‘Diabetes won’t control my life’

After a lifetime managing type 1 diabetes, 30-year-old Andrew Good says he will not let it control him.

The Orewa resident is taking part in the Ironman 70.3 in Taupo this December to raise awareness and money to help fund camps for young people living with the disease.

Good said he knows how hard it can be and how important it is to have good support networks.

‘‘I’ve been living with the condition for a very long time and I won’t allow it to dictate what I can and cannot do, it is a serious condition and takes a lot to keep on top of it,’’ Good said.

On December 9, Good will be racing for the Riding on Insulin (ROI) team at the event.

Good said he has been involved with ROI for a couple of years as they have a large team with around 100 Ironman and endurance events each year.

‘‘The team encourages diabetics and their families to compete in endurance events to raise awareness and help fund camps.’’

Good has always challenged himself to stay active and has done one half Ironman previously and multiple marathons.

‘‘It is quite difficult to get training in actually. My wife Hayley and I have a daughter who has just turned one and is taking up a lot of our time.

‘‘We are squeezing training in where we can but it is not as much as we had hoped to get in. We are lucky that Hayley’s parents live nearby so we can utilise their babysitting services from time to time, but it is still difficult to go out at separate times or go out together to get on top of this event,’’ he said.

If you would like to support the Goods visit classy.org/fundraiser/ 984070

‘‘I just want to help raise awareness, raise money for the camps, but also raise spirits,’’ Good said.

‘‘If I can help pave the way for others or families with someone who is living with type 1 diabetes and show that they can continue to lead active and healthy lives, there will be some good to come from the pain that I might suffer on race day.’’

The event has been established in Taupo for 11 years, with 2015 introducing the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Taupo, that has become a course to rave about.

On the day there will be a 1.9km swim, a 90km bike ride and a 21.1km run around Taupo’s fresh water lake.