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Surmounting Odds: Team Type 1 Proves Nothing’s Impossible

By Jana Moseley and Garrett Simmons

In 2007, an estimated 23.6 million children and adults living in the United States suffered from diabetes. Since then at least 1.6 million more have been diagnosed each year, making the disease the sixth most common cause of death in 2009. Despite its increased prevalence, thousands of Americans continue to go undiagnosed, either unaware of their symptoms or unable to afford critical medical treatment. To combat these numbers, Team Type 1, is gearing up for its most ambitious season yet, and delivering a message of hope to the millions whose lives are restricted by diabetes.

Founded in 2005 by cyclists Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge, Team Type 1 is united by its mission to encourage people with diabetes around the world to take control of their health through diet, exercise and proper medical care. With four diagnosed team members, including Southerland and Eldridge, they are the only professional cycling team worldwide with a roster that consists of athletes with Type 1 diabetes. What’s more, they’re giving even the most competitive teams on the national circuit a run for their money. In just four seasons, Team Type 1 has accumulated numerous victories, including two Race Across America (RAAM) titles (2006, 2007). Last year alone, the squad won a total of 55 races in the United States, a notable record by any standard. Now in 2010, the team plans to take its message of hope across the globe, competing in North and South America, as well as in Europe, Asia and Africa. Their ultimate goal is to compete in the Tour de France by 2012.

That message, it turns out, is contagious. The Team Type 1 organization now boasts teams in five separate race categories: a men’s and women’s professional team, the elite RAAM team, a triathlon team, and the latest installment, Team Type 2. Unlike the men’s Pro team, which also includes non-diagnosed athletes, the amateur teams are made up completely of diagnosed riders.

Photo courtesy of Amara Boursaw / Wheels in Focus

Team Type 1 en route to victory.

Their competitive success has brought overdue exposure to Type 1, and now Type 2, diabetes. That diabetes no longer has to stand in the way of athletes is evident outside the realm of bicycle racing as well. Other professional athletes living with Type 1 diabetes include Chicago Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler, marathon runner Missy Foy, snowboarder Sean Busby, and former Seattle Mariners pitcher, Brandon Morrow. Though athletes with this disease face a host of additional challenges, these and other spokespersons prove that with proper monitoring and regimen, success is possible.

Typically diagnosed in children but often emerging later in adulthood, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s vital tissues are attacked by its own immune system. In the case of Type 1, patients are unable to produce the hormone insulin. Since athletes rely heavily on insulin to convert stores of glycogen, or blood sugar, for energy, they must constantly monitor their blood sugar level and take insulin injections daily. Exercise is often a healthy way to manage Type 2, the most common form of diabetes, but it presents additional challenges for athletes with Type 1. Blood sugar concentration can drop drastically, often to life threatening levels, and prolonged periods in this state can result in heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and nerve dysfunction. For these reasons doctors in the past have considered high-level competition dangerous, not to mention impossible. However, new medical technology is making it possible for athletes to compete. Continuous glucose monitors and wireless insulin pumps can track blood sugar and deliver insulin with minimal effort

and hassle.

The Pacific Northwest has a special tie to Team Type 1 through local cyclist and triathlete, Bobby Heyer. Heyer was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 15 and has competed as a member of Team Type 1 since its inception. He was also one of the eight-team members to win the brutally challenging Race Across America in 2006 and 2007.

Though diabetic for nearly thirty years, Heyer has only been racing for ten. He explains, “When I was diagnosed, everything was a lot different. Racing an Ironman seemed next to impossible. When the technology got better, it became more possible to actually compete.”

At the urging of friends, Heyer was convinced to try cycling. “They told me to come out and race, just give it a shot,” he recalls. “It was addictive!”

From then on Heyer competed primarily in small races, until he met Phil Southerland at a Juvenile Diabetes Foundation race in 2005.

“[Southerland] had an idea to get a team together for the Race Across America. He held a training camp and the best of the best were selected. I was one of them.”

While talking with Heyer, it became apparent that he treats his disease as just another side effect of competing. “All athletes deal with lack of energy, injuries, and fueling issues. Their bodies do the balancing for the most part. I have an extra ball in the air that lends to a nonstop juggling act. It adds some complexity to it, but we’re super diligent. We’re just striving to have the best results,”

All diagnosed Team Type 1 riders use constant glucose monitors and insulin pumps in order to control their condition. Heyer explains, “There are a bunch of variables. We are just trying to fine-tune those mechanisms and try to eliminate most of them and learn from our races.”

Heyer’s fifth season racing with the team will be a busy one. In addition to random training races he will join his teammates on the California Relay, a 200-mile running race. Also, he is planning on racing two half-Ironman’s, Vineman and the Rhode Island 70.3, in the hopes of qualifying for the Ironman World Championships in Kona next October, all this while working full time as the CEO of Silicon Mechanics, Inc.

Heyer continues to push his limits, conquering his disease and facing new challenges. “I have always told other diabetics to live their best life. You will never be perfect, but the days you are close, you will remember forever.”

The fight against diabetes is not restricted to high caliber athletes such as Team Type 1, riders of all level can get involved by participating in Tour de Cure cycling events nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

Find more details on ADA at www.diabetes.org and follow Team Type 1 at www.teamtype1.org.