My Story
From diagnosis to the starting line — and every mile in between.
Photo coming soon
The Diagnosis
I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes as an adult. Like most people who get the diagnosis, I didn't know what to expect. The early days were a crash course in nutrition, blood sugar management, and the constant awareness that becomes second nature after a while.
What nobody tells you at diagnosis is that life doesn't have to shrink. It just looks a little different. You carry more gear. You plan more carefully. You learn to read your body in ways most people never have to.
Finding Running
I came to running later than most. A friend dragged me to a local 5K and I finished dead last, convinced I'd never do it again. But something about it stuck with me. The simplicity. The honesty. No shortcuts, just putting one foot in front of the other.
Managing diabetes on runs was terrifying at first. I'd check my blood sugar obsessively and keep my phone in hand the whole time. Over time, I figured out my patterns. I learned what aerobic runs do to my numbers versus intervals. I found gear that works. I made diabetes just another variable to manage — not a reason to stay on the couch.
Why I Fundraise
Running gave me something to fight for beyond myself. I have Type 2, but I fundraise for Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) — the world's leading organization funding T1D research. Diabetes affects millions of people across both types, and I believe in showing up for the whole community. They've been instrumental in developing CGM technology, closed-loop insulin delivery systems, and clinical trials that are moving us toward a cure.
Every time I sign up for a race, I also open a fundraising page. I ask my community to turn my miles into money that goes directly toward research. It's the best way I know to fight back.
What's Next
I'm always in some phase of training. Whether that's base building, a marathon cycle, or recovering between races — there's always another goal on the horizon. Follow along on the blog, check out the knowledge hub for resources, and consider supporting a campaign when one is active.
Thanks for being here. It means more than you know.