An Introduction to Myself

Hey!

     My name is Anna.  I'm a graduating high school senior ('09) and an International Baccalaureate graduate as well.  I'm looking forward to attending Syracuse University next fall on the "Coronat" Scholarship, where I plan to major in Biochemistry, hopefully applying it to nutrition and exercise sciences.  I love to be outside- running, biking, hiking, backpacking, skiing, ultimate Frisbee, or just hanging out.  I'm definitely happiest when I'm in the mountains or on the beach, but I can appreciate anything in between.  I'm way into photography and a big fan of art museums, art fairs, and farmer's markets, and I love to travel!  This summer, I received my PADI certification.  I work as a waitress and my family is active in our local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) branch.  (I have led my walk team for 5+ years, given speeches at events, and served as a delegate in Children's Congress 2005 in Washington DC). 

            I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes on December 31^st, 2002, when I was eleven years old.  As a sixth grader, I didn't have any family or friends with diabetes, so the adjustment was challenging.  The following August, seven months after my diagnosis, I went on the pump, and I have been using a Minimed pump ever since.  Even though it's not perfect, the pump has provided me with much more flexibility; it enables me to train and eat much more freely than shots did. 

            The hardest part about diabetes is managing my blood sugar when I am active.  I love to run, lift, swim, ski, and bike- especially in training for a race.  I ran cross country for my high school for two seasons, track for three, and I also joined swim team to try it out for one season.  Since then, I have moved towards longer races, which I tend to enjoy more.  This past year, I won my age group in two sprint distance triathlons and ran the Mount Evans Ascent race, (which was 14.5 miles to the summit 14,000 feet.)  This fall, I set the age group record in the American Discovery Trail Half Marathon, won the HRCA Backcountry 10 Mile Train Run, and qualified for the first wave of the Pikes Peak Ascent 2009 with a 1:37:35 half marathon.  Over the winter, I focused on Nordic skiing, and I skied a 20k, 30k, and my first ski marathon.  I have to listen to my body carefully, both when training and racing, to make sure that my blood sugar, insulin levels, and carbohydrate intake are adjusted correctly.  It's a fine balance, but it's so important in determining how I feel!  Longer races and training have really helped me to understand both diabetes and how my body works, and I really do learn something new every time that I go out.

            I have some big adventures in front of me- first a summer of training and the Pikes Peak Ascent, and then college!  Both will require some extra attention to managing my diabetes, but I'm so excited about both.  On DiabeTeens.com, I'm looking forward to working with Ginger on some interesting topics relating to diabetes and exercise.  There's a lot to learn out there about performance, training, nutrition, and diabetes, and Ginger and I going to break some of it down, including a lot of our own personal experience as well.