
I am so exited! It’s time to get ready for a marathon! This May, I will be running the New River Marathon located in Boone, NC. I am really passionate about this years run, and I am so grateful to all of the people who have helped me get here.
On race day, I will represent the diabetic community’s incredible potential, just like I do every time I run. Myself, along with every other runner with T1D symbolize that anything is possible with disciple and determination.
I want to share with you a couple things about my journey up to race day, as well as a couple ways you can support me and other runners with T1D at the end.
Why I run
One of the most important questions that every runner must answer at some point is, “WHY DO YOU RUN? Once you can answer this, passion, not motivation, will fuel you to go beyond limits and do crazy things like run for 26.2 miles.
Spend some time right now thinking about why it is that you run (or whatever type of workout you do). Then next time you are struggling to find motivation, remember your why and let it drive you.
For me, the answer to this question is absurdly simple yet profound. I run for three reasons
- I love to challenge myself. I push myself harder, farther, and faster in my runs so I can excel in every area of my life. I pursue excellence in my body and mind and then let that poor over into the rest of my life.
- I love how running makes me feel. When I get out of bed in a couple months to go run a marathon, it will be fun. But the hundreds of hours that I spend training before the race will transform my body. Running is how I master diabetes and live a healthy and abundant life.
- I do it for others. Probably the main reason I run, I want to show up for those I love. It has been said that serving others is the most powerful motivator. I haver found this to be true. When it is hard for me to get out of bed, I think about 60 years from today. I want to be in amazing health so that I can play with my grandkids.
If you would like to read more of my story and learn what inspires me to take on new challenges everyday, you can HERE.
Running a marathon with diabetes
As a type 1 diabetic, both the marathon and the training leading up to race day present unique challenges and rewards. Both my diet and training look different than they might for someone else. There is a greater reward however, for me at the end of the race because of my diabetes. By finishing a marathon, I am proving that anything is possible with patience and perseverance.
Running with diabetes also means that community is even more important. If you are an athlete with diabetes, I cannot stress the importance of having a strong support team enough. I am so very thankful to both my family and mentors for their kind support and encouragement. I wouldn’t be here without them.
If you are a runner with diabetes, here are a couple ways you can optimize my training
- Eat balanced meals. When we are running long distances, eating enough carbs is important. However, it is crucial for blood sugar control that meals be balanced. I always try to get a balanced number of fats, proteins, and carbs.
- Cold Plunge. As a diabetic, I do everything I can to take care of my joints and legs. One way I do this is with a cold plunge or cold shower.
- Resistance Training. Maintaining a large amount of muscle mass is vital for blood sugar control. Particularly when i have several long runs a week, I really try to focus on spending at least 20 to 30 minutes lifting 3 to 4 days a week.
Fueling for a marathon

People are often surprised by how much food it takes to fuel for a marathon. Even though I don’t carb load, I still eat increasing amounts of food up to race day to help with recovery and performance.
It isn’t all about volume, however. The quality of the food you eat when training for any type of race will have a much greater impact on your performance than how much you eat. I consistently am getting over 300 carbs and 200 grams of protein almost everyday during training. Though I do use protein powder and other supplements in moderation, the majority of this comes from natural fruits, meats, nuts, whole grain bread, and vegetables. This is because I want to always fuel my body with whole, healthy, natural foods.

Want to run a marathon?
If you have read this post and you are thinking, “This sounds great! I want to run a marathon!” then you may be preparing for one of the longest and most rewarding journeys of your life. Runners World is a good place to start. There are many articles and training plans for beginner runners which I have found highly beneficial. I would encourage you to check them out!
If you have read this post, feel inspired to run a marathon, and you are local to North Carolina, you can find more information about the New River Marathon by clicking the link below.

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