13 Questions with Beyond Type Run Marathoner Apoorva Gomber

Editor’s Note: Apoorva was a member of  Beyond Type Run‘s 2018 TCS New York City Marathon Team sponsored by Dexcom and Insulet, makers of the tubeless Omnipod Insulin Management System. Learn more about the 2019 Beyond Type Run team here .

Meet Apoorva—doctor, diabetes advocator, passionate to connect people with type 1 diabetes (T1D’s) and a coffee lover.

What inspired you to join the team?

The power of the community and the feeling of doing such a big thing together with my tribe of T1D! Also I believe in “exploring the unknown” and that’s what I feel sometimes diabetes brings along.. I never knew I would meet such an awesome community who helped me change my perspective about not just living with diabetes but even otherwise. And I never knew I’ll be challenging myself to do a marathon ever.

What’s in your diabetes management toolkit?

A glucometer, Dexcom, a spare pump cannula, lots of alcohol wipes, lancets (which I’m not sure when I changed last), batteries and glucose tablets.

I never go on a run without …

My running belt which is all set with my pump, glucose tablets, energy gels and Dexcom or my Garmin watch!

What is your favorite low snack on a run?

A banana (I’m trying to adjust my dose with it) or a protein bar!

What is your pump it up running song?

I don’t run with songs anymore… thanks to my trainer who really helped me try running without songs. The best part about training for NYC marathon is I have learnt to enjoy the nature around while running which I find is the best feeling. It’s a feeling of being in the “now”. When I go for a run with my earphones on and need that lil pump then it’s “Eye of the Tiger” or just a good playlist of running songs.

What has been your most helpful tool as you’ve trained?

Garmin forerunner watch and Dexcom. Helped me be in the moment and take better decisions on my blood sugars . Dexcom helped me understand where and how my blood sugars are behaving before and after the run. It’s been a real help in my diabetes management.

What has been the biggest training hurdle?

My left foot feels weaker than the right and I always have a cramp or shin splits after a long run. I have tried to get better at my posture with every run.  The lows in between the run—it feels like the monster sucks out all your energy and you can’t push yourself further. I dread the lows in between long runs.

What is your most embarrassing running moment?

Hahaha.. it has been crazy and hilarious. One Sunday long run I had this real bad nature’s calling in the middle of my run and I couldn’t find a washroom anywhere around. After 10-15 minutes of cluelessly roaming on the Delhi road in agony (ughhh the cramps) at 6 a.m. holding my stomach I took an auto-rickshaw ride and told the driver to drop me at the hospital toilet (which thankfully was close) where I work and didn’t feel embarrassed entering with a crampy stomach.

The injury I’m currently nursing is . . .

My right leg splits and the left leg feels weaker than the right.

If you could go on a run with any T1D hero who would it be?

Either Torrey or Léonor I think. Looking at their Strava updates and tracks and I really wanna run with them. They are fantastic at the speed and consistency.

How do you treat yourself / recover after a long run?

Fall flat on the grass/floor and let the sun fall right on my face. Then I grab a good big cup of black coffee with lots of food. Maybe a good massage in the evening after a long Sunday run. Works wonders!

What are you most nervous about the day of the marathon?

A hypo! And messy blood sugars.

How are you going to celebrate at the end of the race?

The imagination is too beautiful .. I want to hug the entire team especially Mary Lucas and Sarah for believing in me and giving me this awesome opportunity to be part of Beyond Type 1 Running team. Never in my life could I imagine tracking to NYC to run for diabetes and that’s also from India. I’m not an athlete.. not a sports freak but just an ordinary person living with type 1 diabetes with just a belief that by doing this I can give hope to so many others still struggling to accept the phases of diabetes. I want to challenge my inner self and make peace with diabetes!!

To learn more about the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon Beyond Type Run team here.