In a moment of spontaneity, I joined a newly formed team for the 8 Track Relay, a 24-hour relay race and music festival in Portland, Oregon, embracing a vibrant ’70s theme. The only teammate I was familiar with was my friend Sarah, who had shared on social media that her team was on the lookout for an additional runner, even if it was just for a single four-mile leg. Why not? I thought. I can handle four miles.
As I arrived for the first team meeting, I was greeted by seven incredibly fit women in their forties, casually chatting about their latest marathons. I almost reconsidered my decision, but their cheerful insistence that they weren’t focused on winning eased my nerves. “We’re just here to have fun!” they exclaimed. When our captain took a survey of how many legs each member could commit to, I was the only one who opted for just one. The majority of the team signed up for four legs, totaling 16 miles.
Pulling the captain aside, I casually mentioned my Type I diabetes, hoping to reassure her that there was nothing special she needed to do, just to be aware of my condition. She looked a bit like a deer caught in headlights, clearly unsure how to respond. With diabetes, if my insulin isn’t properly adjusted, my blood sugar can spike, leading to serious complications. Too much insulin, and I risk hypoglycemia, which can cause confusion, sweating, and potentially lead to unconsciousness or worse. I wear an insulin pump around the clock and check my blood sugar approximately six times a day.
The challenge lies in the fact that exercise tends to lower blood sugar. This makes running while managing diabetes quite the hassle. It involves careful monitoring, insulin adjustments, and food management, which is why I only run casually; long runs can be overwhelming.
As the clock struck 4 PM, I was about to start my leg. I worried I wouldn’t have enough time to return to our camp and apply some Astroglide to prevent chafing in the sweltering 90-degree heat. And just to add to my concerns, extreme heat can also lower blood sugar.
I checked my glucose levels and found them lower than I preferred. After popping a few jelly beans for a quick boost, I made my way to the handoff area. Spotting my teammate, I noticed her running towards me in her hot pink shirt. She handed me the timing chip—disguised as an 8-track of “The Hustle”—and I took off, feeling strong and energized.
However, halfway through the course, things took a turn. I began to feel shaky in my arms and legs. I reached for a GU pack and gulped it down, cursing my lack of pre-race testing with it. Tasting awful, I now feared I might vomit. I managed to text my teammates: MILE 3, WALKING, though I was barely moving. A fellow runner checked in, asking if I was okay. “Sure!” I replied, lying through my teeth. My legs felt like jello. I knew if I sat down, I might never stand again, but pushing through felt like a dangerous gamble. My initial goal had been a mid-pack pace, but now I was determined to “cross the line on my feet.”
Eventually, the GU kicked in, and I was able to manage a slow jog for the last quarter-mile. I was the only one aware of my less-than-stellar time being a personal victory. I was still upright and devouring jelly beans I had stashed with a teammate like they were my lifeline.
Not wanting to be seen as a slacker, I volunteered for a second leg that would start around 1:30 AM. I lay in my tent, checking my blood sugar every half hour and munching on jelly beans to keep it stable. At 1 AM, I checked the leaderboard and was shocked to see the Tacos in second place overall.
As Sarah sprinted through, I exclaimed, “Wow! Why are you running so fast?” She handed me the 8-track tape. My blood sugar was stable, and I took off into the cool night air under a brilliant full moon, listening to Radiohead’s In Rainbows. It felt magical. At mile three, I texted the next runner to prepare. I finished with a personal record, experiencing the best runner’s high of my life and earning the title of the slowest member of the fastest women’s team in the inaugural 8 Track Relay Race.
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Summary
In a spontaneous decision, I joined a relay race team that pushed my limits as a casual runner with Type I diabetes. Despite the challenges, I overcame obstacles to finish strong, discovering both the joy of community and the thrill of competition. As I navigated my health needs, I also tasted the magic of running under the stars, proving that even in unfamiliar crowds, personal triumphs await.