I think I like Diabetes

The weirdest part of the relay experience was that even though I tested more frequently than normal that day, I didn't mind it at all. I don't know if it was because I was around other diabetics or just because I was fighting for a cause that day or what. Maybe it was because we were talking about running and diabetes and other related stuff all day. I didn't really know it at the time but I was actually enjoying the disease. I have always wanted to get to a place where I don't mind having it or maybe that I'm just not sad about it anymore but I never thought that it would be possible to actually enjoy it. Ever time I talked to one of the kids or one of the moms about how I manage my blood sugar, they were always so impressed that it gave me a good feeling of accomplishment and made me want to keep working at it.

While the race was happening I was just going with the flow, testing a bunch because it was necessary. But then when I got home, the next morning I had to do my normal first test of the morning and it kind of hit me that life was back to normal now and I have to keep doing this every day. The first test of the day still does this to me a little bit because I'm just coming out of dream land and coming back to the reality that I'm diabetic. Then later that day I was talking to my wife about diabetes and she said something to the effect of not wanting our daughters to get it. I wholeheartedly agree that I don't wish this disease on anyone especially my own kids but it also made me realize that my wife didn't really get it. I have always known that people who don't live with this disease really don't understand the challenges it poses but now I also realize that they also don't understand how awesome it can be.

Race Report

JDRF Rutherford Relay

May 12^th 2012

Rutherford County Tennessee

We were scheduled to start the relay at 8:45 AM and I volunteered to be the first runner. I woke up at about 6:30 and tested at a good level. There was so much testing that day that I can’t remember all of my numbers. I ate 2 packets of instant oatmeal and a half a bagel and had some water. I took about 30% less insulin than normal to cover those carbs because I knew I would be running about the same time my blood sugar would be peaking. I tested at 170 about 10 minutes prior to the start but still ate my normal gel because I didn’t want to eat during the run. It worked out perfectly. The combination of insulin from breakfast and the running brought me right back to normal. I ran 3 more times over the next 4 hours and tested at 109, 109, and 78 before each run. I ate about 30 to 45 carbs and some protein between each run for recovery and drank a lot of water. Each of my remaining legs were about 2 miles and I ran them at about 5:30 to 5:45 pace. I didn’t tell Matt about the 78 glucose reading because he probably wouldn’t have let me take my turn. Instead I just ate some fruit snacks and had some Gatorade. Plus it was only a 2 mile stretch that I was planning on running hard so I knew I would be fine. I had a snack with me the whole time just in case and I looked at my CGM a couple times on each run. Overall it was a very successful day managing my glucose levels, especially since I have never practiced running multiple times in a day.

On the racing front it was a successful day as well. I ran hard from the beginning and held of another fast team where the guy wanted to run 5:45 pace for the first 5 mile leg. He only had to run two legs that day so he was really pushing the pace. I was only planning on running 6 minute pace to save more for later in the day. I couldn’t let him beat me though, this day was going to be all about Team Type 1 Sanofi and all about Diabetes. So I held a small lead the whole way and handed off to Benny who easily pulled away and built up a big lead. In that first leg, I had already caught up to a couple runners who had started 15 minutes before us and as the day went on we just continued to catch runners and pull further and further ahead. By Benny’s third run (leg 12 of 15) we had caught the team who had started first and we never looked back. We set a course record that will be hard to beat and that even includes the last two miles where we jogged together as a team at a comfortable pace.

Our best success of the day though was the way we got to interact with people affected by diabetes. All along the course from the beginning to the aid stations to the end, there were people who either have diabetes or know someone who does. We talked to some moms who are learning how to care for active young boys with Type 1. I talked to the photographer who said his daughter is Type 1 and she is thinking of becoming an endocrinologist. At checkpoint 11, Matt was just about to hand off to me and one of the kids yelled out “Hey, cool pump!” I turned to look and there was a young boy showing me his pump which was the same model as mine. I quickly gave him a high five and then him and a bunch of other kids gathered around and we took pictures. Right then, Matt came flying in and passed off the relay baton to me so I had to take off running and the kids were super exited to see the racing action.

Everyone I talked to was very impressed with our speed and our commitment to managing our health. Every team saw us run past them that day and then we cheered them all back in at the finish line. We had a great time bonding as a team in the van but we also had some great conversations with people about diabetes and the success you can have with the right motivation.