33 years Type 1, Juvenation Day 1

So, I'm a little slow.  :) 

Just wanted to take a minute and introduce myself. I was diagnosed 33 years ago at the age of 8. Back then it was urine checks using Diastix (remember them? They still sell them btw).

Over the years I have progressed from beef and pork Regular, NPH, Lantus, some combination of them, and now to Humalog via the Cozmo pump. I also use the Abbott Navigator CGM device.

Best calculations is that I have tested my blood glucose via finger pricks over 75,000 times, taken almost 52,000 injections, used 800 infusion sets in my 6 years of pumping, and dosed more 642,000 units of insulin.

6 years ago while was training to become the first documented Type 1 diabetic to race a 24 Hour mountain bike race solo, I founded the Type1Rider organization. I live my entire diabetic athlete existence out in the open via the Type1Rider blog. From soup to nuts everything from basal rates, training logs, race reports, diet, A1C, and real time BG posts. (As of right now I have posted 5535 blood glucose readings via Twitter).  I like to tell people it's the good, the very good, the bad, the very bad, and the very ugly.  :)

Since successfully completing that first 24 hour event, I have raced over 350hrs of solo endurance cycling events. I have been a member of the Gary Fisher/Trek Bicycles 29er Crew Racing Team since 2009, and work with the ADA and JDRF as a volunteer helping out with cycling events (Tour de Cure, MTB clinics, etc) where ever they need me.

On June 10th, 2011 I will racing an event called the Tour Divide. The race is 2745 miles in length from Banff, AB CA to Antelope Wells, NC on the Mexico boarder. It is the longest mountain bike race on earth, is 96% off-road, has an elevation change of 200,000ft, and must be done completely unassisted. No crew. No team. No help. No nothing. More info can be found here at the Tour Divide website.

Although it is monumental challenge for a Type 1 diabetic to attempt, I believe that this race is my purpose in life. Many personal reasons will bring me to the race start north of the boarder, but the main cause will be demonstrating that a person with Type 1 diabetes has no limits.

If I can be of any help answering any questions about exercise, diet, or life with diabetes please don't hesitate to shoot me a PM or leave me a post. 

I look forward to meeting new friends, sharing experiences, and learning a ton from everyone here at Juvenation!

Thanks!!

Well, holy crap. You've accomplished quite a lot. Welcome to Juvenation! Meet your new d-family :D

I'm glad you found us and decided to join. Your story is pretty incredible! We're always glad to see people here who have accomplished great things while living with diabetes. You'll find you're not alone here :o)

Happy to have you here! 

Welcome to the family!

 

Keep us posted on the race! I'm eager to cheer you on!

Wow!  You are an amazing Type 1'er!!  You have done some amazing things!  Glad to have you here!  Way to represent and I wish you all the best with your race!  Can't wait to hear how it goes! 

Welcome to Juvenation !

Hi Tony, welcome aboard! I really admire your bike adventures!!! I don't think I've ever ridden a bike more than two miles in one day. lol! I have managed to live 65 years with my diabetes, and I am very healthy. I guess I did not need a bike. I am 71 now, and do an hour of walking on roads with hills each day. That seems to work very well for me.

I wish you the very best luck in your bike competitions for now, and the coming year!

Richard

Welcome, Tony!  Kudos to you for not letting diabetes limit you.  You're a great example of what can be accomplished with hard work and determination.  We're glad to have you here.  :)

Kim

Thanks for the kind words and the warm welcome everyone!!!!!