Our reasons for doing this swim were questioned, even by those who know that we are capable and competitive, that we like challenges and like being active.\u00a0 Why 4.2 miles in open water, on the other side of the country where 50% of the shark attacks in the United States happen, where it\u2019s so stupid-hot that the ocean isn\u2019t even refreshing, and in a medium where our diabetes gadgets might not work? We asked ourselves the same things.<\/p>\n
Through the project, we wanted to spread awareness, and as I trained, I realized I didn\u2019t need a specific reason why I was doing this. Some things just feel right. We worked hard to prepare for the swim and the preparation made us healthier than we would have been otherwise. It\u2019s a great story to tell about something we did with people we love, in a beautiful place, while improving our relationship with diabetes.<\/p>\n
2. Sometimes your endo doesn’t know how to help you because she’s not diabetic, and she’s not swimming around Key West, and she has another patient in 20 minutes.<\/strong><\/h3>\nRenee had three appointments with her endocrinologist during our training for the swim. \u201cThe first appointment was positive and encouraging with only a mild undertone of \u2018you’re crazy,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cThe second was a little more skeptical as I had come off the pump and started injecting Levemir for basal insulin.\u201d\u00a0 By the third appointment, when Moreno asked for help troubleshooting post-swim highs, the doctor said she couldn\u2019t help her, \u201cIf you were on a pump I’d know what to do.”<\/p>\n
But, the post swim highs were not specific to Moreno\u2019s switch to injections.\u00a0 Erin, using an insulin pump, also experienced the same insulin resistance after swims.<\/p>\n
As the Chinese proverb says, \u201cTell me and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand,\u201d we found answers through active learning \u2013 learning by doing. We based our trials on direct experiences in the water while training. Through experiments with new insulin delivery methods in a very specific environment, Renee created solutions to her post swim challenges with insulin resistance. She found that with injections any post-swim high blood sugars were easier to manage than the extreme highs she was having from being disconnected from the pump and not receiving her basal insulin.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve learned that the best place to find the answers to our questions is in the medium in which we wish to accomplish our goals.<\/p>\n
3. There is no substitute for experiential learning<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you are training for an open water swim, it\u2019s most helpful to train in open water.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy confidence to swim in unknown water didn’t come from laps in the pool,\u201d said Renee after the race, \u201cIt came from knowing I was mentally and physically capable of recognizing, accepting, and adjusting to whatever the conditions would be that day.\u201d<\/p>\n
We designed our training swims to replicate what we expected in Key West and to include the possibility for unknown consequences to occur, creating opportunities for both mistakes and success. We reflected on each experience, adjusted when necessary, and moved forward better informed.<\/p>\n
Renee wouldn\u2019t know that she has hypoglycemia unawareness \u2013 only while exercising in the water \u2013 if she didn\u2019t swim often and test in the middle to figure it out. Knowing this didn\u2019t stop her from doing the swim, instead it enabled her to properly prepare. She arrived at our swim locations ahead of time and placed an extra glucometer and carbohydrate snacks on the beach at the turnaround point.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" "\\"Testing")
<\/a><\/p>\nWe tried to get our continuous glucose monitors to read to our receivers in the accompanying kayak boat. We experimented by placing our sensors in different locations on our bodies that might increase the time they spent out of the water, sending a signal \u00a0– no luck. So, we prepared to not depend on that data on race day.<\/p>\n
Erin rigged up a waterproof pouch for her receiver, but on race day she was unable to read the screen because of the sunlight. This is something we might have figured out ahead of time if we\u2019d varied the timing of our workouts more to align better with the sunlight on race day. You can\u2019t learn that in a medical office.<\/p>\n
4.) Your support crew is a luxury, so prepare for the worst-case scenario<\/strong><\/h3>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nOne training day we gave all of our supplies to our friend Katie Bringe (also T1D) who\u2019d planned to stand-up-paddle alongside us. Looking forward to travelling light on this swim and mimicking race day, we filled her dry-bag with diabetes supplies and car keys. Since our swim paces differed, we\u2019d planned for Katie to paddle between us to distribute any supplies we might need.<\/p>\n
What we hadn\u2019t considered was the size of the swell that day. Katie wasn\u2019t able to get past the break (with her dog on the front of the board). We found ourselves treading water past the break, and getting cold.\u00a0 We had to decide: Do we head in and restart the swim a mile down the beach where Katie could enter the water more easily with her board, or do we continue without her, without supplies?<\/p>\n
If we\u2019d prepared to be without support, we\u2019d have known we could complete the swim. But, the reality was that we had only one energy gel between the three of us, one I\u2019d tucked in my suit. Still, we decided to go.<\/p>\n
Forty-five minutes later we were separated. I wasn\u2019t in danger, but was too cold to continue, my jaw was shivering and affecting my breathing, and every part of me wanted to be on the warm sand. I was also feeling guilty that I\u2019d led the group out without proper supplies. Renee was close enough to see that I\u2019d stopped and was treading water. Seeing how cold I was she recommended that we head in to the beach. Three hours later, with the help of a lifeguard (we used his phone to text Katie), we were reunited with our cell phones, supplies, and insulin.<\/p>\n
We learned that it is important to be self-sufficient in unpredictable environments and that it\u2019s important to have a plan B and communicate it to everyone. From that day on, even when we had accompaniment, we carried our own low blood sugar supplies and prepared to be without assistance.<\/p>\n
5.) Exercising can be fun, just add some purpose<\/strong><\/h3>\nExercise is often portrayed as a punishment, a chore, or something for which we deserve a reward. But, exercise itself can bring great pleasure. If you set a goal with benchmarks that require exercise, you\u2019re much more likely to feel that the suffering is worth it.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore training for this swim I only swam for waves,\u201d Renee said. \u201cI signed up to do this swim because I hate running and I thought it was something I “should” be able to do. Turns out swimming is super fun and my diabetes loves it!\u201d<\/p>\n
For me, respect for 4.2 miles in open water and accountability from my teammates provided the motivation I needed to adhere to an improved exercise routine. I had the opportunity to view sea life, earn some tan lines, and laugh with friends along the way. What a deal!<\/p>\n
6.) Sometimes inspiration works in reverse <\/strong><\/h3>\nErin brought us together for the swim with hopes that people would follow along and be encouraged to find their own athletic passion and pursue it, ultimately, we also drew strength from those people. Fellow type 1 athletes offered to accompany us on our training swims in kayaks or on stand-up paddle boards and it was their enthusiasm for what we were doing that made the tough days fun. The day we flew to Florida I received a text message from a new friend of mine, Delaney, a high school senior living with type 1 diabetes. \u201cGood luck in your Key West swim!\u201d she wrote. \u201cSaw it on Facebook. Make us T1Ds proud!\u201d Delaney will be running cross-country and track on scholarship at Princeton next year, she\u2019s someone who would never ask why we were going to swim around Key West, instead, she gave us purpose.<\/p>\n
If you are training for an open water swim, it\u2019s most helpful to train in open water.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy confidence to swim in unknown water didn’t come from laps in the pool,\u201d said Renee after the race, \u201cIt came from knowing I was mentally and physically capable of recognizing, accepting, and adjusting to whatever the conditions would be that day.\u201d<\/p>\n
We designed our training swims to replicate what we expected in Key West and to include the possibility for unknown consequences to occur, creating opportunities for both mistakes and success. We reflected on each experience, adjusted when necessary, and moved forward better informed.<\/p>\n
Renee wouldn\u2019t know that she has hypoglycemia unawareness \u2013 only while exercising in the water \u2013 if she didn\u2019t swim often and test in the middle to figure it out. Knowing this didn\u2019t stop her from doing the swim, instead it enabled her to properly prepare. She arrived at our swim locations ahead of time and placed an extra glucometer and carbohydrate snacks on the beach at the turnaround point.<\/p>\n
We tried to get our continuous glucose monitors to read to our receivers in the accompanying kayak boat. We experimented by placing our sensors in different locations on our bodies that might increase the time they spent out of the water, sending a signal \u00a0– no luck. So, we prepared to not depend on that data on race day.<\/p>\n Erin rigged up a waterproof pouch for her receiver, but on race day she was unable to read the screen because of the sunlight. This is something we might have figured out ahead of time if we\u2019d varied the timing of our workouts more to align better with the sunlight on race day. You can\u2019t learn that in a medical office.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n One training day we gave all of our supplies to our friend Katie Bringe (also T1D) who\u2019d planned to stand-up-paddle alongside us. Looking forward to travelling light on this swim and mimicking race day, we filled her dry-bag with diabetes supplies and car keys. Since our swim paces differed, we\u2019d planned for Katie to paddle between us to distribute any supplies we might need.<\/p>\n What we hadn\u2019t considered was the size of the swell that day. Katie wasn\u2019t able to get past the break (with her dog on the front of the board). We found ourselves treading water past the break, and getting cold.\u00a0 We had to decide: Do we head in and restart the swim a mile down the beach where Katie could enter the water more easily with her board, or do we continue without her, without supplies?<\/p>\n If we\u2019d prepared to be without support, we\u2019d have known we could complete the swim. But, the reality was that we had only one energy gel between the three of us, one I\u2019d tucked in my suit. Still, we decided to go.<\/p>\n Forty-five minutes later we were separated. I wasn\u2019t in danger, but was too cold to continue, my jaw was shivering and affecting my breathing, and every part of me wanted to be on the warm sand. I was also feeling guilty that I\u2019d led the group out without proper supplies. Renee was close enough to see that I\u2019d stopped and was treading water. Seeing how cold I was she recommended that we head in to the beach. Three hours later, with the help of a lifeguard (we used his phone to text Katie), we were reunited with our cell phones, supplies, and insulin.<\/p>\n We learned that it is important to be self-sufficient in unpredictable environments and that it\u2019s important to have a plan B and communicate it to everyone. From that day on, even when we had accompaniment, we carried our own low blood sugar supplies and prepared to be without assistance.<\/p>\n Exercise is often portrayed as a punishment, a chore, or something for which we deserve a reward. But, exercise itself can bring great pleasure. If you set a goal with benchmarks that require exercise, you\u2019re much more likely to feel that the suffering is worth it.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore training for this swim I only swam for waves,\u201d Renee said. \u201cI signed up to do this swim because I hate running and I thought it was something I “should” be able to do. Turns out swimming is super fun and my diabetes loves it!\u201d<\/p>\n For me, respect for 4.2 miles in open water and accountability from my teammates provided the motivation I needed to adhere to an improved exercise routine. I had the opportunity to view sea life, earn some tan lines, and laugh with friends along the way. What a deal!<\/p>\n Erin brought us together for the swim with hopes that people would follow along and be encouraged to find their own athletic passion and pursue it, ultimately, we also drew strength from those people. Fellow type 1 athletes offered to accompany us on our training swims in kayaks or on stand-up paddle boards and it was their enthusiasm for what we were doing that made the tough days fun. The day we flew to Florida I received a text message from a new friend of mine, Delaney, a high school senior living with type 1 diabetes. \u201cGood luck in your Key West swim!\u201d she wrote. \u201cSaw it on Facebook. Make us T1Ds proud!\u201d Delaney will be running cross-country and track on scholarship at Princeton next year, she\u2019s someone who would never ask why we were going to swim around Key West, instead, she gave us purpose.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/asweetlife.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Testing-BG-SwimAroundKeyWest.jpg\" "\\"Testing")
<\/a><\/p>\n4.) Your support crew is a luxury, so prepare for the worst-case scenario<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5.) Exercising can be fun, just add some purpose<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6.) Sometimes inspiration works in reverse <\/strong><\/h3>\n