13 Questions with Beyond Type Run Marathoner Megan Hanson

Editor’s Note: Megan 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 Megan Hanson—Mom to four boys, Podder, philanthropist and first-time marathoner.

What inspired you to join the team?

My boys! I have four boys under 8, two of whom were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at 12 and 14 months old. I was diagnosed when I was 12 and I wanted to show my kiddos that they could accomplish ANYTHING they put their mind to.

What’s in your diabetes management toolkit?

Support from my diabestie and her little guy who also has T1D, as much technology as we can get (Omnipod and Dexcom G6 are the most important, life-changing valuable things I’ve ever started as a T1D). Support from my hubby who handles all the overnight blood glucose (BG) checks, watches all three of our blood sugars on his phone nonstop and encourages us to do anything we can to change type one into type none!

I never go on a run without …

Dexcom G6, 25-50 carbs of Tailwind (depending on the length of run), my phone, chapstick, headphones, Omnipod PDM, 24 carbs of backup GU and sunglasses.

What is your favorite low snack on a run?

Apple juice is the cheapest and I just use that on short runs. Tailwind is my favorite for anything above 3 miles!

What is your pump it up running song?

Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars

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

Dexcom G6. There really isn’t a better tool that could help someone with T1D as much as Dexcom G6 does. It is truly life-changing and I am so grateful to have it!

What has been the biggest training hurdle?

Hip injuries! Being terrified and nervous about the big day. Also, trying to care for four kids, work full time and train for a marathon at the same time.

What is your most embarrassing running moment?

Too many to list! But, I do try to get all my weekday runs done over lunch at the same gym that my coworkers all go to so that’s just one embarrassing possibility after another. Falling off a treadmill, not running fast enough, looking rough after a tough run and having to go back to work.

The injury I’m currently nursing is . . .

Hip! I go to a hip guy twice a week and he is pure magic!

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

My T1D heroes are my boys! We run together anytime we can and they try so hard with their little legs! 🙂

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

Foam rolling, ramen, watermelon, naps, stretching.

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

Finishing…..hopefully before dark!

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

Foam roll, beer, stretching and sleep!

Donate to Megan’s Beyond Type Run Fundraising Page here!

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