Don't tell me I can't

In my research and doctor appointments I have found many people who believe that humans can't survive off of raw vegan food, that meat is required to live.  There are people who also say that a Type 1 Diabetic can't truly compete in a half marathon or marathon.  The word can't is thrown around so much when it comes to Diabetes and trying new and holistic approaches to fixing the poor health my lifestyle for the last 15 years has put me into.

When I read that a Type 1 Diabetic "can't" compete in a marathon it makes me more determined to not only run a marathon but to start getting competitive about it.  Sure I have a long way to go, but in three weeks of training (two of which I took off because I was sick) my changes in diet and lifestyle have allowed me to accomplish running a mile and a quarter without stopping and without dying.  It felt amazing to hear the voice of my NikePlus app tell me that I have completed a mile and in new record time.  Can't is a word no longer in my vocabulary.

Running a marathon is a lot different then running a mile, but with enough dedication and belief in myself I will do it within the next year and 3 months.  It is amazing the amount of research I have been doing on health, nutrition, and exercise.  There is so much misinformation out there about what we should eat and how far we can push ourselves when it comes to an exercise like running.  I chose to believe the route of natural and holistic nutrition and the belief that we are in fact "Born to Run" (a book my mom told me about that I began to research and am already obsessed with.

So far I have decided that I am going to stick with my raw vegan diet because it makes me feel amazing and is having an amazing impact on my blood sugar and control levels (not perfect yet, but much better then they were a few months ago).  I have also decided that I am going to get some minimal/barefoot running shoes (inspired by the Tarahumara Indians who can run over 200 miles in two days barefoot!!!).  The word can't will no longer be in my vocabulary.  Where there is will there is a way.  Sure I will be careful and the steps to accomplishing my goals may not come as easily as they would to a non-diabetic, but I never said that I wanted to have things be easier.