training ride Saturday.  I knew there was going to be a ton of climbing so I elected to hike on Friday, instead of run.  I called my neighbor, Martha, and invited her along.  We picked up Bella and went to Garin for a beautiful 3.5 mile hike.

The ride on Saturday was awesome!  There was over 3,800 feet of elevation gain and quite a few towns passed through.  The weather was very cooperative and the wind was nowhere to be found.  We left Pleasanton at 7:45 a.m. and rode all the way to Tracy, via Patterson Pass Road.  It was so cool to be up close to the windmills.  I've only seen them from Hwy 580 while driving by.  They're actually quite big when you're up close.  After leaving Tracy we rode back to Pleasanton on Altamont Pass Road.  We had to go right by our cars to do a +/- 15 mile loop into Sunol to complete the 70 miles.  After all the climbing we had done, it was hard to not just pull into the parking lot at that point.  But, we are all dedicated to our training and knew we have to build our miles up to our final ride on April 2nd. 



Soraya, Wendy, Joan, Vanessa, Me, Karen, Kathryn, Erin, Debbie, Terri, Marie

Tuesday I went back to Garin with Boomer and we ran 5.5 miles.  It was one of those days/runs where I could have ran all day long.  My legs felt amazingly light.  I knew I was going to a spin class that night though, so I kept it at the 5.5 miles.  Garin is just beautiful right now and there are cows everywhere.  I adore seeing the cows there.  I don't like it when they get taken to slaughter leave to greener pastures. 



The entrance to my little slice of heaven!

Today is my third day without eating sweets.  No candy, cookies, cake, donuts, cupcakes.  Oh my!!  No, it's not for lent.  I'm also limiting my carbs.  I work out way too hard to not be dropping pounds.  Yes, my body is trimming/firming up but like most of you out there - I want that scale to read a few pounds less.  I am pretty sure I eat a lot more candy than I was aware of.  I filled almost every void with candy.  It's very hard, I won't lie.  I love my sweets and they make me very happy.  BUT, the scale has already moved in a favorable direction.  That makes it a tiny bit easier to not eat sugar.  Right now though, I am craving a piece of chocolate.  :(

I want my hard work to show and am confident that eliminating the added sugar and limiting carbs will  help me with that.  I hope I can do it.  I want to do it. 


"MED2011" Accountability:

03/03 - 1.65 mile walk, Spin

03/04 - 3.5 mile hike

03/05 - 70 mile bike ride

03/06 - 2 mile walk

03/07 - Spin, 3 mile walk

03/08 - 5.5 mile trail run, Spin

03/09 - 1 mile walk, BodyPump

03/10 - 1.35 mile walk, Spin

Until later.............

Really? February's gone?

Thank God I keep a record of everything I do because I seriously am having trouble remembering what I did yesterday.  Sheesh!  I know I like to keep busy, no doubt about it but lately I have just been crazy busy. 

Yes, I'm training for a 100-mile bike ride happening in a month.  Yes, I'm trying hard to get in great shape for Sara's wedding in three months.  I'm also trying to keep a high-energy Catahoula happy along with my loving, patient husband.  Oh, throw my job at REI and the business we run from our home in there too.  Every night I try to fall asleep, I lay awake thinking about what the next day entails.  In the evenings I feel completely brain dead at times.

A week ago Monday I was able to get out with Boomer for a much needed run.  I didn't go out to the mountains because of the recent rains, I didn't feel like running through a bunch of mud.  I had been sick all weekend, remember.  We went to the Alameda Creek Trail and ran 6.5 miles along the creek and into Quarry Lakes.  It was so good for my soul to be out there running with my boy. 

 

Tell me Boomer's *not* part Rat Terrier!



Saturday I went on a 65 mile training ride.  We met half an hour earlier this time because of the longer distance.  There was talk of snow here in the SF Bay Area and believe it or not, it DID snow in San Francisco Friday night.  I was watching the news and they showed it coming down in the city at 10:45 p.m.  That hasn't happened since 1976!  Well, when it came time to get packing for the ride, I pretty much knew I had enough cold weather gear to keep me warm.  I was just hoping I wouldn't have to use it all.  Unfortunately, I did.  All FOUR layers on top, shoe covers, a Buff, headband, full finger wind/water proof gloves, headwind pants.  About half of the girls showed up to brave the weather.  It was 36 degrees when we started the ride.  Yeah, brrrrrrrr!  I kept thinking if this doesn't kill me, it will definitely make me a stronger rider.  We made it, and we all did great.  This Saturday will be a 70 mile ride and I'm happy to say it should be warmer!! 

Monday morning I got up early and was out of the house before 7:00 a.m. so I could get a run in before work.  Boomer and I went to the Alameda Creek Trail again, and watched the sun rise up above Mission Peak.  It was a beautiful morning but it was still quite cold.  My car said it was 38 degrees when we got there.  At least with running, it doesn't take too long to warm up.  We ran around for 45 minutes and I loved the peacefulness I found being beside the water. 

How did my February turn out? 
I ran 34.2 miles
I walked 26.25 miles
I went to 19 classes at the gym
I rode 191 miles
Calories burned (not including walking):  18,318.  No wonder I'm always hungry!

I want to run more.  In March, I will run more!!

"MED2011" Accountability:
02/21 - 6.5 mile run, BodyPump
02/22 - 1 mile walk, Spin class
02/23 - BodyPump
02/24 - 2 mile walk, Spin class
02/25 - 1.5 mile walk
02/26 - 65 mile bike ride
02/27 - 2 mile walk
02/28 - 3.75 mile run, BodyPump
03/01 - 1.25 mile walk, Spin class
03/02 - 1.65 mile walk, BodyPump class

Xena update:  She had a follow-up appointment Sunday.  Her blood was drawn and the glucose level was checked.  Much to the doctor's surprise, her level was in the "normal" range.  He was completely dumbfounded!  We will continue to give her the very small dose of insulin twice a day, along with her wet food.  She goes back Sunday for another blood test.  If we're lucky, we have found the right combination of insulin and food on the first try.  We are keeping our fingers crossed.


Until later.............