BEN SEMEYN



  • Rockford, MI
  • Age: 30
  • Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 23

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


  • April 2008 – Boston Marathon Finisher
  • April 2010 - 2:52:09 Marathon (5th Overall) – Martian Marathon, MI
  • May 2010 – 1:34:38 - 5/3 Riverbank Run (25k) – Grand Rapids, MI
  • July 2010 - 4:33:02 Half Ironman Muncie Endurathon
  • October 2010 – 10:19:23 Ironman World Championships – Kona, HI
  • October 2010 - USAT All-American Honorable Mention M 25-29
  • March 2011 - 2nd Overall NJ Ultra Festival Trail Marathon
  • June 2011 - 3rd Overall Grand Rapids Triathlon 70.3
  • July 2011 - 4:21:49 (1st 25-29 Age Group) Rev3 Portland 70.3
  • 3 Time Ironman Finisher (Wisconsin, Louisville, Kona)

MEET BEN SEMEYN


Tell us about your diagnosis with diabetes.

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes later in life. It was December of 2005 – I was 23 at the time and had just gotten married 5 months prior to the diagnosis.


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

When the doctor first told me I was devastated. At the time I was a fairly healthy individual, but didn’t exercise regularly at all – in fact the most I probably could have run was a mile. All the same, when diagnosed I remember thinking my life was ruined. When I told my wife I remember crying – we were so newly married. Telling the rest of my family wasn’t hard, but everyone’s reaction was shock. Everyone also had a lot of questions, questions that at the time I had myself, so I wasn’t able to answer many of them.


How do you feel about diabetes now?

Thankfully in the months and years since my original diagnosis I have used my condition as a motivating factor – a way of challenging myself to prove how much I can do with diabetes. My life changed drastically from a person who rarely exercised to a person who averages 2-3 hours of exercise a day.


I hear you have some big news, tell us what’s happening in April.

Sure – my wife Jen and I are expecting our first child in April of 2011.


Why is exercise and competition a part of your life?

In a way I think exercise and competition are the main ways that I am able to feel like a “normal” person – to challenge and overcome the idea that diabetes is limiting to me. Also, leading a life balanced with a healthy diet and exercise has only made my diabetes management easier.


What drew you to Team Type 1?

As an athlete with diabetes, I am trying to show what is possible with this disease. Diabetes has really been a powerful source of athletic motivation for me. I am hoping that with Team Type 1 I can be both a positive example and source of inspiration for other people with diabetes who may be questioning their abilities as a result of having the condition.


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

Learning to effectively manage my blood sugars in the midst of a demanding schedule – that is one. Also to be in a position where I can be a resource for other individuals who are also living with type 1 diabetes.


What about an athletic achievement that you find especially significant?

I consider my greatest athletic achievement to date qualifying for, and racing in, the 2010 Ironman World Championships. When I first started running in 2006 a friend and I discussed how awesome it would be to run the Boston Marathon, and how it would be a life dream to compete in the Ironman World Championships. I figured qualifying for Boston would be hard enough, but to qualify for the Ironman World Championships would take a miracle. It just so happens that miracle took place a few years later at the Ironman Louisville 2010.


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

Don’t think of diabetes as a death sentence – it can actually be quite the opposite as it was for me. Use this new diagnosis as a reason to make better choices in your life – if you do it is very possible that your overall health will be better as a result of having diabetes. Sure, certain aspects of your life will change, but with increased knowledge and understanding of your body you can still do anything you put your mind to.


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

Diabetes has forced me to challenge myself in ways I never before imagined. My wife and I joke at how much my life has changed since being diagnosed, but not in the negative way we originally feared.


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

I feel like my diabetes management is pretty much on par. The one area I think I need to focus on the most though is management during periods of rest and recovery. When tapering for a big race, or recovering from one, my blood sugar levels are usually elevated due to my reduced activity level.


Tell us about an athletic goal you have for the short term – say in the next year.

I hope lower both my Half Ironman and Marathon personal bests.


How about an athletic goal for the long term?

In August of 2010 my wife and I found out she is pregnant with our first child. My long term athletic goal is to find a healthy balance of exercise and family. I hope to be able to do what I’m doing for many years to come.


Thank you for taking the time to talk with us.

Thank you.