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<\/a>I don\u2019t really like Walgreens, especially because they are a giant corporation with wicked high prices on diabetes supplies, but there was a night in Austin when I was desperate for glucose tablets and the W was all that was available.\u00a0 Well, I must now confess that this particular brand has become my favorite.\u00a0 During some of my most intense workouts, I ate at least four tablets every 20-30 minutes.\u00a0 A must-have for tomorrow\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n
2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Medical ID Bracelet<\/p>\n When I was first diagnosed, I spent a good chunk of time trying to find good supplies that would meet my wants and needs.\u00a0 I found a pretty sweet insulin\/meter kit (please see # 3) and an amazing medical ID bracelet.\u00a0 For anyone out there who\u2019s interested in an ID bracelet that is different from the norm, look no further than Silverbloom Studio.\u00a0 Suzanne, the master silversmith, went above and beyond to make a bracelet that fit me perfectly, had all of my information, and looked classy.\u00a0 Since the day I received it in the mail, I have only taken my bracelet off when sleeping; it\u2019s that comfortable and that low-maintenance.\u00a0 I LOVE IT!<\/p>\n 3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Glucometer and Insulin<\/p>\n This may sound obvious to the expert diabetic, but I think I\u2019ve been so caught up in worrying about what to do if I go low that I hadn\u2019t given a lot of thought to making sure I have my insulin with me, as well.\u00a0 My meter and insulin kit is simple and swanky and it has pockets that are perfect for what I need to have with me at all times.\u00a0 Again, if you\u2019re looking for something a little off-the-beaten-path, check out the type 1 self-starter at\u00a0myabetic<\/a>.\u00a0 (I get tons of compliments on my \u201cclutch\u201d and it\u2019s a wallet, too!)\u00a0 The meter is a must; I\u2019ll be testing at every possible opportunity.<\/p>\n 4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wetsuit<\/a><\/p>\n (No photo available because I’m picking up my rental today!)<\/p>\n That\u2019s right.\u00a0 A wetsuit.\u00a0 Where I come from, people only wear wetsuits when they\u2019re far away, scuba diving in oceanic waters.\u00a0 Around here, however, they are expected at all triathlon events.\u00a0 I\u2019m told the water temperature is mid-60s.\u00a0 While I don\u2019t really have a way to gauge water temperatures, I\u2019m pretty sure that\u2019s on the colder side.\u00a0 And, even if it\u2019s not, everyone reminds me that wetsuits help with buoyancy, making your body easier to transport through the thrashing waves of other swimmers.<\/p>\n 5)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0New Goggles<\/p>\n This is the one item that I purchased specifically for the event.\u00a0 I own three pairs of goggles from my many days of swimming, but all three of them are heavily tinted and significantly scratched on the inside.\u00a0 I decided to invest in a new pair…\u00a0 And I love them.\u00a0 New goggles are a purchase you don\u2019t regret.<\/p>\n 6)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Coworker\u2019s Bike and Roommate\u2019s Helmet<\/p>\n My coworker graciously allowed me to borrow her bike for the event, as I have not yet purchased one here in Seattle.\u00a0 Most of my cycling training was on the stationary bikes at the gym, so I\u2019ve only ridden this bike twice, but I\u2019m confident that things will somehow flow just fine for the race.<\/p>\n 7)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Old Shoes and Super Cush Socks<\/p>\n I decided to stick with my old New Balances, dirt and all.\u00a0 They\u2019ve carried me through all of my training and they\u2019re just plain comfortable.\u00a0 Combine familiar, dependable shoes with extra thick running socks and you\u2019ve got yourself a pretty good set-up.\u00a0 We\u2019ll see how they hold up tomorrow.<\/p>\n 8)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Watch from My Grandma<\/p>\n My grandma gave me this watch for Christmas a few years ago when I was teaching at an early intervention special education preschool in Columbus, Ohio.\u00a0 She bought it at a local craft fair and said the little faces were supposed to represent all of the different kids I worked with.\u00a0 I rarely wore it to school, however, for fear that the little darlings would add it to their toy collection, one piece at a time.\u00a0 As this is my only watch, I used it to train for all my outdoor runs and it doesn\u2019t seem right to race without it.\u00a0 Who needs digital stopwatches and durable plastic bands?<\/p>\n 9)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A Grungy Towel, A Regular Towel, and Flip-Flops<\/p>\n I mean, when in life do you not need these items?\u00a0 The flip-flops will come in handy before and after the race, I\u2019m sure.\u00a0 And a helpful friend pointed out to me recently that not only do you need a towel to dry off with after the swim, but you also need one to sit and stand on in the Transition Zone while you get out of the wetsuit and into your biking gear.\u00a0 No sense getting your feet and bum all muddy before attempting to put socks and pants on.\u00a0 Thanks, Hannah!<\/p>\n 10)\u00a0\u00a0 Faith that things will somehow come together<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>