Conquering Death Valley & Diabetes

Hello friends and family!

Much has happened since last we spoke. Though off to a rough start the year has transformed into something spectacular. I turned 30, I traveled to the northwest and fell in love with a little state called Idaho and most of all I trained like you couldn't imagine and made a dream of mine become a reality. I covered 140.6 miles consisting of a 2.4mi swim; 112mi bike and 26.2mi run in 16hrs 55min 9sec and became an IRONMAN!! As if that's not enough I had another HUGE goal this year. I wanted to conquer the desert as an Ironman and with YOUR help I will.

On Saturday October 15th I will take part in my 6th JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes and ride 100 miles in Death Valley California. Death Valley is a place for extremes and is one of the hottest, driest and lowest points in North America with the lowest point being 282 feet below sea level and average temperatures being 115 degrees. Talk about extremes! However, that seems to be the thing I'm into these days, pushing myself physically and mentally to the edge all while managing diabetes. But WHY am I doing this? WHY do I ride for JDRF each year? Because I believe in them. The monies I raise each year will eventually lead to a cure, it funds more type 1 diabetes research than any other charity worldwide and it's making progress along many promising paths toward better treatments and a cure. That being said, the most tangible thing JDRF and The Ride to Cure program delivers is getting you involved within the diabetic community. It is an essential part of good management.

I've been living with type 1 for 16 years and until I became involved in JDRF Ride to Cure 6 years ago I didn't know what it meant to have friends with diabetes. Once you get involved you realize the diabetic community is huge and so supportive of one another because we are showing ourselves and the world that even though we have this disease that is with us 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year WE CAN. You can think of diabetes as an endurance sport. Some days are good. Some days just suck. But you put a smile on your face and keep plugging along, practice what works and change what doesn't. You keep moving forward. One pedal stroke at a time. That's what I'm doing. One scientific advancement at a time. That's what JDRF is doing.

My goal is to raise $4,000 before October 15th, all monies donated are tax deductible and anything you can send will help me in achieving my goal. I'm an endurance athlete, a lover of the sport and diabetes doesn't stop me; but we need to stop diabetes together. THANK YOU for helping not just me but EVERYONE affected by diabetes!!

You can make donations by clicking here.


All my love,
Jen