Jo's Cafe

Because this is a Knight-Ridder article from the Mercury News, any link to the story will cost you $2.50 within 7 days. So I will be quoting most of the story here:

Because of diabetes, U.S. cross-country skier working on his balance

DALLAS – Kris Freeman didn’t let his diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes keep him from becoming the top U.S. male cross country skier.

His regimen involves far more than merely training and competing. Three days before each competition, he must measure the impact of every morsel of food he ingests. It’s a far cry from wolfing down a fistful of Fritos and then just hitting the trails.

If he didn’t take precise pre-race steps, he’d have no idea of how much insulin he would need.

“It’s a constant balancing act,” said Freeman, 25.

Everywhere he goes, he spreads the word that diabetes need not limit a person’s ambitions.

When Freeman, a New Hampshire native, was diagnosed at age 20, the first two doctors he saw told him his athletic career was history.

As he heads for the Turin Olympics, Freeman promotes his belief that a setback never should become an obstacle.

“I was very stubborn,” he said. “I was in the very early stages of diabetes when they caught it. Most of the time, I felt normal. I was in what’s known as the honeymoon phase.”

Freeman competed in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, where his best finish was 15th in the 20-kilometer event. The U.S. does not count cross county among its main medal target areas in a sport dominated by Europeans who will be competing in Europe.

Freeman rises almost four hours before race time on a competition day. Three hours before the start, he eats the amount of oatmeal and other breakfast side dishes that his 72-hour meal check indicated he needed based on his post-meal insulin levels.

He does a stretching routine. He tests his blood sugar 30 minutes after breakfast and then one hour after the meal. Next, Freeman tests his equipment at the venue. Then he tests his blood sugar again to see if he needs a power bar or more insulin.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has approved his use of insulin, though Freeman said it is on the list of banned substances. He said it can stimulate an artificial appetite that would lead some athletes requiring bulk to get an edge, though insulin would be of no performance-enhancing use to endurance athletes.

As for stopping during a cross-country race to inject himself, Freeman said an athlete in his discipline can’t afford to take any such breather. The top 20 finishers in a recent 30-kilometer World Cup event finished within 30 seconds of each other.

“I can’t stop and test my blood sugar once I get going,” Freeman said. “I feel I’m pioneering at an elite level.”

Technorati Tag
Diabetes