LISA, 39
Lisa was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 9 years and this year marks her 30th anniversary of diabetes. Lisa confesses that, for many years she tried to ignore her diabetes and as a result was poorly controlled. She took up running initially to try and lose a few pounds, not really considering the impact it might have on her diabetes or other aspects of her life.
Lisa says, “Originally, my challenge was to run without taking on sugar so that I could lose some weight, otherwise I was eating the calories before burning them off, which was counterproductive.”
Lisa quickly discovered that running was more than just a weight-management tool. “My general well-being and my diabetes control have improved,” says Lisa, who now ensures her diabetes management is forefront in her life. Like Thomas, Lisa has made new friends through running, not least within the Type 1 diabetic running community, which is a great source of encouragement and information from the perspective of others with the same condition.
For those with type 1 diabetes concerned about taking up running, Lisa says, “Just do it! It won’t always be easy and there are more hurdles to climb than your average person, but the rewards and satisfaction when you achieve the goals you set are that much more rewarding given what you have overcome to get there!”
Lisa is no stranger to a challenge and in 2018 successfully completed the Swansea half-marathon with 68 other type 1 diabetics. Not only did the event break the record for the highest number of people with type 1 diabetes to run a half-marathon together, it also gave Lisa the ambition to double that distance, which she will do at the Virgin London Marathon at the end of April. Good luck, Lisa!
Our thanks to author and established medical communicator, Philippa Cates, for speaking to Lisa and writing this blog. Philippa Cates is no stranger to the mental and physical challenges of running and has written a book about this wonderfully exhausting pastime. The Marathon celebrates this fantastic achievement but also highlights in a comedic way the potential pitfalls of taking part. Her book is available to buy here.