Show Notes
Jason and I properly met on the start line of the Scenic Rim 100 — a brutal 100-mile race through South East Queensland that would become his first attempt at the distance. But Jason’s path to that start line had another layer. Three years earlier, just as he was getting into running, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Suddenly running wasn’t as simple as heading out the door. Insulin, blood glucose, fuelling and the very real risk of a hypo all had to be considered. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to take running away from him, Jason used it as a reason to keep pushing. In this episode we unpack how he rebuilt his confidence, progressed from 50km to 100km and eventually 100 miles — while still learning how his body responds to diabetes throughout training and racing. Then we get properly stuck into Scenic Rim. A CGM that stopped working early in the race, blood glucose dropping dangerously low, running out of water, stomach issues, completing roughly 85% of the race alone and eventually reaching the Loop of Doom genuinely considering whether it was time to pull the pin. Sometimes all it takes is pumpkin soup and a few good volunteers to completely change a race. We also chat about the training that got him there, what he’d change next time, why Type 1 diabetes may have actually become part of what drives him towards harder challenges, and why he’s already signed up for his first Backyard Ultra. A great conversation about ultrarunning, problem solving and refusing to let circumstances decide what you’re capable of. Follow Jason on Instagram: @my_t1d_adventure Unsure why you're not getting the result you want out of training? Take my 5min Training Bottleneck Quiz Get in touch:Instagram Email: [email protected] CHAPTERS 00:00 – Meeting Jason at the Scenic Rim 100 01:18 – Recovering from his first 100-miler 03:05 – From hating running to his first half marathon 03:51 – Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 05:34 – Insulin, hypos & losing confidence to run 07:05 – Rebuilding confidence through running 09:54 – Managing Type 1 diabetes while training 13:02 – CGMs, insulin pumps & learning his body 15:29 – The fear of hypos & accidentally under-fuelling 17:48 – The road from 50km to the Scenic Rim 100 22:28 – CGM failure & early blood glucose problems 24:27 – Running out of water, gut issues & self-crewing 27:58 – Running 85% of the race alone 33:55 – 120km weeks, vert & strength training 36:35 – Using Type 1 diabetes as fuel to push further 38:16 – The Loop of Doom & seriously considering quitting 40:13 – The pumpkin soup that changed the race 45:03 – Letting his first 100-mile finish sink in 49:09 – Why a Backyard Ultra is next 54:42 – Is Larapinta 200+ km on the cards? 57:00 – Training around working away as a geologist 59:19 – Jason’s message to others with chronic illness
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