Runner’s World+ Member: Drew Class
Drew is a Runner’s World+ member. Join him and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print!
I started running three years ago to train for a 5K as encouraged by my son. Since then my cardiovascular conditioning has improved immensely. At the time I started, I had been diabetic for 42 years. My physical activity had dwindled to doubles tennis about once per week (i.e. very little cardio). Having diabetes makes my cardiovascular risk about the same as someone who has had a previous heart attack, so exercise is extremely important.
As I continued to run, I would frequently search for information on the internet including training recommendations, stretching and other strategies to reduce injury, what to wear for weather conditions (the RW What to Wear Tool has been frequently visited), and of course shoe recommendations. I found that I would usually end up finding answers in Runner’s World articles so it only made sense.
Entering that first 5K was primarily an excuse to go visit my son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter in Houston. However, the sense of accomplishment and how much better I felt after the training were motivation to keep going. I have continued to run races (recently completing my third half marathon) which were fun, and has helped with motivation, often with friends or family which now includes my wife. Between the social and health benefits it has been easy to keep going.
I run two or three evenings during the week because I go to work about 6:00 a.m. and I am not disciplined enough to get it done before. I do my long runs on Saturday mornings because I have found that avoiding short acting insulin before running reduces my chance of low blood sugar. Having a continuous glucose monitor has been invaluable, and I don’t think I could have pursued distance running without it.
I usually run around nearby neighborhoods, that way if I see my blood sugar falling too quickly I am not too far from home. We do have a beautiful park nearby with some hills that I enjoy running with a friend, but I try to limit the distance there to avoid having to cut runs short.
I probably look funny with a watch on each wrist but one displays my blood sugar and the other is for pace and distance. I also love running in the most cushioned shoes I can find. When I am running alone, I am never without a single earbud to listen to audiobooks.
While I try to get a little faster each race I am an average runner at best. My more important goals are to run one full marathon because my son said he is willing to do it with me (even though I am sure the slow pace will be torture for him). Other than that I just want to keep going for the continued cardiovascular benefit and because I feel so much better.
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