Did You Say Vegetable Gummies?

Everyone comes up with crazy resolutions when it’s a new year. I keep hearing people around me say:

“I’m going to get healthy this year” or “I’m going to eat better this year” and the most famous one “I’m going to start an exercise and diet program.” 

All of these things can be good and are beneficial to everyone, however about 8% of the individuals who make these resolutions, actually stick to them and succeed.  This is a very low statistic and yet the choice is very simple, and can be very easy. It truly is just mind over matter and a few small adjustments.

I am always looking for ways to help my family stay healthy, and keep sicknesses at bay, but aren’t we all? I pour over research studies on all kinds of supplements, vitamins and ways to provide a healthier living for myself and my family. I have been using a product for the last 6 months that has truly been my daily breakfast. I have blogged about it before, and I credit my success in Ironman training to using Vive  as my breakfast shake and then for recovery after long workouts. I continue to us this product to this very day.

I also take a multi vitamin on a daily basis, but so does Hot Hubs and my teenage boys. With sickness and disease always in the back of my mind, I often wonder if we are doing enough. We are extremely healthy eaters here at Casa Rosser, and I buy all Organic 99% of the time. We bone up on extra Vitamin D in the winter months as well as Vitamin C in efforts to remain healthy. It wasn’t until a few months ago that I was asked to try out a whole food vitamin, that would essentially provide me with the exact amount of fruits and vegetables that our bodies require on a daily basis. Of course my argument was,

“Oh, that sounds great but you know we eat uber healthy, and I take a multi vitamin.” 

The end result of this conversation was two packages of Juice Plus Fruit & Vegetable Gummies. I was given a months supply to try out to see how I liked it.  Never mind that the gummies themselves tasted amazing,  but how I was eating garlic, broccoli, parsley, beets, etc., in these chewable round balls of goodness was beyond me! And no more added supplements, just these fabulous soft little gum drop like gummies.

After eating these incredibly delicious vitamins everyday, and hearing how something so simple could revolutionize my life as an asthmatic, I was all ears to hear more. The benefits are astounding as the clinical trials and testimonies speak for themselves. I have asthma really bad, and anytime I get a common cold, it automatically turns into bigger issues. I get violently ill, and it takes me weeks to recover, not to mention a few doctors visits, with a round of steroids and a list of medications and inhalers. The clinical trials have shown that Juice Plus has helped dramatically with inflammation in ones body.

Umm…. HELLO…… asthma is a form of inflammation! 

The statistics associated with those who have used Juice Plus for four months and longer absolutely spoke for themselves. My 14 year old teenage son has been taking Juice Plus for several months now and his acne has dramatically improved, to the point where others were noticing. What also got my attention was how the use of Juice Plus after a period of time, actually regenerates red blood cells in ones body! To read more about this research and ongoing research, just click on this link: Juice Plus

Bottom line is this. I am always open to how I can help myself and my family live a healthier lifestyle. However I am a very cautious person and don’t just jump on the current bandwagon. I can honestly say I have been been watching many friends for the course of 5 years, take Juice Plus and have amazing testimonies to share. The results are speaking for themselves. I have been traveling on air planes, in and out of hotels, been around many sick people, including my own sister when she had strep throat (the first 48 hours prior to her going to the doctor), and I am here to share with you all I have not gotten one form of illness.

I am going into my fourth month of taking Juice Plus Fruits & Vegetable vitamins, and I’m excited to see how the next four months pan out. Because of my current results, Hot Hubs and all three of our boys are now also taking Juice Plus!

By no means was this blog post meant to be an infomercial but simply share with you all what I’ve been doing to help my body shy away from sickness and obtain optimum health.

So instead of pledging to live a healthier lifestyle, and eat better, why not actually DO IT?! Making healthy choices is simple. Try spending 30 minutes everyday doing something active like walking with your spouse, a neighbor or a friend, and know what you’re feeding your body each day.  Lastly, add a daily dose of healthy whole food vitamins. Wether it’s Juice Plus or not, do yourself a favor and read the clinical research that has been done on Juice Plus.

I did and I’m never looking back!

Need more information? I’m just a blog post away.

Diabetes Sports Project Champion

Life with a child living with type one diabetes is hard. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns. I have blogged about this journey with Luke before, and have shared with the world how we, as a family, have approached this terrible disease. Life on this balance beam is tough, but we have no choice. We can never let our guard down.

But what an honor it is when an organization contacts your son, asking if he would like to be a Champion DSP!

“Diabetes Sports Project  is an incredible organization built to inspire. Led by a group of world-class athletes who thrive with diabetes, their stories, athletic accomplishments and community outreach empower others to live healthy, responsible and active lives.”

For Luke to be asked to be apart of Diabetes Sports Project is such an honor. Of course as his momma I am to the moon proud of him, but more importantly I am proud of how he is managing his diabetes and spreading awareness in his community.

Looking into 2017, Luke has set new goals and is ready to soar to new heights. The Fine Wine For A Fine Cause event is set for February (put on by his parents of course), more T1D Panels, a 5K Family Challenge and a T1D Rally that is slated to take place next November and of course working with the American Diabetes Association on spreading awareness, and speaking to schools about overall health and wellness.

From Luke and his family, we openly thank Eric Tozer and his team for giving Luke the honor of being apart of the Diabetes Sports Project family.

Together we are the voice. We are the change! 

The Journey Is Just The Beginning

My journey to Ironman 140.6 was a two-year journey. It started in 2014 while training for Ironman Chattanooga, where I would DNF at 140 miles. That race is 144.6 (longer than a normal IM) and they take 30 minutes away from you right off the bat. I never give up, so I returned home to lick my wounds, and sign up for Ironman Maryland 2016. On October 1, 2016 I finished the race and became an Ironman. I talk about my race IM Maryland below, but what came after crossing that finish line was something I felt I needed to share.

What makes an Ironman? Well, I can tell you that one becomes an Ironman when they start their journey in training. Race day is when you put it all together, and you cross that coveted finish line to hear that simple phrase:

Meredith Rosser….. You. Are. An.  IRONMAN! 

Today, I realized over a cup of coffee, is that my journey to Ironman was not over, instead it’s only the beginning. To realize that my long time dream has come to pass, brings much emotion. But to also realize that whatever “it” is that I put my heart into next, I know without a shadow of a doubt that IT CAN BE DONE! The dream continues, as my accomplishment of crossing that finish line is truly just the beginning! So when someone says to me “I could never do…….” then I say to them:

YES YOU CAN!

This is jus the beginning.

To sum up my journey to Ironman in just a few simple words would be useless because the journey itself is no where near short. For me it has been a 2 year journey. The training that one puts time in for, endless miles, long hours, a lot of sacrifices is mind-boggling. I wanted this more than anything else and was willing to do whatever it took. My journey to Ironman began long before the start line of the race. October 1st was the day I would celebrate by putting it all together, at exactly 3:00 am when my alarm would go off.

The morning was cold, windy and very foggy. With my wetsuit on and lined up at the swim start at 6:30 am I was ready! I was excited about the swim, as I had perfected it and had my time down to a fine science, and being wetsuit legal I knew I would fly! 6:50 am we are told the swim was being cancelled as there was a small craft advisory. Looking out at the Choptank River and seeing the rough waters white capping I knew it was the right call. The waters looked very treacherous, but I will admit, I was devastated. (I even teared up sharing my thoughts with Hot Hubs)

The next stage was a time trial start. We were going to be called out by our race bib number and we had to be ready to go in 30 to 45 min. That was the longest wait of my life! I was shivering cold, the wind was blowing hard off the river, and it was a cloudy overcast morning. No sun to warm us up, only the clothes I packed in my bike changing bag. Luckily I packed arm warmers (who knew a FL chick would need these) but I would ultimately be cycling with a sleeveless triathlon top. Not much protection from the wind, rain, and the cold elements. Days leading up to the race it had rained on and off, therefore much of the race course had been flooded and was impassable. The course I rode on in a training camp, was now changed to allow us to ride. Mentally the elements, and the change of course was messing with my head. My time came, and off I went!

The first half of the bike leg was great! I think I grew wings and was flying! My average speed was 16 mph and change which was huge for me, and with the roads being slick from the rain and navigating around people, this was good, not to mention through the cold, windy elements. Staying hydrated and nibbling on food was key, but when you’re not “hot” you often forget to do this. Then, the second half of the first loop happened. HEAD WIND! I felt like I hit a brick wall, and the only thing to do is get down in aero position and grind through it! To add to this crazy wind,  came the rain. I was cruising into the “special needs” area where I can get my bag I had carefully packed with all the things I could possibly need, including dry socks, which obviously I would not need! Why change wet socks for dry ones when it was raining? Ha! I felt like crying. I was cold, shivering, my hands were virtually numb, there was no sun to warm my cold wet skin, I was feeling nauseous, and at this moment I had to decide if I was tough enough to keep going. I wanted so badly to finish what I had started but quite honestly at this point I wanted to be dry and warm again. Oh and I forgot on major detail in all of this. My “monthly friend” came to visit me the night before! For a woman, this is a huge hurdle to overcome when trying to race! In the end, I got what I needed, and gave the volunteer my bag. I had one more loop to do and knew I had to dig deep. The second loop seemed longer than the first, but coming into town, and passing my BFF Sherpa Cheryl Collison along with my boys, gave me a huge boost! What came next was absolutely unexpected! Bikers stayed to the right and runners were on the left, and there was a vast body of water, shin and calf deep! I managed to navigate through the cold waters, and make my way to rack my bike, and get my bag to prepare for the run.

With one of my fastest transitions yet, including the women’s changing tent, (that’s a whole other story) I was ready to tackle 26.2 miles. Still no sun, lots of cold wind, and my clothes are all wet, except my new socks and running shoes. Little did I know, I would be running through vast bodies of water that reached all the way up my calves and shins, not once, not twice, but 4 times! Oh, and then, between the bodies of water was a grassy trail turned thick muddy trail. I’m not talking a little dirt, I mean thick, shoe getting stuck in kind of mud! The run was 2 1/2 loops, so it was in and out of these conditions I went. The second loop was the hardest as I knew what was coming. Getting hydration, and food, gels, coke, ice, sponges, salt, etc at every run stop was crucial. I was cruising well and keeping an average pace the first loop but all seem to fall apart on the second loop and the 1/2 loop. My shoes felt like lead weights strapped to my feet, I was chaffing in areas I didn’t know I could chafe, and I was barely able to run. Walking seemed nearly impossible but I just kept moving forward. Some of the chalk drawings and choice of words along the way paved a way for a good chuckle, and the one guy sitting in a lounge chair, in the middle of the road IN the freezing cold water no less, shouting to all the athletes “Welcome to the swim!” gave us all a good laugh and encouragement. But it was passing Hot Hubs along the way, seeing Sherpa Cheryl, hearing my boys yelling at me to keep pushing on, never give up, keep moving forward, you got this, and reflecting on what Luke and Chris Clark do on a daily basis managing their diabetes is what fueled me. The words from a great friend “Suck it up buttercup” and this from another amazing athlete “IOTB” (I Own This Bitch) is what kept me going til the bitter end. I had to finish this. I had to do this for myself. Long ago I was told “You’re not an athlete, you’re not a runner.” None of this has ever been easy for me. I have had a lot to overcome. Plantars Fasciitis, a weak knee, asthma, and yes, my monthly friend to boot! I had to prove to myself and show my children that when you set out to accomplish something, you never give up. If you don’t succeed, you get back up and keep going until you do!

Running through the water and willing my legs to climb the small hill one more time was possible because I was ready to settle the score, and prove to everyone that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

The time had come, it had been a long journey, and running down that hill never felt so good. I could hear the finish line crowd, I could see the bright lights, and the song that was playing was LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” (how fitting for me). I ran with such emotion, I almost couldn’t run. My arms were going every which way, tears were streaming down my face, and the moment I had waited so long for had finally arrived. I ran into the arms of a volunteer as I heard the words called out over the sound system “Meredith Rosser…. YOU. ARE. AN. Ironman!”

Most amazing feeling ever! I cannot describe in words how it felt. To my utter excitement, after it all had sunk in, I ran some numbers. With my swim time from Chattanooga 2015, and doubling my transition times, added to Maryland 2016, I can say I finished the Ironman in just over 16 1/2 hours and change. WHAT????? This was the cherry on top for me. So some may ask or say  “Your swim was cancelled, your course was cut short, you’re really not an Ironman since you didn’t do it all in one day” to which I will reply you are wrong.

The journey to Ironman 140.6 did no take place on race day, but leading up to the race. I have done the distances, some twice and one (IM Choo in 2015) was even 4 miles LONGER & our times were cut by 30 min. So YES, I am owning this race and this victory and then some! After all, the conditions to which we raced were like no other. Who gets to race an Ironman, and say they pushed through all what we pushed through?!

Cold, wet, foggy, rainy, windy, muddy and deep waters of “swim” bike run. It was epic and the stories of this day will be told for years to come. I wear my hat, my shirts, and my medal with pride. I am an Ironman!

Athlete T1D Panel 2016: When an idea became a reality

Sometimes the best ideas come to us when we are dashing from one place to the next. Recently, Hot Hubs was driving me to the airport when he had this crazy idea he shared with me. It went something like this:

“Hey, Mere, I have this crazy idea…..what if we pulled together some type one diabetic athletes who have overcome many odds, and had a coffee chat of sorts?” 

After a few moments of chatting back and forth about how we would put something like this together, and where we would host this and so forth, it came to me! A few phone calls later, and some brain storming, the first ever T1D Panel was formed!

What is a T1D panel you ask? What if you could reach many to encourage and inspire? What if you had a panel of four incredible athletes of different ages, a leading endocrinologist, and a leading scientist all together on one platform, to impart wisdom, knowledge and share in how the diabetic athletes  have overcome many obstacles to reach their dreams? What if it was set up so that it was moderated by a local television news reporter? Put all of those things together in a room on a stage, and you get the T1D Panel.

The athletes sitting on the panel all have incredible stories and testimonies on how they have overcome many obstacles to reach their dreams and goals all the while balancing type one diabetes. I refer to our life like this:

“We are living on a balance beam. Luke is always on that balance beam, balancing his diabetes, trying to keep from going too far to the right and too far to the left.  The goal is to stay in the middle.” 

For most everyone, making the choice to get out of bed in the morning, dress yourself for a morning run, and head out the door, it’s really that simple. But for a diabetic athlete, it’s not that simple. Everything a diabetic athlete does rises and falls on where their blood sugar levels are at that time. Planning for a race, a competition, a game, really anything, it has to be well thought out. Depending on where ones sugar levels are, that has to be tweaked. There is so much to do in preparing for athletic activities like this, and the four panelists that have been chosen to speak, all have overcome many hurdles in their quest for the finish line!

Wether you’re a runner, triathlete, mountain climber, basketball player, football player, dancer, snow boarder, etc. and you’re living with diabetes, I want you to know that you can do ALL things, whatever it is! I cannot tell you how many stories we have heard over the last 18 months where other T1D families have asked

“How does Luke do what he does?”  or “Wow, I wish my child could do things like they used to before their diagnosis.” 

The T1D Panel was formed to inspire, encourage and impart a wealth of knowledge about how these athletes have overcome their challenges. The most exciting part about the panel is the wide range of athletes and their ages. Paul Finelli, with Florida Hospital, along with the American Diabetes Association Central Florida, have done an outstanding job of putting our idea into reality. We are hoping the event will be available for live streaming, and we are also hoping it will be recorded so we can share it later.

Here’s the exciting part. The T1D Panel Team:

Chris Clark, UltraMan Triathlete

Lauren Adams, Boston Marathoner

Luke Rosser, USA Triathlon Age Group National Champion

Ralph Hopkins, Athlete & US Attorney General

Will Cross, Mountain Climber

Moderator: Sonni Abatta 

As soon as I get a link for live streaming, I will share it here! The panel is set to take place on Sunday, October 23rd @ 4:00 pm.

“Be active and make healthy choices. Never stop giving up on your dreams and keep reaching for the stars.”  – Luke Rosser

The Day I Stopped Believing Was The Day I Started Believing Again

I won’t lie, it has been a rough two years. With my son being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, and the roller coaster that followed I must admit I stopped believing in myself as an athlete. I was in the midst of training for my first Ironman that was to take place in Chattanooga in 2016 when our lives were turned upside down. But just like we preach to our boys, I had to pick myself up and keep moving forward. That fateful night, when I was pulled off the run course in my first full Ironman Triathlon, I mentally gave up. I never give up on anything in life nor did I ever give up that night but I lost a part of myself when the three little letters were next to my name on the athlete list. DNF.

I mourned my DNF for a couple of days, then immediately jumped back into the game and set out to settle the score. I signed up for another Ironman. This time I was going to race a different course. Ironman Maryland seemed like a more suitable course, as it is flat, flat and more flat. But the catch is swimming in the Choptank River, and fighting the big headwinds on the bike. My mind was made up and I felt it was destiny to race almost exactly one year later from my DNF in Chattanooga.

As soon as I got my confirmation that I was “in” I was pumped, but as time marched on, I started to doubt myself. This has been one of the hottest summers that I can remember. Living in Florida, and the intense heat paired with super high humidity, was not a good mix for training. It has been brutal to say the least. Fatigue set in early in the months of training, and self-doubt started to take over. Why was I doing this again? When did riding on a road bike for five and six hours become fun? And not to mention running in the intense humidity and heat! 3 am wake up calls to start long rides in the dark while it was cooler got real old really fast.

I missed my family. I missed hanging out with our friends. For the second summer in a row, my life revolved around training. I started to question was it really worth it? To add to this crazy mix, my two younger sons were also training for their big race at USAT Nationals in Ohio. So between taking them to swim team practice at 6 am each day, and shuffling them to their own triathlon training sessions with their coach, I was mess! I am wife and mom first and foremost so my boys lives took center stage ahead of mine.

Training has not been what I envisioned it would be. Finding balance has been tough.

My breaking point came during a training camp in Cambridge, Maryland, the day we were out riding on the bike course. It was brutally hot, more of a dry heat hot. My lips were chapped, I was sucking down water like I have never done before, and I was riding alone. There were others out on the course, but I was a lone dove with the exception of others passing. Much of an Ironman race is mental. I know this and can say I usually have a good handle on this end of things, but on this day, I was literally losing it. Riding along on a long flat road in the middle of nowhere and hearing shot-gun shots going off, having someone fly by you in a truck then chucking coins out at you from the window as they passed, fighting a brutal head wind and being all alone is not my idea of fun. I missed a turn and only realized this when I was almost back to where I started. My 112 mile bike ride was cut short by my mere mistake and I only biked 70 miles of the course.

There is no crying in Ironman, but I cried like there was no tomorrow. I felt as if I was at the threshold of hell. I felt like a failure. I kept thinking to myself, how am I supposed to finish this race when I hadn’t even started yet? It was an awful moment but a pivotal one.

In my moment of questioning it all, a couple of texts came through on my phone. Messages of hope, reminding me how to persevere through the dark place I found myself in. No truer words were spoken by my 14-year-old type one diabetic son. He made me a paper to keep next to my bed, so when I was doubting it all, I only had to look at this:

This boy knows what it’s like to be in a bad place. I feel like he must feel defeated often, living with diabetes, giving himself injections all day long while pricking his finger countless times. Luke does not let diabetes define him, so how can I quit before I have even started? Someone very wise told me this at that moment:

“Suck it up buttercup! You’ve got this. Your body has got this. Get your mind in line. It hurts, it is a gut check but you have this. I know you can, you know you can! Just do it.” 

Another great mantra that I will let you figure out, that another friend reminded me of:

“IOTB!”

This was the day I started believing again. I was hundreds of miles away from my kids, and friends but at this moment, they were there with me, sitting under a shady tree. Sometimes we only need to be reminded of the simple things. I had to go down this dark road to get to this spot where I am today.

I believe I can. I believe I am strong. I believe I am an overcomer.

I simply BELIEVE!

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!

More Than Just A Brand

When you think of a “brand” what comes to mind? I automatically think of Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Kraft, Organic Girl, Green Wise, just to name a few. What those brands represent may or may not have much meaning. Clearly Green Wise, by Publix 99% of the time, means that the product labeled with that name is USDA Organic. That has great meaning if you’re looking to buy food that is grown naturally with no chemicals, pesticides, and so forth.

Lr. More than just any ordinary brand.

 

 It has significant meaning. Deep rooted meaning all the way down to the color scheme. Lr is strong, resilient, brave, fighter, over comer, hope, active, winner, confident, capable, successful, and creative just to name a few.  Lr represents Luke Rosser, Type One Diabetic Athlete & Advocate who is on a mission to spread awareness about diabetes and making good choices.  Ironically Lr is an element on the periodic table too. Who knew?

 From the moment doctors told Luke that exercise saved his life, upon being diagnosed at age 12 with type one diabetes, he has made it his mission to make a difference in his community. This mission has been to build a better community for young teens and kids alike. Just last month Luke was given the opportunity to speak at the Town of Oakland’s Commission Meeting. He requested to build a small mountain bike park for kids and teens so they can be creative and more active. That meeting was very successful and the planning stages are in the works now for the new place in the local park!

Next on Luke’s agenda is to get kids excited about living an active lifestyle from making good choices. His message is to encourage  kids  to put down the video games, turn off the television, and spend time outside being active. Luke wants to reach as many kids as possible, so to start that endeavor he has been speaking at several schools in recent weeks. He’s spoken to a group of home schoolers at their Co-Op, and spoke to 80 plus 4th graders at a local elementary school in our community as well as over 120 students in an elementary school in Lake County.

Luke’s message is clear. Be the active. Be the voice. Be the change. He has proposed a challenge.

Will you take the “Lr Challenge?”

It’s quite simple.

 Make exercise a priority in your life. Make the better choice to live a healthy lifestyle. Spend at least 30 minutes everyday doing something that is a physical activity. This means take a walk with the family, play soccer in the backyard with the kids, go for a bike ride, jump rope, hula hoop, play basketball, swim, aqua jog, run, play tennis, the ideas are endless! Making choices to a better lifestyle are often not easy, but can be done if you make it fun. Get your family, friends, kids and neighbors involved. Set out to make better healthier choices. Choose water for hydration, limit your intake of surgery drinks. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less fast food.

Take a stand. Be the voice in your community. Be the change. It all starts with you! Take the Lr Challenge, and help Luke spread awareness about diabetes.

Lr.

It’s more than just a symbol or a brand. It’s a movement.

Lr is a challenge!

Take the challenge today and share with Luke on his Facebook page!

Many thanks to Mike Mitchell with Overhead Films for creating the incredible Lr logo.

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!

The Face of Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes

This is the face of Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes.

It is strong. It is resilient. It is determined. It is over coming boundaries. It is succeeding where it doesn’t seem possible. It is living and thriving!

Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes does not define this kid nor does it control what he does.

HE is in control and is determined to share his story with others in hopes to bring change to how they view living a healthy lifestyle.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. We are getting ready to launch Luke’s story and bring change to legislation! This takes a group effort. This picture speaks a thousand words, but it also shows how a group effort can bring change to many lives. Chris Clark is the face of Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes. Chris was the first Type 1 Diabetic to complete an Ultraman Triathlon.

Thank you Chris Clark for starting a fire within us all. Together we,

Will. Be. The. Change!

November, Diabetes Awareness Month.

Be healthy. Be strong. Be resilient. Be determined. Be an over comer. Be the voice.

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.