No Limits: type 1 diabetes

Showing posts with label type 1 diabetes. Show all posts

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Dave's Diabetes Story on the ADA Blog

'Dave's Diabetes Story on the American Diabetes Association Blog'

I was fortunate to have a story of mine posted on the American Diabetes Association Blog. The link is below.

For the story, I submitted 3 photos. If you pull up the story you will see my Medtronic Global Hero photo from 2012. The photo above is from the Boise trail book of which I am a co-author. It was an incredible experience to have run over 1,000 miles in the exceptional Idaho terrain that we covered.

This photo is from the 2015 El Tour Expo. I was a new hire to the ADA and this was an event where I promoted our coming Tour de Cure. I am sporting the Red Rider jersey which highlights riders at the Tour de Cure with diabetes.

It has been a real honor and inspiration working with these outstanding individuals.

Dave's Diabetes Story

Link to the story.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

The Mission Hits Close to Home

The Mission Hits Close to Home

The following was part of a presentation at the American Diabetes Association Mountain Region meeting in Phoenix, AZ on April 20, 2016. My story was edited and included with encouraging and inspirational stories American Diabetes Association staff from the Mountain Region. They were: Lynda Jimenez (Phoenix ADA), Beverly Bartel (Montana ADA), Anne Dennis (Phoenix ADA), Hannah Hoogenboom (Denver ADA), Julie Garcia (Phoenix ADA), Kirsten Weatherford (Montana ADA) and Kaylee Gronau (Phoenix ADA) and myself. All of us either have Type 1 diabetes or have family members who do.

I believe my first real connection with the ADA was a journey from Seattle, WA to Glacier National Park (Montana) for a backpacking excursion to the Granite Park Chalet. We actually celebrated Christmas on August 25^th while at the Chalet. This was the last 25^th on the calendar before they closed for the season.

The Glacier National Park trip might have been the spark I needed to make an entry into the world of adventure and seeking new challenges. Another tie in with the ADA was the BBAD (Border-to-Border-Against- Diabetes) Tour. A group ride from the Utah/Arizona border to the Utah/Idaho border. 4 of the 5 riders were T1’s. The trip was organized to finish the day before the ADA EXPO Salt Lake City where we were involved/featured.

Hannah Hoogenboom’s uncle Peter was on the tour!

I have also been involved with the ADA being the beneficiary in past events. Two ocean swim events benefiting the ADA in Alaska (10k/5k) made for some interesting experience in event planning! So glad and fortunate to be working with the American Diabetes Association and to have such wonderful people helping me out and inspiring participants in our events.

Note: I am the Market Manager for the Tucson ADA

Sunday, January 10, 2016

2 Peaks Adventure in Alaska

2 Peaks Adventure in Alaska

Following the Canadian Death Race in July of 2011, I was open to another adventure, one a little closer to my home in Sitka, Alaska. Out my window, opposite the Pacific Ocean breaking under my home, I could see 2 prominent peaks near downtown (Mt. Verstovia & Gavan Hill). Gavan Hill is known for the ever popular and long suffering Alpine Adventure Race. Mt. Verstovia is known for its wickedly steep, rugged trail that climbs 2550 feet in about 2.5 miles. Gavan Hill trail is no less brutal, with about 2400 feet gained in 1.6 miles. This would be my own custom created event. A signature event without the aid stations.

Video of the 2 Peaks adventure

I elected to run/walk from a point between the 2 peaks (Sitka National Historical Park) run to Verstovia, grunt up to picnic rock, zoom down, run to Gavan Hill and of course, up, up, up to a point that I felt was a high point. Trail does continue from there but I wound be content with about 5,000 feet of gain for the elevation deposit for the day.

This is trail running/walking in SE Alaska. One of the nastier sections.

The effort would take place in September, about a month after my 23+ mile, 6,500 foot (elevation gain) ordeal at the Canadian Death Race. This was a momentous occasion as I signed on to run with the I Challenge Diabetes team. I had recently had knee surgery and was hoping for one of the easier legs. That easier leg transformed into the toughest leg as others on the team withdrew or pleaded a little louder than I.

The timing should have been perfect for the 2 peaks effort, but I managed only 1 hill training run before that September rolled in. Also rolling in was weather.......SE Alaska rainforest weather at its gnarliest. The teeth would bite later in the day.

1st view point on Mt. Verstovia (800? foot elevation)

I set off with a well stocked Osprey running pack. The blood sugars were good and the day appeared to be in a stable hold. It might be a decent day, weather wise in the rain forest. Could it be?

Despite a lack of specific training, meaning, actually running up hills, I made my way up Verstovia. Slow but sure, a mix of walking and running. I passed 1 person (if memory serves me correctly), my only link to humanity on either trail.

I had brought along a camera that was lacking in quality and performance but was waterproof. I shot footage at various stages, knowing that I would eventually piece together a somewhat rough film (see link above). It would take 21 clips to create the short film that would be my introduction into the world of filmmaking. I have been working on my first 'real', quality film as I work through the footage of a No Limits Sea Kayak Expedition, tentatively, named 'Alaskan Waters'.

Near the first summit of Verstovia

I would reach picnic rock, which is the first summit of Verstovia in good shape. The Arrowhead is the true top of Mt. Verstovia was jutting just above me. A more technical approach, which I was not willing to attempt without a partner.

Goal #2, Gavan Hill
The weather was turning as I made my way down the mountain. As evidence by my array of photos, running SE Alaska trails is a challenge and requires a major dose of concentration. I had a lot of trail time and was somewhat skilled at the ballet on rocks. Having diabetes increased my need for good planning and focus. I had dealt with higher blood sugars for the first half of the run but would eventually level out.

Gavan Hill

I hit the trail head of Verstovia and made a right turn. On to Gavan Hill.

1st viewpoint on Gavan Hill, approximately 1,000+ feet up

A bit more tired, Gavan would require more walking and an onslaught of nature as the wind, rain and a thick, layer of wetness became the next chapter in my 2 Peaks experience.

Gavan Hill near the first summit

I would glance at my watch and realize that darkness would begin to envelope the mountain terrain soon and the dismal day would usher in darkness quicker.

Near the top of the first Gavan Hill summit

Reaching the trail head, I shot a final memory of the 2 Peaks experience. Darkness casting its shadow across the Last Frontier. Deep in the woods the evening came at an alarming rate as I ran toward my vehicle. There was an encouraging glow of light and life as I escaped the veil of the forest behind me.

7 hours after my first steps toward Verstovia, I slowed my run to a walk and unlocked my car door. Done. A tired, but happy thumbs up for another adventure check off the list.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

A Wild(life) Year in Video! 2015

A Wild(life) Year in Video! 2015

I shared in my previous blog A Wild(life) Year in Photography
that 2015 was a 'wild' year for me. The wildness factor dipped into my photography and in video. If I am taking photos I am usually just a button touch away from capturing wildlife in video. It is always my goal to walk away with photos and video if I happen to encounter a Sasquatch, Aliens, javelina, or whatever crosses my path or chases me in the rugged landscape of desert terrain in which I call home.

I have posted some memorable moments below with links to video(s) taken. I have not posted all of the videos under each photo. It was a good year for the videography, whether it was filming a tarantula crawling up my arm, a rattlesnake a few feet away or something away from the animal/insect kingdom.
Other videos on my channel can be found at: Dave Nevins YouTube Channel

Thanks for your visit and I look forward to more unique and exciting opportunities to use my camera in 2016.

Roaming Bison in Colorado

Roaming Bison in Colorado - Video #2

Roaming Bison in Colorado - Video #3

Gila Monster - Video #1

Gila Monster - Video #2

Gila Monster #2 - Video #1

Gila Monster #2 - Video #2

Elk herd near Fort Garland, CO (150-200?)

Bobcat family in the neighborhood

Bobcat family in the neighborhood - Video #2

Wild Horses near Fort Garland, CO

Wild Horses near Fort Garland, CO - Video #2

Wild Horses near Fort Garland, CO - Video #3

Bighorn Sheep jumping fence

Bighorn Sheep near the Rio Grande Bridge / Taos, NM - Video #2

Bighorn Sheep in the Rio Grande Gorge near Taos, NM

Tarantula - on one of my runs

Tarantula #2

Desert Tortoise - on one of my runs

Rattlesnake - on one of my runs

Rattlesnake - on one of my runs - Video #2

Roadrunner

Roadrunner - Video #2

Rattlesnakes interacting - on one of my runs

Javelina - on one of my runs

Baby Horned Lizard - on one of my runs

Walking Stick - on one of my runs

Cow eating Prickly Pear Cactus (with spines)

Young Desert Tortoise

The Little Cruiser - Video #1

The Little Cruiser - Video #2

Gambel Quail and 5 juveniles

Tarantula Video #2

Deer in Colorado

Sunday, December 6, 2015

A Wild(life) Year in Photography!

A Wild(life) Year in Photography!

Me and the Roaming Bison in Colorado. Photo by Eric Peffer.

It has been been a wild year for me, in many aspects. One of those areas that continues to make my head swirl, is the amazing desert I live in and the wildlife I have had the opportunity to spend some quality time with.

Most of the photos are from my home base in Catalina, Arizona, although photo adventures to Colorado and New Mexico have added some new animals and geography to my photo line up.

Part of the large herd of elk in Colorado (approximately 150)

I have a number of things in my favor:
1. An eye for things that are 'wild'
2. a 70-300 lens
3. Many of my photo adventures are with a wildlife biologist.
4. I run in an a desert area where I see maybe 1 person a month. More of a true desert setting.

5. Just plain luck

Family of 4 Bobcats in the neighborhood

Many of my photos are taken during my daily runs through the desert. I typically run near sunset, which I feel is a better time to see animals plus it puts me on the highest road in our area to capture stunning sunsets. The runs limit my camera options but I have had good success with a decent point and shoot camera (Samsung WB350F). The Samsung is sporting a 42x zoom. Oh yeah!