Training Log – Week #8 – The Jesse Story – Why I Ride

Week #8, by the numbers:

0 miles run on the road. 15 miles on the treadmill. 0 miles on the bike, and 4 hours and 15 minutes on the trainer.

I had no two/day workout days. 2 rest days.

Average Blood Glucose: 123

Significant pattern of low blood glucose between 5:15am and 7:45am.

No significant pattern of high blood glucose.

Comments about training for the past two weeks:

I had a lingering cough that seemed to go away when working out.  The indoor workouts due to weather and schedule.  Hoping to break both bad habits this week.

The Jesse Story  – What I Ride

The reality I almost never allow myself to think about, and one in which I am in constant fear of living, or, of my family living, is the one of my friend, Michelle.  Four years ago, on February 3rd (2/3 or 23), she lost her son, Jesse, to Type 1 Diabetes.

I’ll be honest, I don’t like this topic. It scares me.  I could have been Jesse.  I could be Jesse.  Or Trent, Caleb, Hiedi, Caitlyn, Sarah, Chelsea, Brandon, or one of the many others who we have lost to Type 1 Diabetes.

And I have to hand it to Michelle, because she has rallied and faced her circumstances and helped others in the same position.  Leading in a subject matter where the #T1D community needs her.

I choose to ignore this reality and realize it at the same time (if that makes any sense), to maintain my focus on training and riding with the JDRF Ride to Cure program.  JDRF has been the #1 funding source for research on T1D prevention, treatment and cure therapies over the last 40 years.  And the Ride to Cure program is the #1 growing program in the organization.  I believe it’s because it brings the T1D community together with a focus on driving results.  The atmosphere is one of family.  An energy that just can’t be matched.  If you are in the T1D community, you just feel at home.  For those with no connection to T1D, you just get a feeling of wanting to help.

Mile 23 Jersey

 

The jersey worn in the photo above is the Mile 23 jersey, which is part of the memorial to the children we have lost to T1D.  The jersey holds the names of many children, Jesse’s and Trent’s on the shoulders and many others throughout.  The other part is Mile 23 of each of the JDRF Ride to Cure events, which we ride in silence.  We remember those we have lost.  We have lost some battles, but we are focused on winning the war.

Ride Finish with Kids

While the Jesse story is normally the focus, the other half of the story is that of Michelle’s response.  She has stayed in the T1D community and become a leader.  Working with those who have faced the challenges she has.  She works for Riding on Insulin, a non-profit snow boarding camp for those with T1D, empowering children to be active and engaged in the activities they want to enjoy.  She continues to rally with Team Honey Badger, the JDRF Wisonsin JDRF Ride to Cure Team.

Her story of fighting is an example of the mentality of the JDRF Ride to Cure program. Michelle fight’s.  JDRF Ride to Cure fight’s.  In spite of the challenges faced, the people in this community fight, painted in a corner, hungry for information, fists up and ready.

Our kids need us, that’s why we ride, and that’s why I ride.

If you want to know more about the JDRF Ride to Cure program, visit: ride.jdrf.org

Come for a bike ride with me, it’ll change your life.