Alex Osias was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes eight weeks before she was scheduled to race in the 2010 Ironman World Championships. Calculating carbohydrates and injecting insulin to cover meals and snacks while adjusting to accommodate exercise, stress, illness and adrenaline was now daily routine and incorporated into her training regimen.
Osias had to learn a lot very quickly.
From an Internet search, Osias found the world’s largest triathlon club for people with diabetes, and their team that trains for these multisport events. Insulindependence arranged for one of their Triabetes team captains and me to be in Kona to support Osias.
Osias wasn’t the only Type 1 starting in the water at sunrise in Kailua Bay. Veteran Ironman Cliff Scherb, races all over the world and currently holds the second fastest Ironman time ever performed by a diabetic.
This film gives you a taste of their race weekend in Kona.
Stay tuned for the upcoming article in the Ethos Magazine winter print edition for more images and details I can’t post here until the issue is released!
