Cyclists raise awareness for diabetes
BY CORINNE MEYERSON World Sports Writer
Friday, June 04, 2010
6/04/10 at 6:12 AM
A professional cycling team with members who have Type 1 diabetes is out to prove those with the disease can lead a full life.
This weekend, Team Type 1 is competing in the St. Francis Tulsa Tough, an annual event that starts Friday and features professional and amateur cycling races as well as non-competitive tour rides.
Morgan Patton, a member of Team Type 1 from Tallahassee, Fla., who has Type 1 diabetes, is forced to depend on an insulin pump and pay careful attention to her diet so she can be a competitive professional cyclist.
"An insulin pump allows you to mimic the pancreas because the average person's pancreas produces insulin, but mine doesn't," Patton said. "A few hours before the race I'll have a meal, and then I'll give myself insulin for the meal, and then I'll reduce my insulin when I get on the bike."
Patton said a sensor embedded in her skin keeps her blood sugar in check while she is competing.
"If you have too much insulin before you start exercising, your blood sugar will go too low, and you're going to not be able to perform," Patton said. "There is also the possibility of passing out and going into a coma."
Team Type 1 consists of four cycling teams and a triathlon team and is based in Atlanta. There is also a Team Type 2 men's cycling team.
While the team's message deals with diabetes, not every team member has the disease.
"I don't have diabetes, but I've learned a lot about myself and the things I can do and what's going on with my body through them," team member Kori Seehafer said.
Patton said the team mainly looks to encourage those with diabetes to be physically active. She also said the team hopes to reach out to everyone because Type 2 diabetes is increasing at a rapid rate and can be prevented through exercise and a healthy diet.
Dr. David Jelley, medical director of the Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center in Tulsa, said one in three people in Oklahoma has diabetes or is at a high risk for developing it.
"Diabetes is an epidemic in Oklahoma right now," Jelley said. "It's the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure and amputation. So it's really probably the No. 1 health concern in the state.
"The reason it's becoming an epidemic in Oklahoma is largely both because we have a population with an increased risk genetically and also because we're a population that's near the top in the country for obesity."
Jelley said few people with diabetes are in professional sports because diabetes is a chronic condition and is hard to manage. He also said it is inspiring to see athletes set an example for others.
2010 Tulsa Tough
Friday through Sunday: Professional
and amateur races, as well
as tour rides for all levels of riders.
Live music and activities for kids.
When: Blue Dome District
(Friday night), Brady District
(Saturday), riverside and 13th
(Sunday).
Admission: Free for all three
days.
Schedule
Friday: Blue Dome District
6:20 p.m.: Blue Dome District Race: Men’s Cat III
7:10 p.m.: Blue Dome District NRC Race: Women’s Pro I/II
8:10 p.m.: Blue Dome District Men’s Cat I/II
9:15 p.m.: Blue Dome District Men’s Pro I
Saturday: Brady District
7:30 a.m.: Elgin and Brady (Living Arts) Registration Opens
9 a.m.: Elgin and Brady (ONEOK Field) Tour Ride Start (all distances)
10:30 a.m.: Main and Brady Race: Vets 60+
11:15 a.m.: Main and Brady Race: Men’s Cat V - B
Noon: Main and Brady Race: Men’s Cat V - A
12:45 p.m.: Main and Brady Race: Women’s Cat III/IV
1:35 p.m.: Main and Brady Race: Men’s Cat IV
2:40 p.m.: Main and Brady Race: Junior Men
3:30 p.m.: Main and Brady Race: Men’s Vets 40+/55+ (Cats I-IV)
4:35 p.m.: Main and Brady Kids Event: All-Age Fun Races
5 p.m.: Main and Brady Race: Men’s Cat III
6:05 p.m.: Main and Brady NRC Race: Women’s Pro I/II
7:10 p.m.: Main and Brady Race: Men’s Cat I/II
8:30 p.m.: Main and Brady Race: Men’s Pro I
Sunday: Riverside Drive
6:30 a.m.: 20th and Jackson Registration Opens
8 a.m.: 20th and Jackson Tour Ride Start (all distances)
9 a.m.: 13th and Riverside Race: Men’s Cat V
9:35 a.m.: 13th and Riverside Race: Women’s Cat III/IV
10:20 a.m.: 13th and Riverside Race: Men’s Cat IV
11:10 a.m.: 13th and Riverside Race: Junior Men
11:55 p.m.: 13th and Riverside Race: Men’s Vets 40+/55+ (Cats I-IV)
12:50 p.m.: 13th and Riverside Race: Men’s Cat III
2 p.m.: 13th and Riverside Tough Kids and Townie Ride
2:10 p.m.: 13th and Riverside NRC Race: Women’s Pro I/II
3:15 p.m.: 13th and Riverside Race: Men’s Cat I/II
4:25 p.m.: 13th and Riverside Race: Men’s Pro I
Corinne Meyerson 581-8355
corinne.meyerson@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Morgan Patton, who will compete in the St. Francis Tulsa Tough this weekend, has Type 1 diabetes. She depends on an insulin pump and pays careful attention to her diet so she can be a competitive professional cyclist for Team Type 1. Courtesy
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