Name – Stephen
Type of Diabetes – T1D
How long have you had diabetes? – 17+-years
What diabetes management tools do you use? – Insulin in Medtronic Paradigm Insulin Pump + Dexcom G4 Sensor/Receiver + BG Meter + Dex4 – Berry Blast 2oz liquid (for low blood sugars)
Where do you live? – Berwyn, PA 19312
Which sport will you be focusing on at CampWILD (Triathlon, Cycling, Run/Walk)? Are you active in any other sports? – Cycling. Other than that I like to hike, kayak, and run. I have run several shorter distance events in the past, such as local 5k, 10k, 5, or 10-mile events in the past. I did a 5k earlier in March, and was supposed to do a 5-mile on Saturday, but I deferred b/c of my current training for a 100-mile JDRF Ride and a 40+ mile ride on Sunday, and lack of any running in over three months. I still like to run typically 5k, 10k, or 5-mile runs, with rare occasional 10-mile run – someday I would like to train and complete a half marathon. I also like to kayak, but don’t get to do that very much, typically on vacation on summer in Maine – I have some great shots from two trips where I kayaked a lot in 2012.
How do you feel about calling yourself an athlete? - Ok. I typically train alone, and have no problem pushing myself, but have been working lately to do some group training, and I have have been doing a Tuesday evening bike ride with folks from the HighRoad Cycle Shop in Wayne, PA near my house. I like to compete, and usually push harder if I set a goal, such as the 100-mile ride I am training for now.
Why did you decide to come to CampWILD? – I think I have a couple reasons, but it just felt right at this point in my life.
First, 17-yrs+ living with T1D, managing my diabetes, life, family, friends, work, etc. and all without much if any contact with other people living with T1D or diabetes. Looking into CampWILD on your website and listening to the shared experiences of previous campers and then talking with Mari, it really hit me like something that I needed to do in 2013. I have been feeling lonely in managing my diabetes and even though I have generally good numbers, I feel need for some added support and encouragement with others sharing and working through the in’s and out’s of living, training and managing diabetes. I have always been a positive person, and don’t want my diabetes management to change me.
Second, I want to work on my athletic training and nutrition to streamline and provide me with better tools and opportunities to function better as a athlete who lives with T1D, so I can reduce some of my low blood sugars, and better fuel my pre-during-post workouts to give me sustained energy to perform where the way I want without ever having to look back because of my T1D – I want full control of it so I can pass the other rider on the hills with only having to do it with normal constraints, and not also potentially a BS of 60 or lower later in a ride. I work really hard to control my bs #’s sometimes so hard and tight that I don’t leave much room – so the fueling your body portion I think is really an important aspect to help me better regulate and level my needs for cycling longer distances.
What do you hope most to get out of CampWILD? – Some long-lasting shared stories, experiences and connection with other folks with similar aspirations to be better athletes while taking control of their diabetes. I want to focus on my nutritional balance – I have done a lot of work since 2012 – to better balance and add protein, fat, carbs into each meal – but it is always a struggle with life. I want to really see what I can learn and do to help better prepare for before riding or running, and then what I can do during and after to help be perform better and recover. Third, I am interested in working with the cycling coaches to better learn and help me become better at cycling, which I am still relatively new too, but love.
How did you find out about CampWILD? – through a link on Facebook.
Want to join Stephen and Emily at CampWILD this summer? Sign up today. We’re almost full.
Daniel, one of TeamWILD’s cycling coaches, lives in Colorado where he cycles and climbs the beautiful mountains. In 2010, he raced with Team Type 1/Team Novo Nordisk’s Race Across America campaign. Currently, he is planning a wedding and looking forward to CampWILD this summer. He took a few minutes to talk about what motivates and inspires him. 
