Taylor Rindfleisch: Conquering NYC Marathon with Type 1 Diabetes—Fueled by Resilience and Technology

On November 3, 2024, Taylor Rindfleisch of Chicago laced up her running shoes for the New York City (NYC) Marathon, joining Beyond Type 1’s “Beyond Type Run” team.

Taylor’s journey to the NYC marathon, however, wasn’t just about physical endurance. It’s about learning to balance the demands of type 1 diabetes with intense long-distance training.

Taylor’s story is one of resilience. It’s also one of adaptation and embracing new technology to effectively manage her type 1 diabetes.

How Training for the NYC Marathon Changed Taylor’s Diabetes Management

Taylor’s journey toward running a marathon has significantly impacted how she manages her blood sugar levels.

Before starting her NYC Marathon training, she had been managing her diabetes with multiple daily injections (MDIs) for over a decade.

However, the demands of training for such a grueling event led her to adopt new technology.

“I’ve been on MDIs for years,” says Taylor, “but when I started training for the marathon, I realized I needed more data to help me manage my diabetes better. That’s when I switched to the Tandem Mobi insulin pump.”

Tandem Mobi Gives Taylor Access to Real-time Information

With the Tandem Mobi and Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor (CGM), Taylor now has access to real-time information about her insulin levels and blood sugar.

These tools have become essential for her long runs, allowing her to more effectively plan meals, snacks, and insulin doses.

“I used to struggle with back-to-back low blood sugars during my runs—especially on MDIs,” she explains. “But now, I can track my insulin on board and know exactly when to eat or adjust my pace to avoid a crash.”

Managing Blood Sugar During Long Runs: A High-Tech Strategy

For Taylor, marathon training isn’t just about building physical endurance—it’s also about learning new strategies and leaning into technology for optimal diabetes management.

She credits her success to staying connected to her technology and carefully monitoring her blood sugar throughout her runs.

“Tech, tech, tech, and food” she says. “Those are my most important tools for keeping my blood sugar in check during long runs.”

With her Tandem Mobi insulin pump and Dexcom G7 CGM, Taylor checks her data frequently during runs to ensure her blood sugar stays within a safe range.

She’s also learned to fuel her body with snacks like Honey Stingers every 45 minutes to prevent low blood sugar and keep her energy up.

“I’m able to run 14, 16, and even 18 miles now because I can stay close to the data,” Taylor says. “I check my blood sugar regularly and listen to my body when I need fuel. It’s a balance, but the tech helps me stay in control.”

Embracing Carb Loading and Fueling During Runs

For many people with type 1 diabetes, carbs can feel like the enemy.

Taylor, however, has embraced the power of carbs as part of her marathon training.

“One of the best strategies I’ve learned is ‘Fear no carbs,'” she says. “Before, I used to worry about hyperglycemia every time I ate things like pasta or pizza. But now, I’ve learned how to properly dose my insulin for carb-heavy meals, and it’s been a game changer.”

Two days before long runs, Taylor carb loads to help fuel her body and keep her blood sugar steady.

“Fueling during runs has made all the difference in how I feel and perform,” she says. “It’s not just about managing blood sugar—it’s about making sure my body has the energy it needs to keep going.”

Overcoming Mental Hurdles: How Type 1 Diabetes Has Shaped Taylor’s Marathon Mindset

Managing diabetes while training for a marathon isn’t just a physical challenge—it’s a mental one, too.

Taylor admits that she was initially hesitant to adopt new technology, and making the switch during marathon training was a big leap of faith.

“Most people with diabetes would say changing your management routine during marathon training is crazy,” she laughs. “But I did it because I knew it would help me in the long run—no pun intended!”

Switching from MDIs to the Tandem Mobi pump was intimidating, but it ultimately gave Taylor the tools she needed to manage her diabetes more effectively.

“It was terrifying at first,” she admits. “But I’ve learned that if I can handle changing my diabetes management during marathon training, I can definitely run 26.2 miles.”

How Technology Has Been a Game Changer for Taylor

Taylor’s journey with diabetes technology hasn’t always been smooth.

As a teenager, she tried using a pump but had a severe allergic reaction to the adhesive.

This painful experience led her to rely on injections for years.

“At the time, I wasn’t mentally ready for the pump, and the physical pain made it unbearable,” she recalls. “But now, with newer technology like the Tandem Mobi and improved adhesives, I feel empowered to manage my diabetes in a way that works for me.”

Today, Taylor is a strong advocate for diabetes technology, particularly the Tandem Mobi and Dexcom G7.

She’s embraced the “robot parts” she once feared, and she’s determined to show others with type 1 diabetes that they don’t have to struggle alone.

Inspiring Others with Type 1 Diabetes: Taylor’s Message to the Community

Through her participation in the NYC Marathon, Taylor hopes to inspire others with type 1 diabetes to embrace new challenges—whether that’s adopting diabetes technology or taking on a major fitness goal.

“I hope that by running this marathon, I can show others with type 1 diabetes that we don’t have to hide,” she says. “We can take on big challenges and thrive, even with diabetes.”

Taylor’s journey has shown her that it’s okay to be different and to use the tools that help manage her condition.

“I used to be afraid of standing out because of my diabetes,” she admits. “But now, I’m proud of my ‘robot parts.’ They’ve made me stronger, and I want others to feel the same.”

Looking Ahead: Taylor’s Goals for Race Day

As Taylor prepares for the NYC Marathon, her main goal is simple: to finish.

“I’m not there to set an elite time,” she says. “I just want to cross that finish line, no matter what diabetes throws my way.”

For Taylor, crossing the finish line will be a testament to her perseverance, both as a runner and as someone managing type 1 diabetes.

“This marathon is just the beginning,” she says. “I’m already signed up for more races, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Through her determination, Taylor Rindfleisch is proving that with the right tools, technology, and mindset, people with type 1 diabetes can conquer any challenge—one step at a time.

HELP THE BEYOND TYPE RUN TEAM CROSS THE FINISH LINE.

On November 3, 2024 in New York City, the Beyond Type Run team will show the world what it looks like to live and thrive beyond diabetes. The marathon team plays a vita roles in awareness and fundraising efforts for Beyond Type 1, so please consider supporting our team by donating today.

Please donate if you can.

This content was made possible by Tandem Diabetes Care, an active partner of Beyond Type 1.

Beyond Type 1 maintains editorial control over its content.