KIT
MY DIABETES KIT
Paul was diagnosed
with late onset Type
1 diabetes July 2013.
In June this year he
cycled the entire length
of the UK, solo and unsupported, to raise
money for charity. The challenge, known
as Lejog, is from Land's End in Cornwall
to John O'Groats in the Highlandsat the
tip of Scotland.
Developing diabetes was certainly a
factor in Paul's decision to take this on.
He says, "I wannted to prove that I could
manage it, rather than sit at home and let
the disease limit what I could do. I had
great support from the Derby diabetes
team and was lucky enough to get a place
on the Dafne course shortly before the
trip. The advice from the Dafne course
plus information on the Runsweet website
were invaluable to the success of the trip..
Nipro also deserve a special mention
for their helpsupport, not only did they
equipprovided me with a lightweight and
compact "true resultTRUEyou mini" meter,
but they also provided provided generous
sponsorship in the form of a waterproof
cycling jack and a significant donation to
the charities I was am supporting. The
TRUEyou mini meter was much smaller,
and lighter and simpler to use than my
previous one, and weight is most definitely
a a key factor when you are carrying all
your own kit"
The challenge brought back fond
memories for Paul, who had originally
PAUL SHIELDS
cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats
25 years ago (remarkably using the same
bike, but via a different route) to raise
money for sustainable development
charity Raleigh International. Paul says: "I
am eternally grateful for the opportunities
and experiences that Operation Raleigh
gave me. Eighteen months ago I lost
my friend and work colleague Andy to
bone marrow cancer. These events and
experiences make me feel grateful for
the opportunities I have received and
even for the recent challenges to my own
health. They motivate me to raise money
to support these important associated
charities."
Paul's route took him from Cornwall
and the west country, along Britain's
longest river - the River Severn -- and
into Wales, then it was on through
Cheshire and Cumbria before finally
reaching Scotland. He continued through
to Glasgow, passed Loch Lomond and
Inverness, and cycled along the north
coast before finally arriving at John
O'Groats. He remembers, "The worst
bits was were definitely the endless hills
of of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall and then
Dartmoor in Devon. I had forgotten just
how lumpy these two counties are and
was still building my fitness and stamina
in these early stages! The best bits
were meeting people along the way,
the fabulous scenery and the many
messages of encouragement I received
from friends and family in feedback to my
One for the road: Paul on his
trip, and above, his blood
testing kit.
online diary."
Paul's on insulin, using NovoPens with
two slow-acting and fast-acting insulin
with meals. He carried this and his blood
testing kit in his bicycle paniers and had
chosen the blood test meter for it's small
size. All the extra diabetes paraphernalia
was a bit of a hassle, but the only change
he made to his normal regime was to set
an alarm to wake in the night to check
his levels, in order to avert any possibility
of a night-time hypo as he was far from
home and any immediate help and as
getting his insulin regime attuned to the
additional physical exertion was initially a
bit of a challenge.
Paul feels that maintaining a level of
fitness certainly seems to help keep his
blood sugar optimised and low under
control, and regular testing are is key to
managing the condition. He is already
planning another challenge with Nipro for
next year, which and one of the options
might involves cycling folding bikes
between the three peaks of Snowden,
Sca Fell and Ben Nevis and taking the
bikes up each summit. Paul's fundraising
page can be found here.