We liked the idea, Mr T LOVED IT! So we went and Mr T had "the best day of his life", as he stated at the end of the day.
As he is preparing for his SECOND TRYathlon, which will be on 29th April, I dug up the story I wrote last year after the event. Here it is:
Mother Hen watches a TRYathlon
[just so you know - my friend Jelena liked the article and she has published it in her Tourism and Lifestyle TURBO magazine, available in Botswana. Some info already known here was therefore repeated in the article intended for wider audience. Thanks Jelena, it made me a "published Author" ;)]
Mr T could not wait any longer so we head for the briefing area before they even announced his age group. Time for the last number-check before the race ( 14 again!!!!! Big grrrrrrrr) and time for me, “The Mother Hen” to let its chick go – all by himself, to do his first Triathlon. I hear my husbands voice: “ Stop Mother Henning him. It’s just like leaving him at school, which you do every day”. But its not: at school I know there is a network of people, teachers and kids who are aware of Mr T’s Diabetes and what to do if he goes low. Besides he does not run a triathlon at school every day. But I do let go – with a smile and a “Good Luck – have fun!”
I know he has my cell number and a note: “ Diabetic – wearing waterproof insulin pump” printed on the sticker on his shirt, I know he can recognize the low, I know we told him to take a few gummy bears after the swim when he gets to the transition area, just in case, I know that there are a huge number of volunteers helping with the event, on a lookout for any kid needing assistance, I know….I know….but I cannot help it, I am still thinking like a Hen…..
It was a wonderful sight: so many kids having a go. The event was named Kids TRYathlon (TRY as in “have a go”) and in the true spirit of it there were the kids hugging the pool noodles as they entered the pool, all the way to the finish – not being a confident swimmer yet, was not going to stop them !
Mr T remembered to breathe inbetween the strokes – which was kind of important. And then he was out of the water, running up the stairs and across the field to the transition area……”Mother Hen” in me started thinking again: does he feel Ok, what is his blood glucose doing?.....will he remember to take the sweets….will he get annoyed if he does not manage to tie his shoe laces quick enough……all that …..and more…..
We crossed to the cycling track and waited a few minutes before we recognised a broad smile, pedalling like mad. Mother Hen remembered that there was a downhill just around the corner and could not resist yelling: “Slow down on the downhill !” It took a while till he reappeared again, on the uphill now, nearly at the end of the 3km cycle, still all smiles.
Off to the transition area for him and a brisk walk to the running finish line for us. After all, 500m they need to run isn’t that long. We were just in time to see his smiley face, arms up in the air (as he has seen on TV), young TRYathlete crossing the finish line. Cherry on top – Jessica Watson gave him the participation medal.
What a day! Big hugs from mom and dad, a few photos taken and a quick “number check”. His BG 5.3 ! Mother Hen relieved. On the way to the car Mr T says: “ This is the best day of my life! I am so proud of my medal.”
And then it gets better: his blood glucose perfectly steady for the rest of a day: 5.8 ; 5.3 ; 6.2 ; 5.3 (what’s with 5.3 today, not that I am complaining!), and so on, into the next day.
Happy Mother Hen definitely recommends TRYathlon –
at least once a week!