On April 6, during the arduous Ironman 70.3 Oceanside race, a determined team named Dia-Bet-U-Can’t-Beat-Us refuses to be defined by their condition. Susan Powell, an indomitable cyclist; Tanya Morgan, a resilient runner; and Brad Williams, an unwavering swimmer; all combatting type 1 diabetes, will be among the sea of athletes. United by unbreakable spirit and tenacity, these fierce competitors are definitively changing the narrative around living with diabetes.
Having been diagnosed just last year at the age of 56, Susan Powell didn’t allow her diagnosis to dim her competitive drive. She fearlessly competed for Team USA in Spain merely two months post-diagnosis. On race day, she will tackle a resilient 56-mile cycle, powered not only by her muscles but by an unwavering will. In Susan’s own words, type 1 diabetes doesn’t signal an end to one’s passion—it can introduce a challenging yet conquerable turn on their path.
Tanya Morgan, a registered nurse confronted with the reality of type 1 diabetes during her freshman year of college, has since carved her path as an inspiring figure. A Boston Marathon qualifier, Tanya is set to cover an impressive 13.1 miles with every stride echoing strength and perseverance. Her story stands testament that the battle against diabetes is fought on two fronts—one on the running tracks and the other within.
Tuscon-based firefighter Brad Williams, who faced his diagnosis in his youth, will cut through the waters of the 1.2-mile swim segment. His resilience extends beyond the flames he encounters in his day job. Brad swims against the tide of diabetes, proving that condition is not a constraint but a catalyst for courage.
In their quest to confront the physical and emotional demands of both diabetes and the Ironman race, Susan, Tanya, and Brad are not only pushing their limits but also paving the way for many others grappling with similar challenges. Their pursuit is not for accolades but an affirmation to the T1D community that any finish line is reachable.
“I was a triathlete when diagnosed and when I first learned I had type 1 diabetes,” says Powell. “I thought I would never be able to race again. Tanya, a nurse, and a runner told me that it will be harder – yes, but not impossible. We decided to race together to show others the possibilities and we recruited Brad from a Type 1 Diabetic Athletes Facebook page. He was the perfect fit for our three-person relay team.”
The Role of Advanced Technology:
The trio’s relentless dedication to training and excellence is supported by the cutting-edge t:slim X2 insulin pump from Tandem Diabetes Care. This technology, alongside their continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, offers them a semblance of normalcy and control amidst the fluctuations of blood sugar levels during rigorous training. It’s a partnership between their tenacity and technology that assures them the freedom to excel.
“A half Ironman is hard but add type 1 to the mix and it can feel impossible,” stated Powell. “It is NOT IMPOSSIBLE. The formula is to find a support system. There are many groups of type 1 athletes who have a wealth of knowledge.”
Powell suggest that users Tap into resources like CGMs, smart computers, and of course a continuous insulin delivery pump like Tandem’s t:slim X2. The final part of the formula is courage and grit because there will be good days and bad days.
“You need to pick yourself up and give your best each day of training and believe me, you will do it,” Powell exclaims. “Our name Dia-Bet-U-Can’t-Beat-Us isn’t about others not beating us, it is about not letting type 1 diabetes beat us. We can still dream big dreams and work hard to accomplish those dreams.”
Susan’s vision to form a team illustrated by diverse stories and united by a common challenge invigorates the spirit of those haunted by the word ‘impossible’. The shared dream, perseverant training, and mutual encouragement echo the reality that when faced with adversity, unity begets strength, and limitations are surmounted.
All three members of the team are using the Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors and t:slim X2 insulin pumps. Additionally, Powell uses a bike computer that syncs with Dexcom so she can see her glucose readings. Tanya and Brad do the same with a smart watch.
“The t:slim X2 insulin pump is key to our ability to do endurance sports because it eliminates the use of long-acting insulin which for me was a constant threat of hypo during exercise,” Powell says. “Before using the t:slim X2 pump, I had three times where I needed EMS intervention. Knock on wood, since using t:slim X2, I have been able to manage my blood sugar independently. I have experienced lows but was able to turn it around and continue training.”
The t:slim X2 works great as you not only use it in activity mode, but also can create different profiles. Powell has one with custom settings for moderate training and one I call “Race Mode.” These profiles deliver less basal and the carbohydrate to insulin ratio is not as high. They also have the ability to suspend delivery and detach when swimming or to prevent Control-IQ from delivering insulin if their training is going to be intense. Being on a pump as opposed to multiple daily injections has been a game changer, and Powell said they are all incredibly grateful.
‘Dia-Bet-U-Can’t-Beat-Us’ is not a defiance to the competitors but an ode to the fierce determination within each team member — a declaration that dreams do not wither in the wake of type 1 diabetes. This sentiment is rooted deep within the team, and their advice is simple yet profound: draw from the wells of courage, arm yourself with the appropriate resources, and step forward — one persistent pedal, stride, and stroke at a time.
“We are definitely training hard for this event,” added Powell. “Each of us have our own challenges for sure!”
The three teammates work full-time, have families, and have to manage their diabetes while adding training to their schedule. They have been training since July and are slowly ramping it up as the event is getting closer. Brad lives out of state and trains at his local pool and his wife and kids have been his biggest cheerleaders. Tanya belongs to a local running group, and she gets up before sunrise and with a headlamp gets her training runs in. Powell has participated in several group rides with some serious elevation gain to help her prepare for the hills she will encounter during the race. To keep up with their correspondence, they have monthly Zoom calls to check in with each other and they message each other when they have challenges and accomplishments.
“We created a team pullover to help inspire us and we can’t wait until next week when we finally get to race together,” Powell exclaimed. “We really hope to inspire many!”
Join the Valley News in celebrating their remarkable journey, as Susan, Tanya, and Brad represent hope, resilience, and undaunted spirit, proving to all of us that with tenacity, teamwork, and technological support, there are no insurmountable challenges, only new finish lines to cross. Article contributions made by MBoomHealth.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
