Running to the Melody: Saxophonist Antoine Gibson Tackles the NYC Marathon and Diabetes
Antoine Gibson is no stranger to overcoming challenges.
As a saxophonist and marathon runner living with type 1 diabetes, Antoine took on the New York City Marathon while managing his diabetes.
For Antoine, diabetes doesn’t dictate his decisions—it’s just something he manages along the way.
In this Q&A, Antoine shares his inspiration for running as part of the Beyond Type Run team, how he prepared, and his strategies for keeping his blood sugars stable during the race.
Through his passion for running and music, Antoine hopes to inspire others to push past limitations and live life to the fullest despite the hurdles of diabetes.
What inspired you to take on the challenge of running the New York City Marathon, especially while managing diabetes?
Diabetes is rarely a factor in me deciding—or not deciding—to do something.
Very rarely. I love working with nonprofits. I love doing things that have a bigger purpose than just my personal fulfillment or self-satisfaction.
I also know how nonprofits work. Beyond Type 1 has been doing amazing things in the diabetes community for years, and to be a part of raising funds for that continued mission is important to me.
Plus, I’m on the other side of 30. I need to get in shape.
How did you prepare for the marathon? Were there specific challenges you faced during training due to diabetes, and how did you overcome them?
Running, running, and more running.
I try to run in different environments each day, whether it’s around my neighborhood, on a track, at the beach when I’m near a beach, up a mountain, around a mountain, on a treadmill, etc.
The only challenge I’ve faced is low blood sugars during the second or third mile. It happens every single time, so I know how to correct and prepare for that drop.
Can you share your strategies for maintaining stable blood sugar levels during such an intense physical activity like marathon running?
Just try your best.
Microdosing carbohydrates is an effective method I’ve found. Skittles are about 1 gram of carbs each, so popping one every few minutes has been helpful to me.
Exercise mode on my Mobi pump also helps a bunch.
Did you use any specific diabetes management tools, such as a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or an insulin pump, during your marathon? How did they help?
The stricter CIQ algorithm during Exercise Mode on my Tandem Mobi pump helps a bunch with keeping blood sugars stable for long runs.
I always make the argument that CGMs are the single most important invention in diabetes management since the discovery of insulin. I say this because you’re able to see how you’re trending in real time on your phone.
If you’re falling quickly, you have ample time to notice and adjust.
For things like running 4-hour-long marathons, this is the most important tool, in my opinion.
How do you stay mentally strong when dealing with both the physical demands of marathon training and the daily management of diabetes?
A positive mindset can go a long way with everything in life.
I’m enjoying getting in shape and taking a few hours out of my busy day to exercise. It feels good, and I’m enjoying the journey!
The same goes with the daily management of diabetes. The ebbs and flows and daily ups and downs are just a part of diabetes. You do what you can to maintain homeostasis but accepting that “stuff happens” is my way to stay grounded. It is what it is.
Can you describe what it felt like to cross the finish line, knowing all the challenges you overcame with diabetes?
Felt good! Because I knew of where I started and all the work I’ve put in to get here.
What advice would you give to others with diabetes who are considering running a marathon or taking on a similarly demanding physical challenge?
Diabetes is just a thing. It’s a thing that sometimes stinks, but never give it too much power. You can, literally, do anything you put your mind to—except join the active military and be an astronaut. But that’s ok, we can fly planes now.
After completing the New York City Marathon, do you have any future athletic goals or events you’re looking forward to?
I plan to stay in shape.
Running is therapeutic for me, so I never want to stop.I might occasionally enter a few 5Ks and 10Ks. Plus, I’m getting older. I’m not as spry as I used to be, and since our bodies lose the ability to maintain themselves as we age, it’s on us to take over.
How has playing the saxophone influenced your approach to managing type 1 diabetes, especially when balancing the demands of both music and marathon training?
I wouldn’t say it influenced my approach at all.
I do know that if my blood sugar is high or low while performing, I may mess up or not be at my best, but that’s a life thing, not a saxophone thing.
Same with the marathon.
To me, I think I only have diabetes when my numbers are out of range. From 70-180, I like to think I’m a normal person, so I strive to always be as normal as possible so I can do what I like to do to the best of my abilities.
Playing the saxophone requires breath control and endurance, much like running a marathon. Have you found any parallels between your musical practice and your marathon training?
Something my high school band director used to always say— “Control your breathing, don’t let it control you.”
As a musician, your schedule might be unpredictable. How do you manage your marathon training and diabetes care while on the road or performing?
Super unpredictable!
But that’s why I love it. Every day is a new adventure. Diabetes management is normal for me, since I’m always on the go while at home as well.
As far as marathon training goes, I try to run wherever I am. I prefer running outside, but If I’m in a hotel, I get to take advantage of the treadmill and do some speed specific training. I love visiting new places and running new routes. The last time I was in LA, I ran a few miles down a random canal straight to the beach.
Does your passion for music play a role in motivating you to stay healthy and active, even with the challenges of type 1 diabetes?
Not really. I enjoy being active for the sake of feeling good and living a long life. My passion for living and enjoying life may actually outweigh my passion for music .
Performing live can be physically demanding. How do you manage your blood sugar levels during performances, and does this differ from your approach during marathon running?
It’s much different than marathon running.
While running, I know exactly what the script is – Run a mile at a stable blood sugar, drop low around mile 2.5, correct and microdose carbs for the rest of the run.
For performing, every gig is different. Did I eat before? What have I been trending all day? What kind of show is it? Am I the lead man or a side man? I always have fruit snacks in my pocket or a sprite and water near me just in case I need them.
As a public figure in both the music and running communities, how do you use your platform to raise awareness about living with type 1 diabetes?
I have an original song from my first album called “Mellitus”. I perform it at most of my shows and give a speech about the origins of the name and what I do in the diabetes world. I always try to remember to tell people where to find more information about what I’m doing and how to support them in any way they can.
How do you hope your dual identity as a saxophonist and marathon runner living with type 1 diabetes will inspire others who face similar challenges?
Yea! I hope that people see me and the many hats that I wear and know that the only limits out here are the limits that you place on your own potential.
We all have the same 24 hours. We all don’t have the same starting point in the marathon of life, but it’s just that–a marathon. Run your own race at your own pace and don’t stop. And once you cross the finish line, it’s on to the next one.
Help the Beyond Type Run Team Cross the Finish Line
The Beyond Type Run team will show the world what it looks like to live and thrive beyond diabetes.
