Kai Watts - Cycling with Type 1 Diabetes & Team Novo Nordisk
 |
| CCHackney stalwart Kai Watts is off to the USA this summer on training camp read his story below. |
 |
| Kai getting ready for his flying lap at last Sunday's Grass Track at the Well Street Common Festival. |
 |
| Can you spot him here at a previous Well Street Festival Grass track? |
About Type 1 and Me:
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in June 2011 when I was 8 years old, I am now 15. Type 1 Diabetes is where the pancreas stops making insulin. Insulin is the key to unlocking glucose in the bloodstream to make energy. Everyone with Type 1 Diabetes needs to take insulin either by injection pens or by pump. I use an insulin pump Medtronic 640g – insulin is delivered via a cannula 24 hours a day for basal insulin and for bolus (meals) I take my blood glucose, count the carbs and the pump then delivers the amount of insulin according to the time of day, my blood glucose reading and the amount of carbs I am going to eat. Now this is on a normal day – when I am cycling, racing and training I need to take all these factors into account to prevent hypos (below 4mmol). The ideal range for a Type 1 is between 4mmol – 10 mmol. Lots of information – yes – and all of which need to be followed for every meal, prior to any exercise and after exercise and 24 hours a day. From the first weekend after I was diagnosed I continued to cycle and take part in sports.
 |
| Kai receiving a Gold award as a Young Volunteer at last years British cycling conference. |
Team Novo Nordisk
Phil Southerland, co-founder and CEO of the team, and Novo Nordisk came together to create Team Novo Nordisk, based on a shared vision to inspire, educate and empower people around the world affected by diabetes.
In 2006, Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge assembled a group of eight cyclists with type 1 diabetes to take on the grueling 3,000 mile Race Across America and raise diabetes awareness. The team went on to win the event in 2007, 2009 and 2010 and quickly became a magnet for endurance athletes with diabetes.
Southerland’s passion for cycling and mission to inspire built a world-class racing program of athlete ambassadors who were changing the way the world saw diabetes. Today, Team Novo Nordisk competes on a global scale and its athletes are vehicles of empowerment for people with diabetes worldwide.
In 2006, Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge assembled a group of eight cyclists with type 1 diabetes to take on the grueling 3,000 mile Race Across America and raise diabetes awareness. The team went on to win the event in 2007, 2009 and 2010 and quickly became a magnet for endurance athletes with diabetes.
Southerland’s passion for cycling and mission to inspire built a world-class racing program of athlete ambassadors who were changing the way the world saw diabetes. Today, Team Novo Nordisk competes on a global scale and its athletes are vehicles of empowerment for people with diabetes worldwide.
Team Novo Nordisk Talent ID Camp – Athens, Georgia USA:
A year ago I put in an application into Team Novo Nordisk to join their Talent ID Camp. This application asked for information about me, my attitude to Type 1, my average blood glucose readings, my cycling history and training. Each month I have had to e mail the team about my training and tracing performance and also have shared my strava information with them. Last week I was informed that I have been selected to join the talent ID Camp from the 2nd – 11th July 2018. (links below) During this week I will be training with experienced athletes living with diabetes. There will also be lots of input with doctors and health care professionals to learn more about sports and diabetes management.
 |
| A determined younger Kai showing his speed |
Yes I have Type 1 Diabetes, Type 1 will not stop me! I love cycling and racing with type 1 and hope my experiences will inspire others. - Kai Watts.
 |
| Comedy bike race at last Sundays grass track |
I’m impressed, I must say. Actually hardly ever do I encounter a weblog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you've hit the nail on the head. Your concept is outstanding; the issue is one thing that not sufficient persons are talking intelligently about. I am very glad that I stumbled across this in my search for something referring to this. mgm online casino
ReplyDelete