In the spring of 2008 I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes.  Since then I’ve learned quite a bit about the disease and how it can affect my body in a sort of “slow death” manner, from being a cause of heart problems, to blindness, to deadening nerves, to impacting my kidney and pancreas and other body organs negatively.  Perhaps the best thing I could have done to help prevent it was by having a good diet and exercise program – but due to my own laziness I did not even consider this as I pursued the typical American diet of fried foods, sugary foods and processed foods.

Last year, prompted by the potential side affects of diabetes, I decided I had two choices: I could change my diet and start exercising or go down the road of more medication and more treatments.  I chose diet and exercise.  Since then I’ve been bike riding, walking and dramatically changing what I eat and how much I eat.  I’m happy to report that I’ve begun to see progress and am really feeling good!

But, I wanted to go further with my “war on diabetes” (as I call it).  My exercise routine is predominantly bike riding.  So, last year I determined I would do a group ride in 2009 for a cause.  I have chosen the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure group ride.  That ride takes place on May 16, 2009 (just a couple more weeks) here in Louisville.  There are three stages to this ride and I have chosen to ride in the 20 mile stage.  This ride covers hilly countryside in Jefferson and Oldham counties.  Should be fun … one hill we climb is about 3 miles in length!  I’ve been training for this ride since last fall and have upped my effort during the last six weeks.

Tomorrow, April 25th, Saturday, I plan to ride one of my training rides – a 20 mile round trip ride from Fern Creek to Mt. Washington that includes four very good hill climbs (2 going and the same 2 coming back). UPDATE: I successfully completed this training ride in 1 hour and 45 minutes!.

As part of the Tour de Cure ride we get the opportunity to help raise funds through donations to the American Diabetes Association – a contribution to the “war on diabetes”.  This email is coming to you to ask that you consider making such a donation in sponsorship of my ride on May 16th.  Please consider at least $5 or more as your sponsorship.  $5 from many people does make a huge difference.

Here’s how you can donate a sponsorship:

• If we’re in the same neck-o-the-woods, you can hand me a $5 bill, or a $10 bill, or a $20 bill or more … and I’ll put it in my donation envelope and turn it on ride day,
• You can write a check to the American Diabetes Association and your check, in any amount, will be receipted and eligible for tax deduction purposes.  Just snail-mail your check to me as soon as possible and I’ll turn it in with my envelope on ride day.   Mail to: Jim Null, 7205 Gorham Way, Louisville, KY, 40291, or
• You can go online at www.jimnull.com/tour.htm and submit your donation sponsorship with any major credit or debit card.

It’s that easy!  My ride date is close, so thank you for acting today and thank you for your help in my “war on diabetes”!  If they could, the 23 million other Americans with Type I or Type II diabetes would thank you, too!