From type 1 diabetes to IronMan: A triathletes journey

IronMan participant

“Diabetes is just a disease. I wasn’t going to let it define me.”

IronMan is one of the longest and most strenuous triathlons in the world, made up of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run. It’s a challenging event for anyone and for someone with diabetes, it can be daunting. But living with type 1 diabetes since age 19, Eddie Vasquez, was eager to take on this challenge. “If I can do it, so can you.” Today, Eddie takes us on his inspirational IronMan journey.   

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Submitted by Steven Zak (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

You didn't say HOW you managed to do this. I'm assuming there was a whole lot of Gatorade or Powerade involved and somebody along the way who could keep you in constant supply.

Submitted by Joe Sheridan (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I have had Diabetes for 25 years and am 50 years old. I have been running marathons and Triathlon events for the pass five years. This September I will finish my third Ironman. It is important that diabetes doesn't have to define you as an athlete. If you have the will to finish such a grueling event don't let diabetes stand in you way.

Submitted by Steve Nelson (not verified) on

In reply to by Joe Sheridan (not verified)

Hi Joe,
I've had T1 for about 20 years and I'm 52. Done a few marathons and 1/2 ironmans. I've always "bonked" (low blood sugars that slow me down and have to cram sweettarts) at the end of my races. I believe I've learned that I don't need as much insulin for taking in carbs after 2-3 hours of exercising. But need to figure out the formula. Cause I'm signed up for IMCHOO this year. I've got to figure out the insulin/nutrition intake ratios (during and after the race). I'm scared to death of crashing in the middle of the night after the race.

Would like to talk to you to see how you managed insulin/carb intake, pre/during/post race.

Thanks.

Submitted by Joe Sheridan (not verified) on

In reply to by Steve Nelson (not verified)

Nutrition is very important when going from a 1/2 to a full. It is truely the fourth leg of an Ironman. What works for me may not work for you. I set my temp basal to deliver 20% insulin throughout the event and consume about 50 carbs per hour without Bolusing. Sometimes when I go high I'll bolus a quarter of what I normally would if I were not racing. On the run, I take a GU every three miles. If i see my trend going down I'll eat a banana until I see my trend leveling out. After the race, I keep my temp basal and montor the heck out of my pump and take multiple BG's. This works for me.
I am part of a team made up of type 1's and type 3's (supporters of T1D's) called "Riding on Insulin". We are all doing IMWI this September. Here is the website. ridingoninsulin.org . We would like to see you join us even if you just want to be on our facebook page. A lot of good information is being shared.
If you would like to talk, give me your contact info. Good luck in Chattanooga, I raced it last year.

Submitted by Steve Nelson (not verified) on

In reply to by Joe Sheridan (not verified)

Thanks for the tips Joe. I realize our bodies are different and I'll have to figure it out for me. My normal daytime basal rate is pretty low already (.2u/hour). Hearing how others manage it during and after the race helps. There is another T1 athlete that raced IMCHOO last year that has a website with some pointers. Cliff Scherb has tristar athletes and provides some coaching. I read his site and traded emails with him. But haven't signed up with him yet. His site suggested completely turning off basal during the race and gradually works down to a 20% of normal bolus after 3 hours. I'll just have to experiment and see what works for me.

I'll go to your site and join your group on FB and stay in touch.

Best Regards and good luck with your race.

Submitted by Steve Nelson (not verified) on

In reply to by Joe Sheridan (not verified)

Joe,
Forgot to give you my email so you can contact me. snelson256@gmail.com. Would like to hear from you.

Thanks.

Submitted by Karrie Hawbaker (not verified) on

In reply to by Steve Nelson (not verified)

Steve, that’s great you’ve participated in a few marathons and Ironmans! I recommend working with your healthcare provider, as they can give you the best advice to meet your individual needs. Like insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios, when it comes to insulin and exercise, one size does not fit all. Good luck with in the IMCHOO! Let us know how it goes.

Submitted by Steve Nelson (not verified) on

In reply to by Karrie Hawbaker (not verified)

Karrie,
Will do. I talk to my nutritionist and endro doc about this all the time.

Thanks.

Submitted by Karrie Hawbaker (not verified) on

In reply to by Joe Sheridan (not verified)

That’s a great accomplishment, Joe! Your positive attitude and spirit is very inspiring. I wish you the best of luck with your third Ironman in September! Keep up the good work.

Submitted by Thgeresa Griffith (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

Eddie is right. This is a bit harder than it might seem. I assume you are not Type 1. You might want to talk to Type 1 athletes.

Way to go Eddie!!!! I am a 5 time Ironman finisher and the mom of a type 1 Diabetic. I soooo know what both Ironman and Diabetes involve!!!! Congrats on your Ironman finish!!!! My daughter too never gave up and earned herself a spot on the USA Junior Olympic Gymnastics Team and a full college scholarship as well. She was diagnosed at 10 years old and is now 22. She is my hero and is now doing a masters level internship as a nutritionist. Being the director and Art Therapist at Hearts & Crafts Counseling I have now included counseling for children with Diabetes besides the other counseling I do. I have a Wheaties Box with the winner of Ironman on it next to photos of my Ironman Competitions on one of my walls. I do a project with the kids where they get to put themselves on the Wheaties box. Intead of being known as the kid with Diabetes the are known for their love of soccer, music, acting, swimming, singing….you name it!!! Maybe one of them will be a triathlete too one day!!!! Lately I have been doing 1/2 Ironman races and shorter. I may go back to a full Ironman at age 60 and if I do I want to do it as a fund raiser to keep my counseling center open so we can help more children. It is a goal any way. I am 56 now so a few years to go. Happy training!!!!

Thank you for sharing yours and your daughter’s experience with us, Laura! I’m so glad to hear your daughter has never given up on her dreams of becoming an athlete. It sounds like you’ve been a wonderful supporter in your daughter’s life. Keep up the good work!

Submitted by Terry Housand (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

Congrats to Eddie. I to understand the grueling task of extended exercise. I'm just one year removed for cycling a 126 miles over 6 gap mountain peaks in Georgia. 12 hours in the saddle. I had tons of goo with me plus there was a pit stop at the top of each mountain. I checked my BG multiple times and rode the entire race with my pump totally disconnected. My highest BG that day was 90mg/dl. Rock on Eddie!

Submitted by Karrie Hawbaker (not verified) on

In reply to by Terry Housand (not verified)

Congratulations on completing a 126 mile cycle, Terry! That’s an amazing accomplishment. I’m glad you’ve found what works for you during extended exercise. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Submitted by Skuma (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

Wow! That is awesome! I find it very hard considering my sugar will crash with some exercise despite taking glucose. Love to know how do u manage it, reg how ,ugh carbs and how often.

Submitted by Karrie Hawbaker (not verified) on

In reply to by Skuma (not verified)

Hi Skuma, I recommend talking to your healthcare team about managing your diabetes while exercising, as they can give you the best advice to meet your individual needs. In the meantime, you might enjoy this blog from Karen on her experience with exercise http://www.loop-blog.com/the-lowdown-on-managing-diabetes-during-exerci….

You are very inspiring. Everyday being a diabetic is challenging, but when it come down, we are all human. We still have the desire to exceed in everythin we do, we still have the desire to compete, and be the best we can be!! I'm so glad diabetes does not hold you back. Nonetheless, pack Gatorade or whatever sugar drink you can to keep you going!!! Good luck Eddie Vasquez in the Iron Man journey!!!

That’s exactly right, Shannon! Thank you for your encouraging, positive words.

Submitted by Bob Mullon (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

You people are incredible! I have been a Type 1 for 27 years being dignosed when I was 28 years old. My condition is very brittle even with my pump but I have found, as have many of you, excersize is essential for both good control and even more important, a positive mental state. I never ran n my life until I was 49 and have run several half marathons since. I agree with the plan these extreme athletes follow, know your temp basil ranges depending on duration and intensity, and GU! GU breaks down slower but still will give you that charge if you need it. That and don't be afraid to grab a gatorade at your stations. With my brittle condition I would have never been able to get through the training, much less the events, without my GU! You all are inspirational. Time to start training again!

Submitted by Karrie Hawbaker (not verified) on

In reply to by Bob Mullon (not verified)

Bob, I’m glad you found this blog as inspiring as we did! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I wish you the best of luck with your training.

Submitted by Steve Roberts (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I have been a type 1 since age 12. I am now 58, and while I don't do triathlons or marathons, I swim about 1-½ to two miles a day. My issue is that my blood glucose can go up when I swim (or it never goes down), but it always will go down when I am working out "on land." When I work out in the gym, I am drinking 20 grams of Carb an hour to keep my BG levels in balance. Has anybody experienced this swimming oddity? I thought I may have been spending too much time out of water with my pump Suspended after the swim. But, after really watching this, I still notice my BG levels don't go down. Any ideas on what is going on? Could I be releasing glycogen due to the cool water, and the release causes my BG levels to rise?

Submitted by Karrie Hawbaker (not verified) on

In reply to by Steve Roberts (not verified)

Steve, that’s great you’re keeping active swimming two miles a day! I recommend working with your healthcare provider, as they can give you the best advice to meet your individual needs.

Submitted by Zoe McBride (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

Today I completed my first ever triathlon - sprint distance but still a triathlon...a year ago I told someone I wanted to compete in triathlons, she told me you can't your diabetic! I thought that was the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. Now I am determined to complete an ironman it may take me 2, 4 or 10 years but I will do it and seeing other triathletes and people like I see on her is so inspiring...congratulations to everyone...keep going and carry on being amazing...see you at a race in the future :)

Submitted by Dave Barnes (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

Great reading all the comments here by my peers. I have had T1 for 42 years. I am 45. I have lived theough a lot of diabetes and all that it brings, both light and shade.
I was a climber for 25 years until a serious fall damaged my courage so I switched to triathlon. I have been racing for 4 years and slowly building a solid base and racing up to the half distance. I love it.
I find that I can never really own the diabetes whilst racing. It's always throwing me a curve ball. I do respect it though. I have always found a way to finish. I also have just invested in a new bike which is going to take me to that finish line faster. Saying that o still need to peddle and grind it out but I am looking forward to it.
When racing I think race first then begin to work out the diabetes. I start with the end in mind . Sometimes thinking diabetes too frequently does your head in and can make you think smaller. That equals lessor outcomes and weaker performance. That's why I think race first, diabetes second.

Submitted by Peter (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

i am a type 1 diabetic - I am having problems with my sugar before and during and after my events , such as the latest one in A/ C - Aqua Bike .. Since i was having foot problems and i decided to just transfer to the Swim and Bike .. .. My Sugar was at 350 at 3 am ( the reason was because i did not take my meds the night before ) and i was hunger and want to eat several hours before my event that morning i did not know what to do whether to take my meds to reduce the levels and eat something or just eat something and let the levels work them selves out during the event Aqua - Bike - I decided it was better for me to have my sugar up instead of down - what is considered too high and dangerous for any event .. I need a plan that i can use for the future .. I would like to work with some one or some group that can help me better manage my sugar before, during, and after ... I Swam well and did the bike with not issues .. however it took several days to get the sugar back to a normal level ..

Submitted by Karrie Hawbaker (not verified) on

In reply to by Peter (not verified)

Thanks for checking in, Peter. This is a good conversation to start with your healthcare team. They can review your needs and goals and make the best recommendation for you. If you have any questions about any of our products, you can learn more at www.medtronicdiabetes.com.


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