BRADFORD GILDON



  • Tulsa, OK
  • Age: 28
  • Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 11

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


  • 1st place AG at 2008 Redman Triathlon (140.6), Oklahoma City, OK
  • 2009 Avia Wildflower Half-Iron Triathlon, Bradley, CA
  • 2009 Chicago Triathlon, Chicago, IL
  • 2009 Longhorn 70.3, Austin, TX
  • 2nd place AG* at 2010 Cohasset Triathlon, Cohasset, MA
  • 4th place overall at 2010 F3 Sprint Triathlon, Claremore, OK
  • 2010 K-Swiss Kansas 70.3, Lawrence, KS
  • 2010 Ford Ironman Louisville, Louisville, KY
  • 1st place Cat 5 men, 2010 Sapulpa Route 66 Criterium, Sapulpa, OK
  • 8th place Cat 3/4 men, 2010 Ruts & Guts Cyclocross race, Broken Arrow, OK
  • 2010 PPD Beach2Battleship Half-Iron Triathlon, Wrightsville Beach, NC
  • 2010 AG Nationals, Tuscaloosa, AL

MEET BRADFORD GILDON


When were you diagnosed with diabetes?

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on August 1, 1995. I was 11 yrs old.


How did you feel about diabetes when you were first diagnosed?

When I was first diagnosed, it was a little surreal for me. I just “accepted” it and started giving myself shots immediately. After some time though, I became very frustrated with having to deal with the shots, the lows, the highs, and all the extra stuff that my friends didn’t have to deal with.


What about your parents, how did they feel about your diabetes initially?

My parents were definitely shell-shocked at my diagnosis. We didn’t have any family members with diabetes—we didn’t even really know what diabetes was, let alone everything involved with taking care of it from day to day. My mom had the understanding that I could “never eat sugar again,” and this was obviously alarming when she tried to feed me healthy vegetables like corn, which is a carbohydrate-based food. As a family we had a lot of learning to do, and in the beginning, there was definitely an overwhelming feeling of uncertainty and even fear.


How do you feel about diabetes now?

Diabetes is something I must deal with, but it does not “define” me.


Why is exercise and competition a part of your life?

Staying active helps me to better manage my blood glucose. Competitions and racing give me motivation to keep active. Plus, getting out for a long bike ride or a good hard trail run really allows me to take all of my worries and set them aside. It’s just me and the road, or me and the trail, which is an awesome feeling.


What drew you to Team Type 1?

I met Joe Eldridge (co-founder of TT1) at a diabetes conference. Meeting an amazing athlete like him gave me the motivation to pursue a position on the triathlon team. The opportunity to be able to show others that this disease is manageable has been a big inspiration for my involvement and commitment to the Team.


Tell us about a personal achievement that is highly significant to you.

Two things, both of which are Boy Scout related. One was earning my Eagle Scout Award. The second was being a Ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch for two summers. The ability to enjoy two of my passions (scouting and backpacking) without letting diabetes hinder me in any way is something of which I am extremely proud.


How about a significant athletic achievement?

On a personal level, crossing the finish line at this year’s Ironman Louisville was especially moving. It was not a personal record (PR) for me, but it was the most emotional finish-line crossing I have ever had. The amount of support from total strangers and onlookers as I rounded the last corner and raced into the finishing chute was absolutely amazing. The conditions were very hot that day and the race was quite a battle for me from an emotional standpoint, so crossing the finish line instantly elevated me to cloud-9.


If there is one piece of advice you could give to someone who was newly diagnosed with diabetes– what would it be?

Do not ever believe that you that you can’t do something just because of diabetes. It may take some extra planning and awareness, but anything is possible if you put your mind to it – and that goes for people with and without diabetes!


How did you feel in school about having diabetes?

When I was first diagnosed, I felt a little “different” than my friends and classmates, because of the extra things I had to carry with me and the shots I had to take. I do not think I really encountered much animosity from others, although I did have my glucose meter stolen one time because the other kid thought it was a Gameboy or something. In high school I wanted so badly to be like my friends. I hated that I had to think about so many other things, like testing, giving insulin, and keeping glucose handy, among other things. It wasn’t until cross country in high school that I finally came to the realization that if I wanted to do what I loved (compete) and be successful at it I was going to have to take a more active role in understanding the disease and how to train/race while regulating my glucose better.


Tell us about your favorite TT1 event to date.

Our first Team event of the 2010 season: A 200-mile, 12-person running race in California known as “The Relay”. We had two vans, each with six teammates and our wonderful drivers (also teammates), that played a proverbial game of “leap frog” as we each ran leg after leg of the race. The amount of fun you can have and the amount of stuff you can learn when traveling with some of your closest friends who all “get” your diabetes and your love of competition is stunning! Our race lasted a little over 24 hours, and it was quite surprising how many hilarious memories we managed to cram into such a short time-frame.


In what way have you found that your diabetes has helped you grow as an individual?

Dealing with my diabetes has definitely had an effect on my abilities to plan and take responsibility for myself. I think I have increased my attention to details throughout my life because of all of the little things I have to pay attention to with regard to regulating my glucose.


Are there any areas of your diabetes management that you are currently targeting to improve?

Two things again: One. Post breakfast spikes that I would like to mitigate/eliminate. Two. High BG after some intense exercise efforts (during crits, cyclocross, etc). All of my races up to this point have been longer distance, more endurance based at a more sustainable intensity. The large increase in intensity and shorter duration with these other types of races has caused me to go back to the drawing board with regard to insulin and nutrition strategies.


Tell us about an athletic goal you have for the short term – say less than one year from now.

I would like to set a goal to qualify for, and compete at, AG Nats in 2011, with the intention of placing well enough to qualify for the 2012 Age Group World Championships. It is a very tall order, no doubt, but why set goals that I can reach without putting forth some effort?


How about an athletic goal that you have for the long term?

I would like to break 12 hours at an iron distance race. I would also like to break 5 hours at a half-iron distance race.


Bradford, thanks for taking the time to talk with us. It has been fun.

Thank you.