Hello Everyone,

So Myself and Rob are running 100km around the Cotswold to raise money for JDRF. Last year I did the South Downs Trail Marathon, this year we are stepping it up and taking on an Ultra Marathon. Its going to be hard, its going to be a long day but its something else to add to my list to show that Diabetes will not stop me. 

Nearly 7 years ago I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, I knew it meant I had to inject Insulin and watch my blood sugar levels. What I was ignorant to was the mentality I would have to adopt to get through just one day with this condition. I didn't realise how exhausting and how draining it is to have to think about Diabetes non stop. The first 6 months were hard but ok, it was new, dare I say exciting. Year 2 was manageable, although I struggled to process the questions in my A Level exams so didn't do as well as I should have. Year 3 I went to uni and I had to educate my uni mates about the condition. Year 4 i joined the Rowing team, Diabetes became difficult and I had a big break down about Diabetes, it was the first time Diabetes had stopped me doing something I had worked so hard for, I couldn't talk about it without crying. Year 5 it became even harder, I started to become scared of going to sleep incase I didn't wake up. 6 Years with Diabetes and I started a full time job, I realised what it was like to hide the fact my sugar levels were low from others and how even if you had the worst sugar levels you had no choice but to get on with the day. It was tough. Now in year 7 of Diabetes; I am drained of thinking about it. That is the misconception- it does not get easier- every year becomes harder- every year you become more drained-it chisels away at you bit by bit-  yet every day you pick yourself up and start again because what choice do we have. It's an internal battle of grit and determination that nobody else could possibly understand. My first thought in the morning, my last thought at night is praying my sugars are in zone. It crosses our mind probably about once every minute of every single day. This is what I didn't understand before I was diagnosed. 

This is why we are running 100km for JDRF, because JDRF are working so hard to support and find a cure and we are closer than we have every been. Im Running for a cure, I am running for support and I am running because I can run. I am running for freedom. Please help us raise the money and continue to empower those with diabetes and those without diabetes. 

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