In a moment of spontaneity, I joined a team for the 8 Track Relay, a 24-hour running event and music festival set in Portland, Oregon, with a groovy ’70s theme. My only connection was my friend Mandy, who had posted on social media seeking another member for her team. “Just one four-mile leg,” I thought. How hard could that be?
When I arrived to meet the Flying Pink Pumas, I found myself surrounded by seven incredibly fit women in their forties, animatedly discussing their latest marathon achievements. The only reason I didn’t bolt was that they kept insisting they weren’t competing for glory. “We’re just here for fun!” they chirped. Our captain took a count of who could handle multiple legs of the race; I was the lone participant signing up for just one.
I pulled the captain aside and casually mentioned my Type I diabetes. I wanted her to be aware, but didn’t need any special accommodations. Her panicked expression told me I’d thrown her for a loop.
Living with this condition means that not enough insulin leads to high blood sugar, while too much can plummet it dangerously low, causing confusion and, in extreme cases, unconsciousness. I manage my diabetes with an insulin pump and check my blood sugar several times a day. The tricky part? Exercise can lower blood sugar, making running a complex balancing act of insulin and food. This is why I’m more of a casual runner; anything too long is just too much hassle.
As my turn approached at 4 PM, I was sweating not just from the heat but from anxiety about whether I had time to apply anti-chafing gel. Did I mention the heat also lowers blood sugar? After a quick glucose test, I discovered I was on the lower end of my preferred range. I grabbed a handful of jelly beans and made my way to the handoff zone.
I spotted the bright pink shirt of my teammate, Ellie, and she sprinted towards me, slapping a timing chip—hidden in an 8-track case of “The Hustle”—into my palm. Off I went, feeling strong… until halfway through when the familiar shakiness hit me. I fumbled for a GU pack, gulped it down, and immediately regretted it—it tasted awful, and I was worried it would make me sick.
With a quick text to my teammates reading, “MILE 3, WALKING,” I tried to keep my pace steady. A fellow runner checked in on me, “You OK?” “Of course!” I lied, my legs trembling beneath me. If I sat down, I knew I wouldn’t get back up; if I kept moving, I risked passing out. My pre-race goal had been to maintain a mid-pack pace, but at that moment, all I could think was, “Just cross the finish line on your feet.”
Eventually, the GU kicked in, and I managed a slow jog for the final stretch. I was the only one aware that despite my poor time, I was still upright and devouring jelly beans as if they were my lifeline.
Determined not to be seen as a weak link, I signed up for another leg, set to start around 1:30 AM. I spent the next few hours in my tent, monitoring my blood sugar every thirty minutes while munching on jelly beans to keep myself stable. At 1 AM, I checked the leaderboard and was shocked to discover the Pumas were in second place overall.
When Mandy came barreling through, I exclaimed, “Why are you running so fast?” as she handed me the 8-track tape. With my blood sugar stable, I took off into the cool night under a full moon, the soothing sounds of Radiohead’s “In Rainbows” fueling my spirit. It was pure magic. At mile three, I texted the next runner to prep for the handoff. I finished with a personal best, feeling an exhilarating runner’s high, proud to be the slowest member of the fastest women’s team in the first-ever 8 Track Relay Race.
For those who are navigating similar challenges, or if you’re on a journey of your own, check out our other blog post about the couples fertility journey. Also, for anyone interested in home insemination, BabyMaker is an authority on the subject, and NICHD offers excellent resources related to pregnancy.
In summary, my experience with the 8 Track Relay was a rollercoaster of emotions, challenges, and triumphs, highlighting the importance of community and resilience in the face of personal obstacles.
Keyphrase: Relay Race with Diabetes
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