As the world’s largest triathlon club for people with diabetes, Triabetes shatters preconceived notions of what people with diabetes can do. Triabetes revolutionizes the way people approach diabetes through inspiration, educates the patient and medical communities about diabetes and exercise, and explores the physiological and social foundations of successful diabetes management.
Help this year's Triabetes captains as they mentor type 1 youth in their communities and train their way to an electrifying finish at the 2011 St. George Ironman triathlon. All procceeds will directly benefit Triabetes leadership development programs.
Dear Friends and Family,
I am excited to share with you the message and mission of Triabetes and Insulindependance. As most of you know, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1999. Since then, I have had to learn about insulin, carb counting, and needle gauges. On the flip side, I am so much more fit and healthy today than I was 11 years ago. I have raced in two Ironman triathlons, completed three marathons, and had a great time at many other races. I would have NEVER done this if I were not diagnosed with diabetes.
Triabetes is a triathlon club for people of all ages with all types of diabetes. Before I found out about Triabetes, training was a solo effort to come up with strategies and experiments on how to deal with blood sugar and endurance training. I’ll tell you that I have definitely had my hits and misses. Triabetes is an amazing resource to share experiences and ideas with others who deal with the same challenges caused by diabetes. It tackles the myths surrounding diabetes and exercise head on and is revolutionizing the way people approach diabetes through inspiration, education, and exploration of the physiological and social foundations of successful diabetes management.
I have been selected as a Triabetes Captain for the Aloha Region for 2010-2011 and have committed to racing with other diabetics at the St. George Ironman in April 2011. I hope to inspire others to set their own fitness goals and remain active as a key element in their diabetes management plan. I see this as a unique opportunity to make a difference for others living with diabetes, both individually, and collectively as a member of the Triabetes team. More than racing Ironman, Triabetes will give me the opportunity to raise awareness about the disease and build a local diabetes community dedicated to providing diabetics an opportunity to get active through the various Insulindependence outreach programs to surf, paddle, hike, walk, cycle, or anything in between! Over 100,000 people in Hawaii have diabetes, I want to make sure that there is a local resource for those who want to get active while we are waiting for a cure.
Additionally, being a Triabetes Captain provides an opportunity to mentor an awesome kid with diabetes who, like me, is interested in being active
(see Triabuddies for more information). I hope to be a good role model and I am excited to use this opportunity to set an example of the possibilities available to a person living and training with diabetes.
Diabetes does not limit people. I have a picture of myself crossing the finish line of my first sprint triathlon on my desk. I keep it there when I need inspiration. I was fourth from last place, but it was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I started with some adult swim lessons, a used bike, and a run/walk (mostly walk) approach. Last month, I had a personal best marathon time of 4:20.
I am committed to raise $4,000 to support Insulindependence’s aim to inspire, educate, and explore an active life to control and manage diabetes. Can you help? Anything would be great! Here are some suggestions matching the mileage of popular triathlon distances:
Sprint Distance: $19.35 My first Sprint race was a .25 mile swim/16 mile bike/3.1 mile run
½ Ironman: $70.30 Total distance covered=70.3 miles. I have done 4 of these and they are not easy.
Ironman: $140.60 The grand daddy of them all—total distance 140.6 miles. I'll be going the distance in Utah next April!!
If you are interested and ready to donate, click HERE
If you have family or friends that have diabetes, I would be honored to put their names on my bike jersey as I race in St. George. Send word along and they’ll be right there with me as I compete this event! If you know anyone interested in meeting other diabetics and getting more active, let me know and I’ll send information on local events and contacts in their area.
THANK YOU for your support,
Andrea
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Triabetes is a project of Insulindependence, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to creating fitness and adventure opportunities in the diabetes community.
