T1D Age Group National Champion

It all started with a dream, and those fateful words on July 31, 2015. Luke told his triathlon coach, the day after the USA Triathlon Nationals.

“Coach, I want to come back and race next year and I want to be the age group National Champion!” 

Fast forward one year later to the day,  July 31, 2016. Luke Rosser raced the race of his life, to clench the USA Triathlon 14-year-old Age Group National Championship title!

I was recently asked to share Luke’s story by Diabetes Mine. Today they published his story, and instead of me re-capping it here I am going to share the story below. Just click on the link below to read  how Luke is beating the odds!

Read here: Luke’s Olympic Hopes

Paying It Forward: Kids Helping Kids

Diabetes rocked our world when Luke was diagnosed, and we had an incredible amount of support from our family and friends. Fast forward 17 months and  Luke wants to pay it forward!

Luke is on a mission. He is dedicating his USAT Nationals Youth Championship Triathlon Race  on July 31st to a cause that hits very close to home. He is partnering with Florida Hospital  in Orlando Florida to raise money for uninsured kids who are managing their diabetes and have trouble affording the necessities. The high cost of insulin, testing strips, pen needles, lancets and other vital supplies is often a large barrier to many families.

Here is a breakdown of daily costs for these items that keep Luke and other type one diabetics alive each day:

Testing strips: $1 per strip (usally one tests at least 6-8 times per day) and a box of 100 usually costs $100.
Insulin: $200 per pack of 5 insulin pens. (needles not included)
Lancets/Needles: Those prices vary starting around $10 per box. (varying)
Glucogon: $50 (lifesaving pen if ones sugar drops extremely low)

I am so proud of Luke’s desire to help others, and spread awareness, all for the sake of potentially saving a life!

In order to bring change to our communities, we must BE THE CHANGE!

Please go to Luke’s Community Campaign Page to help Luke help other kids. The page was created for Luke by Florida Hospital, Orlando.

Spread Awareness. Be the Voice.

BE THE CHANGE!

Tour de Cure Ambassador 2016

I cannot believe I am typing this! It has been a long 10 months, and we have come a long way. My Type 1 Diabetic son was asked to be the 2016 Ambassador for the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure in Orlando, Florida. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would be walking this journey if you had told me this a year ago.

Life is not rose, nor is this an easy road we are on, however we have chosen to embrace it. Life handed us a bag of lemons, so we have been making a lot of lemonade this year!

Luke is passionate about all things exercise, healthy choices and living life to the fullest. He reminds me daily that “you only live once.” We are on a fast-moving train, and are taking each moment to share his story with as many people as we can. You never know whose life you might save.

Luke has asked me to share his story on this blog, in hopes that we reach many across the nation. Luke has also requested that I encourage anyone reading this blog to get involved in your local American Diabetes Association chapter. Find a Tour de Cure or a Step Out Walk  and make a difference. Sign up to ride, or walk or even just donate to the fundraising page. The American Diabetes Association is an incredible organization to support and get involved with. They do great things for people and families effected by both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

Take a stand. Be the change!

DNF: It Changed My Life

Did. Not. Finish.

Those are some powerful words, than no one really wants to hear. Days and days of setting the alarm clock to awaken me before the chickens even start to think about stirring. Countless hours of brutal training in the Florida heat and not to mention missing out on many family happenings. All of the blood, sweat and tears just to hear those words: “I’m sorry, but we have to take your timing chip from you.” Nothing can prepare you for this moment. The sadness is deep. The pain is real. My DNF was not the end, but only the beginning.

For months I had my sights set on racing the Ironman Chattanooga 140.6 Triathlon Race, the “Choo.” I decided to dedicate my race to my friend Linda, and had been fundraising for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation for TEAM Linda the entire time.

The swim went off without a hitch. The water was crisp, and quite clear. I could not have been more pleased with my swim finish time, and had no real issues to speak of. It truly was a great swim!

The trek through T1 was swift as there were ample volunteers to guide you through the hustle and bustle. I was feeling fabulous and ready to conquer the 116 miles that lied ahead of me. Nothing, and I mean nothing could have prepared me for what was to come next. My nutrition was on the money during training so how was it that at mile 35, nausea reared its ugly head? After all I had 10 months of training for this epic day. My mantra was simple, just keep peddling and keep moving forward. All those fancy quotes I had memorized went out the window at this point. Nothing I took in, whether it was solid or liquid, was helping. That was truly the longest 116 miles of my life!

Cruising into T2 was a welcome sight. If I could just get off this darn bike, get some chicken broth to sip, I might be okay. Before I move on, I must pause and say how amazing the all of the volunteers were! Making my way through T2 and grabbing my special needs changing bag, I was met by an angel, aka a volunteer.  She walked me to the women’s changing tent then ordered me to sit, and proceeded to remove my clothes, shoes, socks, etc., from my bag. She laid everything out in an orderly fashion, and brought me some chicken broth to settle my stomach.  She then, literally, undressed me, and re-dressed me, race belt and all, and equipped me for my run. I seriously don’t know if I would have been capable of doing all that in such a quick manner. My clock was ticking so this was a huge help to me. She was my angel that day!

Now it was time to get down to business. 26.2 miles of running through the streets of Chattanooga, down by the river bed, then up though a very mountainous terrain awaited me. With the nausea at an all time high, I was ready with my new mantra. “I can do all things!”

The first loop of the run was difficult as the nausea was here to stay, but running along the riverbed with the sun setting was spectacular. The mountainous hills were no joke for the second half of the run course. Somehow I managed to make it back down the mountain and across the bridge where my family was waiting. I had been digging deep for 13 plus hours. My tank was running low, and the words from an Ironman official that was waiting for me at the gate on the second loop was “You need to go!” So GO I did! I was not giving up. Dry heaving, blisters, nausea, fatigue, you name it, I had it, but I was not giving up!

Little did I know that I was the very last athlete to be allowed to start the second loop. Running alone, with no one else around you, with only your thoughts to keep you company is quite humbling. At this point the volunteer stations were making strides to tear down. I was the last athlete to pass through their stations. No cheering crowds, no fun sites to take in, just me and the slightly lit roadways leading into the darkness. Keeping with my mantra and putting one foot in front of the other, I kept moving forward. My pace was slowing, I could feel it deep within as if I had a slow leak. I managed to make it to mile 22 when the dreaded golf cart was waiting just ahead. Before the Ironman official even said anything I knew what she was going to say.

” I’m sorry, but we have to take your timing chip from you.”

While I never shed any tears, a flood of emotions came over me at that moment.

I took a leap of faith many months back and I dared to dream.  What most people only dream about, I set out to accomplish. I never gave up. Not only did I push through pain, sweat, nausea, fatigue, and blisters, but most importantly I pushed past all the mental demons that tell you, you can’t do it. I pushed through all the fears I have ever had. I discovered many things about myself I didn’t know existed. I found out who I really am that day.

I am determined. I am strong. I am resilient. I am a warrior. I never give up. I am not broken. I am a survivor.

I am an OVERCOMER!

My Choo journey may have come to an abrupt end at that moment but I decided to not let this DNF define me. I made it through 140 miles which by all other standards is the true distance of an Ironman race. IM Choo was not only 4 miles longer on the bike but our swim time was cut short by 30 minutes right from the start. I have no reason to hang my head. The valuable lessons I learned that day that speak volumes to my kids is simply this.

Never give up! When you are faced with defeat, how you handle yourself in the midst of adversity is a testimony to everyone around you.

When you fall off a horse, you get right back on! So here’s to next years adventures in racing. I don’t have plans to tame the beast in Chattanooga, but to race Ironman Maryland 2016. I am going to finish what I started.

The Final Countdown

The final countdown has begun. I am a ball of nerves. One minute I’m bursting with excitement and the next minute I’m in my bed crying. The journey to an Ironman 140.6 is no joke! I keep hearing the voice of my coach saying, “If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.” It has been one long year of brutal training, but there have been two people who have kept me moving forward, with my sights on the finish line. While there are many people whom I find inspiration from, there are two that have played a major role in all of this. If it were not for these two amazing individuals, I might have given up long ago.

Meet Linda Baker.

She lives with a disease called Pulmonary Fibrosis, which there is no cure for. Pulmonary Fibrosis is a disease marked by scarring in the lungs. Tissue deep in the lungs becomes thick, stiff and scarred. The scarring is called fibrosis. As the lung tissue becomes scarred, it interferes with a person’s ability to breathe. Linda’s companion that goes everywhere with here is a portable oxygen tank. To simply breath, and live, she must be on oxygen at all times. If I was going to set out to do the race of my life, I felt I should not only have Linda as my race partner, but also raise money for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.  Thus TEAM Linda  was formed. Throughout my training and expanding my lungs along with my high level of activity, I truly believed Linda would find healing. I believed her symptoms would lessen and the disease would not progress but come to a stand still. Not only has Linda’s disease stopped progressing but she has lost 30 plus pounds and is a candidate for a complete lung transplant!

Let me now introduce you to my 13-year-old son Luke, who was recently diagnosed with Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes.

He inspires me everyday. He is an amazing triathlete and elite swimmer who has beaten many odds this year, since the T1D diagnosis. There have been many times where I doubted my abilities to keep moving forward, but then I am reminded of what it means to persevere, via my son. He said he was not going to let his diagnosis stop him from achieving his dreams and goals. He reminds me all the time that we should never allow ourselves to be defined by our circumstances, but to push beyond them and keep moving forward. He is wise beyond his years. Luke went from the PICU unit of a three-day hospital stay to making the podium at all of his triathlon races and taking 8th in the nation at USAT Youth Nationals Championship Triathlon in Ohio. He inspires me to be a better person and better athlete. Seeing him balance life with Type 1 Diabetes and still race like there is no tomorrow, absolutely inspires me!

In just 11 days, I will be embarking on an adventure I never thought I would sign up to do, willingly I might add. I will fight to the end to finish strong as both Linda and Luke show this kind of determination on a daily basis.

My one request and reason for this blog entry is simply this.

Live!

Live your life today like there is no tomorrow. Push aside your fears of failure and do hard things!

When someone says you “can’t” do something, than set out to prove them wrong and say “watch me”!

Life is too short to live with the thoughts “I wish… I should have….”

T1D A New Journey

Your son has Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. Words a mom never wants to hear. Someone please wake me up from the horrible dream. This can’t be right, there must be a mistake.

Let me rewind a for a moment.

My boys swim competitively with NTC Aquatics and are elite triathletes on a triathlon team, Endorphin Fitness out of Virginia. They compete on many levels.  This fateful day was no different, as we were at a big swim meet in Tampa Fl. My 12-year-old was feeling “off” and seemed more nervous than normal upon stepping up to the swim block. His freestyle swim was not great, and seemed way off base for him, but after his exit he assured us along with his coach that he was just nervous. Oddly enough he retreated to the bathroom for the 100th time and said after throwing up  he felt better. Over the last week he seemed to be more tired, and eating us out of house and home. Not to mention the amount of water this child was drinking! All of his symptoms led us to believe he was going through a growth spurt, puberty, and lots of hard training. The next two swim races were spot on, and he decreased his time by several seconds, and chalking this all up to nerves.

Sunday morning comes and things go south fast. We were up early to leave the hotel and head to the swim meet after breakfast when things got crazy.

My 12-year-old is looking like he hasn’t slept in ages, and can’t even eat a morsel of breakfast. Something is not right. This is not normal.

My “mothers intuition” says he needs to take a break and rest. After a few sips of chocolate milk, and a quick snooze, everything that could possibly be in his belly came up. Being in a hotel and frantic with fear that he must have the flu or a terrible cold, we quickly load up and head out. Several conversations ensued with several nurse friends, with all of them having concerns that he could be diabetic. Being there was no way this could be the case, we went to the swim meet, but would just rest in the car while my youngest son competed.

Dropping the family off at the gate and attempting to find a close parking space would be a miracle, since over 1,000 kids were present to compete. With my sons stomach being queasy we left and headed to get some ginger ale.

THEN,  it hit me.

One look in the back seat said it all. Exhausted, stomach ache, looking pale, and dark circles forming around his eyes. This was not right on all accounts.

I’ll spare the details, but we high tailed it out of Tampa and headed back to Orlando to Arnold Palmer Hospital’s ER.

One finger prick and vitals, and we were whisked into a room with nurses waiting to start IV’s. My head was spinning out of control, and my fears were in overdrive playing games with my brain.

I remember the doctor asking me if we knew our son had Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes and if we had a family history of such.

Wait….. did you just say Diabetes?

How can it be? How can this beautiful, strong, active swimmer, triathlete have Type 1 Diabetes?

To say we were in shock is an understatement. I will never forget the doctors words.

“Mrs. Rosser, your sons blood sugar level is 1014, and he’s Ketoacidosis.”

So what exactly is Ketoacidosis you ask? It is when someones blood levels are so high, and their blood is acidic, they have a great chance of slipping into a coma, their kidneys can shut down and they can potentially suffer brain damage.

 The journey was just beginning. As one doctor put it, “Mrs. Rosser, you will have a PhD in Endocrinology when you leave this hospital” and let me just say he was not kidding!

We have been home just over a week, and we are still trying to wrap our brains around it all. What surprises me is how many people don’t know the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 1 is where the pancreas shuts down, and no longer creates insulin, therefore one must have insulin shots to survive. This is not controlled by diet, but will always be on insulin. Type 1 diabetics can eat whatever they want, they just need to treat themselves for it with the proper dose of insulin. There is no cure.

Type 2 can be controlled. Some people have to take insulin to help them along as their pancreas isn’t doing the job well, and some can control it with their diet and exercise. Type 2 diabetics need to watch what they eat and be mindful of the sugars intake and carbs. When proper weight and eating habits are in place, many can come off insulin and their body will function quite normal.

We will not allow T1D to define us. We are strong. We are bigger than this. We are charging forward with new purpose, a new mission you might say. Triathlon season is just beginning, and we are taking it by force!

If you can dream it

YOU CAN DO IT!

TEAM Linda

Meet Linda Baker. She is a beautiful, smart, savvy, fun, loving, caring, kind, sweet, amazing, fearless woman.

She is living with a rare disease called Pulmonary Fibrosis.

That’s me in the picture with her. The one with the crazy skirt, hat and no make up on! Yep, standing next to this incredible woman who inspires me daily!

So here’s the scoop. I am fulfilling a dream of mine in 2015, and I’m taking Linda on this journey with me. She is my racing partner. We are competing in The Ironman Chattanooga Triathlon. I figured if I’m going to swim 2.4 miles in a dark cold river, then hop on my bike that sports a seat in the width size of a ruler for 112 miles of hills no doubt, then throw on my running shoes and hobble run (that’s my new term)  26.2 miles to a finish line ALL within 17 hours, then I might as well raise some money and awareness to this terrible debilitating disease! Whew, that was a run on sentence for sure. Don’t judge.

Ironman Chattanooga  September 2015 is the BIG race.

And the month of September just happens to be Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month!

As incredible of a journey this is,  Linda really is the one who’s in a race. She is racing against time for her life. There is no cure whatsoever for this very rare disease. Linda has to have oxygen with her at all times. She goes no where without it. Can you imagine lugging around a heavy oxygen tank all day with all the gear that goes along with it? I am convinced that Linda is superwoman as she makes it look so easy and does it with such grace.

Currently there are no local chapters in the U.S. for support of families that have loved ones fighting this disease. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is a National Foundation, and rates among TOP CHARITIES in the U.S. and they have earned the highest distinctions given by both Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau.

This is where YOU can make a difference. First you can join TEAM Linda on Facebook and SHARE the page with your friends.

Next, you can click on the link below, and it will take you to my First Giving page under the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/meredithrosser/ironmanchattanooga

Together WE can make a difference.

Since Linda is my race partner,  you will see much more of her as time ticks on. She is a conqueror and she will beat this disease.

Give TODAY, even if it’s only $10. Nothing is too small, as it all makes a mark!

Be apart of this journey!

BE TEAM Linda!

The Journey Begins….

There is nothing more thrilling than watching your kids play sports, or in my case watching them race in my favorite sport of triathlon. Below is my youngest racing to a 3rd place victory at a recent triathlon race.

Rewind back about eight years ago, when Hot Hubs and I took the boys camping at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. Our first taste of the triathlon sport came by way of the 70.3 Ironman Florida Race. From our campsite you could hear sounds of bells, cheers, and occasionally a horn. This sparked out interest especially since all the ruckus started at the crack of dawn. Witnessing athletes fly by us on their bikes wearing crazy bike helmets (which later I discovered were the best of the best) and zooming by us at breathtaking speed was an adrenaline rush for sure! We were intrigued and wanted a piece of that pie and the rest is history!

Racing should always be fun, and when it’s not fun anymore, than it’s time to hang it up. It’s easy to get caught up in the competition of it all, especially if your racing against friends. No one admit it, but competition amongst friends can be fierce. The older I get, the more I’ve come to realize the prize is not who crosses the finish line first, but just simply completing the race with dignity is what really matters the most. The feeling of accomplishment and  pride. My first taste of triathlon came by way of The Danskin Triathlon. This was just the beginning.

Giving back to the sport, and helping others achieve those dreams of crossing the finish line strong has been in the forefront for me. Coaching a group of athletes with Tri 413  Training Group and watching my kids compete is the icing on the cake. But alas a new fire has been lit underneath me and my  long stretch of a break has come to an end. It is time to get back in the saddle to the tune of 140.6. For those who might be scratching their heads right now, that’s a full Ironman Triathlon of  swim, bike and run with a grand total of 140.6 miles. Yikes that was scary to type!

Time is flying by at a clipped pace, and to continue my dreaming of “What If” is over. I want to be where the action is, feel the wind snaking through my hair, and the warm sun upon my face. HA, who am I kidding? 140.6 miles is no jog in the park, but there’s no time like the present. After all, just like our slogan states so boldly from Hot Chic Sports: Hot Chic’s Do It All. And might I add too, why put off tomorrow what you can do today?

So the journey begins, Hot Chic style of course. 140.6 in 2015 is no easy feat, but I’m ready for the challenge. As a bonus, I’m blessed  to be given the great opportunity to share in this journey with some of the amazing athletes I currently train. Life is a gift, and I don’t want to waste a minute of it. One of my new slogans, and yes I do have quite a few, is simply

Be Intentional…. Live With Intention! 

Who Inspires You?

Who inspires you? I live amongst all “men” so to speak, as I am the odd gal out. A house full of boys, and a husband. Even the dog is a male! But I must say, my boys are at the forefront of my inspiration. They make me want to be better. Not just a better person, but a stronger, better athlete. Tomorrow is the first race of triathlon season for my boys and I am so pumped. I don’t live my life through them, but I certainly love the excitement and anticipation of the big day. Every race is big, but the first race of the season is key, because everyone is sizing everyone up from the long break from the previous year. They say train a child up in the way they should go….. and we most certainly do that at Casa Rosser.

My boys have been racing since they were each age 6. This is in our blood, it’s what we do. They are my inspiration. Like all good parents, Hot Hubs and I  strive to embed a “healthy lifestyle” in our boys, which not only include organic healthy eating, but exercise through sports as well. I guess it has come natural to the boys since Hot Hubs and I have both ben racing for a number of years, but I won’t complain as this is my sport of choice. Race life is crazy! If you race than you can contest to this. But through it all, as I watch my boys train and compete, I am inspired to be better. These boys are wicked fast, well…. in my eyes they are… but I know I can never be on that level. Don’t get me wrong, not that I don’t want to, it’s just the simple fact that I won’t. I’m too old…. there I said it. I never developed the fast twitch muscle as they are currently doing, but that’s okay. They inspire me. They work hard, and they set out to achieve a goal, and by gosh they do it!

The face of determination. The face of I am not giving up. The face of I am here to win. This is what lights a fire underneath me. In their world, it’s limitless. Truly, the skies the limit. I want to think like that. I want to believe that I can win it all. Being around that kind of spunk and energy is contagious. I honestly start to think that way, then when I head out on a bike ride with them, and I’m left in their dust and can’t keep up…. then I remember that I’m 41 years old and not as fast as they are. But this my friends is what inspires me to do better, train harder, keep pushing, and by gosh FINISH STRONG in all I do!

Who Inspires You?