Limitations?
I’ve been meaning to write about this for a while and finally got around to it today…
Back in February while I was getting ready for the Ragnar Relay Del Sol I did a search in TweetDeck for #ragnar and stumbled upon this Tweet…
So, I thought “boy, I wonder what this poor bastard has to deal with”? Well, I was a bit surprised to see the link go to my blog! LOL!
I responded back to the guy (who seems like a cool guy BTW and I have had a few Twitter conversations with him) and said that I was really surprised to click on that link and see my blog pop up. He responded with the fact that he worked with somebody with T1 and “knowing his limitations” he thought it was cool that I was doing Del Sol.
Whoa.
I had started running for a few reasons: I’m a very competitive person. I have always been active and running and having goals keeps me motivated. I want to stay fit and a lifelong goal of mine is to run a marathon.
After getting involved with Glucomotive and Insulindependence, I also run for another reason – To serve as an inspiration to other Type 1 Diabetics – children and adults alike. Type 1 does not limit you from doing ANYTHING and it really didn’t hit home until I had this Twitter conversation.
“Knowing his limitations”.
There are days that I don’t feel like running or I don’t feel like pushing an extra mile or two, but I do, because if I can inspire any T1 out there to pursue their dreams and live life to the fullest, I have done my job.
I have Adult-Onset Typ1 Diabetes, so I have only been dealing with this desease for a few years. It absolutely kills me to see a child with Type 1. I can barely look at a child wearing a pump without tears coming to my eyes. It’s awful. So, when a parent of a child with T1 says that they use me as a role-model for their child I well up with pride and push on.
I have a long road ahead of me this summer with the goal of running and finishing the Chicago Marathon. This is one of the greatest challenges of my life. I just happen to have diabetes to manage along the way, but it’s not going to stop me or slow me down. It’s just part of my life. It’s not a limitation.
Running With T1 
I’m glad that, as a person with T1 diabetes, you
1. run
2. blog about it
It helps me feel not so alone as a fellow Type 1, and a fellow runner. I was diagnosed at age 12. At age 13, I started running, and I’ve been running ever since. I’m 28 now, currently injured, but resting up and aspiring to run a 1/2 marathon this winter or next spring.
Thanks for running and for writing.
I needed to see/read this so badly. I’m 19, and was diagnosed with T1 in October 2012, only a mere 6 months ago. I used to be a competitive swimmer, and I have been so upset about getting out of shape because of trying to figure out how to balance my pump and my workouts and my meals. I really want to start running again. Thank you so much. This is an inspiration to me.
The last sentence in your blog is very true and inspiring for every diabetic. I am a frequent runner and have been diagnosed with T2 at age 29. I ran Half marathons before and after the diagnosis and my run timings keep getting better after the diagnosis. Diabetes runs in my family, but I run faster 🙂