Initially 1 could not cycle, and dreaded cycling. No one could actually get me on a bike and never did I think I could cycle, until Touch Diabetes Support told me about Project Discovery 4 and I will never forget how I trained myself to cycle with the help of dedicated friends and volunteers from Touch Diabetes Support.I learnt how to cycle at the age of 21 yrs old, a little old, people will think, but I never regretted at all after that.
I participated in Project Discovery 4 with Touch Diabetes Support from 17-22 June 2004 when a team of fellow diabetics together with a group of dedicated volunteers cycled 500km from Singapore to Kuantan. The team got into Malaysia through a boat ride to Penggarang and cycled up to Kuantan with my first mountain bike in a 6-Day Event quoting ‘Riding Strong with Diabetes’.
In 2006, Touch Diabetes Support organized another cycling event, this time cycling into Cherating, deeper into Kuantan. I was once again in the Team, cycling up to the designated location of Cherating from 29 May-03 June 2006 together with students Victoria Junior College in a Service Learning Project. It was a good experience as the Students and people with Diabetes partnered each other well to encourage each other to keep on paddling to reach the destination.
More details of both projects that got my interest in cycling can be found at www.diabetessupport.org.sg.Besides cycling, running is also another interest of mine. I began running after completing my first 10km New Balance Real Run in 2005. That run was very tiring as I seldom run such distances. My legs ached; my body ached after my first run.
But after I found out the timing which I finished the run, I got this thought of always wanting to improve the timing again. My timing was not very good, if I remembered correctly; it was 1 hr 10 mins for my first 10 km run. I told myself I would train up and beat my initial timing.
That was what motivated me to get my friends to run and train with me, and I continued to join New Balance Runs and Standard Charted Half Marathons to improve in my timing and also to know where my fitness is. I spent 4 years to train my running.
Running and Cycling has always been my interest. Through this 2 endurance exercises, I learnt that it helps in my control of my Blood Sugars. I am more careful whenever I exercise to keep my Blood Sugars in good range of 5-7mmol/l, sometimes it may be a little higher than normal due to hydration and snacks on the way. I learnt a lot of my Diabetes control through cycling and running. I intend to take up swimming soon, and then I am aiming to do a Triathlon before going further to do at least one Ironman in my lifetime. Running and Riding on for Diabetes.
Marco
