Just a few weeks ago, Carly Pink-O'Sullivan was afraid she might not reach her $800 HBF Run for a Reason fundraising target.
Now the Margaret River local is sitting at No. 6 on the individuals’ leader-board with more than $7230 raised for Diabetes WA.
“I'm blown away by everyone's questions, the encouragement to get up early to go running and the fundraising has been the biggest surprise,” she said.
Ms Pink-O'Sullivan, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two years ago, said running the 12km course would have its extra challenges.
“I’m not a runner but I did the City to Surf a couple of years ago, before I was diagnosed,” she said.
“I wanted to prove to myself that I don’t have to let diabetes control my life. I can still exercise without fear.”
Unlike her fellow participants, Pink-O'Sullivan will be worrying about more than just hydration or sore muscles.
“I'm training in the mornings and its trial and error to see how my sugars behave,” she said. “I would prefer to train in the evenings but it won't prepare me for the actual day of the HBF run.
“I get up at 3am to go for a run before work and my blood sugars spike so quickly. I'm currently playing around with my morning insulin dose to find out how much I will need so I can run the 12km non-stop.”
Setting herself the challenge to cross the finish line is part of her campaign to raise awareness about the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and share the realities of the condition.
“I get frustrated when people make assumptions and comments,” she said. “As part of fundraising a lot of people have asked questions and I’ve been able to educate them about my experience.
“Having type 1 diabetes shouldn't stop you from leading a healthy and active lifestyle.
It takes a lot of planning and management but knowing you're looking after yourself now means less likelihood of complications later in life.”
Ms Pink-O'Sullivan said diabetes had changed her life in ways she “never could have imagined”.
“It’s been hard but diabetes has changed my life for the better,” she said. “I look after my health and now want to work in a diabetes or health role.
To donate to Carly’s fundraising efforts, visit hbfrun2017.everydayhero.com/au/carly