Running with Type 1

I remember hearing about Dean Karnazes sometime in the last 10-12 years.   A high energy jumping jack type on late night tv talking about running 50 marathons in 50 states, in 50 days.  I had never been exposed to any road or trail runners growing up in my family or any family friends for that matter.  I only knew of running through track, football, olympic sprinters and a few mid distance runners.  Anything beyond the mile lap was "endurance running" to me.  Dean Karnazes though was a type of runner I never knew existed. I like to believe that I helped play a role in the pioneering of youtube and the now famous google search to be what it is today.  I began searching the blogs, surfing youtube, and reading about runners that run distances farther than a marathon, some even up to 100 miles and beyond.  I am sorry, what? I like many others immediately dismissed this as bullshit, and wondered, "and they don't die, how?" Yet, it was captivating. A nat...

While I didn't chase down a BQ or an OT qualifying time, Sunday May 7's Pittsburgh Half Marathon to me was one of those moments that I'll never forget. From being a young kid who could barely sleep the night before our Elementary School's Jog-A-Thon, to my 8th grade season of the 1 mile and 800, to the years I chased down a football dream, the disappointment and fears of what my own body could withstand, to finally saying, you can do this. My relationship with this sport is innate.  It was disguised for years as something else, ultimately leading me back to square one.  I'd be lying to say I haven't wondered what could have been if I'd stuck with distance running and building off a 5:28 1 mile PR I ran in 8th grade, 2 weeks shy of my diabetes diagnosis.  I can never go back in time, but thoughts such as those also inspire my present day. Last winter I was in a heavy strength training block, still logging some miles here and there, maybe 10-12 miles a w...

Matt and I really credit our brotherhood from a trip to Florida we took together in 2006.  We stayed with family in Clearwater, Florida, 3 weeks before I left for college.  I had just turned 19, and he was 16.  I didn't have a car down there, and I was still very much a night owl at that time, so we found ourselves on their back porch talking until 3-4 AM every night.  Never once had we bonded like that before.  We were telling each other secrets, reliving moments of our youth together, asking opinions on various topics, it was like you just met somebody for the first time.   We both endured a not so poetic ending to our football careers.  While all these CTE headlines have taken over the airwaves the last 5-6 years.  Matt was a few years ahead of the wave.  He sustained a pretty nasty concussion during a JV game in Fall 2006.  That was roughly his 4th or 5th suspected concussion, and while he didn't have the science we're becomin...

I arrived on the Robert Morris University campus on August 8th, 2006.  With new earrings, a shaved head, and an athletic frame, I was ready for college football.  I was an All Conference DB and Honorable Mention WR in High School.  I can't even admit that I was the best on my high school teams, but I had some fun moments that I'll always cherish.  My expectations were relatively low going into camp.  I wanted to prove I was in great shape, ready to do what was asked of me, gain respect from my elder teammates, and just survive that August heat in pads.  After my parents dropped me off that morning, reality kicked in.  There were no smart phones yet, myspace and instant messenger were the only real means of communication.  I was actually three weeks shy of joining facebook (proud to say I've been book free for 5.5 years.)  I had no laptop yet in my room, only my thoughts and a reality check were consuming my free time until team dinner. ...

HbA1c. Oh boy.  You would think after 8 consecutive years of 7.6 and lower a1c readings, the fear of my endocrinologist and this number would fade away, nope, not even close. One of the original benchmarks I learned about in regards to diabetes long term care was an, "a1c."  It was explained to me as a 3 month average of your blood sugars, and anything 7.0 and below was considered the goal for a long, healthy chance at life.  I vividly remember my first 3 a1c readings, 6.3, 6.6, 6.8. Summer 2002-Spring 2003.  My Dr's praised me, congratulated me, reconfirming I was on the right path. Then, for the next 5 years, the struggle was real. Let's take a few steps back.  HbA1c, the measurement of a binding molecule in our red blood cells, that when connected with glucose, creates a "glycoslated hemoglobin a1c." This process increases the overall level of a1c in our blood.  The higher the % of a1c, the more glucose there is running through your body, inhibiting ...

Self awareness.  A heightened state of being.  Some might fear it, some might be confused by it, some really never perceive it. Our perception of self awareness should be continually evolving.  My perception of self from 2010 (college graduation) to present day, has indeed evolved, a few times over by now actually.  If I were to sit back and ponder the moments that impacted me, I'd be sitting here for awhile.  That's a good thing though in my eyes. Patience, and my lack there of.  To any of my dear friends whom were with me along the way growing up, I'd like to believe most would say I was a good guy, maybe a bit of a clown at times but, my heart was in the right place.  I am sure some would recall a bit of a temper, maybe a bit scattered, lacking patience and while I was never ever aggressive, my mood could take odd swings, and sadly I knew this.  Like most hormone raging adolescents, we hopefully get it right in time.  I am here...

My approach to running evolved from a blend of desire, curiosity, and passion.  There's never been any real intent on being the best at a local race.  The desire to push my own limits and learning how to embrace the uncomfortable parts of the competition is honestly my favorite part. The post race coffee, omelette and pancakes are maybe just as epic as the finish line sprint too. Signing up for a local race doesn't warrant prize money, shoe sponsors or even highlights in the newspaper.  What I've found so unique in the running community though is regardless of age, ability, and racing experience, the camaraderie and spirit that exists amongst the crowd is something special. I appreciate and enjoy watching the early 20 somethings or high school freaks put on a show based on their youth and pure strength, but for me, the inspiration for the sport comes from the several decades plus runners, staying at it and passing down the figurative torch to all those who lace '...