Insulin-reliant youngsters push limits of human endurance

Eliud Kipchoge laced up for the marathon on Saturday with a constant eye on the clock, finally becoming the first man to go under 2 hours in the race. But for the also-rans in any marathon, the reasons for doing the distance are varied. Several have less daunting time targets at the finish line, others are there just for fun or perhaps because they are good at running, some badly need that dose of self-confidence which longer distances provide, yet others hope to earn bragging rights, while striking the milestone off the bucket list is a rite of passage for most.
For Nupur Lalvani, marathon events were always family picnics.She and dad led the charge with the 42k while mum and younger sister packed in the shorter runs. A 5:30 marathoner, the 32-year-old Nupur has since raised the bar further with two ultramarathons — a 65km in Mumbai and a 55km in Silvassa. Yet, this perpetually race-ready, seemingly intrepid woman adopts extreme caution every step of the way while running.
Nupur is watchful as she has type 1 diabetes (T1D), for which there is no known cure. She ran her first full marathon despite a sharp admonition from her doctor, who had totally freaked out at her intention of doing the distance. While there will never be a failsafe procedure to protect her against a fall or changing health parameters, she believes ticking the right boxes in the checklist of chariness has helped her run safe and strong. And, of course, survival demands that she maintains a fine balance between taking 3-6 multiple daily injections, testing blood glucose at least 5-10 times a day, eating right and exercising to maintain blood glucose levels in the optimal range.
On December 13 this year, Nupur and three other T1D friends — civil engineer Chinmay Tambole (28), software engineer Sonu Patel (28) and businessman Raj Jagdale (29) — will attempt to walk 100km in a maximum of 48 hours from Katraj at the annual Oxfam India Trailwalker to create awareness about diabetes and raise funds. The team, named ‘Walking on Insulin’, will be the only one with T1D members from among the expected 200-250 groups which will participate either in the 100km or 50km category.
The team has been championing the cause of diabetes awareness by conducting monthly 5km fun runs in Pune, events in Delhi, rural outreach programmes, awareness programmes in schools and generally seeking to destigmatise the condition by talking about it, blogging, putting up videos on social media and encouraging the diabetic community to take charge of its health. The team will formally launch its NGO, Blue Circle Diabetes Foundation, this week to create a type 1 and 2 diabetes community across India. Renowned researcher and diabetologist Dr C S Yajnik of KEM Hospital has lent his support to the team members, commending them for their T1D knowledge and the correct use of modern scientific equipment like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring.
While Nupur has had T1D since she was 8, Chinmay has had it since the last 15 years, Raj for 9 years and Sonu for 6. When not pounding the tarmac outside, Nupur finds time for mixed martial arts and trekking. After work, Raj dabbles in weight training and the occasional game of football, Chinmay gyms and runs while Sonu, who started out with cardio, has added weight training and Zumba to her regimen.
Then there is the controversial topic about the diet of T1Ds with varied opinions from doctors and nutritionists. But Nupur believes food is an individual decision. She and Chinmay prefer low carbs though Raj and Sonu take regular food.
Far from being eaten up by the downsides of the condition, the team has used it to their advantage to stay fit. Sonu says living with diabetes has made her stronger both physically and emotionally. It’s not easy being T1D, she says, but ironically believes she would not have been this consistent on her fitness journey had she been non-diabetic.
TRUE GRIT
(1) Team will participate in 100km walk from Katraj in December. The walk is to be completed in a maximum of 48 hours
(2) Nupur and Raj use insulin pumps to treat their condition while Sonu and Chinmay use insulin pens. Cost of treatment ranges from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 a month
(3) There is no known cure for T1D. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is a metabolic syndrome which can be controlled or reversed in some cases with lifestyle modifications like diet, weight loss and exercise
(4) Nupur leads Pune chapter of Type 1 run, a global programme of a non-profit organization run by singer Nick Jonas, who is himself a type 1 diabetic
(5) She was India’s sole representative in the Twin Cities marathon in Minneapolis a few years ago. People with different conditions — some had pacemakers, others had neurological disorders — participated in the event along with regular runners.