Name: Bob Schrank RACED IN RAAM 2007 Location: Gurnee, IL Age: 38 years old Age diagnosed: 24

Most Vivid Memory of Diagnosis: When I was diagnosed, I remember telling the doctor, “I can handle this.” But she said, “No; you’re not ready to accept this yet. You don’t know what you’re going to face with diabetes.”

That might sound harsh, but it was probably the best thing she could have said to me, because it made me so much more determined to get a handle on my disease.

I’ve always loved playing sports, and I’ve had some great coaches along the way. My best coaches knew how to push me, to challenge me to do better. And that’s what the doctor did that day in the hospital.

After a few more days, I was able to go home, and the first thing I did was go running. It felt great.

Family: Married to Joy, the smartest and most supportive girl in the world, for 12 years. I have three brothers (Chris, Tim, and Eddy), one mom, and a whole bunch of really fun in-laws, nieces, nephews and grandparents. Oh, and my MINI Cooper S JCW.

Current A1C: 6.2

Goal for next A1C: 6.0

Riding Experience: I ran competitively from age 10 through 26, but decided to hang up the racing flats and spikes after three years of continuous injuries. That’s when I started riding a bike. It didn’t take me long to figure out that it was really fun to go fast. I started racing on the velodrome and then hit the road, MTB, and cyclo-cross

Training Regime/Racing Regime: 10-25 hours per week training time; short rides/commuting during the work week, long road and cyclo-cross bike riding on the weekends. In the fall, dodge ball and king of the ring for fun – all on bikes.

I race from March through December, taking a few weekends off here and there.

Job/Employer School: Abbott Labs; Bradley University

Fastest speed ever gone on a bicycle? 58.5, in Illinois of all places.

Having diabetes has caused me to :There is never a dull day, that’s for sure. The highs and lows can make the most mundane days incredibly complex. Each day, though, is a victory, knowing that you got the better of it. Every year there will be 365 victories I can count on.

Most memorable event per or post diagnosis, sporting or personal: There have been many memorable events in my life so far. From running at Bradley to winning bike races, all have been important. However, from a diabetes viewpoint, it was that first four mile run the day I got out of the hospital after my initial diagnosis. I didn’t run it fast, but I didn’t die either and most important, my wife and family supported me to not stop doing it.

What do you like best about the FreeStyle Flash

4 things: Size, quickness, and the small amount of blood needed to get a reading. Best of all, it isn’t as sensitive to cold and hot temps as other meters.

Give us a few words of wisdom, some personal advice…

I have one favorite word that, although short, motivates me to do things that others would not consider. That word is: GO! (Simple, isn’t it?)

Email: run1552@msn.com