Sunt Diabetes

This year the Championships for Riders with Diabetes is past! Participation in this event, now in its fourth edition in 2009, counts among its ranks many athletes Cycling & Diabetes.

It all started Saturday, July 25 with the stand & diabetes Cycling Association NPO streets in Urbino, set up to provide information on diabetes mellitus and our activities: shoot down the ignorance that is essential to turn around diabetes in society, to create a future without prejudices and better prevention and awareness. In the afternoon there was a meeting between all participants in the Championship Trophy Changing Diabetes: this year we were in 41, almost all regions of Italy, truly a great success, especially if you think that it all started in 2005 by agreement in less than 10 friends! During the meeting were presented the technical details of the race, and information specific to diabetes, but mostly there was the possibility reunited with old friends and learn about the many new arrivals! A nice dinner then finished the evening with the usual attention due to gluten for those who had celiac disease: this year there were three, me, Diego, and Dr. Broad. After dinner there are distributed a bit 'of gadgets and gifts, such as apples offered by Sergio, then we cyclists we wrap made from the arms of Morpheus, enjoying a long night's sleep in anticipation of the race! Too bad that some rooms were a bit 'hard to reach, and that many of us have suffered from the heat and mosquitoes, including me ...

Sunday, July 26 episode was the alarm clock at 6 am or earlier. Immediately after a hearty breakfast to fuel power, each with their own adjustments to therapy and insulin: tricks matured with experience and advice of friends. Then we had our riders with diabetes in the beautiful historic center of Urbino: a really nice big group, all with the same mesh Cycling Diabetes & identify where, as having a positive message. Between us even a tandem: that of David and Michela. It's the time to get into the grid in the middle of 2400 to other bikes, where among the photos is also wasted superstitious rituals to relieve nervousness and tension of departure for the slight delay in the scheduled time. But then, finally, here! Here we go! Even the announcer speaks of us, seeing us go and diabetes!

David Panichi and Michela Sisani tandem on Monte Nero

The pace of the race proves to be immediately supported ... Until you reach the Monte Nero, the protagonist of the large fund Straducale: more than 13 km climb out! Each with his own hand can reach the top and to overcome hills, maybe paying a bit 'of forces to observe the beautiful scenery that surrounded us. Too bad for my recurring and excessive caution in making the descent, because of which I lost many positions. Then I met a few mishap: sometimes cramps, nearly choking when trying to swallow something that I've gone through, the heat of summer makes me suffer so much ... With a lot of effort in each short leg or tear up next turned out to be terrible.

Blood glucose for all cyclists with diabetes has been a key variable in the race: who went into hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia in people ... The most important thing is to convey the message to all people with diabetes that is quite possible, also take part in cycle races harder: we have given the testimony that you just have a good self-control and always travel with glucometer and insulin on hand, so they can better manage. During the race I managed to keep good blood glucose levels, thanks to the adjustments of the insulin pump and continuous glucose sensor: in only part of the race was relatively low blood sugar, which I remedied by integrating with biscuits and sugar.

Along the way we sometimes encounter among fellow C & D: who is faster, who goes slower, which is exceeded, and who rescues us ... And so on for all of the 125km race! Always with a smile on his face and exchanged a few words every time we meet a friend.

What distinguishes the Championship from other activities & diabetes Cycling is definitely the competition: in addition to the aspect of solidarity is also a healthy competition. This is especially true for the first play that the title of Italian champion ever, but also among us, who were farther back has felt the competitive spirit, even if only to grab a small place in our rankings or internal to win the title category. Honestly, in my personal case the competition was really just a good excuse to have fun and let off steam, as it should always be the sport.

At the end the long-desired goal! I first joined him in less than 4 hours, the latest in more than 5 ... But the important thing is that we all came to an end, all without serious injury: so this event was truly a feast! The fatigue, the 'excitement and happiness for the company just ended I was touched and gratified, and I was immediately embraced by my family (my mom and my sister, Lorella Nadejda) and Cecilia, who were always by my side this experience, and thank you very much for support me and encourage me ever in my travels. Even this time had gone, I had made it to arrive!

Following lunch and a nice shower. To conclude this excellent program we were our prizes of the Italian Cycling and Diabetes, with the tricolor jerseys and cups for cyclists diabetic champions Italy, the occasion also to say goodbye before departure.

Tobia De Vincenzi Simone Donadello and the awards of Urbino

My congratulations go to the new champion Paul Cravanzola, almost my age, but also to Tobias that after a good fight I ripped the category title. But to be honest above all, my congratulations go to all cyclists with diabetes who participated, because they have had the courage to face the hard work and their own diabetes, being able to put into play through comparison with others, so as to improve each other .

The staff of the large fund Straducale hosted us very well and organized the race. We must also thank Novo Nordisk for their indispensable support is not conditional and not conditioning offered for the event with the Changing Diabetes campaign.

We must treasure the valuable work done by people who have Diabetes & Cycling permission to make this year a great Championship: Marco Bianchini, David Panichi, Andrea Guerra and all the other special people who devote their free time to the cause of diabetes. Many greetings and best wishes also to their respective families! An important aid has been given also by the car on the race for the logistic support: a Dr. Wide with my Cecilia, on the other my dad along with Luciano Mariella, the wife of the rider Attilio Bisciaio.

The medical staff as always was up to the situation with sympathy and professionalism, making themselves available to us all: Sara Battistoni I had already known in previous initiatives, while in Urbino I had the pleasure of meeting even the doctors Mario Vasta Francis and Pasqualoni.

Personally I missed some people who could not come, which are linked from the outset of this unique adventure of Cycling & Diabetes: I think the prof. Pierpaolo De Feo and Delilah (to whom I extend my best wishes), Monica Miccio, Anna Ranchelli, Dr.. Federico Serra, along with all other staff, photographers and cyclists who unfortunately lacked. I hope to review all next time.

From the Championship back home not only with a small cup, but especially with a great sense of belonging to a group that has changed my way of seeing and living with diabetes. Team Cycling & Diabetes is growing, and if we can be united by a passion for cycling and the same ideals we have the strength to achieve great things for the good of diabetes. They are also full of satisfaction and serenity to my humble service, another personal challenge conquered in the name of fun! But I also feel the pride that together with the other cyclists of C & D have resulted in all a positive message about the usefulness of exercise and a healthy lifestyle. We did talk about diabetes, cycling, highlighting this important issue with our direct testimony and genuine.

I also hope to have given him the courage and encouragement to other young people with diabetes in addressing their dreams despite the disease that unites us and unites us: we are not alone, together we can change diabetes, from sports to everyday life.

A big hello and a hug to all my special traveling companions. Until next time!

Simone Donadello

NOTES:

• A more technical report on the race is available in this previous article: Chronicle of the Championship
• Some photos of the event are available online: Photo of the Championship
• Anyone wishing to add their own experiences or thoughts can do it easily by leaving a comment on this blog