Name: Bob Heyer RACED IN RAAM 2006/2007 Location: Issaquah, Washington Age: 42 Age diagnosed: 15

Most Vivid Memory of Diagnosis: I am proud to have never spent a single night in the hospital due to my diabetes. My mom is a nurse and suspected something wasn’t right and decided we needed to get in to see the doctor. After I was diagnosed the doctor explained to me that I would need to take insulin shots for the rest of my life. He told me my mom or dad could give me the shot until I got comfortable working with the needles, but I said no, if I am going to have to do this the rest of my life, I might as well get started now. Later, many hours after taking my first insulin shot, I remember how well I felt. That was the beginning of a great relationship.

Family: My mom and dad live in Wisconsin and are retired active grandma and grandpa. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters and a total of 8 nieces and nephews combined with another on the way. I have an amazing network of friends and I am still single

Current A1C: 6.5

Goal for next A1C: 6.0

Riding Experience: I am competitive amateur CAT3 cyclist who has been racing for about 6 years. In recent years I have taken to triathlon competition. Highlights on my resume now include RAAM 06 and Ironman Triathlon racing. I have competed in two Ironman competitions, IM Arizona 2005 and IM Canada 2006.

Training Regime/Racing Regime: Like most, I struggle with work and play balance. I deal with short light days in the winter and resign myself to commuting or riding in the dark and rain, swimming and running at least an hour each day during the week, and I get long rides in on the weekend. Most rides on the weekend are between 3-5 hours and I usually will spin the other day on my TT bike which may include a brick workout with swimming or running.

• 2007 Peak Races:

  • RAAM in June

  • Ironman Canada in August.

I enjoy racing my road bike in criterium and circuit races and competing in sprint and Olympic distance triathlons for building fitness and race readiness through out the rest of the season. I enjoy doing anything that raises my heart rate, including drinking good coffee!

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Job/Employer: School Attending/Attended:COO / Silicon Mechanics / University of Wisconsin / Marquette University

Fastest speed ever gone on a bicycle? 62mph

Having diabetes has caused me to: I love learning and expect that my life will continue to be a compilation of personal, business and athletic adventures that further my wisdom and knowledge not only of my diabetes, but of the world I live in and the people I share the planet with.

.Most memorable event per or post diagnosis, sporting or personal: In RAAM 2006, I was a member on ‘Team Type 1’, an 8 member team of Diabetics that set a New Record in racing across America in 5 days, 16 hours and 4 minutes with an average speed of 22.36 mph. My teammates and the crew made this a unique and most memorable lifetime experience.

What do you like best about the FreeStyle Flash:

I like many things about the Flash. The size, weight and speed of testing; it is small, it is light and it is quick. An added plus that comes in handy all the time is the back lit display and the test strip lighting.

How has Symlin helped your control? (if applicable)

As long as fast acting insulin has existed, I have had insulin response times approaching 3 hours. As my diet has evolved to a primarily whole foods menu, I still deal with post meal blood suger elevation without taking pre meal bolus well in advance. Symlin has helped maximize the relationship between post meal BG rise and insulin effective time. Thus decreasing the rise and fall of BG’s overtime of meal digestion. That’s a win win for feeling better and reducing A1C’s.

Words of wisdom, some personal advice…I believe that through unity and community lies strength; that knowledge is power; and with a positive attitude and inspiration you can succeed at anything….oh yeah, and most important, smiles and waves are free, so use them, everyday !

Email: bobheyer@comcast.net