From Marathon Goal to Half Marathon Finish: A Story of Running with Type 1 Diabetes
Note:
This story was shared with Medtrum by Anthony Jefferson Engel, a long-distance runner living with type 1 diabetes. The content reflects his personal experience and has been lightly formatted for clarity and readability. Individual experiences may vary.
Anthony after finishing the half marathon in Madrid.
For people living with type 1 diabetes, running is never just about distance, pace or endurance. It also means planning, adapting and listening closely to the body. In this user story, Anthony shares his Madrid race journey — from preparing for the full marathon to adjusting his goal for medical reasons and finishing the half marathon with pride, supported by his Medtrum automated insulin delivery system (AID system) and the people around him.
Preparing for Madrid
I had been training for months with one clear goal in mind: completing the full marathon in Madrid. No shortcuts, no half measures the full 42.2 kilometres. My preparation focused on long runs, interval sessions, and building both physical and mental endurance. But with type 1 diabetes, preparation involves much more than just running.
Anthony’s race-day gear for Madrid.
Every training session requires planning. Not only in terms of distance or pace, but especially around my glucose levels. When should I eat? How much insulin do I need? Should I activate sports mode on my pump? How will my body respond to heat, intensity, or stress? These are questions that play a role during every single run.
That’s exactly why reliable technology has become so important to me.
Running with the Medtrum TouchCare System
During my preparation for Madrid, I used the Medtrum TouchCare 300U Patch Pump together with the Medtrum TouchCare Nano CGM. That combination gave me not only a greater sense of control throughout my training period, but most importantly peace of mind and confidence.
Anthony wearing the Medtrum TouchCare Patch Pump.
What immediately stood out to me about the patch pump was the freedom of movement it offers. During long runs, you don’t want to be distracted by tubing or equipment getting in the way. The tubeless patch pump felt natural while running, allowing me to fully focus on my training and recovery.
The Nano CGM played an equally important role. During intense training sessions, glucose levels can change quickly. In those moments, continuous insight is essential without having to constantly stop and check manually. The sensor automatically provided updated glucose readings and helped me anticipate fluctuations during exercise. Especially during long-distance runs, that gave me a huge amount of confidence.
Another thing I really appreciated was how intuitive and easy the system is to use. During training or racing, you don’t want complicated menus or unnecessary steps. Everything needs to work quickly and naturally so you can react immediately when needed. That simplicity made a real difference for me throughout my preparation for Madrid.
When the Race Plan Changed
The marathon itself eventually turned out differently than planned.
During the race in Madrid, that reality became even more clear. The city, the atmosphere, the heat, the adrenaline everything played a role. And somewhere along the course came the moment where the routes split: the half marathon and the full marathon. That was also the moment my original plan definitively changed. I was pulled from continuing the full marathon distance, but I didn’t stop. I kept going and finished the half marathon.
Looking back, I may even be prouder of that than if everything had gone exactly according to plan. Living and exercising with type 1 diabetes also means learning how to adapt to unexpected situations. You can prepare as much as possible, but sometimes your body requires adjustments along the way.
That’s when trust becomes incredibly important. Trust in yourself, in the people around you, and in the technology supporting you.
The People Who Keep You Moving
Alongside my own journey, the support and experiences shared by others living with diabetes also meant a lot to me. Conversations, advice, and practical tips from people who truly understand what comes with balancing diabetes and endurance sports are incredibly valuable. That sense of connection is one of the reasons why the Bas van de Goor Foundation is so important to me.
The foundation shows how powerful sports and exercise can be for people living with diabetes, not only physically, but mentally as well. That's why my participation in Madrid was also a way to raise awareness for the foundation's mission and help inspire others with diabetes to keep moving forward.
Mentioned in This Story
Bas van de Goor Foundation
A Dutch foundation that encourages and supports people living with diabetes to stay active through sports and exercise.
Bas van de Goor Foundation
A Dutch foundation that encourages and supports people living with diabetes to stay active through sports and exercise.
