Christine's Story: Inspiration for a Sporty Lifestyle Despite Diabetes
Dear readers, Today we would like to present to you a story that touched us deeply: Christine T., a type 1 diabetic, has been managing her daily life with passion and energy since 1995.
For 16 years, Christine has been using Medtronic pump systems, which allow her to manage her diabetes effectively and accurately. Since February 2022, she has been using the innovative MiniMed™ 780G system in combination with the Guardian 4 sensor, which ensures optimal control of her blood glucose levels.
Christine's Diabetes Fight
What sets Christine apart is her immoderate love of sports. She enjoys jogging, mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, skateboarding, mountaineering, climbing and even, in winter, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, skiing and ski touring. Diabetes does not prevent her from enjoying life.
But Christine had her challenges. Last spring, she noticed that she was often tired and lacking energy. As a regular participant in the Salzburg women's race, together with her sisters, she was worried about whether she would be able to participate this year and do better than last year.
To improve her performance, she decided to take part in an online information session on sports and type 1 diabetes.
At this briefing, Christine received valuable information: although she was well trained in the high heart rate zone, she lacked endurance in the low heart rate zone.
Determined to improve her fitness, she followed a training plan that had her cycling at a heart rate of 120 on an ergometer for four weeks. Although she missed the mountains and summit victories she loved so much, she stuck with it and noticed over time that her fitness was really improving.
The first test run after the four weeks was disappointing. Her running time was no better. But Christine did not give up and stuck to her training plan. The decisive moment came on June 19, 2023 at the women's race in Salzburg.
With almost 1,000 participants, she started full of energy and confidence. Although she did not want to reach a heart rate of more than 140, she reached a heart rate of 160 shortly after the start. But she did not let herself be discouraged and kept running. She crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 37 minutes.
Christine achieved this athletic feat because she entrusted the management of her sugar level to her insulin pump system with the sports mode. She acted as the controller and leader of her diabetes and used the assistance of the sports setting on the MiniMed™ 780G system, which was a great help to her during sports. She encourages all people with type 1 diabetes to discover and live their own sporty lifestyle.
Every person is unique, and with the right motivation, determination and the support of advanced technology, together we can overcome barriers and live our passion for sport. We wish all people with diabetes courage and joy in their unique sporting journey.
