Team WILD Ready to Take on Ironman Wisconsin September 11th

Photo source: Team WILD.

11 members of Team WILD (Women Inspiring Life with Diabetes) are preparing to compete in Ironman Wisconsin this weekend, taking exercise with diabetes to new levels and visibly demonstrating a diagnosis with Type I diabetes does not need to equal the end of athletic and/or competitive pursuits. A sponsor of Team WILD, as well as the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure in Portland, Oregon, BicyclingHub.com is committed to supporting healthy livestyles and fostering a passion for cycling.



Come September 11, 2011, each team member will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.3 miles--all in under 17 hours. 10 of 11 Team WILD team members live with Type One diabetes, hail from four states (plus New Zealand) and range in age between 29 to 47. Team WILD has supported these athletes with cutting-edge diabetes education, mental skills training, nutrition guidance and peer support during the past 8 months of focused Ironman training. 8 of the 11 women have been members of Team WILD since it began three years ago.

Karyn Brown, age 36, first time IMer who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 21 years, is planning to dedicate each mile of the marathon to a teammate, friend or family member. She has made a list of the names of her inspiration that she will carry with her as she runs each of the 26.2 miles to the finish line where she will hear her name announced, “Karyn Brown, YOU are an IRONMAN!”

Karen Lipinsky, age 45, also a first time IMer and the Team WILD Ironman Team Captain, has lived with type 1 diabetes for 18 years, has a mantra she will use for each section of the race. For the swim she will chant to herself, “long and strong.” During the bike as she remembers to consume 50 to 60 grams of carbohydrate each hour, she will smile and chant, “I am strong and tough. I can do this thing!” During the run, all 26.2 miles of it, she will focus on encouraging other athletes and she will periodically say to herself, “Holy frijoles, I am about to complete an IRONMAN!!!”

The mission of Team WILD is to empower adult men and women with diabetes to take charge of their health by teaching how to be an athlete first, then a person, an athlete, with diabetes. We work with athletes of all fitness levels and types of diabetes. All you have to do is first decide to be an athlete. For more information: follow Twitter feed @teamwild.