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Have you ever participated in a T1D charity fitness event (i.e., a walk, run, bike, etc.)? Share in the comments about your experience!
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My JDRF One Walk team walked in two different cities every year for over a decade (we started back when it was the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation “Walk for the Cure”). My sister and I were co-captains in our hometown and my paternal grandparents captained the other half of the team in Florida. My sister and I would visit during spring break and walk with all our grandparents’ friends. For the one in our hometown, our whole family and all our friends participated in some way. My maternal grandfather couldn’t walk so he would volunteer to help tally the donations. And all my cousins, on both sides, would come to visit for the weekend. It felt like a big party, even better than my birthday, and as a kid I used to tell people it was the one day of the year having diabetes was fun.
What a great support network! 💙
I have participated in many running/walking events for charity. The last one was Outrun 24- I did not make the 24 hours this time but I managed 27 miles on a rocky trail with elevation. I raises about $1000 for a camp for diabetic children.
Several ADA rides, JDRF running ents, and 5-6 JDRF century rides in different locations in the US. I never see the number of T1 participants that I hope to see, but it is nice to see so many people out to support a T1 cause.
Yes- but only in the first few years after diagnosis. We stopped. Felt it was too much to ask of others.
Not yet, but I really want to do the JDRF One Walk! Something is just always going on when the Chicago one comes about. I believe last year’s was the same weekend of my wedding.
JDRF Walkathons
I ran a marathon, wearing a backpack filled with housebricks, in the early 1980s. (The housebricks were my inane idea at showing how ‘hard’ I was after I’ve just come out of the British Army. lol)
No, not sure why. Love these events. Daughter and grandkids have for years walked with t1 friends. Great tshirts too. I ran for head injury event in past.
I participated in a biking event. Riding alone in a crowd with no one to talk to pointed up the difference in experiences of those diagnosed T1 as children, who are surrounded by supporters, and those diagnosed T1 as adults, who are expected to just get on without bothering or imposing on anyone else. We are invisible.
🙁 I’m sorry you’ve felt isolated. Agree that walks are better than the biking events in terms of interacting.
I was also diagnosed as an adult-ish (18) and I do wish my first endocrinologist would have thought to refer me to a T1D support group. Pediatric endos/nurses seem to be better at referring newly diagnosed kids and their parents to these important resources they need. I went years without knowing anyone else with T1D.
Local JDRF chapters sometimes host education events and coffee meet-ups for adults. You can look for a chapter near you here. Good luck!
https://www.jdrf.org/chapter-finder/
Sorry to hear about your experience. I did a JDRF bike ride several years ago with my husband. He rides faster than I do, so I told him to go on ahead. There was another woman who also rode slower, so I paced myself with her and we talked while we rode. All it took was my saying, “Hi.”
I’d say, give it another try! Remember that everyone there is connected to someone with T1D in some way. So, saying hello and asking if they have T1D is the best way that I’ve found to start the conversation. If they say yes, ask how long or when they were diagnosed. If they say no, they’ll usually say their child/sister/spouse/friend has it. Either way, the conversation has been started!
I have done 3 ADA walks 15 years ago. Modest turn out for 2 of the 3. It seems like they were more about gathering $$$ than helping T1d’s. Haven’t done another since.
I haven’t ever heard about any, so I’ve never thought about it.
Check with your local JDRF and ADA websites to see when they are holding events in your area. It’s a great way to meet people!
I’ve done a few ADA Tour de Cure rides and loved them, but Alabama hasn’t had one for the last 3-4 years, very unfortunately. I also did a walk a few years ago for a local diabetes camp (Seale Harris).
Used to do bike events many years ago. Great fun.
I’ve done multiple JDRF One Walks in Southern California. As one person cook commented they are focused on raising money for research, but also have informational booths for welcoming newly diagnosed families, where you explore the latest diabetes pump/CGMs devices, fun stuff for the little T1Ds, etc. I find them inspiring.
If interested, you can search for a JDRF walk near you here:
https://www2.jdrf.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=walk_homepage
Three years ago I signed up for the Western PA Tour de Cure. While I am very active, I never really rode a bike except when I was a kid. I went back and forth between the metric century and the half. The metric century won out. Needed a bike, found a vintage Cannondale mountain bike, rode it a few times, bought new tires for the ride, and never thought about the Pittsburgh hills that would be on the course.
I can honestly say I had the time/ride of my life. The support staff was awesome, the group I rode with were so much fun, and the finish line festivities were a welcome site.
Would encourage anyone that thinks they want to do a ride, walk or run for diabetes…do it!
Yes! Year 2 for JDRF Ride for the Cure. Want to donate? http://Www.ride.JDRF.org, search for Becky Hertz. Thanks!
Yes, my brother and I used to ride in the Bike-a-thon by the ADA in the 70’s & early 80’s, it later turned into a walk, which I walked in and was on the committee for it.
I have done the walks for many years and have done one bike ride. I also volunteered at a run after walking that morning. That was the best day of all! I got to participate in two ways, so I gave and gave back.
I love doing the walks for several reasons:
1) It’s great exercise
2) It’s a great reminder that I’m not the only one living with T1D
3) The support is amazing – – from the vendors to the juice/water stations, everyone is wonderful!
4) The vendors – I love getting free stuff and learning about the latest improvements in diabetes management. Reps from all the companies are there to answer questions and explain what they have to offer. So, if you haven’t done a walk/run/bike ride come early so you have time to visit all of the booths!
The first year I was diagnosed at age 40 I went to a set up event. It was held at a restaurant and they offered pizza and real coke. I never went back because I felt they didn’t get it. I should try again.
Participated in a Diabetes Sisters Orange Will Walk in Raleigh, NC a few years back to raise money and awareness for furthering the cause of support for women living with diabetes. I wish they had continued with their efforts – it was great fun and helped to fund a noble cause.
http://www.diabetessisters.org
I chose other as I don’t remember
It was a corn hole toss out diabetes event.
Years ago, my son and I rode our bikes in a ADA fundraising event. It was very well organized and a good experience. Our local ADA/JDF group dissolved after the organizer passed away, so I have not participated in any out of town events.
I have helped keep the event running, but have never exercised in one.